Serenity From The Essence of Tea

Chapter 1

"Hey" He broke the silence since she hadn't bothered to look up at the door that had opened and closed.

She had noted that the footsteps did seem familiar so she didn't bother to budge. Her eyes were glued to her work and her hands were scribbling the many papers of documents in her table. She was extremely busy and if it were someone she knew, they would know her current predicament.

He cleared his throat to get her attention again and she finally took her time to look at him from her pile of work. Her eyes widened then narrowed at the unexpected guest in front of her table.

"Hello Duke" She greeted politely to the Duke or the Prison warden that had come to the Court of Fontaine, specifically to her Office.

She was definitely surprised at his sudden visit. She had no schedule that there was any meeting with him, as far as she remembered.

"You don't need to call me so formally. Wrio would be good. We've known each other for years!" He dismissed, amused at her polite treatment.

She could only smile at him, "Sorry, you know me, it is not respectful to not call you that, Sir Wriothesley"

He could only laugh when she compromised with a respectful and polite title alongside his name. It was exactly like her. She is as stubborn as they say and wouldn't compromise with his nickname.

"You know I am hurt by how distant you treat me. We've known each other for plenty of years now!" He playfully offered her a feigned hurt look and act.

While she rolled her eyes in amusement at his antics, "You know me well enough that I do that as a habit and usual speech. No offense to our relationship of course"

He nodded, smiling while she shook her head and couldn't help but crack a genuine smile at her companion, "So, what brought you here?"

She was definitely curious as to why he had suddenly barged into her office on a normal day. He should've been in the Fortress of Meropide at this hour.

His morphed into a mischievous one, "Hmm, you know, I had a letter to arrest you for a crime."

She raised an eyebrow at his statement, "Hmm, what is it this time..?"

"She stole a product of mine and sold it as her own in her brand! It's a felony for my business!" He spoke, mimicking a deep man's voice while he couldn't help but laugh at his antics.

He was definitely very humorous which made her enjoy him and his presence.

She couldn't help but play along, "Oh Monsieur Officer, I hadn't done that, I swear! How could I, a mere lady, do that!" She mimicked a high pitched noble lady voice.

He cracked a smile and pretended to ponder, "Hmm..but there was evidence Mademoiselle"

"Whaaat? I can assure you Monsieur Officer that I had no inkling to what you had stated and I, myself, have proof. The evidence is definitely forged." She replied confidently.

While helping, he laughed at the roleplay they did and raised his hand in defeat, "I know, you can rest assured Mademoiselle. I know you very well to think you did it. I just wanted poke fun"

She couldn't help but laugh also at his confession. Of course he knew her well. He had been one of her companions that actively cheered her on despite the influx of people disagreeing with a woman doing business. It was very prejudiced against her.

"Yes, yes. I know it. Let me guess, the true reason you came here is because you wanted to taste the serenity attained through the delightful taste of quintessence tea from Émerveiller?" She mused, the ends of her lips turned upwards.