AVERY

  "Your Majesty, would you like more tea?" Senha asked as Meylin took the empty dishes away.

  "I'm good, Senha. Thank you." I said, smiling softly.

  Senha bowed and walked out my room with Meylin. As I was left alone in the room, I couldn't help but think of the events that happened last night.

  I squealed and buried my face in my hands. My face was hot and I felt my ears getting hotter.

  I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. How dare I ask Typhone that? To make it worse, I had the nerve to sulk!

  Slowly, I removed my hands away from my face and sighed softly. I ate my breakfast in my room because I was so embarrassed to face him.

  I wonder if he's mad at me for not showing up at the dining room.

  I sighed again and mumbled softly to myself, "I better get ready for my lesson with Grimore."

  I got up from my seat. My gaze landed on the roses that sat beautifully in front of me. The roses were still looking so vibrant and healthy.

  Walking towards the vase of roses, I leaned in and sniffed the flowers. I smiled softly, caressing the petals.

  "It's still so pretty despite the cold weather." I whispered softly, "I hope you continue to be healthy and pretty."

  I stood up straight and walked out of my room. Outside, Sir Richtan was waiting. I smiled up at him and he bowed to me.

  We walked through the halls in silence. When we passed by the windows, I stopped and looked outside, my eyes caught something.

  I just saw Calagon. Is Typhone going somewhere?

  **********

  When we arrived at the tea room, Grimore was already there setting up for today's lessons.

  "Good morning, Your Majesty. How was your breakfast this morning?" Grimore greeted, bowing.

  "It was good. Thank you, Grimore. The strawberries were really sweet." I giggled and walked to the desk, sitting behind it.

  "I'm glad, Your Majesty. Those were freshly picked from our own garden." He proudly stated.

  I hummed, smiling, "Is that so? I would love to see the fruits garden sometime."

  "Of course, Your Majesty!" He exclaimed.

  I watched as Grimore's expression changed of one of excitement to one of nervousness and hesitation. I tilted my head slightly.

  "Is there something wrong, Grimore?" I asked.

  "Well... His Majesty asked me to tell you about his mission today," He paused, "His Majesty might not be back for... a few days."

  My eyes slowly widened in surprise. I blinked away the shock on my face and nodded.

  "Oh. I... I see. I could have sent him off earlier if he told me." I mumbled softly, but loud enough for Grimore to hear.

  "I am assuming... Your Majesties are fighting?"

  I waved my hands in front of me and laughed sheepishly, "It's not really a fight. It's more like a... misunderstanding is all."

  "Oh. Alright, Your Majesty," Grimore grabbed a book and flipped through its pages. I grabbed the same book.

  "Shall we continue with our lesson, then?"

  I smiled and nodded, "Yes, please."

  Our lesson began like usual. I was listening intently, absorbing everything that Grimore was telling me. But at one point, my mind began to wander.

  If only I ate breakfast at the dining hall, I would have known he would be leaving. He won't be back for a few days and we didn't even get to talk.

  I looked behind me for a moment, watching the branches of the trees sway slowly.

  I just hope he's safe.

  **********

  It was the afternoon and I slouched on the couch while looking outside. I sighed.

  "That's your fifth sigh today, Your Majesty." Meylin commented.

  I huffed, "The day just felt slow today. I wonder why."

  "It's because you've been couped up here all day, Your Majesty." Senha mused, pouring me a cup of tea.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  I sat up straight and took the cup. I looked at it for a moment and before I could register my words, it already spilled out of my mouth.

  "I think I'd like a cup of coffee instead."

  "Coffee?" Meylin asked, surprised.

  "Ohh! His Majesty recently purchased some new beans! Do you want to try them, Your Majesty?" Senha exclaimed.

  I looked up at her and smiled, nodding, "I would love that. Thank you, Senha."

  "Wait for moment, Your Majesty. I'll go fix it up for you." She excitedly rushed out of my room. I chuckled and placed my tea cup on the table.

  "I did not see you as a coffee drinker." Meylin mused, fixing the tea set in front of me.

  "Is it that weird? I suddenly crave the bitterness and sweetness of it." I smiled sheepishly.

  "It is a little weird, but I think that... you're craving His Majesty more than you expect." Meylin looked at me, smirking. She was obviously teasing me and I felt my cheeks heat up.

  "Oh. Hush, you. I never wanted His Majesty anyway." I denied, but I knew Meylin more than Typhone. She saw through my lie.

  "If you say so, Your Majesty. Remember, if you lie, you might get bitten by a snake." She teased, walking out my room with the tray of tea.

  I huffed and laid down on the couch. I looked up at the ceiling and thought of the mission Typhone was doing.

  He must be catching a monster again.

  I closed my eyes and thought of the ways I could talk to him once he gets back. I sighed. Then, my door opened and I immediately sat up, straightening my dress.

  "Here it is, Your Majesty. I brought you some coffee and Jareth also asked me to bring you some sweets." Senha walked in, setting the tray on the table. I eyed the variety of sweets laid out in front of me.

  I chuckled, "Jareth is spoiling me too much, I fear."

  "He was worried that since His Majesty is out for a mission, Your Majesty might be anxious or lonely." Senha smiled, pouring me a cup of coffee and handing it to me, "Here you go, Your Majesty. You can put the cream and sugar to suit your taste."

  I took the cup and added a little bit of cream and two cubes of sugar. I mixed it and once the sugar was melted, I took a sip. I hummed in delight as the bitterness and sweetness of the drink touched my tongue.

  It's moments like this when I can't help but think of how nice it would be if we could share a cup of coffee.

  "How is it, Your Majesty?" Senha asked.

  I smiled, nodding. I had a lingering look at my cup before looking back at Senha, "It's really good. I taste a touch of berries on it."

  "If I remembered correctly, His Majesty said that he purchased it because he was thinking of you. He said he wanted you to enjoy coffee like how you enjoy tea." She said, smiling softly at me.

  "I think... it's working. Me enjoying coffee, I mean." I chuckled and Senha did as well.

  "If Your Majesty feels lonely, I can accompany you to the garden." Senha suggested. I hummed in thought.

  "That would be nice. Thank you, Senha," Just then, an idea came to me and I smiled, "Actually, tomorrow, I want to visit the town again. After my lessons, of course."

  "Oh. That sounds lovely, Your Majesty. I shall inform Sir Leonis -- Oh! He's probably with His Majesty on the mission." Senha hummed in thought and gasped.

  "I'll tell Grimore. He would most definitely tag along." She mused happily and I giggled.

  "I'm pretty sure he'll extend our lessons if he tags along." I teased, making Senha laugh.

  "I'll make sure he doesn't, Your Majesty! Just leave him to me!"

  I smiled, chuckling. I looked out of the window and noticed how the wind was blowing strongly.

  I hope he's doing fine and not pushing himself too much.