Second Life of the Villainess

Chapter 12

'Look at my clothes. I had to wear these dirty, shabby clothes.'

The young ladies' eyes were directed at Aria's clothes because she had created a situation that had attracted attention with her purposefully late arrival. Everyone was shocked by her humble dress, which was no different from those of the common people.

It was not without sense. Even though it was a shabby dress, she had adorned it with various decorations to distract the eyes. Though, it was hard to say if the decorations were classy.

Her appearance was so different from the rumour that all the young ladies in the garden were speechless. Sarah, who had come to her senses, at last, greeted Aria and urged the other young ladies to be courteous. Only then, did the young ladies, realizing how rude they had been, hastened to greet Aria.

Aria greeted them with a shy smile that blushed her cheeks. She looked like a young lily, the seal of the Roscents, leaving a lovely impression in everyone's heart.

"Now that we're all here, shall we start?"

It was late, but a full-fledged tea party began as Aria took her place. Rose tea, which was a product from a faraway foreign land, was prepared, and sweet cookies and cakes filled the table.

Aria, who had never participated in alcohol-free gatherings since she was young, observed everything with interest. Her presence was interpreted in a slightly different way to that of the other young ladies. Her simple dress also played a part in that.

'Why is it so simple, like a commoner's? Is this her first time seeing cookies and cakes?'

It couldn't be, but Aria's attire and demeanour made them think so. In the end, a young lady, unable to bear her curiosity, asked Aria. "Lady Roscent, is this your first tea party?"

"Yes, it's my first time. Cookies and cakes are really pretty."

"Oh, my God."

There was a sigh of admiration from someone's mouth. It represented both surprise and pity. It had been a year since she had joined the family of the count, so they wondered how she had never attended a tea party.

Young girls from noble families normally enjoyed tea parties in their own mansions. Those were also events aimed at preparing them for their advancement into society. In families with sisters, they held a small gathering together, and in families with none, they invited a close friend.

Sarah had no sisters, so she had often invited someone close to her and held her tea party that, much like she was doing that day. The tea party fell silent thought they were supposed to be talking to one another.

At that point, a common question came into the minds of the young ladies. It was the small question of whether the rumours that had caused a stir in the public were false. Aria's behaviour, her attitude, her manner of speaking, and her bright laughter seemed to say so.

The same was true of Sarah's words. Before Aria arrived, Sarah had requested mercy, for Aria was nothing like the rumours. Not everyone had believed her because Sarah was kind and friendly by nature, but actually, she seemed right.

'Because people believe in what they see.'

Aria smiled brightly as they looked at one another with stiff expressions. The tea party was only beginning.

* * *

The tea party was ripe, and the young ladies showed great interest in Aria, asking her the usual questions. For example: How did she usually live in the mansion of the family of count? How did she feel about having been a commoner and about what she was wearing that day?