[DISCONTINUED] I was reincarnated in The Abandoned Empress as a minor character

.23. Choke on Tea

"Estelle!" the green haired boy shouted, jumping up and clasping my hands in his, i was stunned at the moment 

"Sir Verita" i tried hard to not break my voice when i said his name

"don't you remember me? call me Allendis!" his eyes were bright, a blinding light of green reaching my eyes

"Allendis, what brings you here?" you were supposed to be at the Monique's estate

"Oh right! you must have been surprised by my sudden visit. I didn't mean any disrespect, but I came here to ask you something!"

i could guess of what it is

"Is it true that you predicted a Civil war and use the luxury tax as a bait?"

I could deny or try to feign ignorance like Aristia did, but i know he has reliable resources so it's just a regretful attempt.

"...Yes"

"Oh my god! i knew the lady was a intelligent when we met at the library but you're only eleven and you managed to stop a Civil war, you're a genius!" i felt my face heat up at the sudden rain of compliments he was giving me.

"Thank you, would you like to have a seat and share a cup of tea?" 

"Yes please!" as his hands left mine to sit on his lap comfortably, mine were left cold. was i being too greedy?

"Lila bring some tea please" Lila had stayed quite all along, she might have been worried 

"Yes My lady" she only left for a while and brought back a tray with all the necessesities, i stood up and opened the pot 

"Pardon?" i heard Allendis's voice across the room, looking at him i spoke

"Yes? is something of the matter?"

"Well, i was curious to whether you're the one who blews the tea yourself"

"Well yes, does it cause any discomfort?" was he worried it would taste bad? since it was prepared by an eleven year old, but my worries were soon washed away, when  Allendis gently smiled at me,

"No, please don't mind me. in-fact i would love to taste the tea brewed by the lady herself"

He truly has a charm with words doesn't he? 

As soon as i finished preparing the tea, i posed a cup down for Allendis which he gladly took. I on the other hand, was shaking and wavering, my thoughts anxious.

'will he like it?' i started sweating bullets, i knew he was strict on the manner he preferred tea, after he took a sip he hastily drew the cup to the table, eyes wide, 

"I, It's good!" his surprised face made my heart burst of hapiness

"I'm happy you liked it" like a little kid i beamed a smile,

"What kind of tea is it?"

"It's Ceylon Orange Pekoe," a tea that was popular at the time.

Ceylon Orange Pekoe is brisk, interesting, fresh and full of flavor, and perfect for Gatsby moments. for someone who like to read like Allendis it's perfect for a healthy mind which always studies, for concentration.

I might have made a mistake by giving him a tea that hasn't been introduced yet, but i strangely found it on my way home one day.

"I haven't heard of this kind of tea before, where does it originate from?" he tilted his head slightly looking at his cup as he asked the question I've been waiting to answer

"It's a tea from the East, i happened to buy one at the festival market a few days ago and decided to taste it"

It's true, at the festival i had meticulously found some grains from a seller, i was surprised at first and when i asked him how he got one, 'I got it yesterday from a mysterious trader in the East' he said.

"Is that so?"

"If you like it i would request the maid to prepare some grains for you"

"Please do, i would like to taste it everyday!"

"Okay then, I'll make sure to make note" i giggled,

after taking my seat Allendis spoke "why did you not come back that time?"

"Pardon?"

"The library, i usually get bored on days so i went back to the library hoping to find you but you never came back since" his eyes looked like those of a sad puppy,

Had he been looking for me everyday after that?

"Is that so" i can't tell him I've been looking for ways to blame Baron Alcott, carefully I took a sip of my cup and enjoyed the moment

"Did you know that my father called you his daughter-in-law"

I chocked, rather on air, since i had successfully gulped the tea before,

"Excuse me?" Allendis then laughed at my reaction,

"Did i surprise you? well it's rare for my father to say such absurd things or give someone compliments, but when he suddenly came back he wouldn't stop bragging about you and calling you his daughter-in-law"

what is he talking about all of a sudden,

"..."

"I like you."

"Huh?"

I swear i'm never having cups of tea like this again.

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P L E A S E  L E A V E  A  C O M M E N T .