By the time we head out from the royal palace after spending quite a few whiles with Seara-sama, Alexus, and LIly, the sun had completely set and the sky had turned fairly dark, though not completely.

The last few shine from the sun beyond the horizon still brightened up the sky fairly well, enough so we could still see outside the carriage pretty well.

Before we returned, I've asked Lily if she would like to set a time for us to meet up regularly. She can go to my house whenever she's free, or I can also go to the castle to meet up with her if her schedule is packed.

She happily agreed and told me that she'll breeze through all her academic and etiquette lessons to get some free time. We promised to set a time later on through letters.

Fufu~ Considering Hana's intelligence, this level of study would most definitely be a breeze for her. She's the smartest amongst the three of us, after all.

We arrived home right as the sky turned completely dark, lit solely by the moon and the stars.

Right as we entered, mom suddenly pet our heads and smiled at us softly.

"Both of you did so well today. I'm sure you're tired now. Go ahead and rest until dinner, okay? And don't forget we'll also have to prepare your dress for the tea party, okay Risa~?"

"Yes, mom~"

"Good girl. I know you miss Kiara and Fubuki, but don't play with them for too long, okay? You need to take a rest."

"Yes~!"

Mom nodded and turned towards Lu-nii.

"Lucas, make sure your little sisters get enough rest, okay?"

"Yes, mother."

"Good. Then, I'll be in my office preparing for the tea party~"

"Rest well too, mom~! Don't push yourself too much!"

"Ufufufu~ I won't~ Thank you~"

Mom kissed our cheeks and left.

"Well then, let's go rest and prepare for dinner."

"Uhn~!"

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

Under the clear blue sky and dazzling sun, the freshly watered and tended flower garden of our Lorya Household shined brilliantly like a box of precious jewels, flaunting their magnificence and beauty to the world.

It was the perfect weather for an outdoor tea party; clear sky with a little bit of breeze to keep things cool.

Our garden has also been decorated beautifully by the servants of the mansion as per Lisa's instructions, turning it into a site for a classy and elegant party.

A wide variety of luxurious desserts and light sandwiches has been prepared in the kitchen, ready to be served to the ladies who will be sitting within a magnificent, pure white gazebo of marble in the center of the garden.

It really feels like you're in a flower paradise or a field of flowers when you're there. A really beautiful sight to behold, especially while you're relaxing and having tea.

Our gazebo is also kinda... special. It's very big, much bigger than even the ones Evelyn's family had. Usually, a normal gazebo would fit one table for six people and they'd just sit around it.

But our gazebo is, basically, a living room with a large, circular tea table at the center with luxurious, high back, white and gold throne chairs around them.

They're really spacious and comfortable, but even until now, I still can't rest my arm on the armrest...I'll usually either hold Kiara in my lap or just lean backward and melt into it when mom's not seeing.

Seriously, I think these cushions are made of clouds. They're super comfy. Almost as comfy as my mattress.

When mom holds a big tea party and invites a lot of guests, we usually remove this table and chairs and simply use it as a place to serve the food and use the rest of the space in the garden to socialize.

But when we're just having tea together as a family or mom holds a special, private tea party with her friends, we use this table and these beautiful chairs.

It's mom's personal and special set of furniture that she'd only share with those she really hold dear.

This year, mom invited around six families, or to be more specific, six of her bestest lady friends along with their daughters.

It was a female-only party, so those who didn't have a daughter didn't bring any of their sons. But, they're free to bring their daughters even if they hadn't had their social debut yet.

From the outside looking in, it may seem like a special privilege the ladies invited to this party have, considering they could introduce their yet debuted daughter to a group of very high-ranking ladies.

But in truth, mom and her friends just want to pamper cute little girls to their heart's content...

I was the victim last year... I could still remember how I almost suffocated from being buried in a sea of boobies and how many times my cheeks got kissed...

It was especially bad since I was the only little girl there since the other ladies either didn't bring their daughters, either because they couldn't or because they're still too young to bring along.

This year, it would be Kiara... N-No! I-I have to protect her as her sister!!

Oh wait... I think I don't need to worry that much!

Lawliela-sama, Maria-sama, and Latis-sama are invited, and they will bring Valerie-chan, Evelyn, and Noir!

Mom said the other ladies will be bringing their daughters too! Most of them will have their debutante next year, while one seemed to be the same age as Kiara, so both of us can escape and play with them and the other girls!

Phew~! I'm so glad~

Umu! I'll do my best to help Kiara make some friends!

Mom, Kiara, and I were already waiting for our guests to come in the gazebo along with Rosaria, Anne, and Maria-chan, our personal maids, by our side serving us. Iris is also present in the garden, though she seemed to be standing by at the entrance to welcome and open the door for the guests.

All three of us were already dolled up from head to toe. Mom wore a beautiful light green dress that suited the vibrant atmosphere of nature around us, a semi-transparent light green shawl around her bare shoulders, and several beautiful accessories around her neck and wrists, as well as some earrings.

On the other hand, I was dressed in a white dress that had several beautiful embroideries of flowers in gold and flower-patterned laced gloves. As for accessories, I only wore a necklace around my neck and several hair jewels that helped my half-up crown braid hairdo stay fixed.

Lastly, Kiara wore a light yellow dress that fitted her vibrant personality and smile. She looks so pretty, just like a sunflower~

Kiara is sitting on her own chair this time. She really wanted to sit on mom or my lap, but we told her she should sit on her own on this occasion since she'll be meeting mom's friends and their daughters. She needed to start minding her etiquette and behavior from now on.

Fortunately, she seemed to accept it quite readily, although she was pouting for a while. She said she'll do her best because she wants to make us proud.

What an angel~

After a while, our first batch of guests had arrived.

"Oh my~ How beautiful~! Ufufufu~ You've outdone yourself once more, Lisa~"

"Good morning, Lisa. Alterisa-kun as well. And I am guessing this is your second daughter, Kiara?"

"It has been quite a while, Lisa... I've missed you..."

"Ah~! Maria~ Lala~ Latis~! Welcome~ I've been waiting~!"

At the sound of their voice, Mom and I, as well as Kiara, quickly stood up and approach both of them at the entrance to welcome Maria-sama, Lawliela-sama, Latis-sama, Evelyn, Valerie-chan, and Noir.

All of them are dressedso beautifully too~ Maria-sama and Evleyn looked like a very soft and fluffy version of an ice queen and princess with their light blue themed dresses.

Lawliela-sama looked very cool, sexy, and mature all at the same time with her dark crimson dress that matched her flaming red hair. She was wearing a one-piece dress that hugged her figure so perfectly, accentuating her figure.

On the other hand, Valerie-chan looked very cute in her bright red dress. She looked just like a fairy of fire~

Latis-sama, Noir's mother, also looked very beautiful in her light purple dress. Her jet-black hair that shined and glimmered under the sun was unstyled, freely flowing down to her lower waist. Yet, it looked very tidy and super straight, just like a calm river flowing down a gentle stream.

A-Ahh... S-She's too beautiful... S-She's a true personification of a yamato nadeshiko... That flawless jet-black straight hair... Down-turned shimmering jet-black eyes, and that soft, bell-like voice... S-She's too much for my heart...

I turned towards Noir, who was also dressed very cutely in a one-piece light purple dress and staring at me with those innocent, glimmering eyes.

Kuh... I-It's too destructive... Now, there's two of them at the same time! Two girls whose appearances are perfectly in my strike zone!

I-I wonder if Noir will grow up like her... Now I really want to steal her from Luke...

Mom run up to them and brought all three of them into her embrace.

"Ufufufu~ Thank you for inviting us~"

"Of course. I've been looking forward to this gathering as well."

"Fufu... Lisa, you're hugging us too tightly..."

Mm~ What beautiful friendship~ I could easily imagine them hugging like this during their time in the academy~

After a while, she released them and then turned towards Evelyn, Valerie, and Noir.

"Evelyn, Valerie, and Noir~ as well~ Welcome~ Thank you for accepting my invitation~"

"Thank you very much for inviting us as well, Lorya-sama. It is an honor to be invited to the private tea party you hold."

"Uhn! Thank you very much for inviting us! We will be in your care! Ehehehe~"

"T-Thank you very much for the invitation...!"

Evelyn curtsied elegantly as she greeted us with her soft, silky voice. Valerie-chan also showed her gratitude in her usual cheerful way, while Noir shyly curtsied with her cheeks blushing redly.

Ufufufu~ They're just as cute as usual~

I looked at Kiara and nodded to her, and then curtsied towards our guests.

"Thank you very much for coming. It is an honor and our pleasure to welcome Lawliela-sama, Maria-sama, Latis-sama. And of course, Evelyn, Valerie-chan, and Noir as well~"

"Oh my~ Ufufufu~ It is nice to see you again, Alterisa~"

"Umu. It has been a while since we last met, hasn't it, Alterisa-kun?"

"Uhn... Alterisa too... It is nice to see you again. This is...?"

At Latis-sama's question, everyone turned their gazes towards Kiara.

"I-I-It is an honor to be your acquaintance! M-My name is Kiara von Lorya! S-Second daughter of the Lorya Household! T-T-Thank you very much for accepting our invitation!"

Kiara cursied and closed her eyes tighlty, her face blushing and body shaking in nervousness.

"Oh my~ Ufufufu~ How cute and polite~ It is nice to meet you too, Kiara-chan~"

"It is a pleasure to be your acquaintance as well."

"Uhn... A pleasure... You did great..."

"T-Thank you very much!"

Uwaaaahhhhhh~!!!! You did so well, Kiara!!! Aaaaaahhhh!! I'm so proud!!!!

Lawliela-sama seemed to be more focused on accessing her magical power, but Maria-sama and Latis-sama seemed to be very impressed!

That's amazing!!!! As expected of my cute little baby angel!!!!

"Hehe~ It's nice to see you again, Kiara-chan~"

"Kiara-chan~! Hello~!"

"Kiara, you did so well. Good job."

"T-Thank you...!"

See~ Even Evelyn, Valerie-chan, and Noir approved of it~!!!

Ahhh~ I'm so happy for her~!

"Ah~! Let's take a seat first while we wait~ We've prepared tea for everyone~"

Mom then led her friends inside as we followed closely after them from behind.

Evelyn, Valerie-chan, and Noir were all praising Kiara for her greetings. She had worked so hard for it, so I'm very happy that she succeeded. I'm so proud as her nee-san!

"You did so amazing, Kiara~ You just need to repeat that a few more times with the other guests okay~? Don't worry, your nee-san will be there with you!"

"U-U-Uhn... T-Thank you very much, nee-cha... I-I'll do my best!"







AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!