(Y/n) never did find out what it was that caused her to shiver, and in fact, perhaps because of the trauma, she completely forgot what transpired the previous night. The last thing she remembered was eating dinner with Hotaka and his family. What she had forgotten was the way he panicked and stumbled over his own two feet to get her to safety. She also didn't see the eyes of protectiveness he had, something unusual and yet true nonetheless. The tight arms around her form, his focused gaze, it was all a bit too similar to something she knew well. Though, when she had lost all recollection of it, it was no use warning her.

Instead, she continued as though nothing happened whatsoever. In fact, she was far more focused on attending the tea party she was invited to. She found it so important, in fact, that she even skipped her classes for the day. Of course, her curious mind absolutely adored learning and being in an academic environment, but her strong desire to repay Shota was what led her to give it such weight. Learning noble social rules and etiquette was important, especially if she planned on actually becoming his fiancee. This was true even though the matter was not yet settled or confirmed.

The red-haired male's grandfather even came to greet her in the morning, presenting to her the dress the host of the tea party sent her. From the man's words, Lady Sallana Wiunerona was a young and beautiful young lady who was not only wealthy but humble as well. (Y/n) believed it, seeming as she had been so generous to provide such a beautiful outfit. Helped by a few maids, she was laced up in the adornment, her hair done professionally. It was something that felt quite new to her form, but it wasn't necessarily unwelcome. Rather, she felt as though she was some kind of princess.

Smothered with compliments and attention, the (h/c) haired girl became the talk of the estate, many attempting to prepare her for the day ahead. Even at breakfast, Nami spoke positively about her appearance, stating that no one in their right mind would have called her a commoner. Her grandfather agreed wholeheartedly, noting that the Lady Wiurnerona had exquisite taste. Humbled by the praise, (Y/n) blushed, attempting to sneak a gaze at Shota who had yet to say anything.

She wondered if he thought in much the same way as everyone else or if they were purely empty words. Yet, no matter how many times she tried to attract his attention, he gave a blank gaze as though he was still asleep. When she asked if he could pass the salt, he simply waved a nearby servant to do it and when she reached out to touch his cheek, he pulled away. Pushing his meal away, he silently left the dining room with an unreadable expression. In response, she clutched at her dress and attempted to suppress the feelings of insecurity within her.

Wordlessly, she waited out the rest of the remaining time reading. It helped her put her mind at ease and ease her nerves, but before she knew it, the time had come for her to leave. Okura extended his hand for her to step into the limousine, the car freshly shined and painted as to convey great wealth. She sat quietly in the backseat while the ginger-haired male sat across from her, listening to the pleasant music that played the entire ride.

When they arrived, the (h/c) haired girl noted the large mansion that stood before her. It was just as pristine as Shota's estate, but it was nowhere near as large or elegant. She supposed that was due to the lengthy lineage the red-haired male hailed from. Despite the fact that there was clearly a large amount of money in the manor before her, it was nothing compared to his. It was rather astonishing.

Okura stepped out of the car rolling into the front area of the estate. In front of the ladies that lined up there to greet her, she was helped out of the car, the noble ladies smiling cheerfully. At the front of the pack was a young woman with curly black hair and almost concerningly pale skin. She looked like a porcelain doll, her hair perfectly in place without so much as a wrinkle on her luxurious scarlet clothes or a scratch on her elaborate jewelry. In some ways, it was beautiful. In others, it was a bit off-putting.

"Welcome, Lady Yasojiro," she hummed quietly, batting her fan slowly, covering her smiling lips, "We were beginning to wonder if you would grace us with your presence."

"Ah, I'm very sorry. I had thought I was on time."

The ladies looked at one another with eyebrows raised but said nothing. Rather, the ravenette in front of her closed her fan quickly, letting it rest in her palm. She then looked over the girl's attire and smiled before turning around and walking forward, her heels clicking on the cement. Following after her with the rest of the invited ladies, the (h/c) haired girl's mouth fell agape with awe. She had never seen someone so elegant.

Staring at the red ruffles that cascaded down the host's long legs, she noted the intricate jewels adorning them, making the dress sparkle in the natural sunlight. Further still was the tight way it clung to her slim figure, the draping crimson sleeves giving her a look of a regal foreign princess. To be certain, she was foreign. Her pale skin gave that away as well as the sharp features she had. When thinking of Hotaka and Kenko, (Y/n) could only note their soft and gentle features, something that contrasted the woman before her. Yet she was a noble of that country?

The other women in attendance were very similar, having tight dresses with red in common. With varying jewelry or dresses, they appeared to value that color more than any other though black was also a strong theme in their outfits as well. It differed greatly from the blue the younger girl wore, especially since it was relatively modest as well. In all aspects of her attire, she was different from those in front of her. Contrary to them, she wore a simple yukata that covered her skin modestly and held no fan, let alone the flashy jewelry they wore. Once again she felt disassimilated from those around her. It was a common theme in her daily life, she noticed.

Sitting down at a table fully adorned with small sandwiches and fine china, she was once again bewildered to find her place set was different. Looking around, she noticed that her tableware was composed of Athanian styled plates and cups whereas most everyone else simply had Afruan styled dishes. The (h/c) haired girl was not an idiot. She understood she was not quite welcomed there, the outfits and place sets clearly separated. Then there was the fact that she was seated far away from the host. She was unfavored, and she could take a wild guess why.

"My, what refined tea," one of the women hummed with delight, clearly enjoying the bitter beverage she was presented with, "There simply is nothing better than Utepara."

"Indeed. I've recently heard they suffered quite the memorable loss of tea leaves in their fields. Since then the price has skyrocketed. Demand places such a heavy toll, no? I'm actually very surprised Lady Wiurnerona managed to acquire such lavish goods."

"Yes," the ravenette chuckled, waving her fan quickly over her chin, "Well, recently my elder brother purchased one of the fields for us to enjoy. I'm rather glad Miss Siriaram is fond of it. I've actually included this tea in the gifts I intend to distribute."

Hearing about the valuable tea in front of the (h/c) haired girl, she gave it a close look, noting the pale yellow color of the liquid. It certainly wasn't appetizing, nor was the bitter smell it emitted. However, if it was so rare, she felt guilty for not tasting it. It was the least she could do when considering the generosity of the host. Tilting the cup to her lips, the others look on with confusion, noting the lack of handle the cup had. It was unusual in accordance with their own culture, so the sight was somewhat humorous to them.

"Oh, please do be careful, Miss Yasojiro. We wouldn't want you to inhale it all at once. You may choke, and it really would make my heart ache for you."

The differences in what they classified as etiquette was stifling. Though she had been training in her classes, (Y/n) certainly hadn't moved on from Athanian culture to Afruan. So, when compared to the way the ladies before her took small sips, she supposed tilting the cup to her lips was seen as somewhat unrestrained. Then again, what was she ought to have done when she was given a cup that differed from everyone else's? As the host had specifically laid out the tableware for each individual, it would have been seen as rude to request another cup. It was a lose-lose situation, but she didn't expect such petty insults.

Still, the tea that she had tasted was not at all luxurious. At least, she certainly didn't seem to think so. Rather, it was far too bitter to taste any other flavor. She wouldn't have used a fortune to purchase one of its fields. In fact, she wouldn't have even bought one tin of tea leaves for the drink. It was disgusting, simply put. Placing the cup back down, she swallowed the amount she had taken, incredibly displeased with the taste left in her mouth. It must have been obvious to those before her, especially as they used it as another opportunity to show her how different they were.

"My, Miss Yasojiro, was the tea too lavish for your tastebuds to process? I heard that Athanians are quite lacking when it comes to things of good quality. I had thought such things a baseless rumor, but after seeing it in person, it's truly baffling."

"Are you talking about their sugar addiction?"

"Yes. I had heard that they would not touch a meal unless it was coated in sugar."

"What a childish palate. Surely it's simply a commoner trend? I can't imagine any dignified nobles participating in such ludicrousy."

"Not at all! I had the pleasure of meeting the young master of the Miyahara family, and, to my surprise, he absolutely adored lollipops. Can you imagine? An esteemed noble with a lollipop in his mouth? The influence of his home country must have lowered him to such callow treats."

(Y/n) paused. For a moment, she could make out the sight of a boy with white hair, but as soon as it came, it left. The name "Miyahara" made her tilt her head, straining her mind to piece the puzzle together. She swore she had heard it somewhere, but it simply would not come to her no matter how much she tried. In fact, it felt as though she didn't want to remember the meaning behind the memory either. She wondered why that was.

"My apologies, Miss Yasojiro," Lady Wiurnerona sighed, placing her cup down and snapping her fingers, "I had believed you would enjoy such a thing, but it seems I was wrong. I offer my sincere regrets for my mistake."

"Not at all. I just wasn't raised to enjoy such things. It's a bit of a shock to me, but I trust your word that this tea is luxurious. I thank you for preparing such valuable tea for us today."

The other ladies once more paused, their fans ceasing to bat and their eyebrows raising. Some of them leaned to others and whispered, followed by sny giggles. They seemed not to have the confidence to speak poorly of her to her face. It was somewhat disappointing. If they were going to belittle her, they could have at the very least had the dignity to allow her in on it. Still, she supposed she could dismiss it. Holding a grudge wouldn't be good for Shota's image. And it was for him that she had insisted on attending the event in the first place.

"I heard," another lady piped up, intending to break the awkward silence as a small meal was brought to the table, "that Miss Yasojiro has taken up a job."

"Yes!" (Y/n) smiled, happy to speak about something she had pride in, "I've been working at a small cafe near the university for some pocket money. I really enjoy it."

"Yes, it quite suits you."

"I'm glad you think so. Have you ever had a job, Miss..."

"Lady Baqasil," the girl corrected, her fan covering her nose to accentuate her eyes that proved her distaken thoughts on the matter.

"Right, Lady Baqasil, my apologies. Have you ever had a job, Lady Baqasil? It makes you feel like you have a purpose other than simply breathing. Don't you agree?"

The other ladies snickered at the girl's question, including the one she had attempted to speak to. She simply gave a presumptuous grin and turned down her nose on her. At this, the (h/c) haired girl's smile fell and she realized she had nothing in common with those in front of her. She was not born into nobility nor was she born an Afruan. She did not enjoy bitter things and enjoyed sweets which they believed to be childish. She worked and enjoyed the common things while they preferred things of luxury and high price tags regardless of whether they truly liked them. Status was accentuated above all.

That was what the (h/c) haired girl couldn't understand. If that truly was the case, why did they not respect her for her association with the Yasojiro family which was one of the oldest noble families in the world? And if it was not the case, why did they heighten Shota and belittle her when they had so much in common? It was as if they were mocking him through her, and she could not bear it. Rather, she clenched her yukata, attempting to stifle her anger.

"Miss Yasojiro," the ravenette hummed once more, watching as a servant placed food onto the girl's plate, "I do want to apologize once more for offering you something that wasn't to your palate. If you'll allow me, I have prepared a separate meal for your enjoyment."

What a load of garbage. (Y/n) narrowed her eyes at the woman on the complete opposite of the table as a mountain of powdered sugar sat on her plate. The others held their closed fans to their lips, chuckling with haunting snickers. They were obviously amused by the sight of belittlement done to her, further still at the sight of her rendered speechless. The ladies must have believed that they were subtly insulting her in a way that would fly right over her head. After all, with the way their heads worked, they clearly thought those not of noble descent were worthless. But their hypocritical actions would not go unpunished.

It wasn't as though she was clueless about how noble society worked. The (h/c) haired girl had been well informed by her tutors about the goings-on of high society, most of her classes reliant on the information. In hopes of impressing and becoming amicable with the ladies in attendance, she specifically had classes revolving around their families and interests. It was a bit in vain considering the hospitality she had received, but she could still use that information well.

Standing up in a fit of frustration, she took the plate and poured it over the lady closest to her, watching as she tensed up in surprise. Looks of animosity were directed her way, but the only difference from then to the treatment they had presented her earlier was that they took their masks of civility off. Letting the plate slip from her fingers, it fell to the floor, shattering into pieces with a loud noise. The host stood up as well, a look of indignation crossing her pale features as her curly hair bounced from the sudden movement.

"How dare you! I invited you out of courtesy for the honorable Yasojiro family, but you vandalize my property! Do you know how much that plate cost?"

"My, was it expensive, Lady Wiurnerona?" (Y/n) asked, coyly covering her mouth, "I had thought it would be nothing compared to the tea leaf fields you had purchased. Or have you gone broke trying to attain such a thing?"

Silent, the ravenette was rendered speechless, shying away from the gazes of the other ladies on her. Clearly, she was not as wealthy as she wanted to appear. If she was throwing a fit over a single plate being ruined, the others couldn't imagine her being able to afford the fields in the first place. With skeptical looks, the ladies forced their host into shouting out nonsensical insults, directed, of course, to the only person she deemed beneath all of those in attendance. But it was in vain.

"I only meant to state that you show poor manners to your host! I know of no noblewoman who would perform such a childish feat!"

"Childish?"

The (h/c) haired girl stepped forward across the floor to pick up the host's cup sitting on its saucer, watching as the ravenette's eyes widened. She then proceeded to pour the tea out of the cup, many ladies surprised that the entire cup hadn't been touched. In fact, the liquid sat without having a drop being drunk by her. They then gasped in surprise as the girl continued to pour out their cups, displaying the same results.

"What I call childish is pretending to like something that you clearly dislike just to fit in. In fact, I find it quite pathetic, and even more disgusting than Utepara tea," (Y/n) sneered, watching as the noble ladies lowered their heads in shame and embarrassment.

"Enough! Miss Yasojiro - "

"I believe it's Lady Yasojiro, and I'll thank you to show the proper respect to the Yasojiro name. I don't believe I need to remind you how much your families rely on the Yasojiro family for your wealth. I also believe you'll understand if I take my leave a bit early."

Huffing, the girl took one last look at the mess she made, attempting to resist smiling. It wasn't that she was happy, per se. It was just that she was relieved to see her anger had been able to escape after all. Taking steps towards the exit of the parlor, she was further surprised to see that the ravenette still had the urge to pick a fight with her. She thought she had made it clear she wouldn't put up with their rudeness any longer. Yet there was the proof that she wouldn't listen right before her, a cup thrown with poor aim to the side of her head, shattering when coming into contact with the wall.

"Oh my, Lady Wiurnerona!" (Y/n) exclaimed with an innocent expression, fake tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, "My fiance would be so pained to know that a strand of my precious hair was harmed by a lady I so adored! And to think that the others I had looked forward to befriending let such a thing happen. He'll be absolutely livid! After all, I am his precious darling!"

"I will not let a low-born Athanian mock me so!"

"I see we're not pretending to be naive ladies any longer. That's quite fine by me. If that is the case, however, I will also play this way. Let's start with this. All of you in attendance today will receive a letter stating that all business between your families and the Yasojiro family will be cut off. I believe that will do just fine. Then, farewell until then."

Unable to provide a rebuttal to the threat the (h/c) haired girl uttered, the ladies sat in silence. Even Lady Wiurnerona was stopped in her steps, frozen solid. In this way, she really did look like a doll, but by no means was she beautiful. (Y/n) left promptly with a taste in her mouth more bitter than the tea she had been given. She would not be putting on a face full of niceties in front of those who had no understanding of the word.

However, as she sat in the limousine to return to the manor, her face flared red and she began to panic. She had simply given the threat of cutting off business because she was furious, but there was nothing behind it. Even if she was the fiancee of Shota, it didn't mean she was at all responsible for any business projects or contracts he had. In fact, that wouldn't have been the case even if she was his wife. Groaning, she struggled to find a solution to how she would bear the shame once her threat was revealed to be fake. Fortunately - or perhaps not - Okura had placed a listening device on her, and he would convey her wishes to the red-haired male.

Yet he wasn't the only one to think of such a thing. One of the noble ladies had decided to bring along a similar device to have "proof" if (Y/n) was blatantly rude or disrespectful. But with her threat, they couldn't bring themselves to leak it to the press or the rest of noble society. It wouldn't have been good to further test the Yasojiro family. So, with little to no use for it, they sold it to a member outside of noble society, but within high society. The male sat, watching the scenes unfurl with muted interest.

"You stupid girl. That'll only make it worse."