The Echanting Duchess

Chapter 42: Tea Party and Bugs

The next day.

It was early in the morning when the estate of the Duke of Kargaz of the North was suddenly turned upside down.

The sun had just risen and no one expected to receive sudden news from the Duchess of Kargaz.

Everyone's servants and attendants were swarming and bustling around as they hastily tried to prepare for today's sudden event that had just been announced at the break of the dawn.

Every lady at the estate was sent an invitation for an afternoon tea party that would be hosted by none other than the Duchess of Kargaz.

Because of this, before they could even enjoy a good sleep, they all had been woken up by their servants and attendants to inform them of what was about to happen.

And when they sent some of their servants to inquire about it, whether it was just a bluff or not, they were dumbfounded to receive reports that it was true. In fact, they saw that the place where the tea party would be held was already well-prepared like the event had been planned long ago.

Each lady in the estate, from different aristocratic and noble backgrounds, only had this question in their heads: What in the world?

The place was well-prepared, the event seemed like it had been long set. But why were they not informed ahead of time?

All the ladies were flabbergasted and felt mixed emotions upon confirming the news.

Although they lived under the same estate, each of them were not that familiar to one another. And even spreading news was prohibited in the estate. Hence, most of them did not know what was even currently happening at the main mansion, especially between the duke and the duchess.

This was one of the unspoken but absolute rules in the estate, under the duke's direct order. And everyone was well-informed and well aware of it, and must adhere to it.

Apart from that day, when the duchess first arrived, all the ladies being kept at the estate were never put together inside a room.

And now, they had to attend another event just for the duchess once again.

Everyone had their own thoughts and opinions and feelings about it. A few were too quiet, few were neutral, and there were few who were bluntly expressing their displeasure about it.

What was with the duchess?

Why did the duke even allow the duchess to be this wilful?

Those were the thoughts running in some of the ladies' minds.

Then, the afternoon came.

It was three o'clock in the afternoon when the ladies started arriving.

The main location of the tea party was at none other than outside the ostentatious and highly adorned and maintained greenhouse.

There was a long table prepared with more than a dozen seats similar to one another. Only the two special seats at both ends of the table were different among the rest.

The table was set with lavish yet refreshing arrangements. Since it was a garden setting, the table was decorated with beautiful and blooming flowers that gave off a sweet and inviting scent to anyone nearby.

From the ornaments around, to the table setting, and to the sumptuous and sweet delicacies spread on the table, together with tea pots with special brewed flower tea, everything was perfect.

Even the weather and the wind was mild and soothing.

Soon, everyone arrived and found their seats. But the duchess was not yet showing up.