Chapter 4: Tea

That night changed Elizabeth. She felt more comfortable with her own body. The way her skin felt above her bones felt like just how it should've been. Men would stare at her. She was no longer shy about showing more skin and making eye contact with the boys. For Elizabeth, that night was a game-changer. 

The corridors were empty as Elizabeth strolled around with Anaj tailing her from behind. The garden was blooming with fine emerald leaves, and white roses. Her mother, the Queen, has always been fond of white roses. Behind the bushes, across the corridor, was Penelophe plucking a few weeds off the ornaments. 

"Penelophe..." Elizabeth called on her. 

"Elizabeth, my dear princess. What brought you to the garden?" Penelophe asked, her eyes observing the cleavage that popped out of Elizabeth's tight, pastel-blue gown. 

"Mother called me to join the tea with the ladies. Are you going to join us too?" Elizabeth asked, smiling genuinely. 

Penelophe smiled, "I was just on my way. Here, take these. Give them to the Queen." 

Elizabeth accepted the white roses, and wrapped them in a cloth that Anaj gave her. 

"That is so thoughtful of you, my dear cousin. Thank you." 

"Shall we go?" 

The two navigated the garden's maze before arriving at the table where the Queen and other royal women, young and old, are seated. Her mother has always enjoyed tea parties and gatherings. Elizabeth had always been aware of it as she grew up. Being present at any of her mother's parties, on the other hand, is sheer torture for Elizabeth. 

The ladies with royal titles wore exquisite silks and laces, with pearls and golds dangling from their wrists and ears. They stood proudly with a beaming grin and enticing gazes that sent the current gardeners into slumber. Elizabeth approached her stern mother, kissed her on the cheek, and offered her the flowers. 

"Oh, why? Thank you, darling," the queen said as she kissed her back. 

"You're welcome, mother--" 

"I personally picked them for you, Your Grace," Penelophe interrupted the two of them. 

"Oh, Penny! My sweet niece. How thoughtful of you! I love them very much. Come here..." The queen offered a hug to Penelophe. 

"You know how much I love you, Your Grace." 

"Such a sweet niece of yours, Your Grace." 

Elizabeth took a step back, attempting not to be embarrassed by the situation. The other ladies bowed at her, recognizing and acknowledging her position. Anaj shook her head almost idly, begging the princess to go so she wouldn't embarrass herself further. 

Elizabeth sighed, sheepishly smiling at Anaj, who had come to her aid. 

"I knew it." Anaj shook her head, agreeing with what Elizabeth had come to mind. 

Elizabeth gazed at her, dissatisfied with her reaction. Penelophe is a sweet person, and her mother adored that woman as if she were her own. Elizabeth does not believe that there's an issue in her connection with her mother. Maybe, she still had a lot to learn and prove in order to give her mother the joy she always wanted. 

 Anaj grabbed a teacup from the table and handed it to Elizabeth. She took it and smiled at her sole servant. At least, she had Anaj to share the day with.

 

ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE CASTLE, Aleksander marched his way towards the palace halls after receiving a royal invitation from the King. He was expected to have a meeting with the King, along with the other commanders. War affairs should never be taken lightly. Lives are at stake. One mistake can cost a kingdom. 

The palace guards recognized his royal uniform. A black coat with the sigil of the kingdom on the back, and the sword which he named after his own last name, Chaos. The pride felt heavy in his metal boots. It was as though honor was a burden to him. 

"Here you are! I've been searching all around for you." 

He turned around, glaring at the familiar owner of the voice. His ears never failed to recognize the annoying sound of Arthur Vecce. Even if the lord was his friend, he still couldn't stand him, especially being inside the castle. 

"Easy. Easy." Arthur raised his hands, indicating surrender.

"How do you know I'll be here?" Aleksander asked but without suspicion. 

"Oh, you know me. Words travel fast in the ladies' lips when it comes to the arrival of the Great General Kius." Arthur chuckled. 

Aleksander shook his head, already expecting for Arthur to give him that answer. As they made a turn to the garden, walking through the empty corridors, the tea party in the middle of the garden was visible enough for them to see the Queen. 

"Oh, ladies!" Arthur greeted the women by raising his hand, waving at them, and flashing them his brightest smile. How informal.

"I should go." Aleksander was about to take a turn when the Queen rose her voice at them. 

"Join us!" the Queen raised her teacup. 

"Oh, we will, Your Grace." Arthur ran towards the center of the garden, leaving Aleksander who was slowly walking from behind him. 

Not today. He can't stand around royal women. But the possibility of the princess being in that tea party excited his boring soul. She must be here. This is his chance to see the woman in red that night. 

"Your Grace, you're glowing." Arthur took Her Majesty's hand and kissed the back of it. 

When the Queen laid her eyes on the stoic General, Aleksander gave her a silent bow, acknowledging her presence in front of him. She pushed through Arthur who responded by giggling with the noble ladies. 

"You must be the young General that these ladies were talking about." The Queen laughed, "Such a tall, fine man. You were once betrothed to my niece, weren't you?" 

"Yes, Your Grace. The wedding was called off," he decently answered. 

The Queen shrugged, "Penelophe. Your man is here."

"Your Grace, we're no longer acquainted." 

"Is that so?" 

The Queen kept on talking about some things connected to the work. But as Aleksander listened, he couldn't help but wander his eyes to where the princess was. His eyes were about to move back to Her Majesty when he saw a pair of heads running through the corridor, probably hiding from him. 

"That is smart, Your Grace. But I'm afraid, I must go on my way to the Council now." 

"Oh, we will not keep you long, then! Go on!" 

He ran through the garden, chasing the white rabbit dressed in a pastel blue gown. As they made a turn, away from the suspecting eyes of the nobles, he heard her bedroom voice yelling at the other woman. 

"Run, Anaj! We can't let him catch us!" 

It is her. Aleksander confirmed it.