I sat by the tea table awkwardly, facing the princess who was enjoying her tea. She had ordered some servants to set up the table right next to her rose garden, at the end of the maze. There was a small pond there, with white ducks and colourful fishes. I hadn't known of its existence before. The water is very clear, rippling every time the ducks flapped their wings. Cooling breeze greeted us occasionally, fluttering the princess' pink-hair.
Not wishing to stare, I turned my attention back to the tea set in front of me. I may not know much about these tea settings, but this little cup itself must've cost a fortune! Gulping down my saliva, I carefully raised the teacup to my mouth.
*Oh, god. My hands are shaky! Wait up, is the handle made of gold?*
"What's wrong?" Asked the princess, taking notes of my anxious face. "Is it not to your liking?"
"Ah, no, not at all, your highness!"
I shook my head, still tightly gripping onto the teacup, fearing it'll slip by accident. Not wishing to be rude, I sipped on the expensive looking tea, fulfilling the princess' invitation. After drinking half of it, I gently set down the cup onto its matching saucer.
*I can't break it. Might cost me more than my monthly wage!* I immediately retracted my hands from it.
The meeting is taking far too long! Are they discussing a world war or something? Probably be creating another tax to fatten up their pockets? Ah, no. Let's not be pessimistic. They must be arranging some plans to patch up the damages caused by the Scourge! Yes, that's better. Nevertheless, can't they make it quick? If only all of them gives their full cooperation, there won't be an issue, will there?
I darted my eyes everywhere to ease my uncomfortableness, my feet tapping impatiently. It felt like we've been sitting here for an awfully long while now.
*Is this a new torture? A tea time torture?* I cried in my heart.
*What an absurd thing to say,* entity scoffed.
*Shut up,* I grumbled inwardly. *I don't even like tea.*
Suddenly, a couple of maids arrived with a tray-stand, filled with various scrumptious looking desserts from top to bottom. Cake slices, tarts, pastries and cookies, all begging to be eaten! The fruits be sparkling like jewels, the chocolates are so smooth, it could reflect the sky! The smell of butter and flour wafting in the air, seems like the cookies are fresh out of the oven. The pastries are crispy golden, I could imagine the subtle 'crunch' sound it'll make once I bite into it.
My mouth began to drool at the sight, but I quickly held it back from flowing out.
"Help yourself," the princess offered.
"For real?" I looked at her, wide-eyed. "All of these?"
The princess gave a light nod, pushing a plate towards me.
"Thank you, your highness!" I perked up at the offer, filling the plate with each kind of dessert served, starting with the tarts.
Once I popped it into my mouth, the tart immediately melted onto my tongue, bursting with blueberry flavour. Not to mention its crust, baked into perfection! The crust itself is unsweetened, neutralising the sweet taste of blueberry and cheese. The design is— nevermind, I'm bad at discussing about designs.
"It's very good!" I gave a satisfied nod.
The princess' smile widened as I continued to eat. How come she's not eating, too? Please stop staring, it'll make me lose my appetite, had it not be for these divine-tasting sweets you offered.
Ignoring her gaze, I took yet another bite when a sudden thought intrudes my mind.
*What if it's poisoned?!* I looked at the remaining tart with a pair of doubtful eyes.
*What a pig, had you only thought of that after gobbling it up?* condemned entity.
*But it's good, though," I shrugged. *If I'm poisoned, Lucius will heal me. If it'll kill me now, I got your plot armour,* I replied inwardly before proceeding to stuff myself more.
Despite the earlier concern, nothing happened. Seeing that I had cleared two levels without spurting blood or suffocating, maybe it really is safe? Perhaps the princess simply wished for a company. Taking yet another shortcake, I can confirm that the princess does not have any other underlying intention.
"The rumours are wrong," The princess claimed suddenly, breaking the previous peaceful silence. "I didn't kill my ex-fiancés. I also didn't like the Marquess, it's a lie."
*Huh? What's with the sudden confession?* I stopped eating, almost choked actually.
After sipping on the tea to let the shortcake go down the right pipe, I cleared my throat before replying, "…I see."
"I just needed his help," she continued.
"Help?" I asked. "What kind of help?" The topic actually piqued my interest.
The princess paused for a while, fiddling her delicate fingers before parting her lips yet again, "To heal someone dear to me…," her voice trailed off, the sadness is apparent in her blue eyes.
That is a simple request, I'd say. Simple for a light-attribute wielder like Lucius. However, I'm not sure if he'd be willing to help her. He's quite the ignorant one, after all.
"I'm not asking it over nothing, of course. I'm willing to pay with anything of value! If he's engaged with me—"
"You're getting engaged with him just to ask for help?" I cut off her sentence, disbelieving her decision.
The princess lowered her gaze, replying with a half-whispering voice, "Truthfully, I don't have much to offer."
This situation is a bit odd, actually. I mean, I'm just a commoner, yet the rumoured to be notorious princess is the one being vulnerable here. Her small figure looks even smaller as she wilted into despair. What a pitiful cotton candy, she is.
Scratching the back of my head, I offered rather reluctantly, "I don't know if I could be of help, but I'll try asking him. I can't promise anything, though."
*Since she fed me, I might as well pay her back,* I decided.
"Even so, I would still appreciate it," the princess gave a self-deprecating smile.
After that, an awkward silent washed upon us. The princess was lost in her thoughts, staring at the bottom of her teacup, while I be getting restless at my seat. I do wish to continue eating, but cleaning up the whole tray would seem improper, won't it? Hence, I immediately finished the remaining tea, wishing to excuse myself.
"Um…I should go to see if the meeting had ended…"
*I just wanted to run away.*
"Ah, yes," the princess snapped out of her dream-like state before giving her permission. "You may go."
With that, I swiftly stood up and bid my farewell. Right as I left the table, that silver haired bastard came into sight, already watching from afar. Feeling my annoyance building, I quickly strode his way, stopping just a couple feet in front of him.
*If he's already here, he could've lent me a helping hand. Not smirking like an idiot!*
"You've grown close," he said, looking at the princess, then back to me.
"Isn't that what you wanted?" I threw an unsatisfied look at him. " Anyway, how long have you been standing here like a freakin' statue?"
"Long enough to see you enjoying half of those desserts," he replied, gesturing back at the 'almost emptied out' table.
*Ack, was it so obvious? Thank god I didn't actually ate it all up!* I bit my lips out of embarrassment.
Maybe I was just overreacting. I mean, the princess did nothing other than feeding me....besides making me nervous, of course.
"...it was good," I admitted.
Lucius lets out a slight huff, which I think might be a chuckle. As he turned away, I also followed his steps, crossing through the garden. We took a roundabout path, not wishing to enter the maze. Lucius didn't say anything about his meeting, silently making his way to the carriage. Occasionally, he would prod me on my 'tea date', looking satisfied every time I snapped out of irritation.
Not having any other business at the palace, we returned to the Leonhart's manor, arriving just as the sun was setting.
*I'll still need to ask him about the healing thing,* I reminded myself.