Chapter 1 : Jasmine Green Tea

The scent of jasmine was faint, sweet and gentle as a flower should be. She smiled as the steam carried the smell of jasmines into the air, stirring carefully, whilst humming a humble tune in her head.

She had experimented with jasmines before but the tea would either end up too strong or too bland. (Finally), she successfully blended the tea to a refined taste. Not too sweet, nor too bland, with a fragrant scent that wasn't too strong.

Looking around the kitchen from the little space of her kitchenette, she wonders if the room could use some improvement. Perhaps there could've been more of, well, everything.

Another stove maybe, or a wider counter than the little space between the kitchenette and the dish rack beside the - always - clogged sink. It wasn't a wonder why so much of the cooking had been done on a straw mat on the kitchen floor. The small table her father had provided became an extension of the counter space they lacked. The cupboards were a little too small, it couldn't fit all the dishes and cutlery it intended to store, leaving a few to forever hang over the dish rack. She could spend all day picking out what they could add or remove in the kitchen to save space but as luck would have it, she didn't have the time for that. Or in other words, never.

" Casia!"

She snapped , putting her attention to the voice calling for her. This was enough to pull her thoughts away as she continued stirring the tea. With the sugar dissolved, the tea was then ready to be served. She placed them carefully onto a wooden tray and hurried out of the kitchen to answer the call.

" Yes, I'm here."

She said, returning the call, all the while carrying the tray to the tea room where her family sat around the small table. She pours a cup each and for herself before looking for somewhere to sit while the family discussion began. There were only a few armchairs in the room and a single sofa that backed the large glass windows overlooking the garden. The armchairs were occupied by her elder siblings and their mother, leaving her to share the couch with her brother and a single stool for her younger sister. Dusting her hands against her apron, she leaned into the old soft couch and waited.

" Now that everyone's here,"

Amary, second daughter and second child began with a sip of her tea. A small delighted smile from the older sibling ensured Casia that the tea was just right before returning to a more neutral look.

" We need to talk about this."

She placed the ivory white letter onto the table, even from how far they sat, anyone could recognize the Royal Seal, a pair of flaming wings. Of course, the discussion of their monthly expenses. But, seeing how her sister was already satisfied with the beverages she's prepared, Casia's mind started to drift to the garden.

' When can I go outside?'

She wondered as she watched how the wind rustled the tall trees, leaves flowing down like flakes of snow, only they were green and fairly larger. Her sister's voice travelled far away as her day dreaming ascended towards the setting sun. With the evening curtain drawing to a close, she thought, there might not have been time to sell those fresh new flower crowns she'd weaved for the townschildren. To her, kids were so easy to please. Offer something pretty and they'll want it in exchange for simple shillings.

Her eyes wandered back into the room and froze as she caught the gaze of her eldest sister. Holly's dark brown eyes glared down at her with a mighty rage, lips pursed as they held back from simply snapping at the skinny girl. Straightening her back, Casia immediately shifted her gaze to her feet, not daring to let even glance in the direction of her sister.

" Casia."

The girl flinched at the mention of her name and ever so carefully, looked up.

" Were you even paying attention?"

She says aloud for the whole room to hear.

" Day dreaming again?"

She turned to voice next to her, Riz scoffed but said nothing as he swallowed another biscuit.

" Well..."

Casia's voice trailed off as Holly tapped her fingers against the armchair. Amary gave a small disinterested look and leaned back, waiting for her turn to speak once more.

" Casia, you need to focus. Our survival will depend on how we plan this month's expenses, everything must be taken into account. You cannot take this lightly. That goes for everyone."

Their mother, known as Lady Iris, explained to her children in a warning tone. The children dared not utter even a single word. Eyes downcast as they averted her gaze for a while.

" The taxes for flour have been raised again."

Collective groans could be heard as Casia blinked, eyes widen slightly with subtle surprise. Maybe she should've paid attention. Yet, as surprising as the situation was (not really), she was rather still disinterested in the discussion. It's not that she didn't care, she does, in a way. It just felt out of her reach, something she has absolutely no control over. Why should she care so much? She'd end up simply following orders as usual. After all, she was but a servant in their eyes - doing little with less speech put forward.