Red String of Fate (Enhypen x Reader)

Chapter 8: Honey and Lemon Tea

~ Niki First Person POV ~

"Is there anything else I could do for you Duke Jimin?" I say disappointed.

"No, it's fine, Sunoo will be more help with the task. Take the rest of the day off." Duke Jimin says dismissively.

"Oh okay, then I shall see you tomorrow then." I say with sadness.

Duke Jimin doesn't seem to care that I am trying my hardest, it just seems like he is frustrated having to constantly babysit a kid who isn't good at anything. I overheard him the other day asking a few of the dukes to take me since I wasn't being of much help. I am very disappointed, I truly am trying, I just don't know anything about brothels nor how to be beneficial to him. This isn't the first time the Duke has told me to be done for the day, and in times like these I love to go to the garden and enjoy the serenity. After a few minutes of laying underneath a cherry blossom tree, my eyes begin to feel heavy, and sleep takes over my body.

"Niki, child, you might catch a cold napping in this weather." I hear a faint angelic voice speaking to me, but my eyes are still too heavy to open.

"Darling open your eyes, you mustn't sleep out here." The voice says a little louder accompanied with a light nudge this time.

"Mhmmm." I sit up while stretching and begin to slowly open my eyes, adjusting to the bright outdoors.

"Well good morning little cutie." The girl says giggling.

"Your highness!" I yelp out while scrambling to my feet.

"You just woke up, don't work yourself too hard." The queen said to me while I was tripping over myself trying to stand up and look presentable.

"I am so sorry for napping in your garden your highness. I shall excuse myself and not bother your presence." I said bowing deeply to show my regret.

"Oh, calm down, I only woke you, so you don't end up catching a cold. With winter closing in on us, the breeze can easily bring fever, especially when you're sleeping in such light clothes." The queen says placing a hand on my cheek, seemingly checking my temperature.

"Thank you, your highness, for being so considerate." I blush uncontrollably.

"Let us go grab a cup of tea to warm you up. Tea can be a magical solution to keeping colds away." The queen says offering me her hand.

"Alright." I say trying to hide my even deeper blush while taking her hand.

I followed the queen to the sitting room attached to the best view of the garden. She took a seat in this large loveseat, and I sat across from her on the couch. Her butler quickly came in to see what her highness wanted.

"Your highness, what can I get for you." The butler asks with a smile.

"Please serve us some honey lemon tea and some tasty snacks." The queen replies with a smile of her own.

"Your grace, we were not prepared to serve such a late afternoon tea since you normally have teatime around two. Is it okay if it takes a few minutes to be prepared." The butler says as an apology.

"Of course, Sebastian, I do not expect you all to have things out the second I ask for them. Take your time, we will be here when it is ready." The queen assures the butler.

"Thank you, your highness, I will be back soon." The butler bows and hurries out of the room.

"So uptight. No matter the kindness you show people, it's still as if I am difficult to deal with." The queen chuckles.

"I think that was very kind of you. Some royals would throw a fit if what they were asking for wasn't ready in the moment requested." I say shyly.

"Royals, nobles, commoners, peasants, slaves; they are all human." The queen says with what appears to be a sadness in her eyes.

"Then you would be the only royal I have met that believes that." I respond.

"How many other royals have you met?" Her highness replies back cheekily.

"Touché." I respond laughing.