“Excuse me. I have brought the tea.”

The maid’s voice echoed through the highest-grade reception room in the Karasebed Ducal House.

In the Amesverta Kingdom, what they call tea refers to British-style afternoon tea.

It comes with tea and sweets and even light meals.

And there is one thing that has also been bothering Li.

It is a country with abundant food supplies but no matter how you look at it, cakes are especially plentiful.

What surprised Li most was the strawberry-topped sponge shortcake.

By British standards, it should have been made with biscuit dough, or so Li thought, finding it puzzling.

The time period and the world setting are all mixed together.

It is only natural for Li to think that way.

Why is Li so knowledgeable about afternoon tea?

That is because of experiences from a previous life.

On top of the table bearing the ducal family crest crafted with marquetry and inlay, the maid neatly sets out the tea and a three-tier stand.

Is it simply a charming quirk that there is cheese and honey pizza where sandwiches ought to be.

As Li admires the smooth, unbroken movements as always, a voice calls out.

“Li-chan, did you make this table too?”

At the queen’s question, Li gives a small nod.

“That’s not fair. Veronica-chan, please give Li-chan to our family.”

“No you can’t, Sister. Li-chan is our child.”

“Our child is a bit stupid anyway so it’s fine, isn’t it?”

‘Crown Prince, you’re being talked about.’

Li secretly lets out a suppressed laugh while drinking the tea.

The lively chatter between Mother and the Queen continues.

It seems Mother is boasting about the cheese and honey pizza.

She is completely toying with the Queen.

Perhaps the conversation has run its course.

The Queen sharply tightens her expression.

“Li-chan, thank you for saving my life. You have my heartfelt gratitude.”

She rises smoothly to her feet and performs a deep curtsy, bending her knees gracefully.

As expected, the sight of her is overflowing with elegance.

“N-no. After all, you are my aunt, so I merely did what was natural. And besides…”

“And besides?”

Mother asks with a grinning face.

“I could never ignore someone in need.”

“Li-chan.”

The Queen hugs her.

Li is weak against this kind of skinship.

It is because there is no memory of receiving it in a previous life.

Li can feel her face growing hot.

Even so, she hesitates to pull the Queen away.

“Sister, our Li-chan is troubled, so please let her go.”

“Honestly. It can’t be helped.”

When the Queen steps back, Li finally lets out a sigh of relief.

“By the way, Sister, what is your true purpose?”

“I really did want to thank Li-chan, but…”

Mother stares intently at the Queen.

After a brief silence, the Queen clears her throat softly.

“About the Grand Fever of Far-Reaching Deadly Poison, there is something I need to tell Li-chan as well.”

As she begins to speak, the Queen’s face is more serious than it has ever been.