When the Daffodil Blooms

CHAPTER 10

Soon, the things needed for them to drink their tea are already prepared. Countess Rosalyn told the servants to give them space and just wait outside of her room in case they will need something. After a bow, the servants quietly stepped out of the room and let the mother and daughter pair to talk about tea.

A maid had already brewed the tea in advance. Countess Rosalyn stands up and gently pours the tea into their teacups. After that, she placed the first cup in front of Charlotte and explained what kind of tea they are going to drink today.

"That tea is called the white serpent tea. Although the taste of it is a little bitter, it has a lot of health benefits in one's body."

When the Countess sees that her eldest daughter is still not touching her cup, she assumes Charlotte is hesitating to drink it because of its taste.

Countess Rosalyn bought this tea the other day when a traveling merchant made an appointment with her. The merchant is selling different luxury items that nobles like to buy. There is jewelry with gems that comes from different countries, glassware, books, and rare treats. The tea that Countess Rosalyn bought was placed inside a beautiful glass-colored box that's why it caught her attention.

When she opens the glass box, there are several dried vines inside of it. The merchant explained those vines are made from a white serpent vine. It is a plant that can be only found in the Vestia Kingdom. It is called a white serpent because its fresh body looks like a white snake crawling on the walls and trees.

The merchant talked about the tea with enthusiasm. Soon, his efforts paid off because Countess Rosalyn decided to buy it. The tea was sold for ten thousand tilar. After buying a few more pieces of jewelry from the merchant's items, he left the mansion with a smile on his face.

"You can put a piece of crystal candy in your mouth first before you slowly drink the tea. It will help to remove the bitter taste of the tea on your tongue."

Charlotte did not react immediately. She looks down and stares at the clear liquid in her cup. Charlotte can see her faint reflection on its surface. Her mother added that the white serpent tea looks like clear water at first but its taste is bitter in one's mouth.

"Charlotte, don't be scared to try it." Countess Rosalyn said. "Just like what I've said, it has a lot of health benefits. It can make your skin glow, gives more color to your face, and can help the circulation of blood in your body."

The Countess let out a soft sigh before she continued.

"I am still thinking of some ways how to make Roselyn drink this tea. She really hates bitter stuff. That child will immediately cry when she tastes something bitter or awful in her drinks and food. The crystal candy is actually for her so she can drink-"

"This is fake." Charlotte interrupted her mother.

"-the tea with ease-"

The Countess quickly looks at Charlotte with a surprised expression on her face.

"What did you say?" her mother asked.

"The white serpent tea that you bought is fake." Charlotte replied.

"Impossible!" Countess Rosalyn strongly reacted. "That tea is not fake."

"The real white serpent tea has a wafting sour smell once it is brewed."

The moment her mother poured the tea into their teacups, Charlotte already knows that the Countess was scammed by that traveling merchant. She can tell that in an instant because there is a white serpent tea in Prince Marius's collection of tea. All the things that Countess Rosalyn explained earlier were all true. But unfortunately, the tea she is serving right now is fake.

"That's impossible. How can you tell that it is fake? The white serpent tea is very expensive and not everyone can afford it, especially when you were still-"

The Countess stops herself from talking when she noticed how Charlotte looks at her. It is the same expressionless face that the Countess always sees whenever she attempts to have a conversation. It is void of emotions and attachment. But what Countess Rosalyn hates the most is the look in her eyes.

Unlike Roselyn whose eyes are filled with attention and admiration toward her, Charlotte's eyes are the opposite of it. The way her eldest daughter looks at her feels like it is conveying that she is not expecting anything from her. It doesn't have any sparkle that shows how happy she is to be reunited with her family at all.

"Although I used to live a humble life in the past, I had a chance to taste several expensive teas in the past thanks to my guardian's traveling friend."

Charlotte did not elaborate on it more to the Countess. Since they all knew she lived a poor life with the so-called old couple who adopted her, then Charlotte will keep it like that. It will be a problem for her if they discovered these are just manipulated information to fill up the missing pieces of her past before they found her.

"If you are doubting me, then you can ask Mr. Tills about it. He is the owner of the oldest tea shop in the capital. He can tell you the truth."

Charlotte has no reason to stay in this room anymore. Without touching her teacup, she quickly stands up and prepares to leave.

"C-Charlotte, wait... I didn't mean to say those words. I-"

"It's alright. I can understand that my words have no credentials since I used to be a commoner before my father found me."

"That's..."

"I won't be taking more of your time, mother. I shall leave now." Charlotte said and bows her head a little in front of her.

She is about to touch the doorknob when someone from the outside opens the door open. It was Roselyn. She is holding an envelope in her hand. Charlotte quickly sees the golden seal on it.

"Mom! Mom, look!" Roselyn excitedly said and was oblivious to the atmosphere inside the room. "An invitation from the Royal Palace was delivered to our house."

Then the second young lady walks toward the Countess and gives the invitation to her.

"Oh! Sister Charlotte, you're here! Are you visiting mom today?"

Roselyn noticed that her mother's tea set is now placed on the table. There are also a few snacks and candies on it together with freshly brewed tea. It seems like they drank tea together before she arrived.

Charlotte stares at Roselyn for a moment before she replied.

"We just had to discuss something. That's all."

Charlotte didn't miss the embarrassed look on the Countess's face. Before meeting her family again, she had already made her own investigation about the White family. A day before she returned, Charlotte already knew who are the people she will deal with every day as a noble lady.

Countess Rosalyn White, her biological mother, used to be the flower of high society because of her beauty. She is a proud lady who is known for her beautiful face, elegant etiquette, and social skills. Because of it, she has a personality that doesn't like to be corrected since she always prided herself on someone knowledgeable about different things.

"Oh. Okay!" Roselyn replied.

As if to forget her embarrassment, Countess Rosalyn decides to open the invitation and read its content. The Crown Prince, Prince Marius, is inviting all the nobles in the Royal Palace to celebrate the Founding Anniversary of their empire. It is stated that the party will be held this coming weekend and he wants every young talent, young ladies and gentlemen to attend the party.

"Oh, my. I think the party is just an excuse made by His Highness so he can meet the younger generation in our empire." Countess Rosalyn said.

The invitation didn't specify the reason for it. But nobles are quick to give meaning to these words. They are interpreting it as a public announcement that Prince Marius is possibly checking every young lady in their empire to become his empress candidate. If it's not that, then he must be looking for a husband for his twin sister, Princess Andrea.

Whatever the reason, it is still beneficial for the nobles. They can have a chance to bring their children and hope that the Royal Family will take fancy to them. And of course, the Countess also belongs to these people who interpreted the invitation like that.

"Mom, should we schedule a dress fitting with Madam Olga?" Roselyn excitedly said. "I want to wear a new dress made by her for the upcoming party."

"Alright. We should do that." Countess Rosalyn said. "What about you, Charlotte?"

But no one answered the Countess. When she looks around, her eldest daughter is no longer around. She didn't even notice that Charlotte left the room. Her movements are so quiet that it is easy for them to miss her.