They chatted more about tea since it was Lobelius' banner product. It turned out that Seraphina was indeed an avid Lobelian tea lover.
Thus, despite the initial tension and suspicions, the atmosphere gradually relaxed over tea and snacks. The conversation flowed smoothly around various Lobelian tea Seraphina usually ordered from Lobelius.
Arabella found they had the same taste in tea.
Finding a common ground, they finally began to converse more easily.
Their discussion eventually turned to matters of mutual interest beyond tea, touching on trade routes, cultural exchanges, and the importance of the Yearly Assembly for nations in Eliora.
They had moved past formalities into a discussion that felt surprisingly natural instead of the tension of their earlier meeting.
