The Afternoon Tea (2)

Liliana lowered her head, delicately taking a bite of the desserts, her gaze fixated on the tablecloth as Sten and Margaret engaged in casual conversation. The soft murmur of their voices enveloped the greenhouse.

Margaret, with a faint smile, looked across the table at Sten. "Was it not challenging to travel here on horseback without a carriage?" she inquired.

Sten, sipping from his cup of tea, chuckled lightly. "Not particularly. We covered half the distance by water," he explained.

Margaret nodded. "Nevertheless, it's quite impressive," she said. "I've just come from three weeks of travel, and I must say it was not a pleasant experience."

"I'm pleased you arrived safely," Sten said.

"Well, I'm disappointed that I couldn't take part in the diplomatic discussion," Margaret expressed.

"There was not much you missed. We've merely agreed to boost trade of the original goods," Sten explained.