The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 122: The Dinner

Chapter 122: The Dinner

Theo Xarden’s estate possessed an inherent beauty intertwined with an air of enigma that was truly captivating. As Rosalie’s carriage slowly moved through the expanse of the vast winter garden enveloping the magnificent mansion, she found herself utterly entranced by the grandeur and the unexpected allure that unfolded before her very eyes. Even beneath the veil of a thick, pristine layer of snow, every detail seemed to emanate a unique and exquisite charm, leaving her in awe of the winter wonderland that had come to life.

In the tranquil embrace of evening’s gentle twilight, the noble estate unfolded its winter enchantment. A grand mansion, cloaked in ivy-laden stone walls, stood as a sentinel to humble opulence. Each window, softly illuminated from within, cast a warm amber glow upon the snow-draped gardens.

The estate’s spires, adorned with delicate frost traceries, pierced the indigo sky like crystalline sentinels. A tree-lined path, flanked by snow-laden statues, led to an ornate wrought-iron gate, now dusted with a glistening layer of frost. The estate’s aura, a blend of elegance and serenity, whispered tales of aristocratic splendor amidst the winter’s hushed beauty.

As soon as the coachman expertly opened the carriage door and extended a gallant hand to assist Lady Ashter in her exit, a strikingly youthful and exceedingly handsome lad, clad in a meticulously tailored black butler uniform, stepped forward to greet her. With a well-practiced flourish, he executed a genteel bow, his plump, rosy lips curving into a subtly enchanting smile. His voice resonated with an artful veneer of politeness as he uttered,

"Good evening, Your Grace. Allow me to introduce myself; I am Lester, one of the dedicated butlers serving the esteemed Xarden estate. It is my sincere pleasure to be your escort to the dining hall."

Initially taken aback, Lady Ashter hesitated for a fleeting moment. However, she soon reciprocated with a gracious smile of her own and nodded in agreement,

"Yes, thank you very much."

The butler also nodded in acknowledgment and graciously swung wide the massive entrance door, inviting the duchess to step inside. As Rosalie crossed the threshold of the mansion, she found herself once more ensnared by the resplendence and sheer magnificence that unfurled before her in splendid display.

Within the grandeur of the Xarden mansion, an aura of enigmatic beauty enveloped every corner. It was a masterpiece of harmonized luxury and artistry, more akin to a museum or gallery than a dwelling for ordinary lives.

Walls, adorned with resplendent artworks from across the ages, gilded frames cradled canvases that rendered emotions and landscapes with breathtaking precision. Statues, chiseled from the finest marble, seemed to breathe life into the hallowed halls.

As Lady Ashter made her way through the long, wide hallway leading to the dining hall, she could not help but notice that the mansion’s architecture danced between eras, blending the ornate extravagance with the clean lines of the stiffness of the Imperial design. Crystal chandeliers, suspended like frozen raindrops, cast prismatic patterns on polished marble floors, prompting the girl to fix her beaming eyes upon the enchanting dance of their glow.

Finally, the young man came to a pause before the imposing tall double doors, painted in pristine white, which marked the conclusion of the hallway. With a discreet cough to clear his throat, he adeptly swung the doors open, all the while smoothly announcing the grand entrance of Lady Ashter.

"May I present, My Lord, the esteemed Her Grace Grand Duchess Rosalie Dio, who graces us with her presence."

In response to the introduction, Lord Xarden, his face brightening with genuine pleasure, rose from his seat, hastening to approach Rosalie. His welcome was adorned with a warm smile as he attentively assisted her in taking her designated place behind the dining table.

"Ah, Lady Rosalie! Pray, was your journey here not too arduous? I am aware that the Western roads can be rather unforgiving during the harshness of winter. I should have dispatched my own carriage for your comfort."

"Not at all, My Lord. The journey was quite tolerable, far from troublesome, I assure you."

The lady reciprocated with a warm smile, leaving Theo assured that her journey had indeed been devoid of any trouble. Theo leaned back in his own chair, making a sweeping gesture for the other attending servants to exit the room. Two young maids and another butler dutifully followed his command, executing the task with unwavering efficiency.

As the servants departed, a curious thought flitted across Rosalie’s mind, observing the youth and striking appearances of Lord Xarden’s staff.

’All his servants are rather young... And surprisingly good-looking. Did he pick them out like that on purpose?’

Rosalie redirected her gaze toward Lord Xarden, who continued to silently regard her, seemingly attuned to her inner musings. When their eyes locked once more, a subtle smile graced his lips, and he proceeded with his words,

"So, Lady Rosalie, the purpose of your presence today is to celebrate the triumphs of your charity foundation. In honor of this occasion, I have prepared an array of delectable delicacies to gratify your discerning palate. However, I must confess, my patience, or rather my eagerness, is wearing thin. I believe it is only fitting to raise a toast to your many forthcoming achievements, wouldn’t you agree?"

The duchess concurred with a nod, albeit with some reluctance. Commencing celebrations with drinks alone was not her preferred course of action, yet she acknowledged that such a custom was commonplace within the nobility. Furthermore, despite the tantalizing array of delectable dishes elegantly presented before her on the dining table, she found her appetite notably absent. Thus, she had little recourse but to adhere to the common conventions.

She voiced her agreement, saying,

"Certainly, a toast does seem fitting, especially since I am eager to sample that unique pink wine of yours."

A peculiar grin began to form on the man’s face as he once again rose from his seat. With deliberate grace, he selected a sleek black glass bottle devoid of any inscriptions and began to approach Rosalie, his piercing gaze steadfastly fixed upon her calm expression.

He then carefully pushed an empty crystal wine glass closer to the lady and deftly extracted the black wooden cork from the bottle, proceeding to pour the wine with a measured grace while he continued speaking,

"As I mentioned earlier, this exquisite wine derives from a rare variety of black grapes that exclusively flourish in the Western regions. To achieve its enchanting pink hue rather than the usual red, these grapes require meticulous peeling. Should even a solitary grape evade proper peeling and infiltrate the batch, it would jeopardize the wine’s distinctive rose color, rendering it a futile investment of both resources and labor."

Theodore’s smile, now warm and inviting, graced his features once more as he extended the crystal glass toward Rosalie, keeping the conversation flowing.

"Here, My Lady. I invite you to witness its allure firsthand."

The duchess accepted the glass, her fingers delicately receiving it from the man’s hands, and she began a slow, deliberate inspection of its contents.

Truly, it proved to be an enchanting spectacle—a departure from the customary rose wines she had enjoyed in her previous life. This drink displayed a hue she had never before encountered, for it was not the familiar rose-gold shade she recalled. Instead, it boasted a luminous and unique shade of pink, a hue that gracefully transitioned from the essence of watermelon to the soft blush of a ripe peach. Its transformation occurred with each gentle caress of the chandelier’s warm glow.

’Black grapes, the source of this marvel. What an extraordinary feat! To labor so arduously in crafting such beauty, only to witness it vanishing before one’s eyes.’

As Rosalie found herself entranced by the captivating allure of the beverage she held in her hand, Lord Xarden, too, attended to his own wine glass. He then lightly tapped it against the lady’s glass, producing a delicate, melodious chime that succeeded in drawing her back from her introspective reverie.

"Cheers, My Lady. Here’s to your resounding success!"

"Cheers."

With a deliberate reverence, the duchess cast another lingering glance into her glass, as if committed to memorizing the beguiling hue of the liquid. Finally, she indulged in a generous sip, allowing her eyes to gently close as the wine’s coolness kissed her tongue, imparting a soothing cascade of sensations that coursed down through her chest and into her stomach.

The mysteriously alluring flavor of the wine flowed through the girl’s body, akin to a magical elixir. Simultaneously, as the rosy-hued liquid caressed her palate, an irresistible draw enveloped her, almost akin to a bewitching allure—akin to the taste of sweet poison that she found herself inexorably drawn towards, as though ensnared in its captivating web. She simply could not resist indulging in more.

Theodore observed Rosalie’s near-complete depletion of her glass, witnessing her struggle to withdraw the crystal glass from her lips. A mischievous grin once again played upon his features, as he savored the captivating sight before him. Then, with an air of consideration, he gently liberated the glass from her delicate, pale hands and spoke, his voice retaining its sweet and composed cadence,

"How do you find it, Lady Rosalie? Please understand that your judgment shall bear the weight of this wine’s destiny. If it falls short, I shall have to embark on another endeavor."

Lady Ashter’s eyes widened, taken aback by the unforeseen gravity of the responsibility thrust upon her shoulders. However, as the subtle twinkle of jest in Theo’s countenance became apparent, her lips curved into a somewhat awkward yet endearing smile.

"Do not jest so lightly, Lord Theodore! In truth, this wine possesses an impeccable taste... One that is truly distinctive and irresistibly tempting. While I may not consider myself an expert in fine wines, were you to offer it for purchase this very night, I would eagerly accept."

Lord Xarden’s features eased once more, his thumb gently tracing his lower lip as he continued to keenly observe the subtle shifts on Rosalie’s enchanting face. Eventually, a soft chuckle emanated from his lips, gracefully permeating the hushed ambiance of the dining hall.

"Marvelous! And please, Lady Rosalie, fret not. While I value your insight, I ultimately bear the mantle of making all the significant decisions."

"Ah! What a wicked jest to unleash upon an already tipsy person!"

The lady feigned a playful pout, although her ability to maintain the facade waned with each passing moment. The sweet intoxication of the pink wine began to encircle her mind, deftly intertwining her emotions and thoughts in a frenetic dance.

’Wow... This wine is surprisingly strong. I had not anticipated this. What should I do? I am starting to feel quite weird...’

Rosalie tenderly rubbed her heavy eyelids, endeavoring to ward off the encroaching waves of intoxication. Yet, the more she shifted, the more it seemed as though the inexorable forces of gravity and darkness conspired to pull her body into their embrace.

Theodore extended a reassuring hand to Lady Ashter’s back, as if to assist her in maintaining her balance. He then leaned closer to her ear, his voice adopting a sibilant cadence akin to that of a serpent’s hiss,

"Fear not, My Lady. Simply allow it to envelop you. I pledge to tend to you with the utmost care."