When Beauty Destroys The BL World

Jealousy

In the reading room, Nickolai received every details about Dacia daily life. Cooking, cleaning and having a good relationship with the servants. She live with a complete opposite of what she used to do. Squandering money, excessive spending, bullying others and flattering the queen. Now, she just happily living her life, secluded in her own courtyard and have less interaction with the queen. Even if she gone to meet the queen, she will notify him first and it was never her initiative to see the queen.
She also reported to him every single conversation she had with the queen. She follows through the contract. This arose his wariness about her.

It like she is a completely different person.
To confirm his suspicion, he even ordered his guard to investigate her background the day after Dacia was gone. What she had been doing in the town that she used to stay. To check if she's really is Dacia Wickson.
But after receiving report from his dark guard, all of that telling him that she's indeed the same person. Yet, Nickolai doesn't seem to be satisfied with the result.
How can a person can be so different, and yet so similar?

"Keep on watching her. If anything suspicious going around her, report to me immediately." Nickolai order.
"Yes, your highness." The dark guard obeys then soon left the room.

Meanwhile, Irene in her room recalling back her conversation with the queen whilst having tea with her.
"Hosting a tea party??" Irene was surprised to hear this from the queen.
"Yes, it's about time you have a gathering and social activities with all the young ladies in this kingdom."
"But I still need time, your majesty. I don't think I'm ready to meet other people." Irene try to make excuses.
"Nonsense! Seeing you able to handle that old cranky Marquis, I believe you can also handle all the bunch of young ladies. I'm counting on you, Dacia." The queen said, as she drinks her tea gracefully.

Remembering that she will have to host a tea party and had to invite all the noble ladies, Irene then wrote down a report to the crown prince.

Before the day of the tea party, Irene goes through the procedure and used the budget that has been allowed to host the tea party. After inviting all the noble young ladies, Irene focus on food that needs to be served.

Now the day has come, Irene welcoming every guest that arrive at the tea party.
Everyone was complimenting her and thanking her for the invitation.
Irene respond to them kindly, with a smile.
Soon after, Alma arrived.
Sure enough, all eyes are looking at her and Alma.
All the noble ladies knew the strained relationship between the two of them.
Some were worry and some were excited to see a free show or maybe a cat fight which mostly they thought Dacia will initiate, due to her past behaviour.

Irene can guess what the guests are thinking. She then gave a smile towards Alma as she welcome her.
"Welcome, Lady Alma. Come join us for tea."
"Thank you, your highness." Alma said.

The tea party rather going well. As all of them having an idle talk and gossiping.
Irene just listen in silent while they all talk.
Soon the dessert and appetizer is served.
All of them were amazed with the cute decoration of the food. For they never seen such food as this.
"What is this, your highness?" One of the young lady asks.
"It is a pudding. And this is a cranberry cream cheese."
All of them tasted it.
"Wow, it so sweet."
"It's very chewy."
All the young ladies voice out their opinion about the food. With a result, that they found it very satisfying. Even Alma seem to enjoy the food.
"I need this recipe right now. Your highness, please let us meet this chef of yours." One of the noble ladies requested. Even others have the same request.
"Well...actually, I make them myself." Irene told them the truth.
With that, everyone was surprised.
"Your highness, you are simply talented."
All of them bombarded her with compliments and flowery talks except Alma. It makes Irene feels awkward. She didn't know how to respond. Irene could only smile politely and nod her head.