Violet got up early in the morning so that she could start preparing for the afternoon tea.
Cucumber cream cheese sandwich.
Chicken sandwich.
Mushroom sandwich.
Rugelach.
Shrimp and cucumber canapés .
Wild plum jelly.
Blueberry jam.
Strawberry jam.
Yogurt scones.
Hazelnut Chocolate chip scones.
Butterfly cupcakes.
Banana custard éclairs.
Raspberry and dark chocolate cake.
Mini salt beef bagels.
Pineapple upside down cake.
Violet prepared oolong tea for the adults and pomegranate tea for the children.
Oolong tea is a traditional tea of an Eastern Empire.
It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant processed different from green tea and black tea.
The flavour can range from light to full bodied, floral to grassy, and sweet to toasty.
The colour of the leaves and the hue of the brewed tea can also vary from green to golden to brown.
" Mommy , is everything ready?" , Nathan asked.
Nathan and Margaret had come to watch Violet preparing food for the guests.
People might consider it low or unbefitting for an Empress to cook .
It was unheard of .
Especially in the Iretonia Empire.
But Violet did not mind as she would do it for the children and her family.
And now, these friends from Asterin.
" Yes it is darling."
" Wow. It looks so good !" , Margaret exclaimed.
Margaret was always excited when it came to archery and food.
"Your Majesty, the guests have arrived."
" Nathan and Margaret, guide our guests to the parlour and wait for me there .
I'll go and change. The maids will arrange everything else. "
Violet changed into a vintage style long dusty blue dress flowers embroidered on it.
Violet entered the room to see the kids having fun conversations with her guests.
Her arrival was not announced as she told the guards in front of the door not to do so.
Nathan was sitting on Daniel's lap while Margaret was in Ethan's arms .
" I still think giants are scary.
They're huge and ugly!" , Margaret said.
"Mommy said that we should not assume who they are by the way they look." , Nathan replied.
" But giants destroy villages and kill people." , Margaret retorted.
" Margie , did you not listen to mommy? Mommy said that even though giants destroy villages and kill people, it was because humans went to live and steal at the giant's home.
So it is the greed and selfish desires of man that is to blame. We cannot put the entire blame on the giants. Humans are responsible too. " , Nathan argued.
" Do you know what 'desire' mean, Nathan?" , Daniel asked.
" Mommy said desire is when you have a deep wish or you want to have something very much ", Nathan replied.
" Just like the way I wanted to learn archery even though that woman said no?", Margaret asked.
" Yes . Because you desired to learn archery , you were willing to run away from your place and came to live with us" , Nathan replied.
Margaret nodded happily to Nathan's explanation.
" Seems like everyone is having fun without me." , Violet interrupted.
Violet decided that it was time to join the conversation.
" Mommy!"
" Mom."
" I apologise for being late. " , Violet said as she sat down.
" We were early." , Daniel replied.
" And we enjoyed listening to Prince Nathan and Princess Margaret tales about giants." , Ethan replied.
Violet received a bouquet of daisies from Daniel.
' He remembered.'
" A present."
" Thank you."
The maids came in to serve the tea and left after Violet excused them.
" Mommy made everything here!", Nathan reported proudly.
" It's an honour to be able to eat all these appetizers and desserts personally prepared by the Empress." , Sebastian replied.
" Please enjoy. I hope it will suit your taste.
Nathan . Margaret. Sit on your own and have your tea .
You do not want to spill tea or snacks on our guests , do you?"
" Yes , Mommy."
" Yes , Mom."
" I love these yogurt scones." , Ethan exclaimed happily.
" Mommy , you made raspberry and dark chocolate cake!" , Nathan said excitedly.
" And éclairs!" , Margaret added.
" The tea is brewed to perfection. " , Daniel complimented.
" The chicken sandwich my favourite." , Sebastian said.
" Meat is his favourite. He loves tea and heavy flavours", Ethan chimed in.
Violet felt a blush crept up on her cheeks at the compliments.
There was something so satisfying about watching people enjoy the food you make.
" Really , Sebastian? We must be food soul-mates! We have exactly the same tastes!" , Violet replied.
" Uncle Ethan , you are so handsome.
Just like a Prince Charming. Can I marry you?" , Margaret asked.
" Stupid Margie. Uncle Daniel is a Prince. Uncle Ethan is a Marques." , Nathan corrected her.
" But be can still be my Prince Charming! Right? Right mommy?" , Margaret pouted.
" It's up to the Princess. If she says that I am her Prince Charming , then I am her Prince Charming", Ethan replied to which Violet nodded .
" Yay! Now I have a Prince Charming to protect!"
" Is Margaret going to protect me?" , Ethan asked .
" Yes. I will rescue you and protect you!" , Margaret announced.
" What about you Nathan? Do you want to find a princess?" , Daniel asked.
" Mommy is my princess. The most beautiful one.", Nathan replied.
" You're right. Your mommy is the most beautiful princess", Daniel agreed.
Violet 's heart fluttered as Daniel looked at her when be said those words.
Violet let out a fake cough to hide her embarrassment.
" Uncle Daniel?"
"Hmm?"
" Can you come visit again? To play with me?"
" Sure , why not? Do you like Uncle Daniel?"
" Yes, I do. The Emperor never reads me stories. He doesn't talk to me. He has never played with me. Nor ever complimented me. I don't like him. And he doesn't treat Mommy well" , Nathan replied.
Violet looked at Daniel apologetically but he shook his head to indicate that it was alright.
" I hate that man and woman . Humph! I don't like those people who do not treat my mom well!" , Margaret added.
" Nathan . Margaret. You'll make the guests uncomfortable. Did I not always tell you that you mustn't speak ill of other people?"
" I'm sorry , Mommy."
" I'm sorry , Mom."
" Come here. Let mommy give you a hug"
Both Nathan and Margaret ran into Violet's arms and hugged her tightly.
Violet kissed them on the forehead and said
"Now say goodbye to our guests and you go attend your History classes. Your teachers must have arrived."
They bid their goodbyes and left the parlour.
" You have bright and wonderful children , Violet." , Sebastian remarked.
" Thank you , Sebastian. How long will you be staying here in Iretonia?"
" Two weeks. Maybe a month." , Daniel replied.
" Oh ."
' He's leaving soon.'
" If you would like a tour of the Capital city, I shall be honoured to take you around."
" Can the Empress leave the Palace as she wishes?", Ethan asked in surprise.
" I have that much freedom." , Violet replied.
" In three days" , Daniel replied swiftly.
" Huh?" , Violet questioned.
" Give us a tour of the Capital city in 3 days. We have a full day off to ourselves on that day."
"Sure."
" We had a pleasant time here today, Violet." , Daniel replied.
" I'm glad. I had a wonderful time too "