"Elliot!" called Brother Ethan.
"Your Highness, I didn't expect you to be here," Elliot replied."Did you miss me so much to the point you barged in at my sister's tea party?"
Brother Ethan was disgusted. His face hardened and said, "You just returned but I want to drive you away already."
"You never changed. That temper of yours," Elliot chuckled. He looked in our direction, and said, "Oh, forgive my rudeness, I've been swayed by my emotions as I met His Highness. I'm Elliot Ansel Lemaitre. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Let's keep the pleasantries, Brother. I want to start my tea party. I don't want Brielle and Sir Atlas to keep waiting," pointed out Halley.
We sat down and waited for Halley to return with her maids. They just get the tea and snacks for the tea party. Max was supposedly beside me but Brother Ethan insisted on changing seats.
"You're Max, right? And you're Brielle?" asked Elliot.
"Yes, My Lord," replied Max while I just nodded.
"Just call me Elliot. It's way more comfortable and since you're Halley's friends," Elliot suggested. He then stared at me and smiled, "You're pretty like what Halley said in her letters."
I was surprised.
He was so direct.
"You...are you into children?" asked Brother Ethan, giving off a sinister look.
Papa was staring at Elliot seriously. If a stare could make a hole towards a person, Elliot must be dead right now.
Despite the threats around him, Elliot just laughed. What a brave individual.
"Thank you for patiently waiting," said Halley. I looked back and saw her and the maids with the tea and snacks. They served it and I could smell the relaxing aroma of the tea as it poured in the cup. The snacks were mouth-watering and made Max's stomach growl.
The tea party ended successfully. Everything turned out great and I enjoyed talking with Halley and Max. On the other hand, Brother Ethan and Elliot catch up with each other. Papa was just listening while drinking the tea served to him.
"We're going to leave. Please tell Marquess and Marchioness Lemaitre that we enjoyed the tea party," said Brother Ethan.
We couldn't bid goodbye to Halley's parents because they were in a meeting with the nobles.
"Thank you for the wonderful tea party," Max and I said.
"Let's have a tea party again next time!" exclaimed Halley.``Oh, right! Max, do you need a carriage on your way back home?"
"No, no, my home is near here. I'll just walk," refused Max.
"All right. Be safe on your way. You too, Your Highness, Sir Atlas, and Brielle," Halley said, waving her hands.
We were about to leave when suddenly red rose petals rained down. They were falling smoothly, like little dancers dancing in the air. The flowery sweet scent of rose wafts in the wind.
"I pray to the Goddess that Lady Brielle will only walk on a flowery path," said Elliot, placing a flower behind my ears.
Again.
I was surprised.
I didn't expect him to come close to me and smile at me like that. But, what he said was more beautiful than the rose petals that continued to rain down. A flowery path huh? It was a sweet thing to say. I returned his smile and said, "Thank you, Elliot. I hope you wish the same way for yourself."