50 Tea Party

"Diana!" Crystal called as she and Maddy ran down the hallway their hair bouncing around them. "Are you free right now?"

"Yes," as she replied Diana saw a twinkle in her friends eyes and suddenly felt uneasy.

"Would you like to join us for tea?" Maddy beamed her hazelnut eyes sparkling with anticipation "we didn't get to have dinner yesterday because you were dragged away. Soooo,"

For a moment, Diana hesitated unsure weather or not she should agree but Crystal didn't mind and grabbed her hand before she could even get a word "Come on then, let's go before the tea gets cold." The two girls excitedly dragged Diana through the castle until they reached the sitting room.

It's petal pink sofas facing each other, only separated by a mahogany table which was blanketed in different cakes and biscuits and a steaming china tea set. "We were going to go out for tea but the rein isn't letting up right now." Crystal explained gesturing her head to the window which was laced with golden imprints; rein poured against its surface as the girls took their seats.

"The boys are all in town so we thought it might be nice to have some girl time for a change," Maddy was so excited Diana swore she was bouncing out her seat as she poured the tea giving one cup to everyone still giddy with joy.

"We remembered you like chocolate cake," Crystal said calmly as she cut three large helpings for everyone.

"Its my favourite, especially when I have strawberries with it." Diana admitted sipping on the rose tea.

"Oh, did you hear about Countess Clara?" Maddy piped, she had always loved to gossip.

"Who's Countess Clara?" Diana asked confused.

"She's in charge of the ports," Crystal explained "she oversees everything that comes in and out of the kingdom not a thing gets traded, brought or sold without her knowing about it. No one dares make her their enemy."

"Well apparently not all her transactions have been legal." Maddy added.

"You must be joking!" Crystal reputed "She's said to be one of the kingdoms most loyal subjects and a stickler for the rules."

"Not anymore. From what I've heard she's been smuggling things in and out off the country, not to mention making some shady deals."

"Your serious, aren't you?" Crystal replied after a moment sceptically.

"Of course, but it could be another noble trying to slander her," Maddy replied taking a bite of her cake "and even if it's not the King and Queen can't act because they have no proof."

"But if it's true than someone needs to do something," Crystal protested as she bit into a shortbread.

"No one will do anything without proof, it's to risky."

"Then why don't they investigate?" Diana asked her eyes shining with a questioning glow.

"Well, I'm not sure. It could be because they're worried about the repercussions, if Countess Clara finds out she could start making trouble with the merchants."

"And enough merchants avoid us because of the war," Maddy added "if she scared any more away we could be in trouble."

"But if they had evidence they'd act?" Diana inquired sipping on her tea as thunder roared outside.

"Of course they would," Maddy exclaimed munching on a new biscuit.

"Tell me, does Alex know?"

"I assume so," Crystal replied taking a moment to think "it's likely afterall the royal family always gets told about gossip like this and as hes the crown prince it only makes sence."

"Why do you ask?"

"Because," Diana began as lightning cracked the sky "something tells me he's already looking into it."

Neither of the girls knew what to say so they all just continued their tea party until darkness rippled through the skies sending them off to bed.

That night as Diana was about to get changed she heard a knock at the door and a guard came running in."I'm sorry to barge in unannounced," she weased out of breath "but have you seen the crown prince or any of the others that left with him this morning?"

"No," Diana replied plainly "why?"

"A letter has been sent from Malum kingdom and demands the princes utmost attention but no one has seen him since he left this morning."

"Do you know what's in the letter?"

"No my lady,"

"Inform the king and queen that I'm going to look for them." Diana replied pulling on a cloak and leaveing the room, the poor guard had no time to reply.

As Diana stepped outside though she found Crystal and Maddy waiting atop their horses Luna waiting in the middle.

"You didn't think we'd let you go alowne?" Crystal asked smiling despite the rain pelting against her.

"You should stay here," Diana replied mounting Luna "the storms just getting worse."

"Even more reason for us to come," Maddy replied and instead of arguing Diana just set off the girls close behind her.

Rein soaked them with in only a few minutes as it drenched their surroundings. Thunder rawed around them as lightning barely missed hitting them. The usually lively town was empty as they galloped down its streets.

They screamed the boys names as they rode searching every corner but as they finished their search they had still found no one.

"Could they have gone back to the palace?" Maddy called over the rein as it drowned out the noise, she was shivering so hard her teeth were chattering.

"Its doubtful but they could have," Crystal replied in a chattering voice.

"You two should return to the castle and check," Diana replied as she barely fought of the slashing winds.

"What about you?" Maddy called.

"There's still one more place I need to check,"

"We'll come," Crystal shivered

"No. Go back. It's no good if you get I'll."

"But what about you?" Maddy cried

"I'll be fine, please go back." After a moment of hesitation the girls returned to the palace leaveing Diana behind. She raced through the streets and trees before reaching her destination.

Jumping off Luna, Diana sent her running for shelter "If your bot here, I dont know where you are." She breathed as she approached the building, light pouring through the windows but no kids were playing outside like last time.

Grabbing the door knocked she hit the door hard trying to make sure it could be heard over the storm. A few minutes later a blonde haired women opened the door her hazel eyes filled with kindness.

"Diana! Come inside you poor thing you must be frozen," without giving Diana a second to reply she ushered her inside taking her cloak and hanging it up "your soaked. What could have possibly bring you here in this weather?"

"Thank you Ms Rose," Diana replied as they began to walk along the corridors "I was wondering if Crown Prince Alexander and a few of his friends have payed you a visit today."

"Indeed they have, they came seeking shelter from the rein, I'm guessing its caused quite the uproar at the palace."

"Surprisingly they're use to him going of without telling anyone, it's just theres a matter of great importance that needs his attention."

"Ah, I see," Ms Rose smiled opening a door to a room that fitted four beds. Inside on the far right bed Liam and Hunter were fighting over who could have the bed while Kylo tried to calm them both down. On the far left hand bed Alex was lounging out comfortably as he read a leather bound book.

"I'll leave you to it," Ms Rose giggled patting Diana on the shoulder as she left before leaveing she called "If your staying the night you can sleep in the room to the left of this one; you can use anything that's in there." With that she was gone.

None of the boys seemed to have even noticed the little exchange oet alowne the fact that Diana was standing in the doorway.

"You boys seem to be right at home," she said and all the boys froze before turning to look at her "DIANA!!" they all yelled.

"If your any louder you'll wake the children," she replied.

"What are you doing here?" Alex asked sitting up in the bed before shutting his book and laying it beside him.

"A letter was sent to the palace it seems it caused quite the commotion, apparently you need to see it as soon as possible; but it doesn't seem like you'll be able to see it today."

"Do you know what it's about?" Kylo asked.

"Malum Kingdom," Diana replied coldly and everyone froze once again "but I don't know who from."

"You dont think it's from your parents, do you?" Liam asked

"I don't know and don't care," Diana replied leaveing the room "I'll see you in the morning." She called slipping into her room, letting out a deep sigh as the door clicked shut behind her.