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Anastasia should have known better than to think that today would be a simple day. Even though it has been planned as a slower day that would allow her plenty of time for Daisy's tea party, nothing was that simple.

It was now 2 PM, the time unto which the Tea Party was to begin, but Anastasia still sat at her desk in the office. One of the grain silos near the northern border had gone up in flames, and the new just now reached the castle. Between trying to figure out how to send enough resources to the village to feed them before they could harvest their spring crops and mitigating the rumors of treason, Anastasia has nearly forgotten all about her engagements.

It was not until one of her secretary's came to her office ranting about a missed appointment that she recalled the Tea Party. Quickly getting to her feet, she addressed the two other secretary's in the room mumbling some sort of order before hastening out of the office. Fortunately, the office was only a few corridors away from her private gardens. Unfortunately, she was wearing an unadorned morning dress despite the time and occasion.

However she quickly decided against changing, as it would put her even further behind schedule. this would only be a party with her sisters and a few other low profile guests that Daisy invited. She doubted any of them would even notice her inappropriate attire.

That is until she stepped foot into the garden and saw who was seated at the table. Daisy sat with Aubrey to her right as her guest of honor, and Bryn sat to Daisy's left as a buffer much the same as how Cora sat to Aubrey's left to buffer her. Why would they need to be buffers, one might ask.

It was because, none other than a Duke Phillip Vern sat next to Bryn with the sun just barely kissing parts of his face. However he was not the most shocking guest in attendance, that award would have to go to Prince Taren who sat beside Cora.

As soon as those in the party saw Anastasia they rose and bowed. In her shocked state she nearly forgot to utter apologies for being late. However, Daisy quickly dismissed her apologies, motioning for her to take her seat so that they would begin serving the finger foods. Quickly looking for a place to sit, Anastasia found to her horror that there was only one seat left and it was between Duke Phillip and Prince Taren. With as little hesitancy as possible, she took her seat.

Anastasia tried to focus on anything but her close proximity to the two men that left her mind reeling each night. At first she focused on the table. It was excellently set, with daisy painted china placed at every spot. Steaming was pouring from the top of three different tea pots, and towers of scones, cookies, sweet cakes and other various finger foods lined the table before her. However, the food alone could not keep her attention long enough to ignore how close together everyone was seated due to the size of the party seated at her small garden table.

To her right was Phillip. The sun highlighted the tips his hair and the highlights of his check in a golden glow. He seemed a bit on edge this afternoon, and she assumed it was due to last nights unconventional conversations. However, she chose not to think about it instead turning to her left.

Taren sat upright, seemingly interested in the conversation that was going on around the table. However, she doubted he was here for innocent reasons. How he even knew of the Tea Party was a mystery, let alone why he was in her private gardens. However, it was Daisy's party, so she chose to simply take note of his peaceful posture as he sat looking well rested and relaxed.

It was then that Anastasia was brought to the present in her conversation. Duke Phillip was once again congratulating Cora on her musical accomplishments last night, making nearly half the table go sullen at their misfortune in conversation. However, what was more surprising than Phillips conversational choices, was Prince Taren's choice in response.

He looked at Anastasia for a moment before beginning his message, "Dearest Princess Cora of Karthia, I must apologies for my transgressions against your lovely concert last night. I am afraid your melodies were so delicate and sweet that they lulled me into what was hopefully a soundless sleep. But should my snores have marred your lovely chorus, know it is with deepest regret and sympathy for other concert goers that I ask your forgiveness."

Daisy busted out giggling not giving Cora or any others a time to respond as Aubrey quickly joined in on the merriment. Bryn turned her head towards Cora with a certain look on her face akin to tasting a new fruit. It was an expression that hinted at something sweet but unknown and uncertain at the same time. Anastasia herself showed a look of bemused surprise.

However, it was Cora who responded with a look of grace, though the blush that overtook told a different story, "I accept your most heartfelt apology. Although I dare say you are not the only one who fell asleep to my melodies last night or any other performances from many moons before"

"If they were not so melancholy perhaps some would be more prone to staying awake." Bryn cooed as she finally got Daisy resettled in her chair from her bought of laughter.

"Even Anastasia used to fall asleep to them when she was younger. Talk about disharmony!" Daisy began another round of laughter as she spoke, and Cora was slowly taken over by the giggles now as well.

The others in the party faired otherwise. The prince held in a chuckle through a hidden smile, but Phillip was not so lucky. A rouge chuckle low and telling slipped from his upturned lips.

"Phillip!" Bryn exclaimed in mock horror.

"I'm sorry your highness, but the youngest princess is not wrong."

Anastasia crossed her arms and knitted her eyebrows in a mock attempt at an upset expression. "Phillip how dare you," She turned her expression towards Cora.

Cora, taking a hint interrupted, "I forgive anyone who has or will sleep during one of my performances. It brings me joy knowing that my music can provide such comfort."

To which the second youngest princess got a round of applause as the finger foods were promptly passed around. Daisy and Aubrey took this time to discuss matters they deemed of importance. Things such as the boat races some of the palace children had planned and which flower crown would go best with which gown for Daisy's birthday could be heard idly floating within the gardens walls. Bryn took the moment of reprieve to engage in idle chatter with Duke Phillip. the two appeared to be discussing poetry at this time. Cora seemed to nervous or perhaps embarrassed to talk to Prince Taren, so Anastasia took the task upon herself.

"Did you sleep well" She spoke quietly and restrained from giggling as she took a sip of her tea and looked up at him just enough to know he was the one she was acknowledging.

"I dare say it is the best night's sleep I have had since arriving in Karthia." He returned, a small smile tugging at his lips while he placed another cookie on his plate.

"Is your room very intolerable." She inquired rather worriedly, but he soon brushed her unintended inquiry away.

"No, is quiet pleasant."

"If there is something, do not hesitate to tell me so. I would hate for our Dretarran neighbors to think we had cursed there Prince to a months worth of uneasy sleep."

"Unless you have the power to stop thoughts, then there is nothing to be done."

"Well, it depends on the type of thought. What has the Prince of Drettera so distressed?"

"You..."


She jerked her head to see his face more clearly, but he didn't look like he had spoken at all. However, she was sure he had said something. Something that meant more than just something, but she didn't know for sure and she feared she my never know.

He was now angled away from Anastasia and turned towards Cora who was passing around a tray with scones piled dangerously high.

However before she could take her turn with the croissant tray, Duke Phillip spoke from her right. "Your highness," a huge smile plastered his face as he held for her taking a small tray of strawberries. "I saved these for you before Daisy could eat them all."

"Thank you, Duke Phillip." Anastasia returned a smile as she began to lift the tray from his hand, but at the same time, the tray which Taren was holding was also extended for her taking.

Never before in her life had she felt so torn on what to do next, so she did the only plausible thing she could think of. She took Taren's tray in her left hand, and Phillip's in her right hand. Then she handed the plate with croissants to Duke Phillips, grabbed a strawberry from the fruit tray on her plate, and then passed that tray to Prince Taren.

Normally she would not have thought twice about this experience, but everyone had stopped to watch what had just progressed. She felt the heat rising in her face, and for the first time she realizes she was sitting between two suitors who both seemed to not care for one another. What ever she did from here on out would be reflecting her favor. Had she done the right thing? What had she even done?

Anastasia spent the rest of the time snacking and over thinking. Every once in a while she would engage in idle chatter, but it was not until Daisy spoke that she realized this tea party was a terrible mistake, if not for the obvious rivalry that was to be, than for her own reputation and peace of mind.

Daisy stood, and in a clear and even tone stated, "Alright, now that we have sufficiently snacked, it is time we play some games. Prince Taren helped me pick out a few that I think the rest of you will enjoy. Although this is a royal tea party, it is a me party just as much. As such, our first game will be one most of you haven't played for nearly a decade."

"Are you calling us old?" Cora spoke up causing a round of laughter between most of those in attendance.

"No, I'm calling you stick in the muds. Now, I have decided that the best game to begin with is hide and seek. In this way we may hide from our daily duties for a while an seek a more pleasurable future."

"What fun!" Aubrey encouraged.


"Who will be seeking Daisy?" Cora the more practical of the younger sisters asked.

"I figured Aubrey should be the first seeker, since she is the guest of honor."

"What a splendid idea!" Bryn said.

Unbeknownst to anyone inside their party, it would be this decision that would begin Anastasia's downfall...