The Start Of Merlin’s One On One Tea Party

As Eleanor looks away, she suddenly notices Amelia rushing over and grasping her arms, which startles Merlin.

"Ellie, I'm not feeling well," Amelia says hurriedly.

"Oh, should I take you to your family?" Eleanor asks, surprised.

"Yes, please," Amelia responds quickly, glancing back at Merlin as Eleanor escorts her to her family.

Once she drops Amelia off, Eleanor approaches Alexander. "Brother, shall we begin our departure as well?" she asks.

"Ah, yes, let's gather the others," Alexander replies, flirtatiously bidding farewell to the ladies at the ball, making Eleanor roll her eyes.

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It's been a week, and Eleanor is still pondering over the glare Amelia gave her at the ball. However, since Amelia returned to acting normally, Eleanor considers that she may have imagined it or that Amelia was simply tired. She reminds herself not to jump to conclusions for the time being.

Merlin's experience at the ball was unusual; he didn't find a wife. In the book, he was deeply infatuated with Amelia and even proposed to her on the spot. What caused this change? Could it be because I'm not supposed to be here due to my reincarnation? Strangely, instead of pursuing Amelia, Merlin seemed more interested in conversing with me, which is surprising in its own right. In the book, Merlin didn't hold Eleanor in high regard; he actually found her quite bothersome.

Eleanor gazes down the halls of her mansion and spots Charlotte strolling by, clutching a letter and giggling.

"Char, what's made you so cheerful?" Eleanor asks, her tone tinged with confusion.

Charlotte glances back. "Ah!" She hurries closer to Eleanor. "A man actually likes me!" Charlotte exclaims with excitement.

"A man?" Eleanor probes. "Who might this man be, if I may ask?" she further asks.

"His name is Percival Radcliffe! He's such a gentleman and incredibly kind!" Charlotte gushes with enthusiasm. Eleanor briefly ponders where she heard that name before but dismisses it, focusing on Charlotte's happiness. Percival Radcliffe might have been a background figure for all she knows.

Eleanor affectionately pats Charlotte's hair. "Just be cautious," she advises in a calm yet happy tone for Charlotte's sake.

"I will!" Charlotte responds eagerly, rushing back to her room brimming with excitement.

Eleanor enters her room to find her maid already present. "My lady, I was just about to seek you out," Josephine announces respectfully.

"For what reason?" Eleanor questions with interest.

"A letter has arrived for you," Josephine explains, offering it with a small nod, prompting Eleanor to arch an eyebrow in confusion.

Taking the letter, Eleanor settles onto her bed to peruse it. The message expresses a desire to meet again, referencing their brief encounter at the ball and proposing a tea meeting at the sender's mansion tomorrow afternoon. As Eleanor reads further and reaches the name at the bottom, her eyes widen in surprise.

"Merlin Ravenswood?" she murmurs to herself, puzzled. "Shouldn't he be inviting Amelia instead?" Despite her confusion, Eleanor decides to attend the tea meeting as a matter of etiquette. She sighs and sets the letter aside.

"Did it hold significance, my lady?" Josephine inquires with curiosity. "Not particularly. It was merely an invitation to a tea party from Merlin Ravenswood," Eleanor replies in a disinterested tone.

"Truly!? That's wonderful, my lady!" Josephine responds with excitement, unaware that Eleanor isn't keen on attending but acknowledges the necessity.

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The following day, during the afternoon, Eleanor reached Merlin's mansion and waited for him in the designated waiting area. She was clad in an elegant yet straightforward dress, suitable for the tea party she was attending.

Merlin swung open the door. "Lady Eleanor, you have arrived," he announced in his composed voice, though inwardly, he was clearly pleased that she had come. Eleanor stood up, executed a graceful bow, and then straightened herself.

"I appreciate the invitation, Sir Merlin. It's quite delightful," Eleanor expressed in a pleased tone, masking her inner reluctance to attend the event.

"Please, follow me," Merlin invites as he leads her towards the garden.

Upon reaching the garden, the butler pulls out a chair for Eleanor, who gracefully takes her seat at the table, with Merlin seated across from her. The maids swiftly pour tea and arrange snacks on the table.

Eleanor takes a sip of the tea, while Merlin observes her every movement. "Mm! This tea is delightful!" she exclaims enthusiastically.

"Do you really think so?" Merlin responds with a smile and excitement. "My mother purchased that tea during her visit to the northern kingdom. I wanted you to experience it since I found it quite exquisite," he explains eagerly.

Merlin also takes a sip of his tea. Just as they both reach for the same cookie simultaneously, their hands touch, causing Eleanor to blush and Merlin to quickly retract his hand. "Ah, my apologies, you can have that one," Merlin says, hiding his own embarrassment.

Eleanor smiles graciously but also feels flustered as she takes the offered cookie. Meanwhile, Merlin picks up the same type of cookie from a different plate, and they both nervously bite into them, the atmosphere now tinged with awkwardness.

"Eleanor tries to lift the mood by commenting on the pleasant weather. "Isn't it a beautiful day today?" she asks with a hint of nervousness. Merlin agrees, "Yes, the skies are so clear." His chuckle carries a touch of nervousness, almost as if he jinxed it, as heavy rain begins to pour down suddenly.

They hastily retreat back into the mansion, reaching the main hallway where they burst into laughter, dispelling the earlier awkwardness completely.

However, Eleanor then sneezes unexpectedly. "Ah! You should wash up. I don't want you catching a cold," Merlin advises in a caring tone.

Blushing slightly, Eleanor nods and follows the maids upstairs to wash up.

Upon reaching Merlin's room, the maids instruct Eleanor to wait as they step out momentarily.

Eleanor looks around the room with an innocent smile when she accidentally kicks what appears to be a book from under the bed. "Hm?" she questions, bending down to pick it up. However, her eyes widen in surprise as she sees what's written inside.

To be continued.

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