Tea and Taren's Request {EXTRA - Daisy's View}

Daisy sat underneath a weeping willow in Anastasia's garden trying to envision her tea party. She had arranged it with Aubrey that they would meet for tea one week from today. However, as Daisy went over the list of things she needed to get together before than, she began to fear that was far to soon. Bryn would be far to busy with other events to help with hers, and Cora knew nearly nothing about this sort of thing.

Daisy stood up and began to look around the garden trying to find inspiration. There was Anastasia's bench where she would sit each morning, and then there was the table where they had breakfast this morning. The table would be the perfect place to lay out an assortment of foods, but what sort of foods.

Tea and tea cakes were a must, but she wanted more than that. The problem was she didn't know what else to include in the event. She looked around for a little more before hearing a rustling in one of the hedges near the garden's edge. Timidly she walked towards the sound, assuming to find a bunny.

Instead she found a tall man, with broad shoulders and a rather disheveled look about him. In truth, he was magnificent looking, and had she not found him in one of her sister's garden hedges, she might think him one of Anastasia's suitors. A scowl graced her youthful features as she began to back away getting near ready to yell for the guards, when the man finally spoke.

"Don't scream," was his near frantic plea, but he quickly straightened himself and got his wits about him. He continued in a near whisper, "Please don't be scared. I mean you no harm."

Deciding to momentarily put aside the fact that this man before her should not be before her, she inquired in a demanding tone, "Who are you?"

"My name is Taren, I am one of Queen Anastasia's suitors."

"You're the prince from Dreterra." Her eyebrow raised as she put the two together and reassessed the man before her. He was gorgeous, to the point that Aubrey's description did no justice to the man at all. Even with his hair falling out of place from his obvious attempts to get into the garden, it held a certain definition to it that was charming. His suit was perfectly tailored and he had several other features that could be distinguished, but she had nary the time nor care to name them.

"I am." he confirmed, trying to win her over with a smile and a slight bow.

"And why are you in my sister's private gardens?" Her arms crossed with the question.

"I didn't realize I had traversed past where the guests were allowed and into your sister's garden. I hope you will not tell, I mean no harm to you or your sister. I was simply getting bored at the tea party and decided to take a walk around the castle grounds."

"This garden is secluded away from any other gardens and is next to impenetrable and unnoticeable. There is a reason you are here and I intend to find it out."

"Understandable your highness. You see, I was here to deliver a note to the Queen."

"You were at the tea party, why not give it to here then."

"Your sister and I are working on coming into a sort of arrangement, one that the public cannot know about yet. Thus, we have been passing notes in secret. You can ask her about this and she can confirm my story." Taren did not like not telling the full truth to the girl, but he didn't have time to explain it all. So, he simply hoped she would believe his story.

"I know you are not telling the full truth, but I will let that pass if you can you tell me what it was like." The persuasive girl said as she turned her attention away from what eh was doing here, and instead to how he could help her.

"What, what was like?"

"The tea party. I'm preparing to have a tea party myself, but I haven't the faintest clue about what to include in the festivities. My sisters say I am too young to attend the actual Tea Parties so Ana is letting me have one here in a few days."

"Oh. Tea parties are boring events really." A sigh released the tension inside the prince's shoulders and Daisy could tell he was relieved she had dropped the previous subject. However, he would need to give her a much more thorough answer if he wanted her to keep his secret. She crossed her arms, in a way she had seen her older sisters do countless times when handling difficult affairs with men. She then set her jaw and narrowed her brows before seething out a "Not good enough."

The message seemed to get across because a few moments later he muttered out a "What I mean to say, is that tea parties normally are surrounded by three elements, politics, food and pleasantries."

Now satisfied with the fact he was going to answer her questions, she sat on the bench and patted the opposite end for him to sit as well. "What sort of foods are there." Daisy inquired after he had taken his seat.

"Well, there are all kinds. Everything has to be eaten by hand, so it must be clean. Sandwiches, cookies, small iced cakes, fresh fruits and other trifles may be enjoyed along with some tea and lemonade."

"And what type of pleasantries take place?"

"Games, conversation, and strolls in the garden. Overall, the event is less uptight than some others. There is still a required level of pomp and circumstance, but less so than say a ball."

"Hmm." She seemed to take what he said into great consideration before asking, "What type of games are played?"

"Croquet, sometimes cards, it really just depends on how serious participants are to take the event."

"Do you think they would play hide and seek?"

"During official royal events when all the court is invited, probably not. But, I see no reason why you might not play it with your friends during your event."

"And what sorts of politics conspire during these events?"

He was taken aback but knew better than to mislead the young girl again. "Every kind you could imagine. Unions are announced and debated, couples have time to spend together and acquaintances have the opportunity to become allies. However, this is all done tongue in cheek."

"No wonder Ana dislikes them so."

A slight chuckle escaped him before he was able to keep himself in check. "I suppose anyone who is simply on display at these events despises them."

"Is that why you dislike them."

"To a point. Tea parties are worse than battlefields in my opinion. However, some tea parties are quite pleasant, if in the right company. I am sure your tea party will be spectacular."

"I hope it is. It's my dream to be able to go to fancy tea parties and be just like Anastasia and wear pretty gowns and go to events and be a real lady. Maybe if I am able to have a successful tea party she will see I am ready for the real tea parties" Once again a determined look took over her features. This elicited another chuckle to come from the Prince.

"You sound like my sisters."

"You have sisters?" she seemed to not believe him. This was emphasized when she crossed her arms across her chest and jutted out her chin.

"Two of them. Amelia is seventeen and Claudette is thirteen."

"Oh, Claudette is my age."

"So she is. I believe you two would greatly enjoy one another's company."

Daisy contemplated this a moment before speaking again. "Prince Taren, would you like to come to my tea party?"

Minorly taken aback, he defaulted into his typical way of handling such conversations, with diplomacy. However, he made sure it was a bit softer as not to make the young girl afraid. "Is this an official invitation?"

"It is." She nodded.

"Then I would love to attend your tea party, your highness."

"I shall send an official invite to your rooms soon so you may mark it on your calendars."

"I will look forward to it."

Having asked all the questions she could think to ask, she rose and turned towards him. "Now I shall not keep you any longer from your task."

He rose and bowed to her. "Thank you Princess Daisy."

Daisy watched as he retreated and placed the before mentioned letter on the table underneath a preplaced case of roses. Then with a slight nod in her direction, he retreated, going back the same way he came.

He was a very curious man, daisy thought as she went about writing down all she had gleaned from their conversation. however, before she was able to punctuate the first sentence she was taken aback. How did he know her name?