4 The Tea Party

The carriage bumped around as we rolled down the dirt road leading out of the estate. It was so funny that this was this world's definition of high-luxury travel. It felt a bit like a safari ride; jumpy, jostley, and overbearingly savannah-level hot; the large glass windows turned the place into a greenhouse. Just to make the trip awkward, Mother sat across from me in silence.

I glanced at her a bit sheepishly. It was the first time I had ever seen her dressed in something other than a nightgown. The maids had likely spent hours dolling her up, poor lady.

I got off easy that morning. As a young girl, my hair was left in two simple ponytails. My dress was, while a bit frilly for my taste, a little more breathable than hers. That petticoat she was wearing looked too warm for this weather. I was not looking forward to growing up.

The largest town of my family's county was less than a mile from our front gates. I looked out at the bustling marketplace we passed through with intrigue. To see better, I got up on my knees and leaned against the glass.

Catching myself in an improper act, my attention quickly snapped back to my mother. She was also looking apathetically out the window. She didn't seem to care about my conduct, so I made no efforts to amend it.

The market seemed to sell mostly foodstuff, but there were some stands with jewelry and crafted household items. The people looked so lively; I was a little envious. It made me think I wouldn't have really minded being born slightly less well off.

The children of merchants could be seen hanging out on side streets. A certain group of boys appeared to be playing a game similar to hacky-sac and the envy only grew. I missed sports. They stopped playing to watch the carriage pass.

As a girl I wasn't supposed to engage in such things as sports, but I got Eden to ask for a ball on my behalf. My intention was to teach him soccer but he really proved to not be the athletic type. He would kick the ball around with me from time to time but I could tell he was doing it more for me than for his own enjoyment which kind of sucked some of the fun out of it.

After we passed out of the town, the rest of the trip was a lot duller. The main road to the Dukedom mostly just cut through expansive farm fields.

I peeked another glance at my mother, she had fallen asleep. I relaxed a bit, facing her the whole ride was just unnerving.

Eventually, we reached the Duke's mansion.

The estate was sprawling. I had always thought our house was a bit overkill but I had never had a point of reference. You could absolutely see the change in social status. Looking at the massive rows of glass windows and balconies of the second floor, I realized they literally had a ballroom.

"It's pretty absurd," I accidentally said out loud.

"Agreed," my mother replied, startling me.

When I turned to her, she was looking away as if she had never said anything.

We were greeted by a butler at the front of the castle-like mansion and he lead us to the gardens behind, passing hedge mazes and lush rose and tulip plots until we finally reached a white gazebo with climbing-ivy walls. Underneath the terraced structure were an assortment of beautifully dressed women in vibrant discussion.

They noticed us approaching. I could see my mother tense.

"Countess Bell," One woman with bright red hair said from across the table. "How nice for you to join us, it's been such a long time."

My mother nodded. "Greetings Duchess Gallagher, yes it has."

"I assume you've gotten more used to this country since our last meeting," the woman sat closest to the Duchess said, with a bit of smugness in her tone. There was something malicious in the air despite the harmless conversation that I hadn't noticed at first. I didn't like it.

"Yes, I have learned much of your customs since we've last met," Mother agreed.

"That's very impressive. It must be hard coming from such a different culture," The Duchess said. "I still remember the first tea party you tried to host after your wedding. An unfortunate mess that was. I'm glad you've finally decided to accept an invitation, I'm sure you will learn much for next time."

"Indeed, you are all so generous for continuing to reach out." Mother said. Her intonation was flat but polite.

I had thought I that I hadn't cared for my mother much but now I was surprisingly raring for a fight on her behalf.

"Is this your daughter?" Asked the Duchess, turning to me.

I smiled brightly and stepped forward, curtseying with utmost grace. Of course, the best way to fight was to play their game and win. "Good afternoon, I was most honoured to receive your invite, Duchess Gallagher."

"My, what good manners," She said in delight.

"I am quite eager to meet the Young Lady Gallagher, is she present at this time?" I asked.

The Duchess smiled oddly warmly. "My daughter is entertaining a short ways down the path over there, she would love your company."

I curtsied again but gave my mother a worried glance as I passed. I did feel bad about leaving her in what was clearly a hostile situation.

Sure enough, down a cobblestone path, was a clean white table with doll-like girls drinking tea.

The girls ceased conversation immediately and stared at me expectantly.

When a close group of strangers are all suddenly staring at you, it's actually pretty intimidating. They all seemed a little older than me, which when you're our age, is a massive difference. Still, I've been in tenser situations.

I smiled. "Good afternoon, I am Briar Bell, daughter to the Earl of Brightbell. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Lady Bell," said a girl with familiar flaming-red locks, "I was ever so happy you accepted my mother's invitation, do take a seat."

The chair I took, near the end of the table was next to a girl with practically highlighter-blue coloured hair. I hid my surprise. I knew this was probably a fantasy-like world given the whole demon army invasion that was supposedly going to become a thing, but having been locked up in the mansion my whole life to this point, this was my first real exposure to anything wacky.

Noticing me staring, the girl smiled. "I'm Clara Winters, of the Marquis Winters estate."

That introduction arose a number of others across the table. "It's nice to meet you all," I said.

A maid approached with a beautiful rolling cart of different china teapots. "Floral, earl or white?" She asked.

I paused for a moment thoughtfully. I never really had formed a strong preference. "Oh, I'm not sure, I like them all." I turned to the Duke's daughter, "Lady Gallagher which would you most recommend?"

"I brewed the floral myself," she said.

"Actually?" I asked in surprise, then caught myself. "Oh, sorry if I worded that as if I doubted you, I just meant... that's really impressive! I have no idea how to brew tea." I turned to the maid, "I'll have the floral please."

The younger lady Gallagher looked pleased, "Well, I'm sure you could visit again sometime and I could show you how."

"That would be really amazing!" I said honestly. It kind of reminded me of the crafting sisterhood events we used to hold back in my old college sorority. I was more the outdoorsy/active type but there was always something fun about getting with girlfriends and doing some good old DIY.

"By the way," she said, "You can address me as Gwen if you want. It's what friends call me."

"Then call me, Briar!" I said and turned to the others at the table, "All of you, I'm younger and Lady Bell just seems so formal!"

The girls all murmured agreeance and conversations began to split to smaller groups along the table's length.

"Briar," Clara said. "I've heard a lot about the Bell house from my mother on the way here. I bet it's very lively."

I smiled bitterly, "I'm not sure I'd call it that although I don't really know much about my own family if I'm being honest. I have a brother your age though, Eden's my best friend."

"Wasn't your mom a famous dancer from Sihbar?" Clara asked.

"Was she really?" I asked in interest. Sihbar was the neighbouring country to the east, I finally knew where my mother was from.

Clara frowned. "I take it she doesn't dance anymore then. That's such a shame. It's a love story that gets told a lot amongst the noble ranks about how your dad fell in love with her the minute she started dancing and immediately asked her hand."

"I had no idea..." I said.

The table went silent again and we both turned in confusion, another girl had entered the garden. When I was on the other side of the stares, I had thought that this felt like a hazing but in reality, it was a sort of kindness. We were all giving her our undivided attention to make her greeting. Perspective really changes things.

The girl was cute with cinnamon-coloured hair and huge purple doe-eyes... that currently looked like they were staring straight into headlights. She stood frozen stiff for just long enough for things to get awkward.

"A-ah, I'm sorry," she said in surprise. In jerky realization she bowed, face turning red. "I'm Viola, Viola Doyle... thank you for inviting me." At the end of her greeting, she tried to force a smile but it was so pained she would have been better off not doing it at all.

I stared at her in shock. You have got to be kidding me. This was the protagonist?