Chapter – 06
So This Is What Friends Are Like?
“Thank you so much for coming, Bianca, Estelle, Celen. I’m so happy to be hosting my first friends for tea.”
“Thank you for inviting us today, Sheryl.”
“I’ve been looking forward to this so much. Let’s talk a lot!”
“Me too… um, this is a little gift for you.”
Today marked one month since that party. It had been difficult for the four of us to keep in touch by letters alone, and I hadn’t quite had enough time to write to all three of them regularly.
With Mother’s encouragement, and because I wanted to do it myself, I had been spending my time on studies and practicing my accomplishments. I also wanted to read before bed, so when I consulted Mother about inviting my friends over, she said “Of course, dear,” and here we were today.
However, today I was again wearing dowdy makeup. Mother had said, “If your face suddenly changed, everyone would be shocked,” and I accepted that as making sense.
At least my eyebrows weren’t made as thick as caterpillars like that day, but the freckles and brown lipstick remained. I thought I wouldn’t mind showing my uncute bare face to these three, but since my very first impression was the dowdiest version of me, I decided it didn’t matter anymore whether I had freckles or pale lips.
These were people who didn’t judge me by appearances. Knowing that, I could welcome them with peace of mind in my dowdy makeup.
My hair was done in a half-up style with braids and curled ends, and I wore a light green dress with white accents. Mother had a discerning eye for hair and clothing, and she chose things that even I could look somewhat presentable in.
Bianca, Estelle, and CelenâBianca was spirited, Estelle was a bit precocious, and Celen was shy. But once we started talking, that didn’t matter much.
I led the three of them to a small salon I had prepared. Since the summer heat was intense, the windows were thrown open to let in the breeze, but tall garden trees made the room somewhat dim and kept the sunlight out. It was Mother’s suggestion, and indeed, this room was wonderfully cool.
Outside was an herb garden, and whenever the wind blew, the lovely scent of herbs wafted in. The interior had been furnished with cute wooden furniture in pastel patterns, like a dollhouseâI had no idea when it had been arranged.
Bianca and the others were delighted with the salon too. I remember how happy I was when Mother first told me, “You may use this room”âI even hugged her.
Mother truly treasures me. If only I were pretty too. I had decided not to bring that up, but the conversation started with the party and led to “Was there a nice boy?” and somehow it turned into a discussion about me.
“Sheryl, you’re really pretty, you know. Your bone structure is completely different. The only problem is the makeupâif those eyebrows were gone, you’d look completely different.”
Bianca said this and I was shocked. There’s no way I’m pretty, but she seemed genuinely sincere, and it would be rude to deny it.
Estelle and Celen nodded too.
Maybe girl friends are supposed to compliment each other’s looks. Certainly, no one dislikes being praised. Even I’m happy when Mother praises me in various ways.
But for some reason, when my appearance is praised, my heart creaks and groans. I feel like something terribly wrong is being said, but I can’t deny it because that would be rude.
I used every ounce of etiquette I’d learned, accepted the compliment with a smile and a “thank you,” and then praised the three of them twice as much in return.
After that, the conversation returned to casual chatter, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I’m sorry, my friends. I’m not pretty.
And then, I remembered the other friend I’d met that dayâLord Hugues.
Bianca and the others were cute, too. They each had different charms, and their expressions were so lively.
But the one I thought was the most beautiful… I’d probably get scolded for calling a boy beautiful, but it was Lord Hugues.
We ended our tea party before dusk, parting with promises to meet at someone else’s house next time.
