141 False Ally (4)

"You look stressed. Is it the party?"

Tabitha looked up from her work, surprised to see Tobias visiting her. She was delighted to see him, but then remembering why he only visited her these days, her excitement went away. "What do you need to ask for Hazel now?"

What else had Hazel complained about? Weren't her demands to Jeffrey enough?

"You wound me, mother. I am not here about Hazel. I came because I heard you were lost in work, over preparing for a garden party," Tobias replied. 

"Garden parties require a lot of work. I have to look over the fine details to make sure the party goes well. It will be the first palace event with Hazel engaged to you. It must go without a single flaw," Tabitha said, getting back to her work.

She wasn't interested in speaking of Hazel with Tobias when there was much to do. The garden party was only a few days away.