It wasn’t long until I was sitting in a massive greenhouse, having tea with a group of noble ladies. I had invited five noble ladies in total. Four sat with me at the round table now, sipping their tea and chatting away.

Alina Arzhur, Velaira Penrose, Irina Engelhardt, and Karuna Sharanga.

The one who was nearly thirty minutes late?

Faustina Siderias.

I didn’t mind. So far, this day was nearly exactly the same as my last two lives. I had known from the start that Faustina would disrespect me by being late. And where was she right now?

Sleeping with Valen, of course.

Never mind that. If she wanted him so bad, she could have him.

Instead, I turned my attention to taking in the scene in front of me. Even in midwinter, the glass-enclosed garden was warm and humid. There were blooming flowers and trees all around us, lush green grass beneath our shoes. I had chosen floral teas to remind the ladies of spring, and I had the kitchen prepare rose-flavored pastries and desserts to match. Everything was perfect, besides the biting anxiety in my stomach that I tried to keep hidden behind a cold exterior.

As I sipped on my tea, I listened to the conversations around me closely.

Alina and Velaira had been chatting incessantly for the last hour. I had picked up a few rumors, none particularly interesting yet. Most were whispered under hushed tones and giggles.

My eyes focused on Alina.

The emperor’s niece. Even though she’d never let you forget it—bringing it up in conversation every chance she got—it was obvious just by looking at her. Though only potential heirs inherited the crimson Eyes of Arzhur, her eyes were still a deep pink, with hair that looked like spun gold. She reminded me of Valen in so many ways, even more than just what she looked like.

Though she was more subtle than him in her cruelty, she was cruel nonetheless.

It was obvious by watching her “friendship” with Velaira, if it could even be called that.

Velaira Penrose was the youngest at the table, only seventeen years old. She had hair that was the color of red roses in full bloom—befitting of her house name—and round pale green eyes. She and Alina were considered inseparable best friends throughout High Society, but I saw right through it. House Penrose, though known for their military prowess, were currently struggling financially after Lord Penrose invested in a trade business that was ruined by the impending war with the Eastern Kingdom. They were barely keeping afloat, and the impending downfall of their house was on everyone’s mind.

And Alina preyed on this weakness, using it to make herself feel superior.

"I love your gown, Vel," Alina said, her voice dripping with saccharine.

Velaira was wearing a beautiful gown. The fabric was the color of champagne and hung off her shoulders with an intricately embroidered neckline, the sheer sleeves coming to a golden gemstone ring on her fingers—but I quickly sensed this was going somewhere else.

"Thank you," Velaira said, smiling, naive to the trap laid before her.

“It’s such a shame times are tough on your family. I think I remember you wearing this dress last season, too?” She pursed out her lips in a fake pity pout. “Poor you, having to resort to rewearing dresses.”

“Oh my…” Irina murmured, sipping her tea.

Velaira’s face grew red with embarrassment.

Called it.

These two were supposedly best friends? I could scoff at that notion. Their relationship was more akin to a cat keeping a mouse as a pet. Sure, it might look cute, but what’s cute about a predator playing with its prey?

"If you need a new gown for Navina’s banquet, I could lend you one of my old dresses?" continued Alina. “I’m sure no one would notice.”

In my last two lives, I wouldn’t say anything. The last thing I needed was to be on the Imperial Family's bad side.

But now…

"It’s a gorgeous dress, Velaira," I said. "It reminds me of that new style that’s made waves in Camlan. Don’t you think, Lady Alina?"

Alina turned toward me with an arched eyebrow. "Maybe a little…"

"If I recall correctly, I believe that style only became popular after Empress Anastasia wore a similar gown during the Northern Equinox Ball. That was just last month, wasn’t it?”

"A-ah, yes…" Alina stumbled on her words.

"Only someone who was… unfamiliar with current trends would think otherwise."

Now it was Alina’s face that was red. Having nothing to reply with, she sipped her tea in quiet rage. Her magenta eyes glared at me with animosity. Surely, she’d try to make me pay for that later, but oh well, that was fun. Perhaps in this life, I’d have more fun toying with these petty nobles.

"You have a good eye, Lady Navina," another lady said. I turned toward the voice.

Lady Karuna Sharanga.

I had always thought that she was one of the most beautiful women in High Society, with sharp, near-black eyes, deep tan skin, a round button nose, and shiny black curls, always pulled back into an elaborate, perfect braid. I knew she was First Prince Kiran’s cousin, but I didn’t know much else about her. Like me, she had spent most of the tea party sipping on her tea quietly as the other ladies chatted away.

I knew things about her house, though. The noble family of Sharanga was born out of the ancient royal family of Chera. When Northern Chera was conquered by the empire, the royal family became the noble House Sharanga of the Rasiva Empire. Though no longer kings and queens, their family managed to retain much of their land through careful politics and solidified themselves with prolific ventures in noble fashion and high-quality jewelry. The rose-pink gown I wore now was made by one of Sharanga’s artisans.

“You flatter me, Lady Karuna,” I replied with a smile.

“It’s not flattery. You’re always in the most beautiful gown at any ball, Lady Navina. All the noblemen can hardly keep their eyes off of you.”

"It’s true!" Velaira chimed in, adorably praising her savior.

"Well, most of my gowns were crafted by House Sharanga’s artisans. I even have a dress fitting tomorrow at the Crystal Lotus.”

As the words left my lips, Velaira let out a gasp, while Alina adorably gritted her teeth. In time, the girls would have to learn to not display every emotion on their faces, but I understood their surprise. The Crystal Lotus, owned by House Sharanga, was an exclusive boutique. Only the Imperial Family and a few of the most powerful nobles had ever been invited to shop there.

“Hmm… is that so?” Karuna murmured.

Suddenly, the sound of the greenhouse door opening and the rushing clicking of heels snapped our attention away. Faustina appeared, her face flushed and hair in disarray. She gave me a quick bow. When she straightened, I saw she had a victorious smile on her face.

“My apologies, my lady…” she said. “I was occupied with… my last engagement.”

I’m sure you were.

In my last two lives, I asked her to leave after disrespecting me by being late. But I wouldn’t do that this time around.

“No apologies needed, Lady Siderias. Please, take a seat,” I said.

She seemed surprised by this, but she quickly sat down at the table between Irina and Karuna. My maid poured her a cup of tea.

I turned my attention away from her and said, “I hope to see you all at my birthday banquet.”

Velaira beamed. “Of course, my lady! I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

Irina smiled softly. She was a beautiful but shy woman, with strawberry blond hair and hazel eyes. “I’ll be there as well, my lady,” she spoke softly.

“Are you looking forward to seeing your betrothed there?” Karuna asked.

My heart leapt up to my throat, but the question wasn’t directed at me.

Karuna’s eyes were on Faustina Siderias.

Faustina’s smile pulled into a straight line. The words she spoke were hollow, and yet were threaded with a perfect practiced politeness, “Yes, my lady. I am very excited to see Prince Kiran.”

Ah, that’s right.

She and Prince Kiran would still be engaged at this point. House Siderias was the second most powerful house after Dekarias. It made sense the emperor would want to secure their resources by marrying Kiran to Faustina, and yet she had managed to quietly squirm her way out of it.

I wasn’t sure the specifics of what happened in my last two lives, but their engagement had been quietly dissolved, and the wedding never happened. Prince Kiran had probably discovered that she was sleeping with his brother and decided that being unmarried would be better than marrying your brother’s mistress.

“Hmm…” Karuna murmured. I could tell she wasn’t happy with her answer, though her face didn’t show it. “I’m pleased to hear that,” she continued. “I was growing concerned with how much time you and Prince Valen were spending together. We wouldn’t want High Society getting the wrong idea about you two.”

I nearly spit out my tea. I could see Faustina’s near-perfect expression crack, ever so slightly, her jaw tensing as she clenched her teeth.

It was true, though. In the Rasivan Empire, rumors were the most powerful currency. As long as a noble house retained their reputation, they could survive almost anything. Without that? They were as good as dead.

“Of course, Lady Karuna,” Faustina said, pursing her lips. “The prince and I are only friends.”

Ha. It took all my strength to not laugh.

“I thought as much. With a woman as beautiful as Lady Navina,” Karuna said, “I doubt Valen’s eyes would stray.”

Faustina looked about ready to explode.

I hid my smile behind my cup of tea. Who knew that letting Faustina stay would end up embarrassing her far more than throwing her out? I was suddenly a big fan of Karuna.

And then she turned to look at me.

“You know what? I just remembered that I’ll be in Camlan tomorrow. Would you like to join me for lunch, Lady Navina?”

Though my face remained cold, I was surprised.

In my last two lives, this day had gone exactly the same. Breakfast, lessons, tea party.

But not this.

I smiled. "That sounds lovely."