Regent Witch

Chapter Three

Sasha leaned her head forward and smelled the drink. There was neither an odor, nor a fragrance. There was a faint scent, but Sasha was unable to identify it. She nervously took a sip and swallowed. Sasha squinted and puckered her lips a little. She didn't want to share her opinion, but her expression revealed everything.

"Is the tea, not to your liking?" Lord Melvin asked. "We could add some milk or honey to make it less bitter."

"I would like that," Sasha nodded, as she placed the cup on the saucer.

Lord Melvin took the cup and added a bit of honey. After stirring the tea a few times, the nobleman slid the cup back to Sasha's fingers.

"Try it now," Lord Melvin said.

Sasha stared for a second, unsure if she wanted to taste it again. There was a slight change in color, but the smell was the same. She turned to Lord Melvin, who gazed at her with expectant eyes. He was like a child, waiting for his mother to taste his cooking. It was difficult to say no. Tightening her nerves, Sasha took her cup and sipped. She gave a lighter expression. There was still some bitterness in the tea, but it wasn't as strong.

"It's a little better," Sasha said with a pressured tone. "What do you call this drink again?"

"It's called tea," Lord Melvin replied. "A cousin of mine sent it from his trip to the east. It's apparently a common drink over there."

"Many people drink this?" Sasha looked at the cup and raised a brow. "What is so special about this drink? It's quite bitter."

"Yes, but it supposedly is also good for one's health," Lord Melvin said. "Just because it doesn't appeal to our taste, doesn't mean that it isn't good. For that reason, I take two cups each day."

"Is that so?" Sasha thought. Considering what she had just been told, Sasha took the tea and attempted to tolerate the harsh flavor.

Lord Melvin quietly chuckled at her change of heart.

Just as the she had gulped a bit of the tea, Sasha heard a small burst of laughter from a group of people. As spontaneous as it was, Sasha wasn't too surprised. After all, she was at a party.

Nobles from around the city were invited to Lord Melvin's manor for a casual gathering. Men and women were dressed in fine threads and golden accessories. They looked humbler than the regent, but were still able to catch the eyes of the common folk.

The nobles sat around white tables, enjoying wine and pastries, while talking about either the most serious of topics, or the juiciest hearsay. Everyone looked so relaxed and at ease. Sasha was quite used to this lifestyle of the nobles. There was even a time when she would receive at least three different invitations, every week. Being a princess, she had to show courtesy and attend them all. While it did get a little tiresome, Sasha did prefer these small gathering over Madam Crowley's lectures.

Although Sasha was used to these activities, there was one thing that seemed out of place. While the nobles enjoyed themselves in the garden, Sasha and Lord Melvin sat under the shadow of the manor's terrace. They weren't hidden from all, but it did feel as if they were completely separated from everyone else.

Even Rosemary and the two knights - who had accompanied her from the castle - waited in the garden, out of ear's reach. Lord Melvin could have moved their meeting inside the manor and it still wouldn't have made a difference.

Lord Melvin was one of her father's advisers and one of the few who had personally witnessed his death.

The man had wrinkles all over his face and no hair on his scalp - light could have easily bounced off. Under his nose was a grey mustache that must have taken hours to properly curl. Like the other nobles, he was dressed to display position.