Tea Party and Rumors!

When Shun awoke a few hours later from his nap, Mia informed him of Zhu Ming Yue’s presence a while back. Intrigued about why she came to him, Mia told him everything she had witnessed.

“ So you’re telling me Ming Yue was about to bite me but stepped back at the very last minute! “ Shun surprised himself as he asked his guide for clearance.

Retorting to him, she said sternly, [That’s right, Master! I couldn’t have been mistaken because I saw it myself. Your rare blood affinity type drew her to you, but unfortunately, she stepped back the moment she got close to you. Her expression at that time was mortifying, to say the least, and she ran off hurriedly.]

Listening to his guide’s explanation, Shun angrily said, “ She stepped back from me at the very last minute because she feared for my life. She feared harming me even involuntarily. “

[If she fears hurting you by drawing blood from you, that means she cares for you, Master, don’t you think?]

—

Heading out of town to eliminate monsters on Zhu Ming Yue’s behalf, one day, an initiation for a tea party arrived and Shun was adamant as to what to do. He was staring at the invitation when suddenly someone furtively approached him.

“ What are you reading so intently? “

Recognizing the furtive presence of Zhu Ming Yue, he was startled. Not giving him the chance to respond, she snatched the envelope out of his hand and examined its contents.

“ An invitation to a tea party! “

She read the header of the envelope alongside the contents of the invitation. Having finished reading everything, she uttered, “ The tea party is in two weeks, so I should prepare for it accordingly. “

Hearing her response, Shun quickly stood and said, “ You don’t have to go; You may decline the invitation. “

Being worried about Zhu Ming Yue’s health, which was deteriorating with each passing minute, Shun didn’t want her to attend an event that would strain her even more than she already was.

Reading concern for her in his blue ocean eyes, Zhu Ming Yue retorted and said, “ All the socialites will be there, and I can’t refuse to not attend. My refusal could do more harm than good if I declined the invitation. “

Having spoken to him a full sentence for the first time in all the months he’s been residing in the Zhu Household, Shun was somewhat happy to see Zhu Ming Yue’s efforts in opening up to him.

Eagerly waiting for his response, Shun retorted after a long silence, “ You may attend the tea party if you so wish, but please be careful and don’t strain yourself! “

In response to his genuine concern, she uttered, “ Could you make me one of your delicacies that I could bring with me? “

Delighted, he answered, “ You do not even need to ask. Your packed lunch will be ready by the time of your departure two weeks later. “

Two weeks later, as promised, Shun prepared Zhu Ming Yue’s packed lunch while she was getting ready in her chambers.

Not having any maids to attend to her, Zhu Ming Yue had to do everything by herself. Not only that, but her half-sister Zhu Zhi Rong would also be attending the tea party. Hoping for the best, she walked out of her room after putting on the finishing touches.

Waiting for Shun in the dining hall, Zhu Zhi Rong joined her a couple of minutes later. Wearing an elegant and pricey dress, she sat a couple of chairs away from Zhu Ming Yue who was wearing a casual dress with no ornaments.

Staring at her dress with disdain, she commenced, “ Is that all you had in your wardrobe? Couldn’t you have found a more fitting dress for this occasion? “

Not giving her any response, she continued with the mockery. “ If you didn't have money for a dress, you could have asked me for some, and I would have given it to you. “ She said in a sarcastic tone.

“ There’s no need for you to trouble yourself with her attire, Lady Zhi Rong! “

Turning around, Zhu Ming Yue saw Shun, who was approaching with a tray in their direction.

Serving Zhu Ming Yue her meal, he stared at Zhu Zhi Rong and said, “ Lady Ming Yue already has her dress prepared for the tea party, so you shouldn’t concern yourself with anything. “

Zhu Zhi Rong was stunned by the revelation and even more so was Ming Yue who stared at Shun with questioning eyes.

“ Enjoy your meal, my lady! “

He stepped back from her so that she could eat. Momentarily after she had finished her meal, Ming Yue headed back upstairs and was stunned to see a floral ornament dress lying on her bed ready to be worn.

Recalling Shun’s earliest words, Ming Yue stepped forward until she reached her bed at last. Beside the dress was a note left by Shun which was transcribed as follows, “ Today’s your first tea party in months and I hope you’ll have a pleasant day. As a token of my appreciation, I’ve gotten you this dress prepared for today, as I know you enjoy flowers. It would be an honor for me if you could accept this small token of appreciation. “

After reading the heartfelt note, Zhu Ming Yue’s attention lingered on the floral dress lying on the bed.

Shun on the other hand was wondering whether Zhu Ming Yue would accept the gift he got for her. Mia, his guide, could feel his emotions at close range. In Ming Yue’s chambers, she looked at herself in the mirror after having worn the floral dress. Looking very elegant, she couldn’t believe the silhouette she was seeing was herself and not any other person.

Moments later, Mia got Shun’s attention on Zhu Ming Yue who was descending the stairs, having worn the floral dress he got for her as a gift. Unable to detach his gaze from her, Thomas who was also present at the same time as Shun commented on the way she looked, “ You’re radiant in that dress, my lady! “

“ Thanks for the compliment, Thomas. “ She uttered simply.

Gently tapping on Shun's shoulder by Thomas, he uttered the following, “ The dress suits you perfectly, Lady Ming Yue, but something is missing. “ He added, which alerted her as to what could be missing.

Asking her to sit, he modeled her hair and added accessories. Showing her the final touches, Zhu Ming Yue could not recognize herself for a moment. Being unrecognizable, Shun said in a compliment, “ Now you’re perfect! “

Handing her the packed lunch, Zhu Ming Yue departed from the household. Shun hoped as she left for the tea party to go without any hitch.

At Blaze Manor, Sharon Blaze, the socialite lady who had organized the tea party, appeared before her guests. Greeting the socialite ladies one by one, she stumbled upon Zhu Ming Yue’s dress, which she found to be unique alongside her hair model and accessories.

“ Lady Zhu Ming Yue, I’m delighted that you could attend my tea party. “ Sharon Blaze showed courtesy to Ming Yue with her words.

In response to such courtesy, she uttered amiably, “ Thanks for inviting me, Lady Blaze. “

“ Cut the formalities and just call me Sharon! “

“ As you wish, Lady Sharon! “

Lingering on her attire, she asked curiosity, “ Your dress looks very—------------- “ Before Sharon could finish her statement, Zhu Zhi Rong cut her short and said, “ Her dress is not appropriate for such an event. How dare she show up at that estate wearing that? “

—

The atmosphere got silent. Zhu Ming Yue started feeling out of place due to Zhi Rong’s comment. After a moment of silence, Sharon Blaze uttered hypothetically, “ What are you talking about, Zhu Zhi Rong? In which way is her dress inappropriate? “

Feeling the shivers going down her spine, Zhu Zhi Rong quieted down. Looking at Zhu Ming Yue, Sharon complimented her dress, going as far as to speak of its rarity as it was very difficult to acquire.

Stunned by Sharon Blaze’s words, Zhu Zhi Rong looked embarrassed as to her earliest comment on the dress and said, “ Of course, I knew how rare and exceptional it was. I was just making a joke, that’s all. “

“ Making a joke, you say? “ Sharon Blaze glared at her before adding, “ I’m not so sure about that. What do you think, Ming Yue? “

Asking for her opinion on the matter, Zhu Ming Yue brushed the matter aside and said, “ I’m sure she was just making a joke as she said. “

Confirming her words, Sharon Blaze glared at Zhu Zhi Rong even more and said, “ Did you see that? Despite your sarcasm, she forgave you straight away due to your relationship. You should take lessons from her as to how to be a proper lady! “

“ Let’s go, Ming Yue! “

Taking Zhu Ming Yue with her to sit at her table, Zhu Zhi Rong was left feeling upset at how she had made a fool of herself.

Complimenting her dress and hair accessories, the socialite ladies at Sharon Blaze’s table were eager to know where she had gotten her dress.

Retorting to their curiosity, she uttered the following, “ It was a gift from someone special. “

“ Is that special someone also the one who did your hair? “ One of the socialite ladies at the table asked.

Retorting to the question, Zhu Ming Yue nodded but when she asked whether the special someone was Lidian Hyster, she froze, unable to say anything more.

Feeling the discomfort the subject was causing Zhu Ming Yue, Sharon Blazed changed the subject.

“ A few months back, I saw you hunting monsters, but when I called out to you, you ran away. “ Sharon commented to Zhu Ming Yue, rendering her confused.

“ I’m afraid to not understand what you mean, Lady Sharon. “ Zhu Ming Yue expressed her confusion to her, as she retorted, “ You seemed to be in a hurry that day, so you might not have heard me calling out to you. “ Sharon added, but Zhu Ming Yue was still unable to understand.

It was only when Sharon told her of the level-size monsters she had defeated by herself that Zhu Ming Yue felt that something wasn’t right. Assuring her as being the one who defeated the terrorizing monsters and no one else, she pondered on the matter, unable to find an explanation as to how all of that was possible.

Whereas, Shun was wondering how the tea party was coming along as he tended to the flowers in the garden.

Back at the tea party, Zhu Ming Yue didn’t know what to say about the rumors going around about her. As she started to feel fatigued, Sharon offered that she rest in her chambers, to which she was about to decline before finally accepting.

In the room, she was unable to rest due to her symptoms. Attempting to eat what Shun had packed for her, the packed lunch fell to the ground when she was about to take a bite. The sound it made alerted Sharon, who rushed upstairs to check on Ming Yue.

When she got to her room and saw Ming Yue’s state alongside the packed lunch on the floor, she got worried.

“ Ming Yue, are you alright? “ She asked out of concern. Getting close to her, she asked her another question, “ Are you thirsty? Would you want me to get some fine blood for you? “

The moment she heard the word “ thirst, “ Ming Yue retorted to Sharon, “ I’m fine, and I don’t require any blood whatsoever. I just feel a little fatigued, that’s all. “

Doubting her words, she asked, “ When was the last time you drank? “

—

Not gaining any response to her question, Sharon said, “ I can’t leave you like this. Wait here while I go get some fine blood for you. “

“ No, don’t! “

Holding her hand tightly, she pleaded with Sharon, who was unable to understand her action. “ Why are you preventing me from leaving? “ She asked, to which she retorted weakly, “ I don’t want anyone to be sacrificed for my thirst. Please don’t bring any humans here, I beg you. “

Looking into her eyes as she pleaded with her, Sharon sat beside her and rolled up her sleeve. “ I won’t bring any humans here, as you’ve asked, Ming Yue. In return, you may drink my blood. “

Offering Ming Yue her blood, the latter was confused and asked, “ Why are you doing this? “

Confused by her question, Sharon asked, “ What do you mean? “

Retorting hypothetically, Zhu Ming Yue uttered, “ I’m a Dhampir, so why waste your precious blood on me? “

“ Why, you ask? “

Grinning slightly at Ming Yue, she uttered the following, “ That’s because you intrigue me, and I’d like to know you better. What I mean by that is that I'd like to be your friend, Ming Yue. “

!!!