Chapter 154: How about a cup of warm tea? (10)

As soon as the tea party began, the conversation quickly began.

“I heard Your Highness was chosen by the goddess of light.”

“I was lucky to be given the power of light.”

“Wow, that's great.”

“I knew it from the beginning. You’re special, so you must have lifted His Highness’ curse.”

“If you have language skills, can you read books from other countries?”

“Yes.”

“Then you'll be able to read the books of the East.”

“Of course.”

The ladies showed interest in the magic of light and the language ability I have.

“Just what was Howard blabbering about before?”

“I heard that the priest is in jail.”

“He’s not a priest anymore, and it’s all because of his own acts. He spread groundless rumours of many people.”

“You know what? He even lied about tancinol when it could be cured with just a fruit.”

The topic of the conversation naturally shifted to the subject of the priest and scurvy.

Some of them blatantly criticized him while the others kept their mouths shut.

The Kensway family is a respectable family, and many nobles followed them like they’re gods.

Everyone knows it's Howard Kensway's fault, but still can't admit it.

But as time goes by and their sins are revealed, they will eventually change their minds.

“But good things have happened in this case. My husband and son started eating fruit.”

“Is that a good thing? They’ve taken fruits I usually eat, and I hate to see it.”

“Hahaha, is that so?”

“But it's a relief that we eat it ourselves. I hope the Emperor works well so that fruits don't become scarce.”

We talked without restriction because there were less people. However, as the subject of the story flowed toward the Emperor, Countess Chardin coughed awkwardly.

She thinks it's not appropriate to talk about that in front of me.

When Countess Chardin signaled, the other wives quickly shut up and changed the subject.

“Right, Your Highness must not have any worries.”

“That’s right. His Highness is responsible like His Majesty. So you must’ve lived comfortably.”

“Of course. He had so many women aiming for him in seven years, yet he hasn't forgotten you!”

“Mrs. Marcelle!”

When the story of the women who had been aiming for Blake came out, other wives shouted in surprise.

Mrs. Marcelle also realized her mistake and quickly covered her mouth with her hands.

“I'm sorry.”

“It's alright.”

I already knew it, and it didn’t matter. Besides, like Mrs. Marcelle said, he has never forgotten me.

However, the atmosphere froze in an instant.

I was fine, but the other wives seemed to be wary. Suddenly, someone broke the silence and said,

“By the way, Your Highness, you look so beautiful today.”

“That's right.”

“You look great in that dress.”

Perhaps to revive the atmosphere, the wives poured out praises to me.

“I was surprised from the moment I entered the Sephia Palace. Of course, you were beautiful everytime, but I think you’re even more dazzling today.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

These days, not only Tenstheon and Blake, but also Melissa and Terry tried to feed me something when they saw me, so I gained a little weight.

I was very thin before, so I was satisfied because I looked healthier now. I think my complexion got better too. But I don't think it’s a drastic difference…

“That's right. I think your skin is glowing. Do you have any secrets?”

“Please let me know if you have a secret.”

The ladies were curious about my cosmetics and other things.

Normally, I would have waved my hand saying nothing has changed, but today I said something,

“Actually, I've been drinking Eastern tea lately.”

“Eastern tea?”

“Yes, it’s a tea called ‘Taekri tea’.”

“Is there such a tea like that?”

“It’s a tea that was exclusive to the imperial family in Chang before.”

The rumours about me quickly disappeared, but the bad rumours about Chang still remained. It's probably because of their anxiety about an unknown territory.

Nevertheless, the ladies' eyes shone brightly when I said those things.

“Where could I buy that?”

“When the trade with Chang begins, the tea will come in.”

“It must take a long time.”

“I'm afraid so.”

I looked at the discouraged ladies and asked them implicitly.

“Do you want the tea?”

“Of course.”

“Your Highness, can you give it to us?”

Everyone said it because they wanted to try the tea and hopefully, they’ll forget about the vague fear of Chang.

I smiled inwardly.

“I can’t, I already finished the tea from Chang.”

As soon as I said so, there were sighs of regret here and there.

“But don't be disappointed. I planted the seeds of the tea in the garden.”

“Where did you plant it?”

The ladies looked around the garden decorated with flowers and mana stones.

“Right here.”

I pointed to the ground next to me. The ladies were disappointed again when they saw that there were no sprouts yet.

“Your Highness, you're too much.”

“That’s right, are you making fun of us.”

A grumpy complaint filled with regret erupted.

“No way.”

I gave a light smile and reached out to the ground.

When the mana of light from my hand covered the ground, green buds began to emerge.

The small buds grew quickly. After growing the tea leaves enough to harvest, I retreated my hand.

“Wow…”

At that moment, people began to praise me again.

“I've never seen anything like that before!”

“Is it the mana of light?”

“Yes, it’s the mana of light. The Crown Prince can do it too.”

I smiled lightly and gestured to the servants. The servants came quickly and took the tea leaves. I started drying the tea leaves with the fire mana stone.

The maids took the dried tea leaves and brewed the tea.

In fact, I haven’t finished my taekri tea yet. But I showed them growing tea leaves on purpose.

It was because some people still believed in false rumors and gave a suspicious look to me, even though I announced the fact that I had a mana of light.

With this, they won’t doubt me anymore. Not only that, but the fact that I'm the real light mage will spread throughout the community.

It will spread much faster than Howard’s rumours.

The tea was placed on each table of the ladies.

I drank tea first since I have the highest status, but it was also to erase their guard against food they’ve never seen before.

“Everyone, try it.”

I drank first, and asked the ladies to try it.

“It's delicious.”

“Yes, it tasted great.”

“I think it tastes especially more luxurious because it's an exclusive tea.”

Fortunately, there was a favorable review of the taekri tea. In the friendly atmosphere, I asked a question.

“Do you know where the black tea came from?”

“Isn't that from the Empire of Ganua? I know that black tea has become popular and widespread under the influence of Empress Rosanne from Ganua.”

Mrs. Marcelle answered quickly to make up for the mistake earlier.

“Half of it is right. Empress Rosanne brought me some black tea. But black tea wasn't really from Ganua Empire.”

“Where does it come from then?”

“Chang Empire.”

“Chang Empire?”

“Yes, the tea I was drinking at Chang was delivered to Ganua.”

The ladies seemed quite surprised to hear that black tea actually came from Chang.

It was natural to have that kind of response because it was information that can be learned only by looking at the history books of Ganua Empire.

I heard that black tea originated from China in my life before. This world and my last world seemed different but there were many similarities.

“Paper also originated from Chang. This is the first time that Asteric Empire and Chang have established diplomatic relations, but before that, our cultures have influenced each other.”

Tonight, the origin of black tea will spread along with my other stories.

Knowing that there was already a culture from Chang that we are familiar with, the anxiety and rejection of future trade will be reduced.

I smiled and drank the tea again. Suddenly, the entrance was noisy.

A tall and charming young man was walking this way.

“I greet the Crown Prince, the light of the empire.”

Blake's sudden appearance prompted the ladies to hurry up and give their greetings.

“Blake, no, Your Highness, what are you doing here?”

I spoke up quickly because we were in the presence of others.

“I'm here to see you.”

he said affectionately while making eye contact with me.

“Oh my.”

“He’s very loving too…”

The ladies spoke with envy. I was a little embarrassed, but Blake didn't seem to show that at all.

“Are you guys enjoying the party?”

“Ah, yes. Your Highness!”

“We’re very happy!”

When Blake asked, people were surprised and replied back. I was surprised too.

I've never seen him having a small talk with other women.

“Your Majesty and I have prepared everything for this party. I hope you like it.”

“Yes, of course.”

“It's more beautiful than any other party I've ever participated in.”

When I saw Blake, who was leading the conversation with dignity and tenderness, I naturally smiled. I felt that he came on purpose to help me.

“Today, I prepared a present for Her Highness.”

Huh? Present? I was so surprised that I looked at Blake.

“I hope many people will enjoy it as well.”

He came up to me after he finished talking. As soon as Blake held my hand, a firework burst into the sky.

At that moment, an exclamation came out of the ladies' mouths. I was surprised and looked at Blake.

“You didn't see this properly back then.”

He whispered softly in my ear. Then, my face turned red as I remembered what happened on the national founding day before.

Colourful fireworks, reminiscent of the national founding day

embroidered the black sky.

I forgot that there were other people around me, and I looked at the beautiful fireworks with my head resting on Blake's shoulder.