Kidaya still had her fake smile on, but her eyes were glaring at him as she began to reach out for the cup. But just as she gets the cup, the door to the drawing room opens and in walks the Duke of Wethingham.
"Your Grace." Everyone greets and Prince Vaughn turns to see who had walked in.
Using that opportunity, Kidaya pours the entire tea in the cup into the flower vase behind her seat, then she puts down the cup in the tray.
The Duke of Wethingham saw her action and chuckled. "Diamond." He calls walking forward.
Smiling. "It is an honor to have you call on me this morning, Your Grace," Kidaya says sweetly and even Prince Vaughn had to turn to look at her in surprise.
Smiling back, "I am sorry it took me so long to call on you, but when I heard you had a cold, I couldn't stay away any longer." He says handing her a flower. And before she could give it to Eddna, he stretched one to Eddna, then walked over and gave one to Joan, all the while ignoring his cousin the Second Prince. He then walks over and takes the seat opposite Kidaya. Everyone except Vaughn who was still seated, takes back their seat. Glancing at the tray on the table. "I hope you haven't had much yet, I brought you something for the cold."
"Tea?" Kidaya questions with a worried look.
Smiling, "Yes, Miss Simon. Elderberry tea and a snack of sponge cake. I hope you like it." He leans forward towards her and whispers. "I made it myself." He says nodding at his man by the door who walks forward with a tray.
Kidaya smiles. "I am honored, Your Grace." She says very sweetly, glancing at the Second Prince with a look that says 'See!'
The Duke opens the snacks plate, revealing the sponge cake with colored icing and flavored with orange, with some chopped almonds and berries on top. Eddna and Joan gasp in admiration. Picking up the tea pot, he pours her a cup, but just as he extends the cup to her, Prince Vaughn leans in and takes it, taking it to his lips and having a sip. Everyone turns to look at him.
Smiling, "The tea smells good, Cousin. I hope you will not mind if I ask for another cup?" Prince Vaughn says receiving a glare from Duke Trenton which he ignores and keeps smiling.
Just as the duke was pouring Kidaya another cup of tea, Prince Vaughn leans forward and serves himself a piece of the cake from the tray. Duke Trenton gets hold of his hand just as he is about to carry the plate of just sliced cake.
Forcing on a smile, "Since I brought it for the Diamond, do you not think she should have it first?" Duke Trenton questions him.
"Oh, that is right! I did not even think of that at all, Cousin." Prince Vaughn says as he pulls out his gloves, picks the cake with his bare hands, and stretches it towards Kidaya's mouth. "Have a bite, Diamond." He offers with faked sweetness.
Kidaya shakes her head. "You go ahead, Your Grace." She hurries and picks up the tea cup the Duke had poured her again, and takes a sip.
Shrugging, Prince Vaughn puts the cake in his mouth and eats it, putting his fingers into his mouth one after the other to take a lick. The girls watched him, even Kidaya, and for some reason, that act had their eyes widening and them gulping.
Clearing his throat, Ralph walks over. If this tension between the two men continues, something bad is bound to happen between the royals. "Kidaya," Ralph calls out. "Have you heard about the Horse Race happening this afternoon?"
Kidaya looks away from the Prince and looks up at her brother. "Horse race?"
Nodding, "Yes. It is happening in the next town, and I bought –
"Lord Vanderburgh." The Duke calls and Ralph turns to look at him. "I hope you do not mind if I ask your permission to go with your sister to the race?"
Ralph turns to look at Kidaya before looking at the Duke. "If it is what she wants, but I will be her chaperone."
Smiling, Duke Trenton turns to the Diamond. "May I escort you to the race, My Lady?"
Kidaya smiles. "I would be delighted, Your Grace."
Prince Vaughn rolls his eyes and crossed his legs. His cousin was not seriously going to court the girl, was he?
It was a long morning especially with the Prince constantly getting on the nerves of the Diamond and his cousin the Duke. He kept cutting into their conversation even when he was not invited. Kidaya would have gladly murdered him when he brought up the Lapsang Souchange tea again, if he was not lucky enough to be sitting in her Aunt's drawing room with others.
Finally, the Duke stood up to leave, and Kidaya decided to walk him to the door, accompanied by Eddna and Ralph. While they stood outside the house talking, the second Prince came outside too.
Smiling at Kidaya. "I had a wonderful morning, Diamond, and it is all thanks to you and my cousin Trenton, especially because of your tea and cake." Smiling "I will be sure to let the First Queen know what an excellent chef you have become."
Duke Trenton glares at him, his hands folding into a fist.
Ignoring the glare from not just his cousin but the Diamond too, he keeps smiling. "Lord Vanderburgh, thank you for hosting me this morning and please, do extend my warm regards to Lady Erskine."
The Prince made sure to drag on his pleasantries and stay until the Duke had no choice but to leave. And a few minutes after the Duke's carriage left, he finally climbed into his carriage and left too.
"I can already tell how many people in the palace want that one dead," Eddna says with a sigh.
Rolling her eyes as she turns to go back inside. "Gladly add me to that list," Kidaya says.