Book 5: Chapter 1: For the future, which will come one day (1/2)

Serendia Academy has several unique curriculums for nobles that were not found in general schools.

One such class was the ”tea ceremony” course, which was only attended by girls.

For ladies belonging to the nobility, a tea party was not just a time for pleasant conversation. It's also a social occasion where one's dignity was tested by how well one entertains or is entertained by guests.

In the tea ceremony course, the students were thoroughly drilled on the etiquette there before performing the practical lessons.

The practical lessons were held in the courtyard in the form of a tea party.

Four or five girls of the same grade would form a group and sit at one table. Each student would bring a cup of tea to share with the other students, who would then evaluate the tea.

However, since the teacher would set specific sweets in advance, students were demanded to serve the tea to match it, in other words, the course was starting from when they begin to prepare it.

In the tea ceremony course, they had been assigned to prepare their own tea leaves, but they usually have their servants buy it for them in most cases.

However, Monica had no idea where to even buy one, so after much worrying, she decided to turn to the self-proclaimed villainess, Miss Isabelle Norton.

Once Monica went to Isabelle's room, Isabelle happily offered Monica a seat and prepared tea and sweets for her.

When Monica explained the situation while munching on a cookie with plenty of sugar sprinkled around it, Isabelle nodded her head and patted her chest confidently. Her gesture was quite vigorous which unbefitting that of a young lady.

”If that's the case, please leave it to me, Big Sister Monica! I'll do my best to help you get through the class safely!”

”T-Thank you very much…”

As Monica bowing her head, Isabelle's maidservant, Agatha, interrupted her as she poured tea into her cup.

”If that's the case, please allow me to teach you how to make tea. Actually, it would be better if I could go to your place and teach you directly, but… that would contradict the setting where Lady Monica is being tormented by the Kerbeck family.”

Students were allowed to brew their own tea or have a servant brew it for them in the course. However, it's common practice to have a servant prepare the tea for them in most cases. Those who make their own tea were looked down upon as third-rate nobles who can't bring their own servants.

But in Monica's case, she was supposed to be tormented by the daughter of Count Kerbeck, so it would be unnatural if Isabelle's maidservant went directly to help her.

”P-Please give me some guidance…”

Monica bowed deeply to Agatha, which then she said, ”It's okay, just lift your head!” to stop her bow with a laugh.

Isabelle, as well as Agatha, was a very thoughtful young lady and maidservant. Though they were a bit hard to get close to when they were acting like the villainess.

”In that case, what kind of tea would you like to serve, Big Sister Monica? Do they set any specific type of confections?”

”Y-Yes… I-It's butter cake.”

Isabelle nodded her head and put her fingers on her chin, thinking about something.

Choosing the right tea to match with the confections was also part of the lessons. However, Monica was not used to eating tea or confections. She was more used to drinking coffee because of her father's influence.

”Um… do you have any suggestion about tea that would match the butter cake?”

”If it just a simple cake with butter, most basic teas will work well. It may be better to enjoy the cake with a slightly astringent or savory flavor rather than a light one. Milk tea is also not a bad idea, but… let me tell you, Big Sister Monica…”

Isabel trailed off and looked at Monica with a serious face then said firmly.

”The combination of tea and confections is a matter of personal preference, and there is no definite right answer. However… some combinations will definitely end up with the wrong answer!”

What does it mean that there is no right answer but some will end up with the wrong answer?

As Monica was confused, Isabelle spoke up.

”That… was to serve the same thing on the same table…”

”Ah…”

The practice lesson was held in groups of several people, and each person brought their own tea. It's certainly not a good idea to have the same kind of tea served at the same table.

”It is especially bad if you served the same thing as someone who is in a higher position than you. Strictly speaking, the dress, hairstyle, and accessories that you wear to the tea party should be trendy but different, so you should put some thought into it… But since you will wear uniform in the lesson, let's just think about the tea leaves for now!”

I had to think even that…? thought Monica in a shudder.

As a Seven Sages, the only gathering Monica attended was the Conference of the Seven Sages, which was held only for the Seven Sages, and the dress code was basically robed, so she only had to wear the robes provided by the kingdom. Granted, Monica had never worried about her attire at social gatherings.

This tea party for aristocratic ladies was likely more nerve-wracking than Monica had imagined.

”The best way to do it was to investigate the people in your group before thinking about the tea you will serve at the lessons… So, how many people are in your group, Big Sister Monica?”

”Um… Including me, there are four people… one of them is from my class… She is Miss Lana Collete… as for the other two… they are from the other class… so I don't know them very well…”

During joint practice with other classes, they will be assigned to form groups with those who were close to them.

However, Monica's unsociable trait made it impossible for her to talk to anyone other than Lana. As for Lana herself treated as a bit of an outsider in the class, she has no other girls she was close to.

As a result, they were put in the same group as the remaining students by the teacher.

One of them was Casey, a brown-haired young lady with a vivacious air.

While the other was Claudia, a calm, dark-haired beauty.

After a brief greeting on the first day, the meeting was dismissed and they hardly had a chance to talk.

”Then, deciding the tea in advance would prove more difficult.”

”S-Sorry…”