Alex and I followed Lady Rium into the garden. Lady Rium smiled at every guest that she passed. I wonder if she ever gets tired of this because I certainly would. My cheek muscles would ache.

As we maneuvered around, a girl suddenly bumped into Lady Rium. She quickly bowed her head and apologized. “So sorry.”

Lady Rium smiled, “It’s alright. Just watch where you are going next time.”

“Thank you.” The girl quickly scurried away.

I couldn’t help but noticed that she looked a bit like Alex. She had the same strawberry blonde hair and her facial and height was about the same. I couldn’t see her eyes, since she was bowing, but she could honestly look like a twin to Alex. Since Alexandra never had any siblings, that can’t be.

“Reiré, why’d you stop?” Alex asked.

I looked back and smiled, “Sorry, I’m coming.”

Lady Rium guided us to a round table in the back where three ladies were present. I was surprised to see Lady Claudia there considering how Lady Rium and Lady Claudia were on bad terms in the novel, but what surprised me even more was when I laid my eyes on the tall wavy brown-haired girl. I quickly felt my muscles tense as my blood ran cold. The one person I hoped to avoid in my school life has appeared before me.

“Lady Sophia, Lady Charlotte, I want to introduce my friend from my hometown. This is Reiré Norman. Next to her is her friend Alexandra Bailey,” Lady Rium introduced.

I bowed before the two girls and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Lady Sophia, Lady Charlotte.”

Alex also followed after my lead. This girl was finally learning some manners after spending some time with me. Thank goodness.

“Reiré… What do I do?” Alex whispered to me. “All of the rival characters are right before me!”

Ah… This does look like a bad scenario for Alex, doesn't it?

“Just act normal and follow my lead,” I whispered back. “This will make your progression for Prince Leonhardtt easier if you befriend them all, especially Lady Claudia.”

“You!” Lady Claudia glared at me.

Chills went down my back from the icy cold gaze. How refreshing.

“Don’t you know it's a rude whisper about someone right in front of them?”

Ah, she must have heard me say her name. To think that she was listening that intensely to catch it. I see an opportunity. “My, I was just telling Alex how magnificent you looked in your beautiful blue dress. It matches your eyes quite well. I was too shy to voice it out, but to think that Lady Claudia was listening that closely to hear me when I’m whispering…” For extra material, I squealed like a schoolgirl, “Kyaa! I feel so embarrassed! I didn’t know you paid so much attention to me! Could it be that you're finally fond of me as well?”

Lady Claudia’s face turned bright red as she stood up and slammed her hands against the table. “Wrong! That was not my intention! There’s no way I would ever be fond of you!”

“Don’t be so modest, Lady Claudia. I don’t mind people knowing of our relationship. The way you held me so tightly close during Dance class made my heart flutter.”

“That was because we were dancing! Don’t word things that would have people misunderstand!” Lady Claudia demanded.

Lady Charlotte giggled, “You have quite the interesting friend. I’ve never seen Lady Claudia so flustered in my life.”

Charlotte Holger, daughter of an Earl and the rival of Alexandra when Lord Philip took interest in the protagonist. She was Lord Philip’s childhood friend and they both often rode horses together. She speaks calmly with a soothing voice and doesn’t get jealous that often like Lady Claudia. In the novel, she respected Lord Philip’s choice when he started to ignore her and she had entrusted Lord Philip to Alex, but in the end Alex chose Prince Leonhardt, so Lord Philip lost everything. If anything, I think Lady Charlotte should have fought for Lord Philip more if he was gonna have a bad end from the start. It was obvious that Alex would end up with Prince Leonhardt. Maybe I should intervene and set those two together since Alex has no intention to go for Lord Philip.

“Is there something on my face?” Lady Charlotte asked.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I quickly apologized, “My sincere apologies. I was deep in thought. It was not my intention to stare at you.”

“Oh dear no, I wasn’t asking you. Actually, I didn’t even notice you were staring at me too.”

“Too?”

“I was actually asking your friend, Alexandra Bailey, was it?”

“Huh?” Turning to look at Alex, she was staring at Lady Charlotte with a dazed look. This time it was worse since she started drooling. “Alex!” I grabbed her by the shoulders and roughly shook her. “Snap out of it! I would forgive you if you looked at Lady Rium like that because I am familiar with her, but I don’t know Lady Charlotte personally! I won’t be able to save you if you offend her!”

“Ah!” Alex finally got out of her trance.

“Are you back to your senses?” I asked.

“I’m sorry, there were just too many beautiful girls in front of me that I slipped away.”

Lady Claudia grumbled, “I see she’s also a sweet talker like Reiré.”

“Eh! Lady Claudia thinks I’m sweet!”

“No!” she yelled at the top of her lungs. “Haa, I can’t deal with you!”

“Now, now Lady Claudia, it was you that wanted us to meet Reiré, was it not?” Lady Sophia voiced.

“I’m beginning to regret it,” she mumbled.

“Eh? Lady Claudia?” I turned to Lady Rium and she nodded.

“Yes. She was actually complaining a lot about you. I was a bit upset from the way she was insulting you, but she did praise you for your etiquette. Thanks to her ranting, it ended up piquing Lady Sophia’s and Lady Charlotte’s interest. They asked me to introduce you to them. Lady Claudia wanted to, as I quote,” Lady Rium began to speak in a high pitched yappy voice to impersonate Lady Claudia, “Bring that rodent over and punish her for how disrespectful she was towards me! Never in my years have I felt so insulted by the mere presence of that girl! I want her to be tied up and given fifty lashes!” Lady Rium returned to her regular voice, though the impersonation was quite hilarious. “And so we’re here now.”

“That is not how I speak!” Lady Claudia said.

“Eh? Tie me up?” I slightly turned my head and acted bashful. “Are you into that kind of thing, Lady Claudia? Is that why you bully me? I didn’t know. If it brings you pleasure, please, tie me up as much as you want. In fact, it would please me if I can bring you such pleasure!”

“Stop! Why are you twisting my words!? And I’m not into that stuff!” Lady Claudia denied.

Lady Rium laughed, “The teasing aside, I was afraid when Reiré became your dance partner, but I’m glad to see you guys getting along.”

“We do not get along!” Lady Claudia claimed.

“Lady Rium, I apologize for interrupting when you’re having fun.” Miss Abigail bowed as she said, “A few of the senior guests would like to speak with you.”

Lady Rium sighed, “I see. Sorry, Reiré. It seems I have to go.”

I gave her a smile, “Don’t worry, Alex and I will just be by the dessert bar instead. We don’t want to cause a ruckus at your gathering.”

“Then just stay with us,” Lady Sophia suggested. “With me, I doubt anyone would try to hurt you.”

Ugh. The reason I want to get away is because of you. “Thank you for your hospitality, but I don’t want Alex and my presence to disturb your afternoon with the other nobles.”

Lady Sophia giggled, “Lady Claudia wasn’t joking. You really are a sweet talker, but if you don’t stay then maybe Lady Alexandra can entertain us.”

“Eh!? Me!” Alex was shocked that she was suddenly brought into the conversion. Alexandra was never a good talker in the novel, but it looks like this Alex is the same. “I-I think Reiré could entertain you more than I ever could. I’m not that adapted to high society like Reiré is.”

“Well of course! I did groom her myself after all,” Lady Rium proudly stated.

“You make me sound like your pet,” I voiced.

“But it would make me feel better if you stay by Lady Sophia’s side. I trust her very much so,” Lady Rium said.

Seeing that Lady Rium has taken Lady Sophia’s side, I could only sigh. “Alright, Alex and I will stay here, but I still want my luxurious sweets that you used to bribe me into coming.” Yes. The reason why I attended Lady Rium’s gathering that’s full of nobles isn’t because I am her friend. It’s because she promised me there will be delicious pastries and sweets that I will never get in my commoner life.

“Of course. I’ll get the butler to send the sweets over to the table. You sit tight and help me keep these ladies busy.”

“Now you’re talking my language, Lady Rium.”

Lady Rium sighed, “Honestly, I feel like anyone can take you away if they offer you candy.”

I only smirked, “That’s only if they have luxurious candy!”

Alex muttered, “I worry for your safety…”

“You and me both, Alexandra. Anyways, I can’t keep these guests waiting anymore. Play nice alright.”

“Have fun, Lady Rium.”

Lady Rium bowed and left the area with Miss Abigail. Turning to the table, I was met with Lady Sophia’s mischievous grin. I could feel every fiber in my body tell me to walk away and never speak of this day ever again, but that would be rude. Especially with my commoner status.

“Reiré, what should we do?” Alex whispered.

I really have no idea. Two rabbits have been left with three vicious tigers. Exactly how will Alex and I survive?