Chapter 45

"Imperial brother, I know you are not pleased with her actions, but she is still a child." Angelina tried to convince her brother.

"oh, really?" The emperor looked at her amused. "Isn't it ironic how we are having this conversation in reverse? aren't you the one always saying 'children have to learn'? "

"and she is learning." Angelina justified. "we both know how Rosabella gets bored easily, and would walk away if something isn't interesting enough. Let's face it, she has the attention span of a bird, she likes exploring and the palace rules are too restricting for her. That's why she had always ignored the rules and delayed her education, because she knows once she learns, she won't be as free anymore. But, when I taught her tea etiquette she listened without complaints...for about 45 minutes. "

" what you are saying is... Amourora is like a canary trapped in a cage?" The emperor looked interested." and taking her to the party will make her feel more free? "

"... not exactly. I am saying she would have more friends her age. Besides, forming friendships at a young age would be good not only for her, but it would also benefit the empire if the next generation is friendly to each other. The power of the empire would be more stable, which will prevent invaders from our enemies. "

The emperor still didn't seem too convinced, so Angelina negotiated," Imperial brother, Rosabella seems to be doing quite well, better than expected. So, why not allow her to attend the tea party tomorrow, but add to her punishment if she misbehaves later?"

"She only tried cooking and embroidery, both are acceptable for ladies, and we know the results of both. Today, she has to clean the eternal joy pavilion with the servants, if she can do well, she will be allowed to attend the party."

"yes." Angelina immediately agreed.

Along the way to the Eternal Joy pavilion, she twisted her handkerchief tightly hoping, praying, Amourora wasn't throwing tantrums or bossing servants. As they neared the pavilion, they heard ruckus, and the emperor stopped Bastian from announcing their arrival.

Much to their shock, the servants, both men and women, were treating the hall as a skating rink, slipping and sliding across the water-filled floor, all the while laughing and giggling at their silly behavior. How often do you see servants of the imperial palace having so much fun during work hours? None. It's against the rules to act so inappropriately, especially in the presence of the emperor.

What shocked them more, Amourora, Avyanna, and Edmund were joining them, too. Skating in circles and racing the servants. If any one else saw how outrageous these servants and royal children were behaving, the emperor wouldn't know what to do. What if there were visiting royalty from other countries? How embarrassing!

"your majesty!" a maid noticed him as she slid across the floor and landed on her bottom, attracting other's attention, some falling due to fright.

"your majesty!"

Angelina hid her giggles behind her fan, as she tried to hold herself from laughing. She couldn't decide what's funnier, the emperor's face, or the shaking servants trying to get off the floor and bowing, or their pale frightened expression. It's more hilarious than circus clowns!

At least only she, her lady in waiting, and Bastian thought so, the emperor's face seemed gloomy and disappointed. Amourora came out of the crowd in her maid outfit, messy hair, and a cheeky apologetic smile. "Imperial father, aren't you supposed to be at work?"

Once they saw her, Angelina couldn't help but turn around and bite her handkerchief to stop laughing out loud.

A few hours later, the pavilion cleaned, the servants warned, and Angelina still had trouble removing that smile off her face. The emperor agreed to Amourora attending the party, but she had to summarize a book a day for the rest of the punishment time, in addition to cleaning, cooking, and sewing.

"do you think imperial father is upset?" Amourora munched on black berry tarts.

"most definitely." Edmund practiced with his sword. "but at least you get to go on the tea party."

"should we give an apology present?" Avyanna asked softly. "how about a letter with flowers?"

"I have an idea! " Amourora jumped out of her seat. She can can please her father, and continue her plan for the bakery. "follow me!"

The other two ran behind her to the kitchen. "Baxter! Baxter, come quick!"

"yes, your highnesses." Baxter ran frantically across the kitchen with a pale face, other kitchen servants making way. "are the snacks not up to your liking?"

"on the contrary, they are yummy." Amourora answered.

"oh?"

"we want you to teach us this recipe." she gave him a paper wet from the edges, from her pocket, "I think they are called 'chocolate chip cookies'."

"may I see? He dried his hands on his apron." where did you find this recipe? "

" just teach us. "

" oh, we will need some ingredients...wait here. "he disappeared back in the kitchen and came back with a few things." let's go to my private kitchen, it's less crowded there. "

*****

" chocolate? "

" here. "

" butter? "

"here."

"Brown sugar? "

"everything's ready."

"did you wash your hands?" Baxter asked.

"yes." the three nodded. "can we get started already?"

"yes," Baxter looked over the recipe for the umpteenth time in the last few minutes. "I never made this before, your highness, so it might take time."

Under Baxter's guidance, the three rolled up their sleeves and started mixing and baking. "let's add more chocolate."

"your highness, not everyone likes it that way."

"then, why can't we add different types of chocolate for those who do?"

"alright. If the first patch turns out well, we will make a second batch with as much chocolate as you wish, your highness." Baxter was really excited about trying a new recipe, and asked Amourora to bring any other recipes she finds.

There were less casualties in the private kitchen, and the cookies were made successfully. After they came out fresh from the oven, the four smiled in joy and decided to make another batch. The chocolate chip cookies were crunchy on the outside, chewy in the inside, and had a sweet chocolaty taste. Super yummy.

The three orgnized them in the shape of flowers and sent them to the emperor immediately, with an apology note and flowers from the imperial garden. It didn't matter if the gift was wrapped clumsily, or the cookies didn't taste so good, it's the thought that counts.