Tea Time Part 2

Clarimond sat down and looked at Arabella. Her golden hair glittered in the sun and her teal eyes sparkled as well, she looked like a fairy. More like an evil fairy.

Arabella spoke first, "How are you doing? I begged father to not have you go to Theron as a political hostage but those evil people from Theron insisted. He told me that they needed you to go."

Clarimond resisted the urge to roll her eyes, she had heard the endless whispers around the palace and from the officials that she was a substitute. In fact, the Emperor of Selemont had been the one to go forward with hostages in the first plan. How long had this vile plan been going on?

Instead Clarimond smiled sadly, "Thank you Arabella and father too. I'm going to miss you all a lot. I hope I can come home soon. I'm just feeling so lonely thinking about having to be go to Theron."

"I know, sis. It's so hard on you, I asked father to let me go but he said they needed you."

This statement made even less sense, since Arabella was the one who actually mattered to the Emperor and had power. On the other hand, it was now obvious to her that she had never really been given affection from them not without it being drowned in poison.

"Don't worry, Arabella. I promise to do a good job in Theron."

Arabella nodded and then brightened suddenly, "Oh, Will really liked the tea you brought. He said that it tasted pretty good and it had some quality."

Some quality? She had worked really hard to get that tea, "Sea Blossom". It was said to strength bonds of love and taste exactly the way the drinker wanted it too. This could only mean that the crown prince had been thinking negative things about their relationship and it had created that flavor of tea.

"I'm glad! Do you think I will get to see him before I leave? After all, I won't be able to see him now that I am being forced off to Theron because of this whole situation. Do you think you could come with me? After all, we are sisters. We will go through everything together, right?"

At this suggestion, Arabella looked uncomfortable, "I am a princess and if I go it will look bad for our country. You wouldn't want that, right?"

"Oh, I guess, your honor is more important than me. It's all right, I understand, I am only someone your father took in who has stolen everything away from you. I will just have to suffer by myself."

"No, no, no. That's not true! Clarimond, you are my dearest sister, I would do anything for you. What if you bring some servants along? Then you won't be as lonely."

Arabella had fallen right into her trap. Before when she went to Theron, she had been lonely and helpless but this time she would be allowed to bring along her most loyal companion, Louise. There would probably also be a spy but this could be managed usefully.

Clarimond then pretended to look sad, "I will still miss you greatly but I know you have many responsibilities here. I guess I will only be able to bring along servants who do not know me like you do, but I understand."

Arabella clasped her hands, "Clarimond, I will give you whatever you wish for, alright? Don't worry, I will protect you and make sure everything is all right with father."

Clarimond nodded and tea continued on normally as they went over memories and the weather and one's health. She was careful not to raise suspicion from Arabella anymore since she might have guessed something from that conversation. Finally nearly a hour later, Clarimond gave her good-byes and left Arabella behind to ponder on what had happened. She had accomplished everything she had wanted from this conversation; she could bring along a servent, Louise, and Arabella owed her a favor. However, this was only a stepping stone to a better future.