March. 

The end of the wintering months and the turning point of Spring. Viconian Madams waited eagerly in their tea rooms with their daughters as their ears were to the door. Time would tick as they prayed for the maid would bring a beige-hued envelope, lined with pressed lilies.

An invitation that not only kicked off the Debutant season but signified who would be deemed important in this year’s social circle. Who could have such an effect to put the whole of Vicon’s social sphere on edge? Who else would it be other than Countess Hess?

Nicolette leaned into her hand as she watched from above as her ladies-in-waiting were well dressed marching their way out of the Manor.

The finest of produce was walked in by the cartload from J'ssot Square. The man servants hurried each box to the kitchens as preparations for the Countess’s illustrious gathering.  

It’s an unspoken rule that the Hess household’s annual garden party should take priority.

The Hess Earldom held this tradition for generations, even King Richard uses the event to observe the contentions between the noble houses.

With that in mind, numerous noble ladies scrambled to receive a formal invitation from Countess Nicolette Hess, the reigning lady in high society. 

The guest list for the affair was kept close to the Madam at all times as no amount of poking or prodding could unhinge the Countess’ tightly sealed lips.

Nicolette learned early on, exclusivity is not something one could buy but granted.

The Hess household is minor in comparison to other families within the capital, it was the Late Countess, Tatiana Hess who bolstered the tea party to such prestige. 

It is said, ​​Queen Farrah drew the attention of King Richard the Second or Crown Prince Richard at the time under the guidance of Countess Tatiana Hess.

It would seem that after the Hess’ annual garden party many prospective marriages popped forth over the years and were all overseen by Countess Hess. Endowing the Countess of Hess with the title of a young maiden’s greatest fortune. 

The prestige of the event continued when the old Countess passed on and Nicolette took upon the mantle. It would be Nicolette’s fifth consecutive year hosting the annual garden party and in its tradition leaving fruitful marriages in its wake. 

Always under the thumb of her mother-in-law, Nicolette watched preparations for the event, as her hunger to run things her own way ate at her.

So on the late Countess's passing, instead of feeling sadness, Nicolette rejoiced at the prospect of finally laying her mark within the social circle. 

Around this time of year, Countess Hess was most arguably the busiest person in Vicon. For months on end, the Hess family bought the most beautiful of flowers from all the local shops and reserved the best pâtissiers in the capital for the social event. 

Countess Hess embossed all the important invitations with care and made her personal servant hand-deliver each of them.

So it was not a surprise when an invitation was sent out to the De Costa family on the first day by the Hess family butler. Nicolette smiled at the keen eye of her husband who took an extra step.

In actuality, the Countess received news that Young Lady De Costa favored savory teas rather than sweet ones. Nicolette went to the trouble of procuring tea from the Far East at an exuberant price. 

The De Costa house is undeniably first when it comes to dignity since Vicon’s inception. The only thing they lacked as a household was a young missus, but on the day of Katarina’s birth that all changed.

The house where the King placed his ultimate trust now had a little lady at their heels, the De Costa family was now in the race to compete for the throne. 

To everyone’s surprise, rumors of the Devoncourt and the De Costa families joining houses were baffling. The aristocratic men in high society thought Marquis De Costa to be daft in mind.

To take the seat of Grand Duchess was an honor in itself, but with the pre-existing prospects for the only lady in the De Costa household seemed like a mistake in the eyes of high society’s women. Anyone with the wits tempered their tongues. 

Nicolette could not help but feel a bit downtrodden at the loss of an opportunity. Tea parties and social events were made for unmarried young ladies to showcase their personalities and for Madams to scout for potential daughters-in-law.

With the uncertainty of Young Lady De Costa's status, it was unsure if the De Costa family would accept the Countess’ invitation. To Nicolette’s delight on the morning she sent the invitations, there was a reply from the De Costa household by the afternoon.

There was no eloquent prose or hidden message in their reply, it was a simple acceptance. The parchment was thick and coarse to the touch and the strokes of the quill were quick and definitive.

A small smile played on Nicolette’s lips, raising her chin, satisfied by the turn of events. For better or worst, the starting point of this year’s social season will be in Hess Manor, like it should be.