Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Mrs. Thomas was buzzing with excitement, a rare sight since Silver seldom joined such gatherings, and even when he did, it was usually just for show.

After brewing a pot of tea with such care, naturally, she wanted to savor it properly.

Roseanne approached the duo, and as she glanced up, her gaze met Silver's head-on.

Silver was taken aback at first, perhaps a tad embarrassed, then let out a snort through his nose, tinged with a hint of arrogance.

However, to Roseanne, this superficial haughtiness likely served to mask that flicker of discomfort.

Mrs. Thomas chimed in, "Ms. Cole, how do you find the tea?"

Roseanne rinsed her mouth before taking a sip.

After a pause, she honestly critiqued, "The tea leaves are overbearing, not enough water, resulting in a brew that's too dark and bitter. Plus, it seems the pot wasn't pre-warmed, or the temperature wasn't quite right, so the full aroma of the tea isn't coming through." Mrs. Thomas burst into laughter, "I told you skipping steps would change the taste, and you insisted it'd go unnoticed. Well, Ms. Cole noticed, didn't he?"

Silver's face darkened.

Even though Roseanne spoke the truth without malice, was there a need to be so blunt?

have been a bit more

laughed even harder and said, "I guess I should've lowered my

Silver was speechless.

oblivious to having offended anyone, had already moved on

...

there, watching Roseanne being fawned over by the elite ladies, genuinely praised, feeling a mix of envy and

approval of these high-society ladies, striving for years to be able to sit

did nothing but conduct a tea ceremony class and received star

Why?

her

the adulation and

fair assessments without

or flattering, even when her feedback wasn't

ladies didn't seem to mind, instead

turned into something

Millie, shrunken like a quail, who after apologizing, dared not speak. Her

Roseanne as a daughter-in-law might