The Flower Path

8. Tea Parties

The conservatory was the perfect location for the tea party that would define Rhea's future social interactions.

An intimate table with a cream lace tablecloth and four settings sat at the ready for the guests to arrive. Three teas were prepared, the Arud family tea, the newly made one that Calder had named the Ipheion tea after Rhea made it for the first time, and a general rich black tea perfect pairing with some of the scones for later after the tea sandwiches were consumed.

As the young ladies of no more than 13 years of age streamed in, their steps dainty and their gazes curious, Rhea raised her head and smiled.

[YOU WILL DO WELL, RHEA.]

"It is an honor that you have invited me, Lady Ipheion." A flash of red-orange hair and emerald eyes introduced the first lady to arrive in the garden.

"Thank you for joining me for this humble event, Lady Allaway." Rhea gave her a small tilt of her head in respect, but not giving too much in case one humbled oneself too below one's station. "Please sit wherever you feel comfortable."

Relief alighted Lady Alvina Allaway's gaze as she saw the circle table. No social politics to juggle at her first tea party.

The lady curtsied before going to find her seat, and Rhea turned to welcome the next lady.

And so followed such comments with each until all three of her guests were sitting around the table and Rhea stood before her seat. A hostess did not sit until all her guests were served their tea.

Turning to the first lady to her left, Lady Sigrid Mercer, with beautiful waves of dark brown hair that flowed down her back and pretty brown eyes that lowered shyly when being spoken to.

"Lady Mercer, what tea would you like?"

"What...what..." Her face blushed before she spoke again her voice a near whisper, "What type of tea is available?"

"We have the famous Arud blend, sweet and flowery with an ever so slight bite at the end. Very pleasing with a dash of milk." Rhea pointed to a glass pot of magenta-pink tea. "Next..." Rhea pointed to the blue tea, a perfect sea blue tea she'd placed many hours into crafting just right. After many nights of trading with the system different types of plants weren't found in the Ember lands until she found just the right mix that was safe and delicious to consume. "The Ipheion blend. If you prefer lighter teas with only a faint flavor, this is the one for you. It has a smooth almost creamy taste with floral notes at the end. I suggest some sugar or honey if you prefer a sweeter taste. Last we have the Royal black tea."

A slight gasp from the lady across from where Rhea stood. Pale blonde curls trembled around the soft curved features of Lady Dana Iris. "However were you able to get the recipe!"

"I'm afraid that is a secret." Rhea smiled. It wasn't universally known that the Fern and Ipheion alliance supplied much of the notes that could be found in the Royal tea to the capital. The lush farmland of their territories is much more conducive to thriving plant species than that of the sandy shores of the Capital. Dana's father might know the secret as his family was close to the Capital, after all, they were the Duchy. And from the look of determination in Dana's eyes, it probably would not be long until she was aware as well, but for now, it was Rhea's to mystify her in the eyes of the young ladies. Mystery was an essential tool in society. A thin balance of curiosity and knowledge.