.·:¨¨ ≈☆≈ ¨¨:·.Chapter 14: The Tea of Serpents.·:¨¨ ≈☆≈ ¨¨:·.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the elegant residence of Valeria, an influential court lady whose name still resonated with weight among the most refined circles of the nobility. Although she had been the novel’s protagonist, her recent illness had prevented her from attending important events, slightly weakening her influence. Even so, her reputation remained respected and feared by those who dared to challenge her. Her house, decorated with high windows and symmetrical gardens, projected power and refinement, and every detail seemed designed to impress and, at the same time, intimidate.

Marlene descended from the carriage with firm steps, her head held high, though inside, a whirlwind of thoughts stirred. Every decision she made in this encounter could determine how the ladies perceived her. The Kira system remained silent, as if gauging her tension. The only clear instruction had been a warning:

[Mission: Maintain your composure in front of Valeria and her allies. Reward: +1 social respect].

As the doors to the drawing-room opened, a delicate perfume enveloped Marlene. The sound of feminine laughter and the clinking of glasses and crystal marked the atmosphere, creating an echo of tension-filled courtesy. There sat Valeria, with elegant posture, in a dress of ivory tones adorned with golden embroidery that highlighted her majestic bearing. Her every movement had the grace of someone who knew all eyes belonged to her and that every gesture was carefully calculated.

“Welcome, Miss Marlene,” Valeria said, with a smile that concealed sharpness behind its sweetness. “I am honored you have accepted my invitation to this humble gathering.”

Marlene bowed her head respectfully, keeping her mask intact and an air of serenity.

“Thank you for having me, Lady Valeria. It is an honor to share this table.”

A murmur rippled through the other ladies. Some smiled with feigned politeness, while others evaluated Marlene with cold, penetrating eyes. One of them, with a feather fan, laughed softly.

“It is curious, Valeria, that you have invited someone so… new to the court,” she commented in an insinuating tone. “Especially when you yourself could not attend the crown prince’s banquet because you were ill.”

Marlene gently tightened her grip on her porcelain cup but did not lose her composure. Although Valeria’s absence had slightly weakened her authority before the nobility, Marlene knew she could use the situation to demonstrate composure and cunning. Every look from the ladies was a test; every gesture could be interpreted as weakness or strength.

Another lady, with a sly smile and sparkling eyes, added:

“Perhaps a fragile health is not the best ally in this world, don’t you think?”

The words were daggers wrapped in silk, launched with precision to gauge Marlene’s reaction. Valeria calmly adjusted herself, reigning over the room with majestic tranquility. Her voice, honeyed and confident, resonated against the walls decorated with ancient tapestries:

“Dears, let us remember that we have all had stumbles,” she said. “But of course, what’s important isn’t the mistake, but what a person does afterward to redeem themselves.”

Her gaze fixed on Marlene, brilliant and calculating, evaluating every breath, every blink, as if waiting to see if her guest could maintain her composure or reveal a crack in her facade.

The Kira system blinked before her with new strategic options:

[System Options:

1. Respond with diplomatic elegance, acknowledging Valeria’s absence and showing respect without weakness. → Reward: +1 social respect.

2.Return the comment with wit and subtlety, demonstrating strength to the ladies. → Reward: +1 cunning.

3. Remain silent and observe, letting your enemies grow overconfident and reveal information. → Reward: A clue about Valeria.]

The atmosphere tensed like a string about to snap. Marlene knew that any misplaced word or gesture could seal her fate in front of those influential ladies. Valeria’s absence from the previous banquet played in her favor, but only if she knew how to use it cautiously.

She took a deep breath, remembering Kira’s instructions, and chose a mix of strategy and diplomacy. With a clear, soft, and elegant voice, she replied.

“I understand the importance of being present at court events, ladies,” she said, giving a slight bow of her head. “Unfortunately, Lady Valeria could not attend the previous banquet for health reasons. But I am grateful for this opportunity to share time with all of you today.”

Some of the ladies frowned, as if they had expected a mistake, while others exchanged surprised glances. Valeria smiled slightly, approving the response without breaking her composure.

“Very well said, Miss Marlene,” Valeria commented, with that calm that commanded respect. “Your clarity and education reflect well at our table.”

Marlene felt a weight lift, as Kira emitted a soft meow, signaling that the choice had been a good one. The tension did not disappear, but it had tilted in her favor, allowing her to better analyze her rivals.

The murmuring continued, but now Marlene could perceive details that had previously gone unnoticed: nervous gestures, complicit glances between ladies, and the way they evaluated every word she spoke. Every moment was an opportunity to learn, to measure their cunning, and to strengthen her position at court.

With every sip of tea, Marlene felt herself weaving an invisible web: controlling the conversation, showing respect, but also letting the ladies’ curiosity and ambition work to her advantage. She knew that this afternoon would be crucial: every decision, every gesture, every word could tip the balance of power and respect in her favor, all while maintaining the mask of courtesy intact.

Finally, Kira reminded her:

[Kira: Mission progress: +1 social respect secured. Stay calm, observe, and learn. Every enemy reveals a part of herself.]

Marlene smiled subtly, understanding that, although Valeria had temporarily lost influence due to her illness and couldn’t attend the crown prince’s banquet, this meeting offered her something much more valuable: the opportunity to prove her wit and consolidate her influence at court, while every lady began to fear and respect her presence.

                                                                                                                      ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥to be continued˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥