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After tea, lunch was served buffet-style, turning the event into an informal garden party.
For Ekaterina, now the lady of House Jurnova, this was the perfect rehearsal for managing a formal party. When she had asked Graham, “Would it be all right if I invited a lot of my friends?”, the veteran butler himself had suggested the idea—how dependable he was.

Honestly, I should’ve thought of that myself. My lack of domestic skills is pathetic, damn it. Unlike studying or business, this is a field where I’ve got neither knowledge nor experience.
That’s why I’ve got to work hard.

“These small pies are truly delightful. Are these perhaps the kind of things you two usually prepare for His Grace’s lunch?”
“Yes, this is actually a recipe we received from Baroness Czerny. Our chef was so impressed by it that we asked her permission to use it.”

When Ekaterina mentioned that the Czerny couple had been classmates of her grandfather Sergei, her peers’ attitudes toward Flora visibly shifted. As expected from the grandfather who once served as chancellor and major minister—his fame among the younger generation remained unmatched!
More students began talking to Flora, praising the pies and asking for the recipe; not a trace of bullying remained.

“I also had one of those rose-shaped cookies earlier with tea. They’re just lovely—and they taste wonderful as well. Surely they’re a traditional confection of the ducal house?”
“I’ve come here every year, but that’s the first time I’ve seen them. I think they’re something new. …Ekaterina, your rose cookies are a hit—everyone says they’re beautiful and delicious.”
“I’m delighted they please you. It’s a new creation from our chef.”

Actually, the idea came from a popular sweet bun from my previous life. It always strikes me odd how a bread is called a “cookie”—and it had been a calorie bomb, too—but oh, those buns had tasted so good. This version only mimicked their shape, being an actual cookie, yet our chef had perfected it by topping it with the ducal house’s traditional rose jam.
Incidentally, the ducal house did have a genuine traditional sweet: small, round doughnut-like pastries filled with rose jam. Simple but classic—just what you’d expect from an old noble family. And delicious, too.

While answering her classmates who came and went, Ekaterina also kept an eye out for anyone who seemed troubled, doing her best, in her own beginner’s way, to fulfill her role as hostess.
At first, she had found Mikhail’s constant presence a bit much, but he was remarkably good at handling people in situations like this—helping her when several guests spoke to her at once. Rather than being in the way, he was a huge help.
Especially when boys came to talk to her—Mikhail handled nearly all of them. Ekaterina was impressed.
As expected of you, Prince. If only you weren’t the very embodiment of my doom flag, I’d want him to come every time.
Well, Flora-chan had also stayed by my side the whole time, and before I knew it, the two of them were chatting quite amicably. Maybe inviting them both every time really was the right move.

Speaking of people she’d always want to invite—the Krymov siblings. Even though they were bickering cheerfully as usual, just having them around seemed to warm and brighten the atmosphere. People naturally gathered near them; with those two present, any event would probably turn out a success.

…But honestly, the most impressive—or perhaps I should say, the most audacious—of all were you guys.
The Yes-Yes Trio!
I’d almost forgotten about you, all with the Imperial Visit and Exams and everything else on my plate. Can’t believe you actually came—what indomitable vitality.
And boy, do they eat. Plus, they seem to be catching servants to complain about something or other. If you don’t like the taste, don’t eat it! If you’ve got complaints, take them to Versailles—no, take them to me! …Or so I thought, but when our eyes met, they flinched and went quiet.

By the time the boys and girls—especially the boys—had devoured their lunches with youthful vigor, even the magnificent rose garden was beginning to feel a little dull, a languid air settling in.
Just then, as if right in time, tension rippled through the garden.

The head of the house, Aleksei, had arrived.

The tall duke strode calmly across the lawn toward the group where Ekaterina, Flora, and Mikhail stood surrounded by classmates. No one announced his entrance, yet all eyes naturally turned toward him.

What presence. As expected of Onii-sama.
High schoolers already look like adults and children mixed together—the seniors and freshmen worlds apart. Even Nikolai, also a third-year, seemed leagues more mature than his peers—but my brother was on an entirely different level.

Standing before his sister and Mikhail, Aleksei bowed slightly.

“Your Highness Mikhail, welcome.”
“Sorry for dropping in unannounced. I heard about today’s gathering.”

Mikhail cast a brief glance at Ekaterina, then turned back to Aleksei with a bright smile.

“I heard many boys would be coming today, so I thought I’d join in too. Your house bears a most beautiful rose, after all.”
“…”

Aleksei narrowed his neon-blue eyes.
So a vermin is trying to drive off other vermin… then again, it would be improper for a vassal to say that out loud.
When his slightly pale lips curved upward, the resulting smile carried a strangely fierce edge.

“I hear you’re interested in our family’s weapons. You must be getting tired of the flowers—allow me to show you around.”
“I’d feel bad taking up your time. Maybe someone else could guide me instead? You’ve got family members now fully capable of filling in for you.”
“It would be unthinkable for anyone but the head of house to guide a prince.”

Both of them smiled—neither expression so much as twitching.

“Then we men shall move together. Thank you, I’ll count on you.”

…Ahh, I’m hopeless.
Watching the two of them, Ekaterina maintained her polite smile but sighed inwardly.
She could tell there was some hidden meaning in their words, but couldn’t for the life of her grasp what it was. “Interested in weapons” must be some kind of code? Royal and noble conversations sure run deep.
Ekaterina, tragically oblivious in that particular field, had always been certified “hopeless” by her friends even in her previous life. Perhaps that streak would never change.

“Ekaterina, I’ll see you later.”
“Please enjoy yourself.”

As she watched Mikhail leave, she wondered why his back somehow radiated a faintly “marching to the gallows” vibe—but the thought vanished instantly, because Aleksei, who had started to leave with him, turned back and came close to whisper something to her.

“Graham praised you—said you’re doing wonderfully as hostess. You’ve done very well for your first time.”

Then, bending slightly to her ear, he smiled sweetly—causing the young ladies behind Ekaterina, caught in the crossfire, to let out small gasps and blush red, while Ekaterina herself nearly floated away.

He praised me—yay! Well, technically it was Graham who did, but hearing it from Onii-sama makes it twice as nice! All right, I can do my best even in a field I’m bad at!

“I’m leaving the hospitality of the ladies to you. Not just that matter—everything in the mansion is yours to use as you wish.”
“Thank you, Onii-sama.”

Now then—time for the ladies’ secret event!