Chapter 30: Mia

I had to walk away from the table of sweets less I made myself sick. But it was such a waste. No doubt they would be thrown out. I had a sudden thought and opened the door to find the court ladies standing watch outside.

“Will you all come in here please?” They looked at each other before nodding their heads yes and followed me into the room. “I would like to share these sweets with all of you since it’s way too much for me to finish.”

Their looks of surprise were followed by refusals but I wouldn’t hear of it. Before they knew what was afoot I had them all seated on the floor cushions around the table, each with a delicacy in hand.

To ease the tension I started up a general conversation, asking about the palace, something I knew they would be comfortable discussing and I was right.

There was a knock at the door and I got up to answer amidst their protests. Too late, I remembered that I wasn’t at home and these things just weren’t done here.