Why haven't they arrived yet? Well, mama and papa have told me that two of them have, but the "guest of honour" has yet to arrive, and I'm annoyed!

No no... It could still be good. After all, with a dress like that, she may have just not turned up. Either way, I get leverage. Either way, I get a victory. My servants and servants alike are waiting on me, people are talking to me, however unwillingly (I see you. You'll get your turn!)

It's going well. My well dressed servants, the pretty girls I have under my thumb, wouldn't dare ask me questions. Especially not "why go after Karen?"

Why? Why not, she has connections, plain and stupid though she is. She'll make me look good by comparison, which nobody else is right now. She can be used.

That's what mama and papa have taught me, and I've been a good student. Use people. If you have a hold on someone, they'll be true to you. They'll be good friends. They have to be. Even though I know mama and papa are using me, this is how it should be, and it's not like I'm not using them. It's a comfortable relationship, we know where we stand.

But right now, I'm surrounded by my true friends... And the people I can't use yet.

And Karen's useful for another thing... She'll get me leverage on that girl who keeps stopping me from having fun at parties. I almost had Margary and Phillipa at each other's throats, dammit, and that wasn't the first time she's interfered! But no, she's been a voice of reason, and I. Don't. Want that.

Ugh. The chattering of my friends is annoying me. But I'm the gracious host, it's my birthday, and I can't say I'm not happy to be flattered. To be given presents. Pretty jewels, nice clothes... Sweets of all shapes and sizes.

I'm likely going to throw away the sweets, or give them to my servants, though. Mama has to work very hard to keep her figure in shape because she's gotten used to eating them, and the noises disgust me. If you don't like what it does to your figure, mama, perhaps I should suggest not eating them rather than doing unhealthy things? Hrm?

But it's pointless to say that. Mama and papa, for all that they've taught me, are set in their ways. I won't be like them. I'll surpass them.

But first, I have to take advantage of my servants, my loyal "friends."

Ah! Activity at the door, wonderful! My servants scatter, apart from a few. They know what to do. They know what to whisper when she comes in.

"Announcing the young Duchess Folstaff and young [rank] Maidstone!"

Feh, it's just them. Well, they're looking good, at least. For all that I want Letiticia to stay out of my business, to stop being her, she doesn't flaunt her wealth. She doesn't make me look bad by virtue of her station, at least. And Elizabeth, well, she tends more to the drab, but everyone knows she's sharp witted. Of the two, I consider Elizabeth far more dangerous. Even at a young age, people are talking about her, the "genius magical prodigy."

Well, so long as she doesn't become an obstacle to my rise, I don't care. Now, they outright said they wouldn't come in without Karen, so why-

"Announcing the young Baroness Meldrew-Fotherby"

I almost spit out my juice. What... What is that? What is that?!? That's not the dress I gave her, it's far better than that!

No.

Wait.

I can use this. She turned down a gift from one of superior station. So long as I can emphasise that, I'll still tear her down, just a little bit. Now, brightest smile, walk forward calmly, light cock of the head...

"Why, it's so wonderful to see you all together! But-" A touch of concern, sisterly, worried. "I could swear I sent you a dress for the party, but that doesn't appear to be it..." Tear up a little bit, look disappointe-

The three of them smile, and I stop, confused. Can't show it, but... What's going on?

A curtsey from the three, and it's Karen who speaks.

"Happy birthday to you, I see a lot of good folks around!" Pfft, still speaking like a country bumpkin-

"I did receive your dress, and showed it off to my friends! They really liked it!"

Bullshit, you're not even wearing i-

"So much, that we wanted to do you, and it, justice, by adding a bit to it. Do you like these embroidered strips? The jewels? It really shows your taste, to give me such an inspiring dress!"

Now that I look... It is the dress. And they've not cut it, or stitched anything on. The strips of delicate embroidery aren't actually attached, they just look that way. The jewels are well chosen to fit with the green, her hair, her eyes... She looks good. But that wasn't the point. It wasn't the point!!!

I'm finding it hard to keep my smile, and my "friends" are looking at me for orders.

No. I can't make a scene now. I can't point anything out. But she's not smart enough to pull this off.

She had help. From those two.

"Oh, now that I look, it is! Why thank you, I can see the interesting things you've done, I like it!"

And, of course, what they give are sweets. Fine.

I'll withdraw for now.

But you're not going to be a "friend" anymore, Karen. Now I'm going to make sure you're a well trained dog. A beaten down puppy, for me to mock.

And you two...

"Well, enjoy the party, mama and papa have gone all out on the food, isn't it lovely?"

I don't expect that shot to work. I'm just telling them, in my own way, that this isn't over yet...