"Miss, do you have a reservation?" I turned my head questioningly to Prince Jung.
"Do we need to?" Prince Jung asked. After hearing his question, I feel like the female receptionist got more confident.
"You have to wait in line. Why enter if you don't even have a reservation? Even if you wear fancy clothing, that doesn't mean I would let you in so easily, look at all those people waiting outside, aren't you ashamed?" She spoke so loudly that everyone inside the teahouse and outside were able to listen to her lectures. It seems like I'm the only one she's lecturing, since, from the beginning, her eyes were on me. The princes wanted to step up for me but I just waved my hand at them, I still wanted to enjoy the show.
People started talking about us when they heard what she said.
"Who do they think they are?"
"If they can't afford to make a reservation, why bother come?"
"You're right, they also want to eat at the private rooms upstairs, how laughable."
"We've been waiting for hours, and they just walked in like that?!"
"I thought they were someone of importance but it seems it wasn't the case!"
During the whole time she was lecturing me, I had my head down with my eyes closed because I was sleepy. She must have interpreted it as me being embarassed and made her think we're just normal people she could trample on especially when she heard what the people were saying. And so, the show resumed.
"Still not going? You're not even answering me, how rude! Do we have to drag you out?" I yawned, everyone was looking at me so they all saw what I did. Then, this was the first time I looked at her with my bored fierce blue eyes, that I know, made her feel like she wasn't even worthy of my attention; that was actually my first warning to her.
"Huh! Did you just yawned at me?" I honestly wanted to tease her by saying 'yes' but I don't want to waste my breath for her.
"She doesn't just answer to anyone. Especially to someone like you. Get the manager, right this instant." Prince Jung intervened.
"You can't meet the manager whenever you want to! Leave! Before we drag you out of here!" She was about to hold my arms when I swiftly avoided her by going to the side while snatching my bow and arrow from the hands of Prince Jung and pointed it to her. She backed away immediately upon seeing a pointed arrow at her.
"What's happening here?" An aged man was walking down the stairs and I withdrew the arrow from my bow. The female bowed to him and went to his side.
"General Manager, these people doesn't have a reservation and refused to leave." The manager saw our clothings and from the looks of it, he believed our disguises as a high-ranking noblewoman and men with just a little bit of doubt in his eyes. Meanwhile, Prince Jung made his way towards the manager and whispered something to him. Then, because of something Jung said, the manager slightly trembled and had his eyes wide open.
"My apologies for the commotion caused by our attendant, I'll make sure she learns from it and wouldn't make the same mistake again. Please let me escort you upstairs." The manager bowed to us while he were talking.
I whispered to Jihan, "Please help the manager climbed the stairs if he insist on escorting us." He nodded at me and went to the manager's side. Then, Leo and Jung offered their arms to me from each of my side which I accepted willingly as we went to follow Jihan and the manager.
"You, go serve the customers at the first floor," the manager shouted at the attendant.
"But, I'm not assigned to work there--" the female attendant argued.
"You are now," then, the manager continued to climbed the stairs.
...
He escorted us to a large private room on the second floor where there's a short wooden table on the middle; on the table were tea pots, tea cups and a few white orchids in a slim flower vase. The table was surrounded by fancy square pillows on the floor for us to sit on. And if the sliding windows were opened, this room has the best view to watch the performances on the platform at the middle of the first floor.
They poured white tea made from Camellia sinensis plant in the empty tea pot on the table and in another tea pot was magnolia berry tea. They were about to pour us some tea when Prince Jung stop them.
"You may all leave, no need to pour tea for us. Please serve us varieties of snacks you offer here," Prince Jung instructed them. I became awake when I heard him say 'varieties of snacks', I can't help but feel excited.
I sat on the closest seat to the window, opposite of me was Prince Jung; while beside me was Prince Jihan and opposite of him was Prince Leo. Then, I removed my veil and my hood.
"Do you want--"
"May I offer--"
Prince Leo and Prince Jihan talked at the same time, each holding a tea pot, which I immediately understood what they meant.
"I actually wanted to try both. Since we have lots of teacups here, would you pour me both teas? Thank you!" They also poured one for themselves.
Remembering something, I asked Prince Jung, "What did you tell the manager that made him scared?"
"I told him we're friends with Egon and if he wanted him to visit here. Then, I told him not to tell anyone or else," Prince Jung said while grinning.
"That's it? And why did you use Egon's name?" I smacked his head without so much force.
"Yes, well, I didn't lie, we're friends with him, right? Everyone is scared of him especially because of his reputation--" Prince Leo covered Jung's mouth.