Tea Party

Word spreads quickly of the Arranged Visit. A Sense of Excitement and unease Fills The Estate. The People are Rejoicing in the Decision to not Align our Selves with The Northern Kingdom. Relief washes over me.

The Schedule Today is relatively Fluid. A rarity in itself. I ponder upon what to Do about the king's Existing Children. Would it Be Best to bring each Child to The Estate, Raising them with Integrity? The other Option Being the condemnation to a life per their mothers' guidance. Perhaps, I should be Arranging Visits.. But who to Trust?

I Rise, exiting The Chambers.

"Landon."

"My QUEEN." He places a fist upon his Heart, Standing tall.

"I Need for you to Summon Jonathan."

"I will have him Sent for right away."

I return to The Chambers and pour my Self a cup of hot tea, Breathing in the honeyed scent of Jasmine leaves. I freeze, setting the cup down upon the silver tray.

Exiting the room once again, I return to Landon.

"My QUEEN. How may I Serve?"

"Have Jonathan bring a Fresh pot of Jasmine tea."

He nods. I turn back to The Chambers to wait, my Mind immediately drifting to Thoughts of Xave. I must make it a Point to See him prior to my Village Visits. As I pace the expanse of the room, a small knock resounds.

I open the doors. Landon speaks.

"My QUEEN." He steps aside, Allowing Jonathan to step into The Chambers before closing the doors once again.

"Your Majesty." Jonathan diligently bows his head, one hand behind his back, a Tray of tea in his other.

"Thank you, Jonathan. This pot has already been honeyed." I wave towards the small table by the fire. He nods.

"Of course, my QUEEN. I Assure you, this pot has been Brewed under my Watch."

"GOOD. Let us sit."

Jonathan places the Fresh pot gently upon the table, removing the previous tray and carrying it back out to Landon.

"Guard." He Begins. "Have this Investigated." Jonathan sets down the tray on a small round table outside The Chambers. He pulls out a small, empty vial and fills it with tea. He seals the vial and gives Landon a slight nod before re-entering the room.

"I took a small Sample, your Grace." He swirls a small vial of tea and hands it to me. "For The Alchemist." He explains.

"Very Clever, Jonathan. Verification." I place my hand out, indicating he take a seat. He sits.

"I would like to Arrange a Series of Visits with the mothers and their children whom the king sired." I Begin. "I Trust that you will be Able to Handle this with discretion?"

"Yes, your Grace."

"GOOD. Any further Questions, you may Inquire of the king. He is in holding until trial."

He bows his head. "Understood, my QUEEN. And Should I Need Assistance?"

"Whom do you Trust? Seamus or James?"

"James, your Highness. Seamus is a bit of a brute when it comes to these Things."

"Dually Noted." I nod in Agreement. "Now, would you like a cup of tea?"

"Thank you, your Majesty, but I must be going."

I Rise, Allowing Jonathan to leave. He stands, bows and exits The Chambers, the doors closing behind him. I walk over to my Armoire, pulling out an empty vial. I pour another Sample and seal it.

It Appears another Visit to The Alchemist must be made.