Lady wants to be a FARMER

Chapter 5 - The Bullying

NOTE: This chapter contains bullying (as the chapter name implies), thus, if you're uncomfortable with that subject, you might want to skip this chapter.

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It's a beautiful sunny and clear day, not a cloud can be seen in the blue depths above. For many, this weather is perfect for an outdoor tea party. Laughter and chatter can be heard in many gardens, including that of Lady Randa at the moment.

Seated at a circular table are several ladies of varying statuses. Most ladies, except one, have focused their attention on one spot, the odd one out uncomfortably avoids their gazes as she is the center of focus.

"Thank you again for accepting my invitation. Have you been to many tea parties in the capital, Lady Gerber?" Randa asks with a smile.

"N-no problem. This-this is actually the first one I've been to. Here in the capital I me-mean..." Madelief answers while muttering as she is still uncomfortable with being the center of attention.

"In that case this would be your first time having truly good tea!" A lady chimes in with a seemingly excited voice, "After all, you won't be able to get this stuff in the countryside!"

Lata shows a miffed face as she hears the last part.

'Really? Won't be able to? Even if it was the hardest to reach boonies in this world, that place's nobles would still be able to easily get their hands on the good stuff. They just have to wait a little longer for that stuff. Ah, why am I getting worked up over this simple backhanded insult! I have absolutely no right to get mad for Madelief's sake, considering what I'm about to do...'

Lata, the only one to stop focusing on Madelief, now turns her attention towards the various teapots in the middle of the table. A very unusual set-up.

Madelief meanwhile doesn't notice there being less eyes on her, as she focuses more on awkwardly laughing at the various backhanded and not so backhanded insults thrown her way. She's clearly too afraid to talk back and all the ladies at the table are very aware of that.

"I wonder," Janthe takes a bite out of a cookie and leaves the table silent for an uncomfortably long time before she continues, "would she even be able to handle this tea? You do need to have a refined taste for this."

A chorus of giggles resound as Madelief stares down at the table in embarrassment. It has been a few weeks since Madelief has been unfortunate enough to meet Janthe. She can't grasp the reason as to why Janthe demeans her so much.

'She doesn't even address me directly when she makes fun of me! Like, I'm less than a fly or something! She doesn't even have the decency to insult me to my face!' Madelief fumes quietly to herself as the idea of actually confronting Janthe terrifies herself immensely.

Madelief is snapped out of her thoughts by a hand clap from Randa.

"Well, I think it's about time we try the various teas here. Lady Zelenka has been kind enough to fill up our cups while we were conversing!" Randa smiles sweetly towards Lata, upon which the latter gives a reluctant smile back as she starts dividing the teacups amongst the ladies. She hesitates a bit before placing Madelief's cup in front of her, but no one notices. Not even Madelief.

The ladies quiet down for a bit as they all take a sip from their cups. Lata's gaze as she takes a sip is firmly planted on Madelief, and, out of the corner of her eye, she notices that Janthe's is as well.

Madelief doesn't even hesitate before she takes a big sip from the teacup, probably eager to taste just how delicious the tea in the capital is, but her face instantly changes to a mortified one as her hand shoots up to cover her mouth, but it's too late. In no time, the table and her dress are covered in tea which had just been in her mouth.