Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke

Two words.

One day when I turned 11, I received an invitation to a tea party.

This tea party is held at a certain Duke’s house, and it seems that noble sons and daughters of the same generation are invited.

In this country, social debates are commonly held at ages 12-13. This tea party seems to be an ostensible reason to practice the manners we’ve learned at home so far for the day to come……

… In fact, I know that future marriages are set to go smoothly, a networking place.

Children born into houses with titles in this country are admitted to the Royal School at the age of 14 after being given a basic education by a full-time tutor.

Some exceptions, by and large, often determine the fiancée out of the connection between the houses.

With my father’s face wide open and his involvement with the ladies of various houses, my surroundings have been getting noisy lately.

I’m supposed to be the kind of person who can get along with anyone. [M] If you’re a guy, you can shake as many topics as you like, and if you have a girl, you don’t make her feel unpleasant by complimenting her with a perfect balance.

It’s a Ward family tradition, taught by my father, who also specializes in buffer-like roles in politics.

With that tedious stand-up behavior turned into a vendetta, he looked to me as promising in the future, and then came an application for an affair from several houses where he saw his daughter react.

“It’s a hassle.”

Tea party invitations are flickered and released behind.

“What are you talking about? This is an important tea party.”

Teacher Margaret picks up the invitation and puts it on my desk. My nails are colored differently than yesterday and they are beautiful.

“Doctor, you changed the color of the manicure. Its understated orange colour, it fits perfectly with the elegant atmosphere of the teacher and is lovely”

“Oh, thank you. Dear Doni…. That way you can flatter yourself appropriately so you can breathe, so the tea party should be fine.”

“And this is a different issue.”

Of all the tutors I have, this Margaret teacher is my favorite. Cool eyes resemble the Lewis of the Count Clark family, a little reassuring. Well, Lewis is a better man.

Pretty girls of the same generation are fine, but that time of year has passed. I knew I’d prefer an adult woman! Dr. Margaret was in her third year working for the Ward family after graduating from Royal School.

By the way, I was a little disappointed to hear the other day that my teacher was retiring to marry her fiancée next year.

Nothing, it’s not like I really liked Dr. Margaret or anything. I suddenly felt the raw smell of the word ‘marriage’ and I just pioneered it into my fate to follow.

“Dear Doni, if you’ll excuse me while I study. We need a customer.”

From beyond the door left open, there is the voice of Lee the Butler.

“Who?”

“Lord Lewis of the Count Clark family… is in need”

“Oh, Lewis! Hey, let me through here.”

“… it’s… I thought the reception room would be better, so I sent you through.”

Lee is a little weird today. When my boyfriend comes, he always sends me to my private room. I can’t believe I can’t see you unless I’m in the reception room. I’m not a noble lady.

I cut up my studies on the way to the reception room. It’s been about six months since I’ve seen Lewis.

I’m sure he came all of a sudden about the tea party tomorrow. I can behave appropriately, but there’s no way that a grown-up Lewy would fit with the noble sons of his generation. Sometimes we get out of here together.

“Lewis, hissybu……

I walked into the reception room with that in mind and I hardened.

“Donnie, I’m sorry I came all of a sudden”

Lewis talks to me in the usual calm tone.

I took a step backwards.

Seeing that, Lewis laughs furiously.

“Tomorrow, I thought I’d be in trouble if I did, but I knew you were right.”

Undecorated calm green dress with pierced and aligned bracelet. I was a shortcut of dark hair when I just met Lewis, but for about a year now, I started tying my hair in one tie behind me. The hair, which looks wild and I thought was subtly cool, is untied today.

… Whatever it was from anywhere, it was the perfect girl there.

“What…? What do you mean?

I can’t turn my head at all.

Lewis says, as if to enjoy my reaction like that.

“I was wondering when I was going to notice, but I came to tell you because I don’t notice at all”

Lewis drinks the tea that was served until I arrived. [M] The trick is classy as a girl, and I keep an eye out. Speaking of which, this is how he… No, I may be the first to see Lewis drinking tea.

… Speaking of which. I remember a long time ago, when I first met Lewis, it was like my father said, “Son of the Count Clark family”.

It’s a sword. These hands and extraordinary motor nerves. Lewis doesn’t show much interest in popular stuff and likes to talk about academics and politics.

That look is not like any girl I know. But it’s strange in my eyes when I find out the facts, because Lui’s beautiful face, which I thought was a beautiful boy, suddenly looks like a girl.

“… sorry. How could I not have known? [M]…… what about our father or Count Clark!?

“We both knew Donnie was mistaken for me for a man. Count Ward turned bright blue and tried to teach Donnie, but my father stopped him for fun”

Lui, who is always wearing a cool vibe, is laughing.

“Oh well…”

My boyfriend at first sight was a girl. In every sense, pride is a bummer.

“Donnie, I’m sorry you’ve been lying to me so far”

……

But one way or another, I’m the one who has to apologize. ‘Cause Lewis in front of me right now was such a beautiful girl that I couldn’t believe what I was making a mistake.

Maybe next time I’ll see you in the same outfit as usual, but you’ll never look like a man again.

But I’m supposed to be good at complimenting girls and making them feel better, but I didn’t get any words out today.

―――――

The next day, at a tea party at the Duke’s house, Lewis showed up dressed up.

The same generation of girls are extraordinarily fashionable in dresses with laces and frills in lovely colors such as pink and white, but Lewis was in a simple dress in deep blue. But that Rin stand-up catches my eye.

That seemed to be the same for the other participants, who quickly had a crowd around Lewis.

“Dear Doni… have you read the letter from your father”

It was a familiar lady who spoke to me. [M] The name is, indeed, Miriam. I think a fishing book was coming to the Ward family from her house, too.

“From your father? I haven’t heard that yet.”

I follow nature and Lewis with my eyes, teasing them appropriately. Miriam notices my gaze, she says.

“… Count Clark’s Lewis rarely comes out to tea parties, but it’s rare today.”

Neighbor’s maid also says.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you, and it’s rumored that you’re particularly close to His Royal Highness the First Prince, Vique, two years younger. She’s a lady from the Count’s house, but she’s a flower from the High Ridge.”

Is she telling me, not just those who surround Lewis? Anyway, it’s funny that Lewis is being treated like a deep-window maid because of his usual appearance.

“What, does Master Lewis like swordsmanship?”

From the center of the crowd, I heard a voice like surprise.

I’m sure Lewis answered “swordsmanship and academia” when asked about his hobby. I wish I could answer “embroidery and tea” like a girl. But it seems to be Lewis who doesn’t care about that.

“… anyway, it would be like a lady’s hobby to attract His Highness’s interest”

My emotions chill all at once at the low voices that echo the venue.

The Lord of Voices was Frederick of the Marquis McGregor family. He, plainly speaking, has a bad personality. He has no right to inherit the house with three men, but his father is a minister or he always is.

“You can go with it, though.”

He heard rumblings. Lewis is smiling.

“What?”

I can see Frederick distorting his mouth in Lewis’ belligerent eyes.

I thought Lewis would buy a fight… but probably not. Unfortunately, I just really want to get along. I know that Lewis is doing sword arches as long as he has time.

I’m sure you’d rather cross swords with someone to make the day fuller than attend a relaxing tea party and finish the day.

… I can’t.

This is the salon of the Duke’s house, and in the first place, I’ve never heard of a noble courtier called to a tea party finally crossing a sword. But Frederick is too much trouble because he seems to think he’s been totally provoked.

Plus, Lewis is smart. Even if we really crossed swords, I guess we’ll let the Marquis McGregor family hold flowers in the right place so they don’t embarrass us. I don’t want to see you like that. Oh, no more!

“Miss Lewis, leave it at that.”

When I realized, I was standing.

“Dear Doni… are you acquainted with Master Lewis”

I answer Miriam’s surprise with my gaze, and then I say,

“I know very well that you are strong. I’ve never won before.”

The salon went out of its way.

It’s disgraceful not to lose lightly with a sword to a deep-window lady (tentatively), but this is the only way to fit it round.

“… you? You’re lying.”

I smile at Frederick as he turns a distorted smile. In fact, Lewis was the only one I had ever lost with a sword to my generation. Naturally, Frederick, I’ve never even been on my opponent’s knees.

“What good do you think it would do me to lie like this?

……

Frederick has shut up. Just in case, another push in his ear.

“She will be the knight of the noblest man in this country in the future. Shouldn’t we stay close?

“… Enough”

The minister’s three men let the deco seep their fat and sweat out of the room.

After the tea party. As I waited for the carriage to pick me up, Lewis came next door.

“Donnie, thanks for earlier”

“Nothing’s fine. ‘Cause you only told the truth, didn’t you?

To my masochistic answer, Lewis laughs with a broken cool look.

“Donnie is great after all. The male of the Count family, knowledgeable and well-balanced. You’re no match for that kind of place.”

……

… Now Lewis has praised me.

To the finest expression, I thought it might be a mistake to ask, but I did.

As soon as I do, I get embarrassed by my tedious self. Depending on your ability to acknowledge yourself, you are satisfied with all your studies and swordsmanship.

Perhaps I am worthy of praise to this friend, who will not hate any effort for future goals.

As soon as I thought of it, I felt red to my ears.

Lewis is enjoying the evening breeze blowing into the garden, not paying attention to me, which is a huge shock.

The hem of the dress fluffy and windy next door into my eyes, slightly leaned down, is fresh and very pretty.

I’m sure I know who this emotion is. Never in front of her that made her eyes shine on The Promise of a Man, though she can’t put it out in her mouth.