A servant came back with a tray of cakes and biscuits, setting it between the two men. She pulled off the top of the teapot, where the tea had been steeping for a while, and pulled a tin closer.
She pulled out the leaves with a little scoop, before serving a cup to both the king and the diplomat, as well as small plates with cake on them. The servant then bowed and left the room.
All the while she had been there, the diplomat had eyed her with squinted eyes. All of which had not escaped Astaroth's piercing gaze.
'He's one of those. I hope he doesn't ask for her…'
Astaroth lightly coughed as the young girl left, getting the diplomat's eyes off the servant and back on him.
"You were saying? The rules?" he said, his tone flat.
"Ahh, yes. Sorry, I was distracted. Are all your servants such beauties?"
Astaroth's hand gripped the sofa's armrest strongly as he tried to keep cool.
'Calm down, calm down, calm down. What would Phoenix do?'