Veronica Joanna Terrence

**Veronica Joanna Terrence** is the daughter of Count Terrence and the de facto leader of the Wine Tasting Club. In the original novel, she was a supporting character who befriended the novel’s heroine Beatrice Evelyn Ashet.

## Synopsis

Veronica is a prominent noble lady in the Empire as the de facto leader of the Wine Tasting Club. She originally had a low opinion of the novel’s villainess Juvelian Eloy Floyen due to her monstrous personality and reputation and believed she was undeserving of her fiancé Mikhail Albert Hessen, whom Veronica had feelings for. Veronica became aquatinted with the royal princess Beatrice Evelyn Ashet. When Beatrice was poisoned at her banquet, Rose Marie Arlo sided with Mikhail in blaming Jubelian despite the ducal princess’s pleas of innocence.

### Terrence Tea Party

While attending a tea party with her club members, Rose Marie Arlo informed the ladies that she had invited Jubelian Eloy Floyen to their next gathering that will take place at Veronica’s manor. While others were accepting of Jubelian’s attendance, Veronica was the only person against the idea due to her prejudice towards Jubelian, though she reluctantly accepted. Veronica visited Mikhail Albert Hessen and expressed her discomfort of Lady Floyen attending her tea party. Seeing an opportunity, Mikhail seduced Veronica into allowing him to attend as her date, believing he was concerned about her wellbeing.

On the day of the tea party, Veronica brought Mikhail as her date, but Rose was against his attendance do to not being invited without everyone’s knowledge. Veronica however, reminded Rose that she was allowed to bring a date as the host of the tea party while Mikhail reminded Rose that she also invited Jubelian without the knowledge of the other guests. Before their arguement could escalate, the guests were shocked at the sudden arrival of Jubelian along with her own date Maximilian Kasin Ashet, her new lover. Rose advocates that Max should be allowed to attend as well seeing as there is already an extra uninvited guest. Despite everyone’s acceptance, Mikhail and Veronica disagree as they believe they should not overstep their hospitality and abide by their rules.

As the tea party commenced, Mikhail and Veronica spent the time flirting with each other with Veronica oblivious to Mikhail’s true intentions. Rose suggested they invite Jubelian to officially join their wine tasting club. Despite Jubelian’s reluctance to accept, Rose insists that she would be welcomed. Veroncia however once again objects to Rose’s request as the club has rules and regulations that each member must abide by if they wish to join. Rose proposes Jubelian hosts a tea party at her manor to test her. Jubelian, distracted by her lover outside, unknowingly accepts the proposition. When Mikhail sporadically leaves the room, Veronica offers to go with him only for Mikhail to reject her and push her hand away, claiming he would return soon.

Veronica soon confronted Jubelian over how she was staring at her during the party. Jubelian explained to her that she was frustrated over Mikhail using Veronica and warns her that Mikhail did the same thing to her. However, Veronica ignores Jubelian’s warnings, infuriated by her accusations. Jubelian apologizes to Veronica and tells her she doesn’t have to come to the tasting test if she isn’t comfortable with the idea.

Upon hearing a commotion outside, Rose accompanies Jubelian outside where they witness Mikhail holding a sword to Max’s neck. Veronica witnessed Mikhail’s outbursts as well as his embarrassment over Jubelian’s rejection. Veronica attempted to comfort Mikhail only for him to push her away leaving her behind. Realizing that Jubelian was right, Veronica could only cry in heartbreak.

### Jubelian’s Wine Tasting Party

With her perspective of Jubelian Eloy Floyen in a new light, Veronica attends Jubelian’s party and greets Jubel with more respect than before. As the tea party was underway, Jubelian prepared the ladies her specially blended tea and revealed the custom method she used to brew it. While the other ladies praise Jubelian for her methods, Veronica reveals that the crown prince’s return to the empire, just as Jubelian’s lover Maximilian Kasin Ashet arrives. Seeing the two together, Veronica praises Jubelian for having a lover so as to avoid becoming a candidate for crown princess. While the ladies tremble at the thought of marrying the villainous prince, Jubel advises them to keep an open mind as they can’t judge a person based on rumors alone.

Rose Marie Arlo agrees with Jubelian as she explains that she and the ladies all had similar thoughts about Jubelian before they got to know her, and now consider her a genuine and kind person. While the other ladies praise Jubelian, Veronica reminds them that they need to keep their opinions professional as they were still judging Jubelian based on her performance in preparing the tea party. Though Veronica’s critique of Jubelian’s technique leaves Jubelian disheartened, Veronica assures Jubelian that her tea was still outstanding and, while flustered, reminds Jubel that the Tasting Club has rules that she needs to abide by, officially passing Jubelian’s performance. The ladies celebrate as Jubel is inducted into the Wine Tasting Club.

### War with Lagoon

For the next two months, the Empire was at war with the nation of Lagoon. During that time, Jubelian Eloy Floyen attended four other tea parties, becoming closer to Veronica. While Veronica and Jubelian were visiting the temple, Veronica shows concern for Jubel as she had not been feeling well for some time, even warning her not to fall asleep in the temple, an action Jubel had already done prior. While overhearing people discussing the war with Lagoon, Veronica reveals that the crown prince had won a great victory during the war and would be given a victory banquet as a reward in one month. Despite trying to comfort Jubel, this news only made her more anxious.

## Personality

In contrast to her peer Rose Marie Arlo, Veronica is a mature, responsible, serious and professional young woman. While Rose is someone who wears her emotions on her sleeve, Veronica keeps to herself and tries to keep up the regal appearance of a perfect noble lady. Of all the noble ladies in society, she was the most vocal about her disapproval of Jubelian Eloy Floyen.

As the de facto leader of the Wine Tasting Club, Veronica has a strong sense of responsibility and tries to encourage her fellow peers to follow suit. Despite her attempts at remaining calm and regal, Veronica can be just as flustered and embarrassed as any other girl, specifically when she is complimenting another person.

## Physical Appearance

Veronica has long dark-purple hair that is tied with a blue ribbon in the back with square bangs covering her forehead, dark-purple eyes and she is roughly the same height as Jubelian Eloy Floyen.

Her attire is mostly consisted of frilled light colored dresses such as blue and purple and will occasionally hold a matching umbrella.

## Relationships

### Friends

#### Jubelian Eloy Floyen

Jubelian is a fellow member of Veronica’s Wine Tasting Club. Veronica originally had a low opinion of Jubelian due in part to her villainous persona as well as the fact that she was engaged to Mikhail Albert Hessen. She was the only person against Jubelian joining their club as she believed she was not qualified. Following Jubelian scolding Mikhail, Veronica came to respect Jubelian and decided to keep an open mind about her in the hopes of getting closer. Though she still tried to remain strict in judging Jubelian’s performance, Veronica was impressed by Jubelian’s unique ability to make tea and gradually welcomed her into their club, though she was slightly flustered while praising Jubel.

During the war with Lagoon, the two became much closer as they would frequently spend time together at the temple. Veronica became especially concerned for Jubel’s health as she was not in good spirits during the time of the war, attempting to cheer her up with news of the crown prince’s victory.

#### Rose Marie Arlo

Rose is a fellow member of the Wine Tasting Club. The two are polar opposites in terms of personality and management of affairs, to the point where they don’t see eye to eye, especially in regards to Jubelian Eloy Floyen. Following Jubelian’s initiation, the two are on much friendlier terms as they both consider Jubelian a friend.

### Romance

#### Mikhail Albert Hessen

Veronica was in love with Mikhail and resented Jubelian Eloy Floyen for being his fiancé. Mikhail knew of Veronica’s feelings for him, but he was not interested in her. After learning that Jubelian would be attending Veronica’s tea party, he seduced her into allowing him to come as her date, only using her to get close to Jubelian. During the tea party, Mikhail attempted to make Jubelian jealous by flirting and doting on Veronica only to be infuriated that she was ignoring him. After he was humiliated by Jubel and Maximilian Kasin Ashet, Veronica attempted to comfort Mikhail only to be thrown away by him, making Veronica realize that Mikhail was only using her.

## Etymology

* The name **Veronica** is a Greek name that translates to “she who brings great victory”.
* Veronica's middle name **Joanna** is of Hebrew and Greek origins that means “God is gracious”.
* Veronica's surname **Terrence** is a masculine name derived from the Latin name Terentius, that means “tender” “gracious” or “good”.