Duchess Hana, a prominent figure in the court and the undisputed master of the Autumn Kingdom's customs and etiquette, was conducting one of her refined classes for a select group of young noblewomen. She had scarcely dismissed her students when an assistant to Duke Akiyama delivered an official notice to her. A hopeful smile briefly lit the Duchess's face as she recognized the First Counselor's seal; perhaps it was auspicious news or some expected recognition. However, as soon as the messenger withdrew and she scanned the lines of the letter, her countenance changed: hope gave way to a cold fury, and the letter was crumpled in her hand with an abrupt gesture.
"Why was I not aware of this?" she hissed internally, indignation boiling within her. "Prince Ryuuji has an official fiancée? And a foreigner from the decadent Winter Kingdom? My daughter is the one who should have that position! I educated her specifically for this."
Duchess Hana, in fact, projected onto Haruhi all the ambitions she herself had failed to achieve in the past, dreaming of seeing her daughter as Queen. The news of Leticia's arrival was a direct blow to her meticulously laid plans.
"I cannot openly refuse a request from Duke Akiyama; his influence is considerable," she pondered, her mind already working on alternatives. "But I will make him, and all the others, recognize that Haruhi is, and always will be, the superior choice."
Unable to accept the decision she saw as an outrage, Duchess Hana began to prepare a trap for Leticia. She intended to subtly humiliate her during the traditional afternoon tea, an event where appearances and mastery of etiquette were crucial. She summoned her most talented and beautiful students, instructing them to display all the elegance and delicacy inherent to the ladies of Autumn. As they awaited the princess's arrival, the Duchess, with the mastery of an experienced court player, planted the seed of discord:
"There are rumors, my young ladies, that Princess Leticia of the Winter Kingdom will be the future bride of our beloved Prince Ryuuji."
"I don't believe it!" one of the young women exclaimed, disappointment clouding her delicate features. "I have always dreamed of marrying him."
Others shared the same longing, and Duchess Hana, sensing fertile ground for her machinations, took advantage of the situation with a veiled smile.
"Oh, my dears, an arranged engagement does not prevent you from demonstrating your own worth. Perhaps the prince's choice could be... reconsidered, if more suitable alternatives present themselves."
"So, if I demonstrate my qualities... there would still be a chance?" Hope shone in one of their eyes.
When Leticia entered the tea room, her presence silenced the conversations. Many were impressed by her distinct beauty: her long black hair contrasting with her fair skin and unusual blue eyes, so different from most citizens of the Autumn Kingdom, who generally had brown eyes.
More than her appearance, however, it was Leticia's posture that conveyed a refinement and a serene confidence that Duchess Hana had not expected.
"I thank you immensely for the invitation, Your Grace," Leticia said, her voice clear and melodious.
"The honor and the delight are all mine in receiving you, Your Highness," the Duchess replied, the courtesy in her voice hiding the coldness in her heart.
Leticia settled herself with grace. To the Duchess's growing frustration, the princess demonstrated an impeccable command of all the norms of Western tea etiquette. Moreover, she conversed with the young nobles with a genuine interest, seeking to know them, and in doing so, quickly gained the sympathy of the majority, disarming any prior hostility.
Thwarted, but not defeated, Duchess Hana decided that the next meeting would require a considerably more arduous task, this time under the direct observation of Counselor Akiyama.
A few days later, during the following training session, the Duchess summoned her daughter, Haruhi, to perform a demonstration of the complex Eastern tea ceremony. Both Duke Akiyama and Leticia were visibly impressed by the grace and precision of Haruhi's movements. Akiyama, in fact, offered warm praise for the exquisite education the young woman had received.
With calculated elegance, the Duchess then requested that the assistants prepare the setting for Leticia. No one, however, had previously informed the princess what her task would be, leaving her momentarily at a loss. Haruhi, perhaps sensing her discomfort, approached to help Leticia with the traditional garments appropriate for the ceremony.
"Your skill in the tea ceremony was perfect, Lady Haruhi," Leticia commented with sincerity.
A rare and shy smile lit up Haruhi's face, and she thanked her for the compliment. Accustomed to her mother's rigor and absence of praise, Leticia's kindness touched her. Meanwhile, the Duchess Hana chatted distractedly with Duke Akiyama, but her eyes remained fixed on Leticia, eagerly awaiting the much-anticipated failure.
"I doubt this foreigner knows the details of the Eastern tea ceremony," she thought with contained satisfaction. "She will certainly flee from the challenge, and then the Duke will realize the mistake they made in choosing her as the prince's bride."
The Duchess then announced that Leticia would also perform the ceremony. Duke Akiyama showed genuine enthusiasm; he hadn't imagined that the Duchess had instructed Leticia so quickly that she would already be ready for a formal demonstration.
Duchess Hana knew that Leticia had mastered Western tea etiquette, but she deeply doubted her knowledge of the Eastern tradition. Leticia entered the hall again, and although everyone was used to seeing her in dresses, her posture and the way she moved in the ceremonial robes emanated a distinct elegance that seemed to intensify the Duchess's secret dissatisfaction.
Leticia, though uncertain of the Duchess's intentions in imposing a task for which she had not been prepared, suspected it might be a test to assess her poise in unexpected situations. She positioned herself before Duke Akiyama and, with a respectful bow in the Eastern style, spoke with clarity:
"Your Grace, I deeply regret that I do not, at this moment, possess the profound knowledge necessary to perform the Eastern tea ceremony with the reverence it deserves. However, so as not to waste your precious time, I would like to offer another performance in compensation."
"Your Highness, there is absolutely nothing to apologize for," Akiyama replied promptly, gesturing for Leticia to raise her head.
He did not understand the Duchess's reason for proposing such a task, but he awaited Leticia's alternative with interest.
With grace, Leticia took up a "shamisen" that had been discreetly placed there. Her fingers slid across the strings, and a traditional and nostalgic melody of the Autumn Kingdom filled the hall. Akiyama was visibly moved; it was one of his favorite songs. The Duchess, on the other hand, could barely contain her frustration. She had firmly believed that Leticia, confronted with the unknown, would back down. She had not, however, counted on Leticia's heritage from the Summer Kingdom, where learning a musical instrument was an essential part of any noble's education.
At the end of the moving performance, Counselor Akiyama bowed deeply, thanking her for the beauty of the moment Leticia had provided. As soon as the presentations concluded, he requested a private word with Duchess Hana.
"Duchess," Akiyama began, his tone formal and cold, "what exactly was your intention in exposing Princess Leticia to a task for which you knew she was not properly instructed?"
The Duchess remained silent, and the Duke continued, his voice firm:
"And do not come to me with the excuse that it was to test her in an unexpected situation. Your intention seemed far less noble to me."
"Your Grace, you must recognize that my daughter, Haruhi, possesses all the qualifications to be Prince Ryuuji's wife! She was prepared for this!"
"Lady Haruhi is, without a doubt, a young woman of excellent qualifications, I cannot deny that," Akiyama conceded. "However, Duchess, I demand that you treat Princess Leticia with the respect and consideration due to her position. Nothing less. Have I made myself sufficiently clear?"
"Certainly, Your Grace," the Duchess replied, bowing with a forced submission, while a dark thought echoed in her mind: "This is not over!"
✧ Chapter Glossary ✧
Shamisen (三味線) – A traditional three-stringed musical instrument, played with a plectrum called a bachi. Its sound has a unique beauty: at once delicate and intense, capable of conveying deep feelings without the use of words. It is a symbol of elegance and emotional depth.
Tea Ceremony (茶道 – Sadō or Chadō) – An ancient practice that goes far beyond simply serving tea: it is an art that symbolizes respect, harmony, purity, and tranquility. Every gesture, from the way one walks to the manner of serving the powdered green tea (matcha), carries meaning and intention. In noble contexts, it is a way to assess the education, refinement, and self-control of the one conducting it.