The First Tea Party (2)

Lucien played with flames. In his dimly-lit room, he leaned back on his chaise, watching tiny wisps of fire flicker around his long fingers. It was the same hand those small ones held onto.

His mind recalled the events from moment's earlier. Those pink diamond eyes dyed in orange candlelight filled with confusion and despair altogether.  

Her face contorted with shock, almost hurt that he would accuse her of such treachery. It almost made laughter explode from his chest.

It was clear to him that she was no innocent flower. There was something in his heart which had been betrayed over and over that was telling him loudly, Lunaria Mellow was hiding something. 

Lunaria had watched him with an anxious gaze, slightly red cheeks and soft lips that seemed to want to say something. But it seemed that even she didn't believe the lie she was trying to convince him of. 

What had been amusing to see only moments earlier had become a spark which ignited Lucien's fury once more. He clenched his fist tightly, embers bursting as they died out. A gentle and terrifying fire remained in his eyes that stared up at the dark ceiling. 

"As if a Mellow could ever be trusted."

***

"You want me to guard the Princess...?"

"That's what I said. Don't make me repeat myself." Javier glared at Asher, who instinctively flinched.

He had rushed to the Vice Captain's office after breakfast at dawn, without the time to even dress properly. As a result, his hair was let down, tickling the back of his neck which was already prickling with distress. 

Javier had suddenly called Asher to his office, giving him a duty regarding the Princess. 

It had been a couple of days since the Princess' arrival, but Asher had yet to meet her. Unexpectedly, he was now being told to be her guard. 

Hesitating, he mumbled out unsurely.

"But... Isn't Sir Rowan in charge of the Princess's security already?" 

His dorm-mate had become increasingly busy as of late, to the point Asher saw him only in the mornings and nights. Though he couldn't call him a 'friend' exactly, Rowan had become a familiar face in the last couple of months. 

"It won't hurt to have another guard." Javier said, folding his arms across his chest. Asher glanced at his Vice Captain uneasily. 

"Is it alright for me to be her guard? I'm still on probation..." Asher still had a few weeks left until his probation period as a senior knight ended. 

"You'll end your training soon, so it's fine. And you'll be a senior knight proper after that. No one can say anything against that. If anyone has a problem, tell them to take it up with me." A menacing glare directed at no one in particular took over Javier's face.

"Besides this is a temporary measure. Her Highness will have a few guests today, so she should have at least one more person."

Javier glanced to the side, adding quietly after a beat, "She is the Princess, after all." 

Was it just for show, Asher wondered. A Princess with only one guard would certainly look odd, not to mention the implications of it...

But Asher couldn't help but sense a subtle shadow behind Javier's last words.

Was guarding her really all that he had to do?

Asher gazed cautiously at Javier. The Vice Captain was someone who did things meticulously. He must have a good reason for doing this.

Deciding to shake the feeling, Asher tilted his head slightly.

"Guests?"

"Her Highness is hosting a tea party later in the afternoon." 

A tea party, was it? It was common for noble ladies to have tea parties. It was an opportunity to socialise and make friends. Ladies would get together and chat, perhaps do an activity like embroider together or play an instrument. It was also a chance to impress each other with their talents. 

At the same time, there was no more treacherous mask than an amicable smile at a tea party.

The Princess who was new to the North was alone. Aside from the single maid that had arrived a day after the Princess, there was no one else from the South or the Capital with her. 

Asher's mind began turning. 

For what reason was the Princess hosting a tea party?

Was the Princess trying to make allies to survive this solitary place, or was she gathering information on the families and condition of the North?

Something snapped in Asher's mind. He shut his briefly, his brows furrowing.

He sighed internally, the glimpse of the Princess which had caught on her first day here flickering through his mind again. 

He didn't know anything about the Princess. There was no reason to make a judgement so soon. 

"Then, what should I do?" Asher asked, straightening his resolve. 

"Just stand and keep an eye on things. Rather than guarding the Princess, think of yourself as Rowan's support and his lead. The guests aren't anyone we don't know..."

Which might just be the problem... Javier's face scrunched with distress as he muttered in his mind. He sighed.

"But I doubt there will be much trouble, but this is just a precautionary measure." Javier waved his hand passively.

Asher nodded. "I understand." 

"Then that's all."

Click. 

Closing the door behind him after Javier's dismissal, Asher closed his eyes and sighed tiredly. As the distant bell of the clock tower struck 8 times, Asher pulled his hair into a half-up ponytail. 

He had a long afternoon ahead of him.

*