" Pleasssse Sir Alex, I'm requesting you. " Tessa tried to look pitiful.
" Lady Tessa you need to understand...."
" There is clearly nothing to understand. I'm just telling you to go in a simple tea party with me . It's my first tea party here in Velmor...."
" I'm going with you my lady so ..." Alex tried to respond.
" You are going as there as a guard I know đ. And you will also make that excuse to stay outside." Tessa pouted.
" My lady that's natural became what I will do there inside..many noble ladies will be there so I'm sure..."
" Sir Alex you know I don't care about noble ladies.. Fiona told me it is a very simple party with small group.... I know you don't like to go to things like this .. but can you reconsideration for me? "
" Lady Tessa, you are requesting a simple knight like me to be your escort... "
" So ? Moreover you're not any simple knight, you are the first commander of the imperial knight order. Is that a completely simple thing to achieve? "
" Maybe"
" No maybe. I'm taking training so i know how hard it is for a living being. Sir Alex please.. I will really be happy...đ„ș"
" Okay my lady đźâđš. I will go ..but .."
" You can leave in the very moment you feel uncomfortable.. i won't force you on that time. "
" Thank you my lady. " Alex exited the room .
" Finnallyyy yahoo. Now let's get ready . "
Tessa started getting ready for the party . She wore a beautiful white and violet mix top with black jeans and black heels. She tied her hair properly. " The best thing about this world is this! I don't always have to wear heavy flowing gowns . "
" My lady , her majesty is calling for you. " , Elisa knocked the door and said .
" Coming. I guess Duchess is done. " Tessa left her room . During her walk from her room to empress 's place , her eyes wandered in the search of Jasper but she didn't even see a glimpse of his existence. " Being a prince is sure to be busy . "
" Tessa dear you look pretty. " , the empress smiled as soon as Tessa entered in her place.
" Thank you your majesty. It's a pleasure to hear such a comment from you. "
" Melissa , good job . She learnt good greetings features from you very early. " Empress said to Duchess hun who was sipping tea from the floral cup. " You flatter me your majesty. She is a very good girl and a quick learner. Anyways LadyTessa are you ready to depart? My daughter must be impatient đ . "
" Yes teacher. "
" Then your majesty, we shall take our leave."
" Sure , save journey. Let me join you next time. " The empress smiled as other two bowed and bid farewell. Duchess hun stepped into the carriage and Tessa boarded into the royal carriage with Alex. He wore a simple shirt type dress recently ironed.. but the colour looked a bit old.
" Sir Alex you look great . " Tessa said as soon as she sat .
" Thank you lady Tessa. " Alex said in a steady voice.
" Do you always like this ? I mean do you not enjoy parties or small gatherings? "
" No ... I am like this since childhood my lady . My only comfortable companion is my sword. "
" You are just like Jasper " , Tessa thought and asked, " ummm by the way sir Alex, can I ask you something? "
" Sure my lady anything. " Alex said while looking outside. The carriage was moving with a good pace.
" Where is his highness? I didn't see him from last somedays... "
" Oh he is busy in his duties my lady . After the sudden attack that day , he decided to train a knight order specially for fighting hunters by himself. I guess he was investing his time there. "
" Oho .... I see... He is a very hard working person. Don't he get any invitations like this? "
" Men usually don't... I guess you don't know since since Seron's culture is a bit different.. In Velmor.. men don't usually do parties .. they can definitely go as an escort if the lady invited wants... Like me today ... But his highness never visited any .. he always receives invitations .."
" I understand. Anyways I guess we are here. " Tessa said as the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Fiona estate, and Tessa nearly jumped out before it fully halted.
"Calm down, dear," the Duchess teased. "It's only a tea party, not a battlefield."
"Tell that to my stomach teacher. I'm excited and hungry too.," Tessa muttered, clutching it dramatically.
" Fiona must be there. Now excuse this old lady for some rest ." The Duchess left with a smile. " Sir Alex let's Gooo ." Tessa said.
Inside, the courtyard looked like a paintingâroses, lace tables, and nobles smiling like they practiced in a mirror. Fiona stood near the fountain, looking every inch a queen in coral silk top. The moment she spotted Tessa, she waved like a storm.
"Over here! You're late! Do you want me to grow old waiting?"
Tessa hurried over leaving Alex behind. "It's only five minutes!"
"Five minutes of betrayal," Fiona sighed, pressing a hand to her heart. "Anywayâyou look adorable! Turn around. No, slowerâyes, perfect. Now I regret ever existing."
"Waitâwhat?"
" See how pretty my friend is . "
" See who is telling, the gorgeous girl herself. Well it looks like a small feast rather than a tea party. "
" Do you think I'm going to serve you tea in the evening? Come on Tessa ... I'm not that typical."
Before Tessa could protest, a familiar voice came from behind.
"You two are already plotting something, aren't you?"
"Felix!" Fiona grinned. "You made it! And you're just in time...." Fiona stopped as she saw a figure standing behind Tessa. She froze like a ice cube . Tessa laughed inside and said , " oho see i forgot to tell . I came here with Sir Alex. I invite him as my escort.. I hope you would not have any problem serving meal to another. "
Alex came forward bowed down , " Thank you for allowing me Lady Hun. " Fiona was still frozen like she couldn't believe her eyes. Felix gave her a slight jerk and she regained her consciousness. " Ohh.. yeah..... Welcome Comptain .. I mean .... Umm... Sir Alex. "
" Relax sister.. why don't you serve tea as your friend is here . "
" Ahh yess , Tessa this way . I will introduce you to my other friends. " Fiona rushed away. Felix and Tessa both saw her blushing cheeks .
" She became tomato đ . " Felix whispered.
" It's time for Operation Tea Trap." Tessa replied.
" Good job comrade. I never saw her running like that . She is head over heels for captain but don't express. "
" But we are here to solve that ? Ain't we? "
They both smiled and Felix asked Alex," Captain, nice to see you in a different attire today . Let's go .. I will show you our home today . "
Alex nodded and Tessa looked at Felix.
" Lady Malven, can I borrow your escort? We will be back in the dinner time as I am sure captain will be bored among ladies. "
" Sure. See you there . " Tessa joined the table. She saw other 3 ladies at their age sitting. Fiona signalled her to sit.
" Daphne, Julia, Anne ...she is Tessa , my new friend. She is a royal guest whom my mother is teaching Velmor etiquettes."
" Hello I'm Tessa Malven from Seron . Nice to meet you all. I hope we all can be good friends. " Everyone clapped a little and introduced themselves once by one .
" Hello I'm Daphne Miller , daughter of count Miller. "
" I'm Anne Waxton , daughter of Marquis Waxton. "
" Hi , I'm Julia Gohil, daughter of count Gohil. "
" They are all my dear friends, Tessa and don't worry , they are not very typical aristocrat ladies like some. We have been friends since childhood and all of our parents serves in the palace. My mother serves the empress while their fathers serves in emperor's court. "
" I see. "
They all laughed and talked about various funny incidents while having tea and snacks.
Time flew like air ... Unseen but inevitable. The three ladies bid farewell after eating as their estate was not in the capital itself.
" It's will take almost 50 minutes to 1 hour before they reach home. So I fed them earlier. I hope you didn't mind. " Fiona said .
" No no not at all . I'm very fine as the palace is in 30 minutes distance. There the men come . " Tessa saw Alex and Felix coming as they were talking about something.
" Hello ladies. " Felix said , " so what's for dinner sister? "
" Ummmm let me bring new plates. " Fiona again blushing and being nervous. " I was just showing captain our household . But you can just order the maids. "
" I give them a day off today as they worked hard for the arrangements ... I ..." Fiona stammerred.
" Can I help with something? " Alex asked and before Fiona could answer , Felix interrupted, " Captain will you like to help her to bring the plates ... She is clumsy I swear.."
" Ahhhh ... It's ok.... Please Sir Alex.... I mean commander Syd ... You should seat and relax..."
" I will be happy to help Lady Hun. "
" Come on Fiona you can't make it alone atleast now. Sir Alex is veryyyy good with balance. " They both forcefully send two away to bring plates.
" I could tell you this walk from yard to kitchen is going to be most memorable walk of her . " Felix laughed.
" Don't tease your sister like that . "
" Felix whispered, "I can't believe you convinced him to come."
"I told him I needed an escort," Tessa whispered back. "Flawless plan."
"You know what is more surprising? Seeing him in a different clothing than the captain knight uniform. "
"Shhh," Tessa hissed. "Look natural!"
Alex and Fiona came back . Tessa could say that they both went and came back silently. She signalled Felix and Felix twitched his eyes while looking at Fiona.
"Captain," Fiona managed, smiling a little too wide. "What a surprise. I never imagined you will come... in a small party hosted by me ..."
"I was ordered to ensure lady Tessa's safety," Alex said, expression stoic.
"From what? Flying teacups?" Felix muttered and sat down.
"Shut that crap," Tessa said . " Oho Fiona, you know I'm learning swords from Felix. "
" You , What?!" Fiona 's eyes widened.
" Yes... I'm. Someday I will beat everyone up. đ"
" That's good... I guess.... Maybe someday I will try to learn too. " Fiona said .
They all started to eat , and chaos began immediately.
Fiona "accidentally" poured too much soup into Alex's bowl.
Felix coughed so hard trying not to laugh that soup went up his nose.
Fiona offered a napkin," I'm really extremely sorry captain. " her hand brushing Alex's gloveâand immediately wished she hadn't, because her ears turned the exact color of the raspberry tarts.
"So, Captain," Felix said sweetly. "Do you enjoy tea parties?"
"I prefer the battlefield or training ground," he said flatly.
Felix nearly choked again. "You meanâuhâbecause of discipline, right?"
"Yes. Discipline. Or you can say I enjoy it the most."
Fiona leaned toward Tessa, whispering, "See? He's hopelessly romantic."
Tessa whispered back, "That's your definition of romantic?"
"Any man who prefers death over pastries is in need of saving," Fiona replied solemnly.
" I can see the saviour them although, she seems pretty nervous. "
" What? "
" Felix told me everything. I guess he wasn't wrong. "
" You both?!.. aha now I see the plan . Wait you , I will take revenge next time. "
The rest of the afternoon unfolded in a whirlwind of laughter, teasing, and a failed attempt by Felix to juggle macarons to "impress the ladies." (He dropped all three.)
When the night darken Felix sighed contently. "Well, Operation Tea Trap was a success."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Operation what?"
"Nothing!" all three said in unison.
He gave them a long look, thenâjust barelyâsmiled. "You're incorrigible, Commander Felix."
" That's my love for you , Captain. "
Tessa caught herself smiling back. For once, everything felt simple. No hunters, no dangerâjust warmth, laughter, and friends, but somehow she missed his presence..." I hope Jasper was here too... Will he still be working?" She thought.
As the carriages rolled away that evening, Tessa leaned over to whisper, "Next time, we'll name it Operation Proposal."
Fiona groaned , " Tessa! "
Felix laughed so loudly the horses startled.
And somewhere, perhaps even fate itself chuckled with them.