Try to relax a bit

Jeremiah seems to think Selah is a little stressed with her new, more dense work rhythm. Therefore, Jeremiah also suggested that Selah take the day off.

"There are not enough jobs at the ministry, and things with families have subsided. You better take some time off, Your Grace. Consider it a gift to yourself after working hard."

Ever since Selah demoted her father from the duke's seat, she had never stopped working. She didn't even have time to fulfill tea invitations from ladies her age. Let alone that Selah didn't even have time to have a celebration of her being made a duchess.

"I am honored that Your Grace is willing to accept my invitation. You must be busy, though," said the host, Lady Xavia.

"No, I'm actually happy because there are still ladies who consider me a friend even though I've become a duchess," Selah replied diplomatically. "To be honest, I'm a little tired because the people I meet are way older than I am all the time."

"If I may ask, what do parents usually talk about apart from work?" another said.

After thinking for a while. "There isn't any."

"Eh?"

"Even when the work is done, they continue talking about it. Most are related to business and investment."

And I'm tired of hearing it all the time! added Selah in her heart.

She has spent 22 years of her life studying and working, and occasionally she also wants to listen and feel something light. My goodness, Selah would even be willing to listen to babbling about even the most trashy gossip as long as it's not work or business.

"Uh, ouch. Sorry, Your Grace. I'm–uh–so concerned."

Ha ha. "Yes, thank you for your attention," Selah said sincerely with a faint smile.

I don't know why the ladies suddenly froze for a moment, Selah think in confusion. Did she just do something wrong?

"To be honest, I always thought you were a clumsy person, Your Grace," said Lady Xavia honestly. "I didn't expect you to also expect to listen and talk about something trivial."

All this time, Selah knew if she looked like that. But this is the first time someone has been honest with her. "I will not deny that I am a rigid person. Maybe this will sound like an excuse, but I am like that because of my circumstances and position. And now that she has become a duchess…"

Selah felt like she could do whatever she wanted. It's not that she can go around. It's just that she's sure people won't dare to criticize her, especially her father and ex-fiancé.

At this point, Selah realized her freedom.

"Then what do you want to talk about now?" asked Lady Xavia excitedly. "Which has been talked about a lot lately…"

"I've heard Duchess Dulcia likes to read. As a distraction, how about reading a novel? There's a great novel that just came out a few weeks ago."

"Oh, right! That novel, huh? I immediately finished it in one sitting. I spent the whole night just reading it and ended up not sleeping at all."

"Wow, me too. Duchess Dulcia, you must try to read it!"

"By coincidence, I also bought it. If you wish, you can take a little peek at the story. I can ask my maid to get it in my room."

"Wow, looks like I'm not the only one who has read it more than once…."

Suddenly the table was filled with talk related to the novel. They took turns asking Selah what kind of reading she liked, giving her other light book recommendations and even asking her opinion on a storyline. The whole thing sounded like a trash story, but Selah secretly loved it.

Here she is. This would be the life Selah had always wanted if she had not been born as her father's child and become Blair's fiancé.

***

"This is the novel we meant earlier, Your Grace. I'm sorry we were so excited about it earlier, even though you haven't read it at all," said Lady Xavia, handing over the novel in question.

Selah accepted it with a faint smile. "It doesn't matter. I'm actually happy to hear you talk about topics that are trending right now. Compared to other ladies, I am among those who miss information like this."

"Ah, right. Because your surroundings don't talk about things like this, huh?"

Yes, because those old people don't think this is important, Selah answered to herself. They don't know this is how young ladies enjoy their time and youth.

"But you are the fiancé of Prince Aeneas. As far as I know, Prince Aeneas is at the forefront of trends…"

"Errr, sorry?" Selah knows that Aeneas is one of the up-to-date youths in Balthasar, but if he is talked about like this...

"Oh, I'm sorry. Not that I meant–"

"No, no. I never thought that Prince Aeneas would be so famous."

"Your Grace, Prince Aeneas' knowledge of trends is greater than any ladies. You could even say His Highness is the one who created the trend himself!"

"Pardon me?"

Lady Xavia nodded excitedly. "Prince Aeneas often wears clothes with a slightly yellowish-white color. At first, the color was considered dull, right? But look at it now, people call that color ivory white now. Then His Highness also started the trend for men to make their own gifts for the women they love–even as simple as ugly flower arrangements, now women will happily accept them as long as they are made by hand! Not to mention the accessories he wears. Once Prince Aeneas appears with a new jewelry style, the demand for similar jewelry will immediately increase!"

Well, I have to admit that is a long explanation. But on second thought, what Lady Xavia said was true. Selah never noticed.

"I'm sure if you get married, your wedding dress will be imitated a lot later!" Xavia added hotly.

"I-I don't think it will come to that," Selah said. Only this time, she was confused to face someone.

"Your Grace," said Lady Xavia with twinkling eyes, "I know you're busy, and that's why you haven't been able to attend tea parties very often. But there is Prince Aeneas. I'm sure you two are only talking about politics, right?"

Hah?! How could she know?! thought selah.

"You are too serious, Your Grace. Try to relax a bit." Lady Xavia smiled broadly. "Honestly, we have been afraid to approach you because you always look so serious. But today, when you smile with us, I know you are just like any other ladies. I'm sure others think so too."

"Lady Xavia…"

"Oh right, said the other lady, the dress styles for autumn are out, you know. Maybe we will discuss it at the next meeting. I'll ensure you're invited, so please try to come, Your Grace!"

***

Lady Xavia was satisfied with her tea party this time. Although the scale is small, she is happy because his business is successful. Especially this time, everyone looks excited.

And most important.

"Sir Azel, forget about me having to continue pretending. Duchess Dulcia is a delightful woman, really! I think people are just overly afraid of her," reported Lady Xavia happily.

"Thank you for the help, My Lady. Prince Aeneas will greatly appreciate your efforts. I will make sure that you will get the thanks you deserve," said Azel.

"Oh, don't be like that. It feels so evil when I accept a gift from His Highness," said Lady Xavia. "Ah, but if there really is something I could ask… I hope Prince Aeneas can make Duchess Dulcia not feel small anymore."