Afternoon Tea

The ring was stuck. No matter how much Flora pulled or pushed, the engagement ring stayed fastened in the exact same place on her ring finger. Logically, the ring would be able to slide on and off of her finger. The sizing looked bigger than her finger when Andrei had first slid it onto her. Flora discovered this when she had finally been able to get back to her chambers and wished to chuck the ring into oblivion. However, it was if there was some invisible force that was preventing her from doing so. Just another glaring reminder that she was stuck in a situation with no way of getting out.

Trying to ignore the fact that she was caught in an impossible situation, Flora focused on a note that she had received from a noblewoman named Lady Hubert. In the note, the lady asked her to meet her in the tea room by Flora's chambers. There wasn't any further information, so Flora feared that there would be some kind of nonsense afoot. She wasn't used to people asking for her attention. Any events or parties she went to were already set up by advisors, not at all like some random noblewoman inviting her for tea.

There was the sound of shuffling footsteps and hushed whispers in the tea room. If anyone wanted to get past Flora, they probably should have started with choosing servants that didn't sound like a walking orchestra. Even still, Flora didn't really feel like getting involved, so she pretended like nothing was out of the ordinary. She would open the door with her phony smile and act like everything was roses.

A servant came bumbling out of the entryway just as Flora was about to reach for the door. The poor girl looked like she had been rushing about all morning. Seeing Flora, she quickly curtsied, struggling to keep the armful of linens from falling onto the floor. The servant looked back at the door and sputtered, "we didn't realize that you would be here so soon your highness." She wadded up the cloths in her hand hurriedly. "Please excuse me right quick your highness." The girl disappeared and returned in only a moment, apologizing for holding her up.

As Flora entered the tea room, there was the scraping of chairs and ruffling of skirts as everyone quickly rose to their feet to greet her. She grinned, but inwardly a little bit of her died as she beheld a room full of pompous women dressed in their finest tea dresses. Lady Hubert rushed up to Flora, clasping her hands before she could pull them away. "Your highness, we are so glad that you could come today." Flora's eyes darted about the room, noticing the looks of anticipation cast at her. "We know how tired your highness must be from all of the excitement, but we just thought that we had to do something. So, a few of us ladies decided to throw a small engagement party for your highness!" Lady Hubert's smile broadened as she led Flora to a seat around one of the larger tea tables. "Please, sit here your highness." She rang a bell, notifying the servants next door to bring in steaming pots of tea.

A few women were sat at the same table as Flora, while the rest were scattered about the room. She wasn't really used to a chaotic party such as this, but she would do her best to go along with it. A woman sat next to Lady Hubert, one who Flora couldn't remember the name of, speaking up, "so your highness, how excited are you about your engagement to his highness Prince Andrei?" She spoke with a bright look that felt mostly genuine.

"Um..." Flora tried to find the best wording that wouldn't give away her true feelings, "I am delighted to be a part of such a great union between our two countries." She stiffly reached for her cup, already filled by a servant.

Another noblewoman asked, "are you nervous at all your highness? I wonder what it would be like to live in Leosta."

"Ah, I assume it will be quite the change in scenery." Flora nodded, not wanting to elaborate any further. She was not excited to field a bunch of trivial questions for the next couple hours.

Lady Hubert chimed in, trying to point the conversation back to herself. "What is Prince Andrei like?" She gave Flora a knowing look. "Is he more charming than he looks?"

The sound of the prince's name grated on her ears, but she answered sweetly, "he is quite interesting to say the least."

"Don't forget he is handsome as well!" a lady shouted from the back, causing the room to erupt in giggles.

Lady Arquette hobbled over and claimed a spot on the sofa adjacent to Flora. She winked at Flora as she said, "you are quite lucky to have such an strapping young man as a fiancé." She scratched her chin in thought. "I remember how unpleasant it was to find out my late husband wore a toupee. Maybe I should have given him a thorough examination before the wedding night." She received a few snickers in response.

Flora grinned. "I'll have to keep that in mind Lady Arquette." She added a spoonful of sugar mulling over what they were saying. Was Prince Andrei really that handsome? Well, she had thought that he was attractive when first seeing him, but his personality really negated any flutters she might have had. He did have a strong, broad chest and looked like he was a fighter. Maybe these women like the idea of someone protecting them? She guessed he also had decently pretty eyes, even if they were always so cold. Flora shook her head, ridding her mind of the notion. She didn't need any distractions right now.

"Thinking impure thoughts your highness?"

Flora snapped her head up, not quite catching who said that. Her face heated as she thought of what the person could have been implying. "What... what are you talking about?" Flora stammered. "I've... I've never in my whole life!"

A few of the older women chuckled at her innocence, making her blush even more. Lady Hubert waved off the rumbling. "It's alright my dear. How could anyone expect you not to day dream about your future husband?" Flora tried to interject, but Lady Hubert carried on, "ah, to be young and in love." She reached for Flora's left hand, bearing her ring for all to see. "Now this ring is positively stunning your highness. I dare say I've never seen anything quite like it." Flora tried to wrench her hand away, but Lady Hubert held firm, showing the rest of the ladies in the room. A few mumbled in agreement as they beheld the ring.

Finally, Lady Hubert let go, Flora rubbing the spot around the ring. She tried not to let the irritation show as she responded, "thank you very much." Flora glanced down at the sapphire ring. It WAS beautiful, with its center jewel projecting it's brilliant blue hue onto the white diamonds circling around it. The ring twisted around her finger like a vine in a garden, glossed to a perfect shine. It literally sparkled from every angle. She supposed any girl would have been ecstatic to have received such a precious gift, but when she looked at it, she only felt hollow.

The rest of the tea was basically a repeat of the same questions. New guests would come over near her and ask almost exactly what the last guest had. Flora tried to remain perky throughout, but eventually it became almost impossible. Trying to act joyful was immensely draining, and Flora began to wonder how she might be able to make a clean escape. She could probably just brush it off as being tired from everything going on in the castle.

She was about to announce her departure, when she heard her name whispered on the other end of the room. It was kind of odd to here two women talking in hushed tones. Maybe they didn't think anyone could hear them. Flora picked out the two ladies, one young and the other probably in her middle ages. She tried not to draw attention to where she was looking, watching from the corner of her eyes.

"It will be nice to finally be able to rest," the young one mumbled, "you know, now that we will be able to roam freely."

The older woman nodded. "I agree. I can't wait to be able to walk about the castle without fear." She snorted, covering her mouth and looking toward the wall. "I'll imagine I'll still get the goosebumps, even with her all the way in Leosta."

Rubbing at her arms as if she was chilled to the bone, the younger woman said, "one can only hope she doesn't come back to visit. To be honest, even with all these other ladies, I find it hard to even be in the same room as her."

"Then leave." Flora stared right at the two ladies chittering about shamelessly in her company. All of the ladies in the room swiveled to look towards who Flora was glaring at. The two woman's faces turned beet red in shame as they realized that not only had they been heard, but everyone KNEW that Flora had heard them gossiping. She didn't even blink as she told them, "if I am that frightening to you both, then leave." Flora frowned as the two sat frozen in place. "I assume from what you were discussing, it would be much easier to move about with me gone, so I am graciously giving you the opportunity."

The two busybodies might have well slammed down the tea cups as the gathered their clutches and rushed out of the room. They didn't even bother to acknowledge Flora as they fled, the younger one in tears. There was a thick tension in the tea room as everyone sat flabbergasted with the brashness of the ladies. Slowly the guests twisted towards Flora, trying to figure out how they should respond based on Flora's reaction.

Flora had seen this game played before. These women were like vultures, waiting for the go ahead to be able to tear the departed women to shreds. She knew they were no better than those two, they just had the good sense not to say anything out loud. Not wanting to start another conversation revolving around bashing another, Flora sighed, loud enough for all to hear. She met Lady Hubert's gaze, clutching her forehead to curb the headache setting in. Utterly drained, Flora stated, "I would like to thank Lady Hubert for hosting this event for me and for all of you attending." She rose, the other noblewomen following suit. "Now if you will excuse me, I am feeling quite weary and would like to return to my chambers to rest." Without even waiting for reply, she turned and escaped from the snake's den.