How About a Refill? ~The Elegant Tea Party of the Grand Witches~ - Chapter 8

Discussing Fashion

“That’s why it’s okay to try a bright coloured dress, Millie!” Valeria poked Miriam with her finger.

After that, the argument about the dress had arisen again. Miriam had yielded after the three witches had barraged her enthusiastically with talks about expressing the feeling of the season through the dress, or analysing which colours would go well with her skin tone. 

“Ah, I’m fine with anything. I will leave it up to you guys.”

“All right! Then, let’s begin at once!”

Valeria took out a silver stick, beautifully decorated with magic stones, from her robe and swirled it on top of Miriam’s head.

Shortly after that, a bright blue magic circle began to appear above her head. It shrouded Miriam in a bright light as it slowly floated down to her feet.

Miriam closed her eyes at the brightness. When she opened her eyes again, her simple moss green dress had been changed.

The princess line dress was now a refreshing mint green. The skirt was lined with several layers of lace piled on top of each other which swayed gently when she moved.

The sleeves also widened from her elbows to her wrist, and these too were lined with layers of lace that gave a light feeling to the small movements of her arm.

The square cut neckline beautifully flattered her decolletage. The bust had multiple layers of frills which added volume, and made her waist appear slim.

The back was cut exquisitely so it doesn’t open too much, and a large ribbon was tied around her waist. 

The ends of the ribbon hung along the short train giving off a stunning impression.

“What a lovely dress… This is the first time I’ve worn this colour.”

Miriam appraised her dress, turning around in front of a mirror.

“Your family is so rich but they can’t even make this kind of dress? How stingy are they?” Valeria asked, feeling doubtful about the plain dress Miriam had worn despite being cherished by her family. Miriam shook her head at her question.

“No, my mother and brother both always recommend these bright colours whenever I go for a fitting. It’s just I always refused. I thought it wouldn’t suit me, that it was not appropriate for me…”

“Soo that’s why you always wore simple dresses.”

“Yes. Everytime my mother and brother would make a sad face. Even my sister always criticises me saying it’s not fitting for the daughter of a marquess. But, in the end they respected my wishes.” 

Beatrice poured tea in a cup and beckoned Miriam to the chair next to her.

“See, there’s nothing to worry about now that you’ve set aside your doubts and worn one. It looks good on you. Now, come have some tea.”

Miriam, once again, took the cup offered to her and slowly sipped the tea.

This also tasted and smelled like freshly brewed tea.

“Umm, I’ve been wondering for a while now, but why does the tea always taste like it’s freshly brewed? From what i can see, there’s no maid or attendant here, so when does the pot get replaced?” Miriam voiced the question in her mind.

The three Witches looked bewildered for a second, then looking at each other, they seemed to come to an understanding with an “Ah!”

“I’m so used to it I completely forgot. It certainly would seem strange normally.”

Eleonora tapped the pot with her finger.

“It’s nothing special. It’s just recurring magic.”

“Recurring magic?”

“Yup. When you pour hot water in the pot and let it steam just right; the moment it’s ready to drink is what it recurs back to. That’s why no matter how much tea you drink from this pot, it always refills to the point where it’s ready to drink. So the tea inside the pot doesn’t get cold or run out.”

Magic to recur the same moment again and again… It was quite strange, but Miriam suddenly remembered. 

The strange garden she had seen before she came to the mansion. The flower that blooms in winter, and fruits that ripen at the end of summer were growing at the same time. Could it be that was also?

“Umm, is it possible the garden of this mansion also has the recurring magic?”

“Ooh, you understand quite well!”

“Oh, I just thought it was strange to see plants from different seasons growing there.”

The first thing she had noticed upon entering the garden had been the flowers from different seasons and flowers that shouldn’t be blooming at this time…

Miriam thought it made sense if there was such magic that could turn them back to a certain moment. 

Beatrice gazed at her in wonder, then a smile bloomed on her face again.

“What a surprise. Millie, you know a lot about plants. And you’re also perceptive.” Beatrice glanced at the garden below the terrace while saying so.

“The plants growing here are all used for medicine. I’ve charmed them with recurring magic to return to the moment when their medicinal properties are at their most effective. You can say it’s the medicine box of the Palace.”

“Medicine box of the Palace?”

“Yeah, that’s right. At any rate, this is a place with a lot going on. I make all the medicine the royal family uses.”

Miriam had overheard her father and her brother, who worked as the First Prince’s aide, talk before. Stuff like the discord with the Second Prince, the trouble with the aristocrats beneath the surface, or the suspicious movements of the new religion. The Royal Palace was not always a safe environment for the royal family. 

“I see. The medicine for the royal family. It certainly is very important.”

“Hahaha, they come quite often, you know. Speaking of, look!”

Beatrice turned towards the door and then, ‘knock knock’ someone knocked.