The butter soft sunlight seeps through the holes of the delicate lace parasol that covers the table. In Diana's unkempt garden where bushes grew without limit and weeds thrived. Clearly, no one took care of Diana's living quaters. Even diana herself is looking like she'd rather be anywhere than here. She stirs her cup awkwardly and is avoiding eye contact with Esadora. No one can guess she was a former princess by the unrefined way she acts.

  Just how much had Gries broken her?

  Esadora wondered.

  For a whole few minutes only the clinking of tea cups were heard.

  "Your majesty, I've had chamomile tea prepared for you. I had no idea what your preferred tea is. I hope this is to your liking."

  Esadora spoke stirring her tea and looking at diana.

  "I have no preferences or favorites in tea".

  Diana said as she took a light sip of the sweet concoction.

  "No favorites?! Unbelievable. Why is that?"

  Esadora enquired because the first thought her brain came up with was that the queen wasn't even served nice tea which would be just sad.

  ".....no reason.."

  Diana said. She knew that Esadora knows about her bad circumstances but she was ashamed to admit the depth of it. Esadora would surely look down on her if she already didn't.

  "What do you think of this herbal tea, your majesty?"

  Esadora said as she poured Diana a fresh cup.

  Diana took a sip and svaored the taste.

  "Sweet..." She said with a small smile which is rare on her face.

  "Wrong."

  Esadora curtly said wiping the smile off Diana's face.

  "herbal tea wasn't supposed to be sweet. It's bitter. This is jasmine tea".

  Esadora said picking out Diana's lack of knowledge on the most basic teas.

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  "Sorry-"

  Diana Muttered.

  "You are not even given decent tea?"

  Esadora asked with a baffled face.

  What kind of people would treat their queen like this- this situation is more frustrating than i imagined.

  "I don't really need tea-"

  "No, the point is you not even given the basic decency..."

  Diana turned her face away. She knew all too well how she's treated. But what could she do? Nothing. for she was just a war trophy, a hostage.

  "And there's nothing i could do about it."

  Diana said as matter of fact. Not a wisp of a human soul behind her dead eyes.

  "I-"

  Esadora wanted to say something. Anything. But there's no words she can utter that could attempt to comfort Diana. What would ease her pain that she's going through? Mere words? A few kind gestures? Something so temporary would never ease the daily grueling loniless and torment. Not a bit.

  "My Queen, let's sit and find out what's your favourite tea is."

  Esadora said after a minute.

  "Huh?"

  Diana couldn't comprehend what went on Esadora's mind to suggest this after the depressive atmosphere a minute ago.

  Before diana could even object or question Esadora had already ordered the maids to brew a pot of every flavour of tea available in the royal pantry. The maids hurried

  "Why?"

  Is all diana could ask in the confusion in Esadora's actions .

  "We'll have a taste testing session, find teas that you like and I'll be sure to bring it for our evening tea next time."

  Next time? Diana widened her eyes.

  "I'm boring, there's no need for you to force yourself-"

  "I'm not forcing myself, your majesty."

  Diana eyebrows scrunched in confusion. She had nothing to offer conversational wise, title wise.

  "I can't grant you any favours, i myself have no power-"

  "I don't want that too".

  Esadora's sharp interjections only serve to deepen Diana's confusion.

  "Then...what do you....?"

  "Your time"

  Esadora said looking into the depths of Diana's eyes with her firery yellow orbs.

  Her time? She had a lot of it, she doesn't have anything to do apart from hiding from everyone anyways.

  But why would Esadora or anyone for that matter want to spend time with her? She had nothing to give and mingling with diana would make Esadora a laughing stock amongst others .

  But someone willingly wanting to spend time with diana flattered her very much. Someone wanted to be near her, talk to her and share things with her.

  A friendship waiting to form perhaps?

  Diana looked away feeling a bit shy and unsure. Esadora was the king's favourite afterall. She's been hurt enough...but... but...just once ..maybe it wouldn't hurt to have a friend..

  "A-Alright. You may have my time."

  Esadora smiled in happiness. She will get Diana's time.

  She will get her way.

  ******

  "I heard you spent time drinking yea with that wretched woman".

  King gries looked down at Esadora with a look of disapproval.

  "Mingling with that tramp will be of no use to you."

  Esadora looked away, tugging the blanket around her beautiful curves of her body, this was after the king had performed the lustful deed with her. Seducing the king was an easy job, he was afterall a lustful dog. Esadora is clever enough to keep her position as his mistress too.

  "I know i know, your majesty."

  "But wouldn't it be a waste for her to just rot away in a corner when she still has useful limbs?"

  Esadora said with a mean snicker to the king.

  "What are you suggesting?"

  Greis raised an eyebrow, intrested in any more mean ways of humiliating Diana more than she already was.

  "Give her to me. I'll make a niiiice use of her~"

  Esadora said smugly, swinging her legs on the bed almost giggling.

  The king was sadistically pleased at this idea.

  The queen serving under his favourite mistress.

  This was sure of trouble diana.

  "Very well, I'll grant you the pearl palace and have diana at your feet."

  Gries said with a mean laugh.

  Esadora smirked.

  All was going just how she wanted.

  ******