During last night's dinner, the two families sat around the table, quietly exchanging small talk.
The room was calm, filled with the soft clinking of silverware and the usual polite compliments.
"What a bore… I wish I hadn't come," Stella sighed silently to herself, her face remaining perfectly composed.
Not long after, the servants entered with trays of food.
The table was quickly covered with an array of dishes, colorful salads, warm breads, rich meats, and elegant desserts lined with careful decoration.
For Stella, it was honestly the only enjoyable part of the evening.
"Well, at least the food looks amazing. I didn't come for nothing, after all," she thought, looking at a cream filled pastry as it was placed near her.
After Mr. Loran offered a few more pleasantries, everyone began to eat. Conversations picked up slightly, but remained light and formal.
That's when Liam leaned slightly toward Stella and said in a tone full of kindness, "You look wonderful tonight, Miss Alina."
She looked at him and returned a soft smile,"Thank you, sir."
Mrs. Loran joined the moment, her voice warm and gentle, "Liam's right. And beyond appearances, she's also very hardworking and bright. Wouldn't you agree, Annie?"
Annie didn't hesitate, "Of course. She's the best one we've had here so far."
Stella gave them both a polite smile, "Thank you, Madame, but I could never match your intelligence and commitment."
Mr. Linden chuckled from across the table, "Naturally. That's what we'd expect from someone chosen by your family."
His wife nodded with a light smile, clearly agreeing with him.
But at the table, one person remained completely silent. No joining the conversation, no smiling, not even a glance at anyone else.
She simply continued eating, eyes occasionally lifting, only to land on Stella. Miss Linden, her face showed nothing.
No friendliness, no anger. Just… blank, a mask of calm.
Then, as if out of nowhere, she asked Liam in a detached tone, "So, when will you be coming to visit us in the north?"
Her eyes didn't leave Stella the entire time.
That moment stayed in memory, it played over and over in her mind later that night.
Along with the quiet gossip overheard from the maids, and the slight tension in Annie's tone, everything began to click into place.
That girl had felt jealous.
After the praise from Liam and his family, of course she did.
To her, it must have been a wound to her pride, to see the man she admired complimenting a servent of unknown background.
It wasn't just irritation, it was insult.
And Stella understood well how pride and jealousy could manifest.
She had learned this not only through her work but also from experiences in school. Since the age of fourteen, she had encountered many similar moments, not only from fellow students but also from colleagues alike.
She had also read stories, older novels in the estate library, where women played games of smiles and silence just like this.
"She probably wants to teach me a lesson. Already thought of something, some clever little trick to make me look bad. I wouldn't be surprised, she's the one who asked for me to come along. I'll need to be careful, looks like a problem coming."
A small smile crossed her lips at the thought, not out of amusement, but as someone quietly bracing for impact.
Soon, she and Annie arrived at the reception room.
Miss Linden was already there, sitting with her mother and Mrs. Loran, waiting.
Dressed with care, in a luxurious gown of soft pink shades, delicate silver jewelry, and embroidery that shimmered ever so slightly in the light.
She looked perfect, of course.
As they entered, a light, practiced smile greeted them.
Stella met her gaze,"She's smiling… but her eyes aren't smiling at all."
Then Stella glanced at her mother beside her, and saw the same expression mirrored.
Same cold eyes, same hidden tension behind the pleasant mask.
"Wonderful," Stella thought, "Looks like I've upset Mrs. Linden too. No doubt now, they're both planning something."