NOTE: This chapter contains bullying (as the chapter name implies), thus, if you're uncomfortable with that subject, you might want to skip this chapter.

***

It’s a beautiful sunny and clear day, not a cloud can be seen in the blue depths above. For many, this weather is perfect for an outdoor tea party. Laughter and chatter can be heard in many gardens, including that of Lady Randa at the moment.

Seated at a circular table are several ladies of varying statuses. Most ladies, except one, have focused their attention on one spot, the odd one out uncomfortably avoids their gazes as she is the center of focus.

“Thank you again for accepting my invitation. Have you been to many tea parties in the capital, Lady Gerber?” Randa asks with a smile.

“N-no problem. This-this is actually the first one I’ve been to. Here in the capital I me-mean...” Madelief answers while muttering as she is still uncomfortable with being the center of attention.

“In that case this would be your first time having truly good tea!” A lady chimes in with a seemingly excited voice, “After all, you won’t be able to get this stuff in the countryside!”

Lata shows a miffed face as she hears the last part.

‘Really? Won’t be able to? Even if it was the hardest to reach boonies in this world, that place’s nobles would still be able to easily get their hands on the good stuff. They just have to wait a little longer for that stuff. Ah, why am I getting worked up over this simple backhanded insult! I have absolutely no right to get mad for Madelief’s sake, considering what I’m about to do…’

Lata, the only one to stop focusing on Madelief, now turns her attention towards the various teapots in the middle of the table. A very unusual set-up.

Madelief meanwhile doesn’t notice there being less eyes on her, as she focuses more on awkwardly laughing at the various backhanded and not so backhanded insults thrown her way. She’s clearly too afraid to talk back and all the ladies at the table are very aware of that.

“I wonder,” Janthe takes a bite out of a cookie and leaves the table silent for an uncomfortably long time before she continues, “would she even be able to handle this tea? You do need to have a refined taste for this.”

A chorus of giggles resound as Madelief stares down at the table in embarrassment. It has been a few weeks since Madelief has been unfortunate enough to meet Janthe. She can’t grasp the reason as to why Janthe demeans her so much.

‘She doesn’t even address me directly when she makes fun of me! Like, I’m less than a fly or something! She doesn’t even have the decency to insult me to my face!’ Madelief fumes quietly to herself as the idea of actually confronting Janthe terrifies herself immensely.

Madelief is snapped out of her thoughts by a hand clap from Randa.

“Well, I think it’s about time we try the various teas here. Lady Zelenka has been kind enough to fill up our cups while we were conversing!” Randa smiles sweetly towards Lata, upon which the latter gives a reluctant smile back as she starts dividing the teacups amongst the ladies. She hesitates a bit before placing Madelief’s cup in front of her, but no one notices. Not even Madelief.

The ladies quiet down for a bit as they all take a sip from their cups. Lata’s gaze as she takes a sip is firmly planted on Madelief, and, out of the corner of her eye, she notices that Janthe’s is as well.

Madelief doesn’t even  hesitate before she takes a big sip from the teacup, probably eager to taste just how delicious the tea in the capital is, but her face instantly changes to a mortified one as her hand shoots up to cover her mouth, but it’s too late. In no time, the table and her dress are covered in tea which had just been in her mouth.

Madelief sits in her seat petrified as tea drips down her hand that’s still in front of her mouth. Her mind buzzes as she tries to comprehend what just happened. The various shrieks and complaints from the other ladies sound like fuzzy background noise to her. She comes back to her senses when she hears a certain cold voice speak.

“I knew her taste would be unrefined, but I can not believe just how unrefined it is.”

Madelief’s pink eyes meet a violet gaze that has shown nothing but contempt since the moment they’ve met. Yet again, these violet eyes are as cold as snow.

Instantly, Madelief becomes aware of what situation she is in.

Too aware.

She bolts up while tears swell up in her eyes and she dashes off.

For a moment, the garden in left in deep silence, but before long a voice speaks up.

“Well, that was an unfortunate thing. I believe it’s best to postpone this tea party to another time. I’ll call maids for anyone who needs to clean up. For those who wish to simply leave, I’ll accompany you to the front door,” Randa starts to deal with the situation instantly, but, interestingly, shows no hint of worry towards the lady that just ran out of her tea party in tears.

Meanwhile one of the culprits guiltily looks towards the exit the victim ran off to.

***

“Apologise to Madelief this instant!” A brown eyed girl with a matching colour of hair stands in front of Madelief with outstretched hands and a clearly peeved face.

“And what exactly should I be apologising for, Lady Aster?” Janthe smirks as she pretends not to know what Lady Aster is talking about, making the latter even more peeved than she already was.

“You know EXACTLY what I’m talking about!” Lady Aster’s voice starts to get an angrier undertone, making Madelief and Lata a bit worried about the situation, albeit for different reasons. Madelief’s face clearly shows her worry as well, while Lata manages to keep her worry to herself.

Janthe, meanwhile, isn’t bothered in the slightest. She calmly and confidently clasps her hands together in front of her nonchalantly continues her bluff, “I honestly do not know what you might be talking about, Lady Aster. Why should I apologise to Lady Gerber if I have not wronged her in any way?”

“Not wronged, my ass! You pushed her down while stepping on her dress - ripping it!”

Lata loudly gasps, turning Lady Aster’s attention to her.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Ah, no! I just, uh…” Lata tries to think of something to say, while feeling embarrassed about being so shocked over Lady Aster’s language.

‘I know Lady Aster’s words at this moment were very unusual for ladies, but me being this shocked over this is ridiculous! Especially since I've heard worse in my previous life!’

“Lady Aster, your problem lies with me, not with Lata. Do not drag her into this,” Before she can think of something to say to Lady Aster, Janthe inserts herself into the convo again but her face has a serious look now. She moves closer to Lata as well, seemingly trying to protect her from Lady Aster’s ire both verbally and physically. Lata feels a warmth in her heart at that gesture.

Lady Aster narrows her eyes at them and then lets out a mocking laugh, “Aren’t you kind of a package deal? Ah, well, I don’t care, just apologise to Madelief already! I know that you ruined her dress!”

“Do you now?” Janthe sports a smirk again, “where exactly is your evidence? How do you know that Lady Gerber did not fall on her own while she happened to be near me? She is known to be rather clumsy, is she not?”

“Why you…!”

“Daisy, it’s alright,” before Lady Aster can say anything back, she’s stopped by Madelief, “le-let’s just go…”

“But she pushed you and ruined your dress, Maddy!”

“P-please, Daisy…” Madelief grasps Lady Aster’s hands, making the latter relent.

“Fine. But,” As both of them start to walk away, Lady Aster looks over her shoulder, glaring directly at Janthe, “I won’t be leaving like this the next time!”

“Is that so?” Janthe’s smirk widens as she sees them scurrying away, clearly feeling that she won this clash.

Lata just quietly sighs a sigh of relief over this interaction being over, until she notices Madelief looking this way. Or, to be more exact, looking at Janthe.

‘Oh, I think it’s the first time she’s dared to look Janthe in the eyes. She’s doing it from far away, but still…’

Lata’s gaze falls on Janthe now as well, and, as she presumed, Janthe is sporting a displeased look now since she noticed Madelief’s gaze as well.