Tea party

The throne room was heavy with the scent of burning incense, the thick curls of smoke drifting lazily in the air as the midday sun poured through the tall stained-glass windows.

The golden and crimson hues painted patterns on the polished marble floor, shifting slightly as the banners above swayed with the breeze filtering in from the open balcony.

Elysia sat on the cushioned bench beside her father's throne, her arms crossed, her fingers tapping against the silken fabric of her gown. Her patience, already worn thin, was reaching its breaking point.

"Father," she began again, forcing her voice into a sweet, persuasive tone, "why won't you just tell me what was in the letter?"

King Thalor sighed, rubbing his temple as if he had already endured this conversation too many times—which he had. "Elysia, we have been over this."

"No, we haven't," she countered, turning to face him fully. "You've been avoiding my questions every time I ask."

"That's because there's nothing you need to worry about," he said, his voice carrying the same finality he always used when he wanted a conversation to end.

She narrowed her violet eyes. "If there was truly nothing, you would have told me already."

Her father leaned back in his throne, giving her a bemused look. "Since when did my daughter become such a persistent little thing?"

"Since her father started keeping secrets," she shot back, tilting her chin up defiantly.

King Thalor chuckled, though there was a note of weariness in it. "Elysia, enough," he said, a little more firmly this time. "The letter is not important."

Not important?

She pressed her lips together, irritation simmering in her chest. If it wasn't important, why had he hidden it from her? Why had he burned it the moment it arrived? It had been days now.

Before she could argue further, a servant entered the throne room, bowing politely before speaking.

"Your Highness, the ladies of court have begun gathering for the tea party."

Elysia sighed dramatically, slumping against the cushioned bench. "Do I really have to go?"

Her father chuckled again. "You accepted the invitation, did you not?"

"I was tricked into it," she muttered.

Her father gave her a knowing look. "Then perhaps you should learn not to be so easily deceived."

Elysia groaned and rose to her feet. If he wasn't going to tell her what was in the letter, there was no point in wasting her breath. "Fine. I'll go play nice."

She turned on her heel and strode out of the throne room, her annoyance lingering as she made her way back to her chambers.

The royal gardens stretched below her window, and as she gazed out, she could already see the gathering of noblewomen.

Lady Althea stood at the center, her honey-blonde curls pinned up elegantly, her soft green dress flowing like water as she tilted her head back in exaggerated laughter.

A woman who wielded her beauty as a weapon, Althea was a master at making others feel as though they were lesser simply by the way she smiled.

Beside her was Lady Helena, whose deep auburn hair was styled into an intricate braid, her sharp blue eyes constantly scanning for weaknesses in those around her.

She was the type who never truly laughed—only smirked when she found something amusing at someone else's expense.

Lady Vivienne, in all her cold perfection, was dressed in the finest silk, her deep violet gown tailored to emphasize her statuesque figure.

She had the demeanor of a queen, though she was nothing more than a noble's daughter, and she made sure everyone knew it.

And then there was Lady Seraphine, the eldest among them, draped in royal blues and pearls, her lips permanently curved into a pleasant but meaningless smile.

She had perfected the art of hypocrisy, pretending to be warm and kind while ensuring that every conversation ended in some form of subtle cruelty.

Elysia sighed heavily.

What a delightful crowd.

She turned away from the window and began preparing for the tea party, though she would rather have spent the day sparring with Seraphina or sneaking off with Zera.

She had just begun to unlace her bodice when the door swung open without so much as a knock.

"Well, don't you look thrilled," Zera's teasing voice filled the room.

Elysia didn't bother turning around. "Don't you know how to knock?"

"If I did, I wouldn't be able to see you like this." Zera leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a lazy smirk on her lips as she let her gaze trail over Elysia. "You're adorable when you're pouting."

Elysia rolled her eyes, stepping behind her privacy screen to disrobe. "I am not pouting."

"You are," Zera said, chuckling. "You also look like you'd rather throw yourself off the balcony than go to this tea party."

Elysia peeked her head around the screen. "I might."

"Well, too bad. You have to go."

Elysia sighed, stepping into the bath her attendants had drawn earlier. The warm water soothed her tension, though it did little to ease the irritation in her chest. "And let me guess—you're my personal guard today?"

Zera grinned. "You're catching on."

"I don't need a guard at a tea party."

"You're the princess. You always need a guard."

Elysia let out a soft groan and sank deeper into the water.

After her bath, she dressed in an elegant yet simple gown—an off-the-shoulder design in a deep shade of blue, with delicate silver embroidery along the sleeves.

Her silver hair was pulled back into an intricate yet effortless braid, loose strands framing her face. She adorned herself with minimal jewelry—just a sapphire pendant that rested against her collarbone.

Zera, in her usual armor, took one look at her and whistled. "You clean up nice."

Elysia smirked. "Of course I do."

With that, they made their way to the garden.

The moment Elysia arrived, all eyes turned to her, each noblewoman's expression shifting into something sickeningly sweet.

"Princess Elysia," Lady Althea greeted with a radiant smile, though her green eyes gleamed with something sharper. "You look absolutely stunning today."

Elysia returned the smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "You're too kind, Lady Althea."

Lady Helena hummed. "I was just telling the others how wonderful it must be to live with such luxury. No worries at all."

Elysia arched a brow. "No worries? I wasn't aware you knew what my life was like."

Lady Vivienne laughed softly, sipping her tea. "You must forgive Helena. She forgets that even princesses have troubles."

Lady Seraphine placed a delicate hand on Elysia's arm, her grip deceptively firm. "But enough about such things. Tell us, Princess, do you have any plans for marriage?"

Zera, standing behind Elysia, snorted softly.

Elysia smiled politely. "I'd rather discuss something more interesting."

The conversation shifted to courtly gossip, whispers of noble families, and thinly veiled insults disguised as compliments.

Elysia endured it all with grace, though she longed for the party to end.

And then she heard it.

Two noblewomen, speaking in hushed voices just a few feet away.

"The demon queen seems to be mad."

Elysia's fingers tightened around her teacup.

That was an understatement.