It will take some time for them to reach Hogan's Manor, so the ladies decided to talk for a bit on the carriage.
Eve changed her sitting position and got closer to Roselia. Roselia did not realize as she was staring outside of the carriage window, daydreaming. She jumped when she felt someone tapping on her shoulder.
She turned around to see Eve's face close up on her asking, "Rosy, are you okay? You looked different after we left the palace."
Eve looked at Amy, giving her the look of "What's going on with her?" Sadly, without an answer, Amy shook her head.
Eventually, after a few nudges, Roselia replied, "Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking..."
"Hm? What could it be that got you thinking," Eve continued to question but she got cut off by the sudden carriage stop.
"My Lady, we have arrived." Leo, who was outside, guarding the carriage on his horse, notified the three ladies in the carriage.
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At that moment, the carriage arrived outside of the Hogan Manor.
Leo stopped his horse and went ahead and open the door to the carriage. He kindly brought out his hand and helped the three ladies get down.
"Amy, please bring Eve's dessert to my room," Roselia kindly asked Amy after getting down.
"Yes, Lady Roselia."
"Eve, let's continue this conversation inside..."
Still clueless, Eve who wanted to ask questions about Roselia's visit to the Imperial Palace, continued to quietly follow Roselia into the Manor.
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"So...why did the Emperor ask you for your audience?" Eve asked after settling down on the sofa in Roselia's room.
Roselia also sat down, opposite Eve and as she was about to reply, Amy came in, accompanied by a few other maids and butlers. They were carrying a tray filled with desserts and tea-time snacks that Eve bought from her shopping spree, alongside a warm pot of tea.
They started to quickly set up the tea table that was in front of Roselia and Eve, "Lady Roselia and Miss Seiza, tea is served."
"Thank you, Amy!" Eve exclaimed as she clasped her hands with excitement, looking at the table full of desserts and delights.
Slices of cheesecakes, pies, and fruit tarts were carefully placed on a beautifully carved gold tiered display tray, stacked and neatly arranged, and as a cherry on top, mixed fruits and mints were added as a decor on the tray.
Roselia looked up at Eve and chuckled softly, just to see her almost drooling over the treats, but as a noble lady, Eve secretly wiped her drool off and kept her composure.
"Thank you, Amy, why don't you come and have tea with us," Roselia called Amy over.
Eve cut Amy off before she could try and reject the kind offer, "Yeah, yeah! Come have tea with us, I did buy the cheesecakes to share with both of you after all. And I also bought extra sweets for the others also."
"Well, if the Young Misses don't mind then I'll gladly have tea with you." She went ahead and gave instructions to the other maids and butlers. They eventually left afterward and Amy settled down, beside Roselia.
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Amy poured tea for Roselia and Eve, the tea itself smelled pleasant and fragrant. Both the Young Misses took the teacup to their hand, and lightly sips the tea.
"The tea's lovely Amy and thank you for the treat Eve," Roselia thanked as she placed her teacup back down on the table.
"Your welcome, Lady Roselia," Amy answered, also placing her teacup down after taking a sip of tea.
On the other hand, Eve looked at Amy and nodded, she teased, "Dear Miss Roselia, you have not answered my question yet."
Roselia straighten herself up and sighed as she took a bite of the cheesecake that Eve bought.
She was not planning on telling Eve about the proposal with the Crown Prince but eventually, she would find out about it if it were ever going to be made public.
"His Majesty asked me to marry the Crown Prince."
Looking ahead, Eve's eyes widen and she almost spat out her tea after hearing Roselia's answer, "Wait- are you serious?! The Crown Prince?!"
Even Amy stopped what she was doing and quickly looked at Roselia, "The same person who is known to be a player? His Highness, the Crown Prince?"
Roselia didn't say anything and just nods.
"Yes, it was an unexpected question to ask for a sudden audience," Roselia calmly answered and continued while Eve just listens, stone-faced, even Amy on other hand did not say anything, "I was surprised when he asked me."
"So, what was your answer?" Eve continues to question.
"I'm glad His Majesty is looking out for me but I'm not ready nor am I interested in marrying the Crown Prince..."
"Is it because of the promise you made to him?" Amy added on.
"...yeah..." Roselia replied as she slowly reached into her dress and brought out a half-broken heart-shaped locket from around her neck.
"Huh, you did tell me about that," Eve remembered, "I see that you are still wearing the locket that he gave you."
Roselia looked down at the locket, "Yeah...I still look at it whenever I'm stressed or feel like I need someone to talk to, not that I don't want to tell you my worries Eve-"
"No need to be sorry, I understand, sometimes I do need some time alone myself too." Eve stopped eating her pie and placed her plate down.
Eve composed her emotions again and asked, "Talking about him, isn't the anniversary of his death tomorrow?"
"Yes, though my father forbids me to even go look at his grave, I was hoping to go after I have finished my schedule." Roselia sadly answered, her hands still gripping tightly on the half-broken locket.
After the small talk, it started to turn awkward and silent around them, even Amy could feel the quick change in the atmosphere.
.
The locket that was held by Roselia's hands, was given by someone who was very important to her. He was someone who was also close to her, someone she can call her...'First Love'.
It might be childish but the locket that Roselia has, was their promise, "Once we get older and I'm a handsome man with money, I will give you a grand wedding that you've always wanted!" That was what he said to her.
After a few minutes of silence, the ladies heard a knock on the door, Roselia looked at Amy and she went to open the door, "Lady Roselia, sorry to interrupt but it seems that Sir Taylor is here."
"Oh? Jax's here? That was quick." Eve turned her head towards the door to see her escort walking in with a worried look on his face.
"Lady Hogan and My Lady, please pardon my intrusion." Jax apologized.
"It's okay, we're almost done with our small tea session anyway, what's the situation?" Eve asked him.
"My Lady, it seems to be that we have a problem back at our mages' tower and they need extra helping hands to solve it." Jax took out a letter from his pocket.
"A sealed letter?" Both Roselia and Eve looked at each other.
Eve finished her tea and with a flick of her index finger, she made the sealed letter float towards her from Jax's hand. She opened the envelope and read the contents in it, her facial expression starts to darken and she quickly stood up from her seat, "Rosy, it seems that I have to rush back home."
"What's the matter?" Roselia asked, also worried.
Eve turned towards Roselia and replied calmly, "Hahh...it's nothing, it just looks like there are some demons roaming around the village near my place and they need my ability to help seal them."
"Well, if that is the case, we can end our session here, let me see you off."
"No, it's okay, my escort is here, and plus you have things to finish before you head out tomorrow," Eve refused Roselia.
Roselia said goodbye and sat there, on her sofa. Eve went ahead, together with Jax, out the door. "I'll go ahead and send them off to the main gate." Amy, who was also beside the door, followed Eve and Jax to see them off.
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