Tea party: part two

As lunch was being served in the garden, the ladies took their seats around a beautifully set table. The tablecloth had lovely floral patterns and the dishes were a delicious array of treats. Hellen made a point to sit next to Kat, her expression seemingly pleasant but her mind already scheming.

Kat sensed Hellen was up to no good, but ignored it wanting to see what she could possibly do. She focused on enjoying the pleasant atmosphere of garden and the food. The conversation flowed easily, with most of the ladies preferring to get along with Kat rather than cross her.

Hellen, however, was biding her time. She subtly moved her teacup closer to the edge of the table near Kat, making sure no one noticed. As she pretended to engage in conversation with another lady, Kat's sharp eyes caught the movement, and her eyes narrowed noticing the bit of tablecloth subtly trapped between Hellen's fingers, ready to be tugged.

A mischievous smile came up her lips as she scuffed lightly. Kat gently moved the teacup back to its original position, next to Hellen. Hellen who looked away from her left side completely, so she could actually oblivious when the tea would spill on Kat. That should teach the peasant some manners.

 Kat waited for the right moment, observing Hellen's every move. When Hellen turned to speak to someone else, Kat discreetly placed the teacup on the edge of the table near Hellen, ensuring it was in the perfect position.

Hellen, unaware of the switch, continued with her plan. As she tugged the tablecloth, intending to cause a spill on Kat, the cup tipped over, and a sharp scream echoed through the garden as the hot tea spilled onto Hellen instead.

Hellen shot up from her seat, her face contorted in pain and anger. "What have you done!?" she shrieked, her hand already red from the scalding liquid. The other ladies gasped and rushed to her aid, offering napkins and cool water.

Kats eyes widened in shook and she gasped, looked at Hellen with concern writing all over her face. "Oh my goodness, are you alright, Lady Hellen!? That must be very painful." She then turned to the others with a slightly raised brow, her tone dripping with innocent curiosity. "How did this happen!? we should be more careful. These accidents can be quite harmful."

The ladies around the table exchanged glances, some of them realizing what had just transpired, they faces went pale, the woman was deranged they should stay far away from her. Cecilia, trying to ease the tension, said, "Let's get some cool compresses for Lady Hellen." 

"Oh no it's swelling, let me take a look," Kat said, stepping towards Hellen.

Hellen was almost as red as a tomato, she angry glared with rage, she slapped Kat's hand away with her right hand that wasn't burned by the hot tea. "You insolent girl, don't you dare touch me! This is all your fault!"

Kat's expression remained composed, though her eyes glinted with a hint of satisfaction, Kat was pleased to see Hellen wasn't a vampire as she hadn't healed. "I understand you're in a lot of pain so you are upset, Lady Hellen. It was an accident, after all."

Hellen's face twisted with rage. "Accident? You think I don't know what you're doing? You think you can make a fool out of me?" She glanced around the table, her burning hand shaking as she held it close to her chest. The other ladies stood in stunned silence, unsure how to defuse the situation.

Kat's eyes widened with a look of hurt, she put her acting skills to use. "Lady Hellen, why would you say something like that, how could I possibly have spilled tea on you and why would I? I was talking to Josie when it spilled, and both my hands were on the table. What do you intend to gain with this baseless accusation?"

Hellen's rage only intensified. "Don't play innocent with me! You think you're clever, don't you? Trying to humiliate me in front of everyone with your sly tricks!"

Josephine stepped forward, her voice firm but gentle. "Hellen, it's alright. Accidents happen. I can heal you, and your hand will be as good as new."

Hellen ignored Josephine, she was in a lot of pain, it happened so quickly. She tried to understand how Kat had changed the position of the tea but abimes the pain she couldn't dwell on it and was only fuming with rage, she felt it was all Kats fault, it was meant to be her who got burred and not her, it all her fault.

Hellen's eyes still locked on Kat. "You think you're so superior, don't you? Just because you live in the castle and have His Majesty's favor, you dare to look down on me, you slut? You're nothing but a conniving upstart!, you are a disgusting and frail creature, you are nothing but a prostitute fo..."

The next moment, everyone's eyes widened in shock as the sound of Hellen's face being slapped by Cecilia pierced through the garden, followed by gasps from the other guests. Hellen's right hand came up to hold her cheek, now tingling from the impact of the slap. "That is enough!. You should watch your mouth, Hellen. Don't forget in whose presence you are. I saw clearly what you did," Cecilia said, the last sentence in a low tone that only Hellen but Kat heard as she was closer, Cecilia's eyes gorged Hellen dangerously as they narrowed. 

"I'm sorry, Lady Kat, that a guest of mine insulted you in this manner. Please accept my apologies," Cecilia apologized and bowed to Kat before turning to Josephine and doing the same.

Hellen stood frozen in place, her cheek still burning from the slap, her expression a mix of shock and humiliation. She could feel all eyes on her, and the weight of her disgrace pressed heavily on her shoulders. the sting of Cecilia's words cutting deeper than the slap itself. 

Cecilia, regaining her composure, turned to one of the maids standing nearby. "Please escort Lady Hellen out," she instructed.

The maid approached Hellen, her tone firm but respectful. "Please, ma'am, this way."

Hellen's eyes darted around, but she could not bring herself to meet anyone's gaze. She stayed in the position where she had been slapped, her body trembling slightly, her left hand gripping the front of her dress tightly. "No, I am a respectable woman! How did things end up this way? It was that wretched woman. I should have stayed away from her. Why did I have to cross paths with this demon?" Hellen's mind raced with anxiety. Finally, a maid came over, guiding her away, each step heavy with the weight of her public disgrace. As she passed by Kat and their eyes met, Kat smiled at her, the look in her eyes sending shivers through Hellen, and she looked away.

"Wait," Josephine called out, and Hellen stopped in her tracks, slowly turning around to meet Josephine's gaze. Her mind filled with hope that the princess would call her back, as she was a soft-hearted person. Josephine walked towards her and stopped right in front of Hellen. "Give me your hand," she said blankly. Hellen did as she was told and placed her burned hand on Josephine's palm. Just like last time when Josephine had healed Kat, a green glow came out of her palm, and in no time, the burn was gone. "Now leave," Josephine said firmly. Hellen's hope shattered on the spot. Though Josephine was a nice person, she wasn't as naïve as she appeared and wasn't at all happy with what this woman had said to Kat. If anything, she would have slapped her herself.

Cecilia turned back to Kat and Josephine, her expression softening. "I apologize again for the unpleasantness. Let's try to enjoy the rest of our afternoon."

Kat smiled softly, a pained expression still on her face as if she was still hurt by Hellen's words. "It's alright, Lady Cecilia. I had no clue Lady Hellen disliked me so much. Perhaps I did something wrong" Kat said innocently. As they sat back in their seats, a maid came to clean the tea and glass pieces on the floor before leaving.

"Of course not, you did nothing wrong. I don't know what came over her, but she crossed her limits," Josie said, and Kat nodded.

Adela and the rest stared warily at Kat, now knowing well not to cross the crazy woman. Making an enemy of her would only bring their own demise.

"I have been quite occupied, but I will make sure to make time to visit the castle to pay my greeting to his majesty" Cecilia said as she walked Josie and Kat back to their carriage, "that would be splendid. I won't be present at home for some time, so it would be quite a while before we meet again"

" Oh yes I did remember you told me about your trip back to Davina," Josie nodded "speaking of trips... That reminds me, please excuse for a moment" Josie said walking toward the carriage with hurried footsteps to meet the couch men.

While Kat and Celine still trailed behind, "again lady Kat I apologies for what occurred earlier" Kat heard Cecilia say and she turned away from the flowers in the garden she was looking at to meet her gaze.

"It's Alright, Sometimes people can't just tell right from wrong and end up making bad decisions that lead to bad outcomes. Lady Hellen happened to have done the same."

"That is true, but what mistake could have led to the outcome for Hellen?" Both of them gazed forward as they spoke. "Oh, that is quite simple, she made the mistake of underestimating me," Kat said blandly. A smile came up on Cecilia's lips, and she chuckled lightly. "I'm sure she would make that mistake again," Cecilia said. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Kat. I do hope we meet again soon," she added as they arrived at the carriage. Kat nodded, "likewise."

As their carriages rode out of the gates of the majestic mansion, Josie had a subtle smile on her face, while Kat had closed her eyes and was resting on the soft headboard of the carriage. A while had passed, and a slight bump on the carriage brought Kat out of her meditating state. When she opened her eyes, she met Josie staring at the window frame, that's when she noticed the curtains of the carriage had been closed. Then, there was another bump on the road, and the carriage thudded again before it stopped. The carriage pulled to a stop, and Josie's smile broadened. "What are you so excited about?" Kat asked, raising a brow. Josie turned to Kat with a mischievous smile. "See for yourself."

Kat's curiosity piqued, she leaned towards the window and pulled back the curtain. Her eyes widened in delight. Before her layed a stunning beach, the golden sand stretching out to meet the gentle waves of the ocean. The afternoon sun cast a warm, inviting glow over the scene, making the water shimmer like a sea of diamonds.

"It's beautiful," Kat murmured, a smile spreading across her face. "Is this the beach you were talking about?"

Josie nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I thought we could use a change of scenery, and this place is perfect."

The coachman came around to open the door for them, and they both stepped out onto the soft sand. Kat took a deep breath, savoring the salty sea air, while Josie did the same, clearly relishing the moment. It had been a while since either of them had been to the beach, and the sight and sounds of the ocean was soothing as both there shoulder relaxed.

"Come on, let's go!" Josie said, pulling Kat by the hand walking towards the shore, the soft sand giving way under their feet. The closer they got to the water, the more they picked up the pace until they were running, laughter bubbling up as they neared the waves. Finally, they stopped just at the edge where the water ebbed the sand, the cool ocean breeze playing with their hair.

Josie excitedly took off her shoes, dropping them next to her, and Kat followed suit. They both wiggled their toes in the wet sand, feeling the gentle tug of the tide.

"It's really beautiful," Kat said, her voice filled with awe.

"It is," Josie agreed, her eyes sparkling. "It is I come here at time's I just want to relax."

They sat down by the shore, the rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore providing a soothing background as they watched the horizon, the water glistening under the afternoon sun.

Josie turned to Kat smilling. Both of them quietly enjoyed the peaceful serenity. "I used to come here with my mother and Lucian," Josie said, breaking the silence. "I have such great memories here."

Kat was curious about Josie and Lucian's parents, but she didn't want to intrude. Josie noticed and said, "I take it you haven't heard anything about my parents?" Kat nodded. "My mother's name was Aurora," Josie said. "Was?" Kat asked. "She died when I was around five," Josie said. "My condolences, she had a beautiful name," Kat offered, and Josie nodded before continuing, "Much like her name, she was beautiful and graceful, inside and outside. A few weeks before her death, she said something to me... There's an apple tree in the castle orchard where I used to spend a lot of time, that was when I was little though. One night, there was a bad thunderstorm that lasted all night. Some days had passed, and I went back to the tree as usual, but I was heartbroken to see it now had a hole in it."

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The sun stood high in the sky, its bright light making one forget about the storm that had taken place a few days ago. Little Josephine walked towards the orchard of the castle, her little hand clutching a stuffed bear, a smile gracing her lips as she made her way to her favorite tree.