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?

she have been a

even harder and said, "I guess

Silver was speechless.

oblivious to having offended anyone, had already moved on to taste another lady's

...

by the elite ladies, genuinely praised, feeling

longed for the approval of these high-society ladies, striving for years to be able to sit and chat

a tea ceremony class

Why?

irked her most

apparent indifference to the adulation and attention. She

fair assessments without

or flattering, even when her feedback

didn't

had turned into something beyond her wildest

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

the first time, she thought having Roseanne as a daughter-in-law might not be so bad, certainly better