Tea and Tension

The carriage came to a halt before the gates of Valemont Keep, wheels crunching over frost and gravel. The cold wind of the northern lands cut through the air, sharp enough to sting, yet Sophia Celestria did not flinch.

She stepped down gracefully, her boots touching the icy ground without sound. Wrapped in a white fur-lined cloak, its hem brushing against her fitted pants. She took off her hood and she looked every bit the royal she was, serene, distant, untouchable. Her golden hair caught the weak morning light, and her blue eyes shone like the first sign of spring.

Even the cold seemed hesitant to reach her.

A line of Valemont knights stood waiting in perfect formation, spears gleaming and armor polished to a mirror sheen despite the biting frost. The moment her feet touched the ground, they bowed deeply in unison, but not before several of them faltered, caught off guard by the sight before them. Even trained soldiers, hardened by years of discipline, could not entirely stop their gazes as it lingered drawn to her figure and her radiance.

“Welcome, Third Princess of Celestria,” said the knight’s voices unified against the wind.

Sophia inclined her head in polite acknowledgment. Her expression never changed.

Among the line of soldiers, Henry stood at attention. His jaw tightened as his eyes followed her, tracing her from the elegant beauty in her face down to the graceful curves of her form. The bitterness burned in his chest conflicted against his emerging desires.

His teeth clenched, anger simmering just below the surface.
 

‘Even now… even now she is beyond reach...but not for long. After Eira, you will be next. After I take care of Kain and rise even higher, I will take what he had once. The things I will do you to...princess.’
 

His anger slowly turned to joy thinking of the inevitable exile of Kain. A small smile appeared on his face, too subtle to be noticed.

Sophia passed him without a glance.

The gates of Valemont Keep opened, their heavy iron hinges groaning. Standing in the grand entryway was Sven Torrell, the Valemont family’s head butler.

Sven was an elderly man with neatly slicked-back gray hair and amber eyes softened by age. His spectacles caught the light as he bowed deeply. Despite the noble surroundings, he exuded warmth, the kind of presence that felt more like a grandfather welcoming a grandchild home than a servant addressing royalty.

“Your Highness,” Sven said softly, his tone calm and respectful. He proceeded to bow to show his respect before continuing.
 

“We are honored by your visit. Young Master Kain awaits you in the East Wing private room. If you will allow, I shall guide you there.”

Sophia nodded once. “Please do.”

Her voice was polite, but devoid of the emotion that might have once colored her words when she spoke of Kain.

They walked together through the quiet halls, her two royal guards trailing a respectful distance behind. The air inside the keep was warmer, yet somehow heavier. The weight of history and unspoken tension.

Sven stopped before a large oaken door near the far end of the east corridor. The faint crackle of a fireplace could be heard from within.

“Here we are,” Sven said gently. “Please, call for me if you require anything.”

Sophia inclined her head. “Thank you, Sven. You’ve always been kind.”

The old butler smiled faintly and bowed before stepping back.

For a moment, Sophia simply stood there, hand resting lightly against the door knob.

‘This is it...the last time I have to see him.’

There was no anger left, no heartbreak to endure. There was only a weary acceptance filled with the quiet numbness that followed too many disappointments. Every moment with him had become a trial. Every word, a reminder of what was lost. Every memory, a weight she no longer wished to carry.

She exhaled slowly, letting the cold air steady her thoughts.

“Stay here until I finish my business.”

They nodded understanding there was no potential threat and took position by the door.

Sophia reached for the handle. Her hand was steady, her eyes clear.

Then, without another thought, she pushed the door open and stepped inside with her gaze forward, her heart unmoved, ready to end this charade once and for all.

 

----

The crackle of the fireplace was the only sound in the room when the door opened. Kain looked up from his cup of tea as the familiar figure stepped in.

Sophia Celestria step through the door, she was radiant, poised, every inch the princess she was rumored to be. The pale light from the window reflected off her eyes, making it seemed almost ethereal against dullness of the chamber. For a brief moment, Kain’s mind drew a blank seeing the heroine he been reading about come to life.

‘The description in the novel does not do her justice...I almost stood up in excitement. Every bone in my body is screaming to ask for her autograph.’

He took a deep breath and exhale slowly to calm himself. He proceed to set down his cup and stood, straightening his coat.

“I greet the Third Princess of Celestria, Sophia Celestria,” he said clearly, bowing with one hand across his chest and the other behind his back.

The motion was smooth, deliberate, and practiced.

Sophia blinked, momentarily startled. For as long as she known Kain, he had never bowed to her. The Kain she remembered shouted her name in fits of jealousy or spoke it with a possessive tone that made her skin crawl. It was never like this.

Kain remained bowed until her voice finally came, calm but uncertain.

“...Rise. You may be at ease.”

He straightened slowly, offering a polite smile before gesturing toward the chair across from him. “Please, have a seat.”

Sophia hesitated briefly, then nodded and crossed the room. Kain moved to pull the chair out for her. The gesture was courteous, effortless, which caught her off guard again. He waited until she sat before returning to his own seat.

“Would you care for tea?” he asked, tone measured.

“Yes,” she replied softly.

Kain nodded and called toward the door. “Sven.”

The old butler entered with quiet grace, a tray already in hand. “As expected, Young Master,” he said with a small smile, setting the tea set on the low table.

“Thank you, Sven,” Kain said. “I’ll pour.”

Sven inclined his head and stepped back, closing the door gently as he left.

Kain took the teapot and began to pour. His movements were calm and precise, each motion controlled as to not spill a drop. The teapot tilted at just the right angle, the stream steady and unbroken, his hand never wavering. He had never consciously practiced such things, yet the motions came to him naturally, guided by something deeper than thought. Watching the tea fill the cup, he realized with faint surprise how effortless it felt, as if this quiet refinement had always been a part of him, waiting to surface when the moment demanded it.

‘Guess I must’ve been worked at a cafe or made a lot of tea in my old life’ he thought with faint amusement.

When he finished, he set the cup before her, handle turned perfectly for her reach.

Sophia lifted it slowly, inhaling the faint aroma. Her eyes widened, a flicker of surprise breaking through her practiced calm.

“Azura Jasmine…” she murmured.

The scent brought back distant summers, the gardens of Valemont Keep, sunlight filtering through the trees, and Mir Valemont’s gentle smile as she poured tea for the three of them.

Kain smiled slightly. “It’s your favorite. A blend of Azura Tera flower and Jasmine leaves, it’s subtle, floral, with just enough sweetness. You could not stop drinking it back then...even begged your father to buy out the entire southern supply if possible.”

A small chuckle escaped him. “I still remember the look on his face.”

Sophia froze mid-sip as her gaze snapped to him, searching.

“…You remembered?” Her tone was cautious with disbelief.

Kain nodded. “Of course...hard to forget how your face lit up the first time you tried it.”

For a heartbeat, the room was still, but then her expression hardened.

“Strange,” she said quietly, setting the cup down. “You never once served me this tea in all the years we were engaged.”

Her eyes narrowed, sharp as glass. “Furthermore… you don’t sound like him. You don’t act like him. You can’t be Kain Valemont.”

Kain blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. “...What?”

Sophia leaned forward slightly, her gaze unwavering. Her golden aura started to slowly emerge as a subtle pressure could be felt by Kain.

“You must be a paid double or is this all a trick by him?,” she said flatly. Either way, whoever trained you failed...you did a terrible job imitating him.”

The accusation hung between them, it felt cold, precise, and deadly serious. Kain looked at her for a long moment, then sighed softly, leaning back in his chair.

“Well,” he murmured under his breath, lips curling faintly, “that’s one way to start a reunion.”