“Thank you very much for inviting me today.”

The one who smoothly offered a curtsy befitting a noble young lady was the Saint.

Not the capable young lady Alberta.

The Saint.

“H-hey! Why don’t you say something?!”

As if she disliked the strange silence, the Saint raised her voice.

At that sight, warm and indulgent looks were directed her way, as if to say this was just her usual self.

“I-I can do it too if I try, you know!”

The hem of her pale lemon-colored dress with plenty of frills swayed.

With her flat-and-slender figure, the Saint wearing it only made her look even more childlike.

“Mmph, how rude!” she declared, then moved to an empty seat.

Surprisingly, the Saint was quite accustomed to noble society in situations like this.

Even as an adopted daughter, she must have received an education fit to be presented in public without shame.

As expected of the Contreras Marquess House.

Incidentally, the Saint was seated at the same table as Lady Alberta.

This was arranged in consideration of both her family’s rank and her position as the Saint.

Li herself did not want to create distinctions based on family hierarchy.

Even so, this was a society with a clearly defined class system.

At the very least, the arrangement was meant to ensure the other girls would not feel intimidated.

“Thank you all for gathering today at our family’s tea party. I hope you will enjoy this small gesture of hospitality.”

As the host, Li delivered her greeting.

Today, Li had styled her hair into two buns stacked one above the other.

She wore an off-shoulder dress matched to the color of her eyes.

The boldly exposed back gave off a sensuous air.

However, since the neckline was designed in a Mao-collar style, only part of her back was visible.

That restraint instead emphasized a more mature elegance.

Beside Li stood her younger sister Sonia, wearing a similar dress.

At their mother’s suggestion, Sonia was also participating.

Their younger brother refrained from attending, since the gathering was for young ladies.

Naturally, Sonia’s dress had a more childlike design.

Her slightly awkward greeting, combined with her cuteness, brought warm smiles to everyone’s faces.

Once Li’s greeting concluded, the young ladies began chatting among themselves.

As expected, the carefully perfected mackerel sandwiches were a hit.

Smiles bloomed here and there at the unfamiliar flavor.

“Uhohoho.”

The Saint let out a strange laugh as she nibbled on a sandwich.

“Big sis, that person is a little scary.”

“It’s alright, Sonia. That lady over there is the Saint.”

“Seint!” [TL: Childlike pronunciation.]

Perhaps she heard Sonia’s voice, because the Saint, who had been completely unguarded with food in her mouth, suddenly put on a sharp expression.

“That’s right! I’m the Saint!”

Seeing the Saint puff out her nonexistent chest, Sonia broke into a sparkling smile.

“Seint!”

“Sonia-chan. Li-sama is a goddess, you know.”

Lady Alberta cut in at that moment.

“A goddess? Big sis?”

Sonia tilted her head, the gesture adorably innocent.

“That’s right. Li-sama is—”

“Hold it right there! I’m way more goddess-like than her, aren’t I?!”

Lady Alberta snorted at the Saint’s remark and didn’t miss the chance to provoke her.

She slowly swept her gaze from top to bottom, then grinned.

“And in what way?”

“Oh? Oh? Is this a war? You wanna start a war?”

The Saint and Lady Alberta glared at each other.

“Big sis, she’s scary.”

Leaving the two behind at the table, Li took Sonia by the hand and stood up.

How lovely it is when people get along.

Listening to the playful bickering between the Saint and Lady Alberta, Li spoke gently to her sister.

“Sonia, let’s go greet everyone at their tables.”

With a cheerful “Yes,” Sonia answered and Li stroked her head as they went around offering greetings.

All the tables other than their own were peaceful.

Everyone enjoyed the light food and cakes, chatting pleasantly over tea.

Then the two sisters, beautiful like dolls, came to visit each table.

The atmosphere grew livelier and conversations blossomed.

Sonia, praised by everyone, looked thoroughly pleased.

Although there was a brief commotion between the Saint and Lady Alberta, Li’s first tea party ended on a high note.

Later on, the bone china tableware Li created became so popular that it turned into a trend among the nobility, eventually becoming a favorite of the royal family as well.

These furnishings and tableware, sold exclusively by the Karasebed Ducal House, would continue to be produced for generations.

And in later ages, they would be remembered by name as the Li Earlychar Style.