Chapter 20: A Tense First Meeting
Ely''s POV:
" Mdy. You have a few invitations for this week." Linda came to me carrying a tray that had a few
invites in it.
"Thank you. Can you please bring the snacks I have prepared for us?"
"Right away Mdy." she bowed as I read through a few invites.
A few days ago, word of my marriage to the duke was published in the local newspaper and it seems
like the invitations for various summer parties and soirees have started pouring in.
Just yesterday, I walked in on my husband telling Milford to burn all the invitations sent to me.
Apparently, Linda must have taken them before the head butler could see it.
The heat was more bearable today because of the breeze so I decided to read by the shaded pavilion
by the back garden where there is more shade.
I was very interested in how one''s mana element can affect a person''s mana growth and it seems to
highlight a certain vor profile.
ording to thetest book I have read. Fire mana boosts food with spicy and salty vors while
Water boosts sweet and creamy vors
Wind deals with sour and sweet vors and Earth deals with rich, umami, and bitter vors.
The rule of thumb in mana cooking is to use only one mana to heighten one vor profile only but from
my experience as a chef; dishes that have at least two different vor contrasts and added texture
usually teases the pte more.
The purpose of this method was used to heighten one''s mana for a short time and it also delivers an
indescribable rush to one''s taste buds since mana greatly increases the deliciousness of food.
But my method of infusing a small stream of mana into every preparation was so subtle but I noticed
that Linda and the other culinary house servants who were recipients of my cooking are unusually more
energetic and healthy.
Could it be that my way of using mana was more of a long term effect than just the momentary
increase of mana in one''s body?
Maybe it is still not a mainstream idea yet judging from the food I have tasted in thest months that I
lived here.
After finishing and marking the book with a magick book seal, I opened the three invitations which were
three pretty colored paper.
One was a small garden party by Lady Grant. The dress code is blue and I could even bring one
servant I trust with me.
The second was a pic from the third Princess Ophelia who was a very beloved songstress in the
capital.
Thest one is from Lady Lorax, whose husband diedst year so her father took over the title on the
condition that she retains her title as thedy of the house.
I remembered our first meeting yesterday when she came to visit me for the first time.
The servants knew her but for some reason, they remain ufortable and won''t tell me more details
about the so-called "Belle of the Ton."
That particr visit left a sour taste on my tongue as I remembered it.
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(shback)
"Uhmm...Lady ina. The Lady Margaret Lorax is here for her visit."
One of the maids came to the culinary house to report this while I was making a new batch of broth
cubes. Myst batch is mostly well-received and even the new chef has begun using them to cut his
cooking time by half.
"Very well. Serve her some tea. Tell Chef Raime to give her some of the new desserts. I''ll be there after
I clean up."
"Yes, Your Grace." The maid left immediately as I powered off the stove.
After a few minutes. Linda helped me by washing my hair and she used the mana-powered hairdryer
and made sure my hair was done up in a simple but pretty updo.
Thank God, I kept some gowns in my old room so dressing up for receiving a visitor was essible.
"Mdy, this emerald green would look beautiful on you." Linda helped me into the soft velvety dress.
"Oh! And a nice pair of flower-shaped ne and earrings."
"A simple choker and flower hair clips would do." I countered her. "Why are you acting strange? It is not
like am receiving a royal."
My maid squirmed and sighed before telling me the truth and whispers amongst the maids.
And it concerns my husband. Lady Lorax was known to be thest woman to share his bed before
me...
The maids spected that she came to visit to take my measure since ording to the rumors, this
her.
Until he met me.
Oddly, Jealousy did not rear its ugly head at the thought of my husband''s lovering to visit me.
But only a mild curiosity prevailed as we left to walk towards the main house and one of the
manservants guided us to the guest drawing room which was opened by the men standing beside the
doors as one of them announced me in.
The woman that was elegantly sipping tea with her pinky sticking out was gorgeous. Her oval-shaped
face disyed a cute button nose, feline eyes that look vibrant due to the subtle hint of eye paint on her
eyelids, and lush rosy lips.
When our gazes met. I thought I saw a sh of hostility before she blinked and just sat there like a
queen.
Who has already judged me before I even uttered a word.
Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.
She expected me to break under her impressive figure but I have faced scarier men in their business
suits, Investors who were hungry for a chance to take a piece of my lucrative food business, and
cutthroat chefs who thought to stoop to dirty tricks to bring me down.
So I held her gaze coolly and calmed the sudden urge to kick her legs.
Her haughty demeanor finally broke after a moment and she hastily stood up and curtsied to me before
she cut through the chase and presented an invite to me personally.
"I will prepare a special table in your honor, Your Grace." her cultured voice was well-modted as she
smiled at me after we finished our tea. "How is his Grace doing these days?"
I know that I said I am still thinking about what I wanted in marriage but...
"He is doing very well. Thank you for asking." I replied. "Are you and Ezran well acquainted?"
"Oh my. The Duke and I have been paired during social gatherings since I am the Belle of the ton and
he is...er..was an eligible partner." she tried to be humble but she was doing a poor job of hiding her
intent. "But we are still good friends."
"I see. That is nice to hear." I smiled serenely. "I would hate that thought of my husband avoiding all his
female friends just because he is married."
My answer clearly scandalized her and she viewed me suspiciously from her longshes.
Because I know that in Illios Society, friendship between the opposite sex is usually frowned
upon...unless...
Both man and woman are lovers or childhood friends.
And I know for a fact that Lady Margaret is not thetter. I basically told her that I am confident in my
position as the duchess and I do not care if my husband sees her on the side.
Because that is all she will ever be is a mistress since marriages are sacred and difficult to break.
"How....delightfully enlightened you are. Your Grace." Her hand shook slightly as we finished our tea.
The way her smile turned even more wooden and artificial as we said our goodbyes cemented my first
impression of my husband''s paramour.
She''s a good example of a two-faced bitch and we will not get along.