A few days later.

The carpet under my shoes was damp from the rain that poured in that morning. I picked up the letter that was neatly placed on the table in my room. The seal embedded on the clean envelope was the symbol of an eagle with coarse feathers.

“What’s this?”

Daisy, who was serving tea, replied.

“Oh, the letter is for the young lady. It is sent by someone named Caron from the Entera family. Do you know anyone by that name?”

“Caron Entera?”

I felt like I had heard it somewhere, but it didn’t ring a bell. I immediately removed the seal and opened the envelope. It was the second time that a letter arrived for personal reasons.

The first letter I received was at the age of thirteen. Unfortunately, it was an admission letter to the Royal Academy that any nobles would receive. Other than that, I had never received any letter addressed solely to Katrina Ezellot. My personal social life had always been a grey area.

“To Lady Katrina Ezellot….”

As I read the contents of the letter carefully, I promptly remember that Caron Entera was the girl that I met when I followed Lockherd to the training ground.

I only knew that she was a beautiful, illegitimate child, but Caron’s handwriting was as smooth and soft as Eden’s. Above all, there were no difficult or academic words, hence, it was very easy to understand. There weren’t even pretentious sentences that aristocrats would usually put in to make themselves seem classy and unique. Perhaps, it was because she did not take the literacy class. It was just my guess, but it could have been due to some unpleasant treatment.

“What does it say? It’s the first time that a proper letter has arrived just for you, milady, so I’m quite nervous.”

After carefully checking til the very last line of the letter, I folded the sheet of paper. I felt like dreaming.

“It’s an invitation.”

“Oh my goodness! Is it for real? Is this a tea party organised by the Duke of Entera, my lady?”

I had no idea why, but Daisy even seemed to enjoy it more than I did.

“By the way, since when did Duke Entera have a daughter?… I thought he only has two children.”

“You’re not wrong. But Caron isn’t the duchess’ biological child. This letter isn’t an invitation to some grand tea party either. It’s an invitation just for me.”

It was truly an opportunity sent from heaven. It had only been the third day since I remembered the memories of my past life. The time for social etiquette to be carried into practice had appeared. I was finally given the chance to show off what I had learned. Even when the chance was in form of a small drawing room!

In order to achieve the goal, one would have to climb the stairs step by step. Starting with a one-on-one tea party with Caron, I would create a vibrant future for the new Katrina!

“Hm, good. I’m glad I told her my name on that day.”

“But won’t the Countess be angry?”

“Mother?”

“She is always worried about milady’s social activities. No matter how lovely lady Entera can be, if she’s an illegitimate child….”

Daisy’s face was filled with anxiety. At her concerning words, I also tried to imagine myself telling my mother, ‘I have received an invitation from an illegitimate child’. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, I could not draw a sensible picture. This was because it was the first time ever in my life I was invited by someone.

“Well, I don’t think she’s the type to get mad by this kind of thing.”

Probably.

I clung onto the small hope, holding the belief tight in the corner of my heart. Still, it seemed that I would have to get her permission that morning just in case. If she objected to it till the end…

Well then, I guess I would have no choice but to sneak out.

The first day to carry out the great strategy of making a female friend dawned on me. It was a moment that I had been looking forward to so much that I couldn’t sleep properly for two days. Ever since I decided to visit Entera after receiving her letter until today, the picture of me sitting face to face with Caron, laughing while chatting had been replayed dozens of times inside my head. And each time like that, my heart just jumped with joy.

“Did Lockherd not come home today?”

“The second young master came home at dawn. I heard that he’s going to take a good rest today.”

It was the answer I had long waited for. Considering Lockherd’s return after four days, Sir Pancion was also likely to come back to the Entera estate as well.

Great.

In that case, the goal of the day would be to develop a friendship with Caron, but at the same time, get a glimpse of Sir Pancion at the Entera Castle. I did not need anything else besides checking his face. No, actually on second thought, I also needed to pay attention to his body, his overall appearance. 

I must see Lord Pancion today!

The more I thought about it, the more I felt fortunate about having followed Lockherd that day. Too bad Lockherd was swamped with work the past few days, and could not return to the castle. For that, I did not have the opportunity to visit his workplace again to meet Sir Pancion.

Nervous, I couldn’t afford to check how my hair was done or how my clothes looked on me. I headed to my mother’s room exactly as Daisy instructed and speak confidently.

“I have to meet Caron Entera, she is the daughter of Duke Entera!”

“In that case, are you going to the Entera Castle right now, Kate? Looking like that?”



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