How About a Refill? ~The Elegant Tea Party of the Grand Witches~ - Chapter 21

The Duke’s Secret Meeting

The next day, Miriam was awoken at the crack of dawn. She was asked to help out with the morning chores which included tending to the livestock and watering the vegetables in the garden. She went back to the Caparoni household before afternoon.

By the way, she wasn’t very helpful with these chores either since they were also things she hadn’t done before.

Even though it was only a one night stay, Miriam found it to be a refreshing and pleasant experience. 

“I’ve come to notice how many people I depend on just to carry on with my life. Every single leaf in this tea, this fruit, the flowers on the table, everything has been made by someone who has put careful thought into each.”

“I see, it must have been a valuable experience for you then.”

Miriam was talking about the various culture shocks she had experienced at Valeria’s to Emilio who was sitting next to her. Emilio was looking at her with a warm gaze.

Emilio had somehow shown up at the Caparoni household again today to apologise for yesterday, and to give a gift of thanks for looking after Robin.

Currently, Emilio, Miriam and Leonardo were having tea in the gazebo at the Caparoni house’s garden.

Alessia had worried so much over Miriam yesterday that she ended up getting a fever, and was currently in bed. Miriam of course felt sorry for her sister who she never thought would worry over her to this extent. Moreover, she wondered if perhaps her sister didn’t hate her after all. But at the same time she felt burdened at the thought that her sister was suffering because of her.

“A word please, Your Highness Prince Emilio?”

Leonardo only addressed Emilio with his title outside of official meetings if there was something wrong.

Emilio turned towards him cautiously. 

What he saw was a man grinning at him with a demonic smile.

“I applaud you for apologising to Millie, and for bringing a thank-you gift. But do you think it was really necessary for you to come here?”

Although Leonardo was smiling his eyes were glaring. Emilio stifled a laugh as he imagined black fumes coming out of the man. 

“I didn’t think I could convey my sincerity if I sent a messenger. I always want to be sincere with Miss Miriam who is like a kindred soul to me.”

“I’ve been wondering for a while now but what do you mean by ‘kindred soul’!? It’s not like you and Miriam share something you both can relate to!”

“Well, brother, that’s not the case! His Highness is my one and only kindred soul who shares the same thoughts as me.” Millie interrupted without thinking. At this, Emilio grabbed her hand and looked at her with a warm gaze again.

“Ah! Thank you, Miss Miriam! That’s right! You’re my one and only kindred soul! But it’s a bit sad… you never call me by my name.”

Miriam became disconcerted at Emilio’s expression of sadness and quickly grasped his hand in hers.

“I’m really sorry… it’s just I feel so discourteous…”

“There’s nothing to worry about. Won’t you say my name?” 

“… Emilio”

Leonardo let out a sigh as Miriam blushed and looked down.

“Ah, how many times I’ve seen this exchange now. It’s become a routine for you two. I understand so let go now. So, what sort of kindred souls are you? Don’t tell me! Did you develop romantic feelings for each other!?” 

Miriam and Emilio let go of their hands and looked at each other.

“Well, if I put it bluntly we’re like a support group?”

Leonardo looked puzzled at Emilio’s words while Miriam let out a small smile.

　◇

“Looks like Prince Emilio has visited the Caparoni house for two days in a row.”

“He’s been close friends with Lord Caparoni since childhood, but he has never visited the Caparoni house before.”

“And then he suddenly planned a visit yesterday afternoon. And today as well… Did he have something to talk about with Lord Caparoni that he can’t talk about in the castle, or perhaps…”

“Perhaps the famous fairy princess*… ? Or it could also be to meet with the younger one. It doesn’t help that the Caparoni house has significant influence.”

(TN: Emilio and Leonard once called Miriam a fairy princess too, but here ‘fairy princess’ is referring to Alessia as many in society call her that.)

A group of nobles were gathered to talk in secret in one of the rooms of the royal palace. They were followers of Duke Saint Angelo, the older brother of the concubine. In other words, they were from the ‘Second Prince’s Faction’.

“What should we do, Your Grace? If this goes on Prince Emilio will soon have a fiance from an influential family…”

“That’s right. And for her to be the renowned fairy princess of the Caparoni family, I feel enviou… ahem ahem… I mean, it’s troublesome since she is highly regarded by society.” Duke Saint Angelo stroked his prideful beard in thought.

“I wonder if we can’t replace the fiance with Prince Ivan…”

“Speaking of, doesn’t the Caparoni family have another daughter? The frail one known as the ephemeral beauty…”

“Yes, but no one has ever seen her…”

“Yes but with those parents. I’m sure the younger miss is as beautiful as the fairy princess.”

Everyone began picturing their own versions of Miriam as they thought of the beautiful Caparoni family members.

“At any rate it’s Lady Tatiana’s daughter after all… it’s a given that she must be beautiful…”

“Oh, my Lord, is this the lady Tatiana that you yourself were pining after long ago?”

“Oh dear, how embarrassing. However, there is not a single soul from our generation who wasn’t taken by Tatiana. Even now her goddess-like smile hasn’t diminished… ah.”

“Speaking of, I was also one of her admirers.”

“Oh my! Duke! You don’t want your wife to hear that~”

Miriam’s mother Tatiana was once renowned as society’s flower. The beauty who was also called a goddess was married to the Marquess, and even after having three children was still as beautiful. At that time, she was so popular that some men had secretly formed a fan club to celebrate their admiration for her.

It seemed like these men were the same, and the secret meeting they were having to discuss about the ‘First Prince’s consecutive visit to Marquess Caparoni’s House’ unknowingly turned into a ‘Lady Tatiana’s fan club reunion’. Those who noticed it remained quiet.