Chapter 26: 26 Tea ceremony at the Red Rose Salon

After her secret meeting with Sirius and Kai, Deanna returned to her room, was berated by Yuri (she was acting alone, even if she didn't think about it), and after a hectic lunch, began to prepare for the tea party at the Red Rose Salon. While I was putting on my "Red Rose" costume, makeup, and hairstyle, Luly and the other maids decorated the salon and arranged for refreshments. It's a lot of hard work, especially when you're short on staff.

In the meantime, tea time was approaching, and Lurie, who was in charge of the salon, reported that some of the ladies had arrived. When the Red Roses were complete, Deanna looked back at Rita and Yuri, who had arranged them for her.

"What do you think?

"It's perfect, Master Diana.

"Yes, you look stunningly beautiful, first in line to the throne.

Looks can be intimidating in a crowded place. Her mother's and aunt's "court instructions" are firmly rooted in Diana's mind. I'm not sure if you'll be able to find a way to make it work, but I'm sure you can.

--And...

"I've been waiting for you, Red Rose.

As soon as Diana appeared, the ladies who had already gathered stood up at once and bowed deeply. When Deanna appeared, the assembled ladies all stood up and bowed deeply.

Thank you for welcoming me, ladies and gentlemen. Please make yourselves comfortable. I invited you all here, but this is the salon of my Red Rose.

"Yes, yes...

I have invited you all, but this is the salon of the Red Rose. As they sat in their chairs, I could tell that they were waiting for Deanna's words.

As she took her usual seat, Diana chuckled.

What's going on, everyone?　You look like you're about to start a funeral.

"Hey, Red Rose!

The one who stood up with determination was, as I recall, the daughter of an emerging viscount family. She is the daughter of a very famous trader in that line of work.

Deanna turned to the girl and smiled euphemistically.

What's the matter?　What's the matter? You look so distressed.

Red Rose, are the rumors that have been circulating this morning true?

"Rumors?

"That His Majesty has gone to the Peony. Isn't it a popular rumor that you were taken aback by her beauty at first sight? If that were the case, ......

Her words were interrupted by Diana's laughter.

Her words were interrupted by Diana's laughter, "Hmm ......, do you all believe such rumors?　I'm sure you've heard of it.　How is that possible?

But...

Even if it were true, it would be a trivial matter. My position is unassailable, no matter who is in Your Majesty's favor.

Deanna mocked the rumors with a calm and somewhat amused expression. Of course, she did it on purpose.

Diana was aware of all the rumors circulating in the palace. The only one that had any credibility was that "His Majesty went to the Peony". Everything else seemed to be a manipulation of information by the Peony faction, aiming to give Peony the upper hand and push the Red Rose into an inferior position, and to further split the Red Rose faction. The more they believed the rumors and fumbled around, the more the foundation of the Red Rose Faction would be shaken.

But even if I were to tell them honestly, it would not ease the anxiety of the ladies here. Even if they want to believe that it is not true, there is always the lurking suspicion that it might be true. Forcibly suppressing these doubts may create new negative feelings. That would be troublesome later on.

That's why Diana not only denied the rumor head-on, but also showed the "Red Rose" who calmly said, "It doesn't matter if it's true. What is important now is not to expose the truth of the rumors. What is important now is not to expose the truth of the rumors, but to calm down and reassure the Red Rose's chamberlains who are worried and shaken by the rumors.

She smiled a mischievous smile that said she had actually found some amusement.

I'm the Red Rose, the first in my entourage. Even if Master Peony were to win your favor, would she be able to surpass my position?

"But if ...... were to give birth to an heir...

Being a mother of state is not necessarily the same thing as being a queen. As long as I am here, no matter what happens, I will not let Peony-sama do as she pleases, and I will never return her to the palace she had before summer.

That must be what they were really worried about. In fact, when the ladies heard Diana's declaration, their faces became blatantly relieved. I'm sure you're not the only one who's worried.

I'm sure you don't, but if you're being harassed by the Peony Faction, please let me know right away. I'll show them how foolish it is to mess with my 'friends'.

Yes, yes!

Thank you, my dear Red Rose!

Thank you, Red Rose!" To be frank, this is an expression and a speech that can only be seen as that of a 'villain'. However, there is nothing more reassuring than these words for the current Red Rose Faction's ladies. Seeing that the atmosphere had completely relaxed, Diana inwardly patted her chest.

(I guess that's a relief ......, right?

The Red Roses would not be intimidated by a little rumor. Deanna held her cup gracefully and looked up as Rita poured her a cup of tea.

"Gentlemen, the tea is going to get cold.

"Yes, of course.

I can't leave without drinking the tea that the Red Rose has invited me to.

The mood in the salon changed and it turned into a harmonious tea party. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

(...... something... (Something's wrong.)

I can't tell you exactly what it is. It's hard to say, but my intuition kept telling me that something was wrong. Something is wrong.

(But what's wrong? (But what's so strange about that?) The behavior of the ladies at the tea party was pretty much as expected. (But what's wrong with that?) The flow of conversation was also as expected.

Then I thought about it and realized.

--It was too smooth.

If you look at the salon again, you will not find any of the members of the Red Rose's inner circle who are classified as extremists. When I looked back at Rita and Yuri, they seemed to have noticed too and gave me a stern look.

The conversation would have been more confusing if the extremist girls had been here. After all, their goal was to fight the Peony Faction and win a complete victory. There was no way they would accept a simple "We'll protect you".

"...... Diana, what can I do for you?　Shall I call on you?

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"No, thank you. We don't know what they're up to, and we can't make a move on them.

Rita whispered, and Deanna whispered back. I'm not going to do anything if I don't know what they're up to.

"Dear Diana, please look over there.

What?

Deanna followed Yuri's gaze. --And there it was.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience.

"Well, Miss Sophia. ...... Oh, who are you?

You don't know me?　This is Shayla Callerd.

Rough. The salon, which had been peaceful, was now buzzing with activity. Shayla's friends and the entourage of the Hidden Neutrals looked worried, and some of them stood up.

"Master Shayla?　How come ...... Master Shayla Callerd is not a member of the Red Rose Faction?

"Oh, but Master Shayla is under the protection of the Red Rose, isn't she?　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. ...... and also to apologize for your own misdeeds.

Her voice lowered a notch. Shayla's shoulders jerked as she was surrounded by her militant aides. In particular, there are those who are not involved with Shayla and who are not 'hidden neutrals' who do not hide their cold gaze. Diana was secretly shocked by the unexpectedly small number of aides who favored Shayla.

I'm not sure what to make of that. Normally, there would not be such a backlash against Shayla, but now, because of the relationship with the Peony Faction, rumors are being spread that are detrimental to Shayla. Of the remaining forty percent, there are very few ladies who do not have a negative view of Shayla.

"Master Shayla Callerd: ....... I'd like to take this opportunity to find out. Is it true that you were a favorite of His Majesty's?

"It is whispered that because of your presence, His Majesty does not care for the Red Rose.

In addition, I've heard that you waved your tail to the Peony to save your own skin, even though the Red Rose helped you. If that's true, you can't complain even if the Red Rose gives you a hand here and now, can you?

The words of the entourage were sharp. They were suspicious of Shayla and trembling with anger, and Deanna, who was watching from afar, could feel it. If this continues, it could be a repeat of yesterday. And this time in the salon of the Red Rose.

Shall I stop her? As she was about to stand up, Deanna stopped when she saw Shayla looking up resolutely, her shoulders shaking. Her beautiful eyes gleamed with intensity as she looked straight at her ladies.

I have no way of knowing to whom His Majesty's favor rests. But I know one thing for certain. Even if the world ends, I will never serve the Master Peony.

The rumors are wrong. The rumors are wrong," Shayla said proudly, unfazed by the cold gaze.

Shayla has a fragile appearance that makes you want to protect her. But you are reminded of how strong she is at her core.

She is not only strong, but she is also wise enough to hide the truth that would be detrimental to her. She is like a strong wild flower that is firmly rooted in the ground, but is able to carry the wind. It may be difficult to overcome all kinds of headwinds, but she will never be defeated.

Even now. Shayla's strong gaze frightened the members of her entourage, and even the militant members of her entourage stepped back in surprise. Just when it looked like the situation was going to be settled, the highest-ranking of the radicals, Countess Sophia Tandor, danced in front of Shayla.

I'm sure you'll understand.　Why don't you think about your position for a moment?

"My position?

You ought to be ashamed of yourself, being protected by the Red Rose and then having Peony do it to you!

That's enough, Master Sofia.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

The salon was silent. There were few things that Deanna could think of that would be the best thing to do in this situation.

"...... Master Shayla Callerd. Did I tell you about the tea party today?

"No, no...

"Yes. Then there is no reason for you to be here.

Try to be as calm and unemotional as possible. You probably sound cold-hearted to the people around you.

I know, but right now... This is how it has to be.

"No need to thank me or apologize. I just did what I wanted to do. You should go back to your room and get some sleep. I'm sure you're tired of everything.

"Red Rose!

I said 'unnecessary'. Do you know what ...... means?

I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I mean. After making sure that they were silent, Diana looked at Shayla again.

"Well, welcome back.

It was not a good idea to accept Shayla now that bad rumors were circulating about her. The only way is to send her away, but there is a faction of people who might turn against her if she speaks to them in a caring or brusque manner.

So the only thing to do is to speak in a way that is as emotionless as possible. However, the less emotion in Diana's voice, the colder and harsher it sounds.

With this kind of voice, she might hurt Shayla. Even though I know that, I can't do anything more than that now that I'm on the Red Rose. I looked at Shayla as if I were praying...

"I'm sorry. I am deeply sorry for any discomfort I have caused you, Red Rose.

Shayla bowed deeply, and on the surface, she was unfazed by the response.

But Deanna, who had treated her as "Dee," could not be fooled. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it before.

...... I've hurt her. I'm not sure what to do. If you can only hurt to protect, you are no different from the king.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I've been so impressed with your work. As the Red Rose, this is not the right time to be upset.

"......, Red Rose.

You don't need to worry about things you didn't ask for. Please be careful, Miss Sophia.

Finally, she nailed the "extremists" a little too hard.

With a graceful look on her face, but hiding the pain in her heart, Diana returned to her position as the Red Rose.

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