Chapter 19: Afternoon Tea
Viktor and Eviana Orion were declared missing.
Their fate was unknown, disappearing on the day of their execution with no traces of their location. There was an investigation launched to search for them but most people deemed it as a half-hearted search.
People speculated that they were allowed to escape due to their wealthy status, possibly bribing the authorities. Their absence left a lingering uncertainty about the empire's lack of efforts in serving justice.
They were a vile couple, one that deserved the intervention of the Gods themselves.
Lili was anxious about it too, as he had been intently reading the news these past few days. It kept her mind away from what has happened between her and Sorin.
Lili felt guilty about avoiding the Saint for a few days, she doesn't know what to do or what to say. She didn't mean to ignore him for this long but it would be stranger if she just suddenly acted as if nothing was wrong.
"What am I supposed to do?" she mumbled to herself, as she continued to mop the marble floor.
It was comical timing that Sorin stepped inside the halls, they locked eyes for a few seconds. Lili was too stunned to move as she stood frozen, the wooden mop held between her hands.
"Oh."
"...Oh."
Flustered, Lili was about to cowardly run away again but Sorin was already walking towards her with a teasing smile "No use running away now, Lili." he said.
"Y-Your Holiness, whatever do you mean?" she denied trying to hide the red rose up from her cheeks. She took a cautious step back from the Saint but the man closed the distance between them.
"Let's have tea." Sorin smiled at her.
With no way to reject the Saint's offer, Lili's shoulders slumped as she nodded her head, avoiding eye contact.
The walk to the manor's garden was an awkward one but Sorin remained nonchalant. Casually strolling through the well-maintained flowers of the garden, trailing his fingers on the white lilies.
The gazebo at the center was beautiful, it was Sorin's favorite place to have tea, surrounded by all the greenery and away from most of the manor's people.
Sorin helped her to her seat, with the same polite smile. The tea was already prepared, and two expensive porcelain cups were placed on the table–
'Of course, he meant for this to happen.' Lili mentally slapped herself.
As the raver-haired Saint sat facing Lili, he spoke "It's a peaceful afternoon for tea, isn't it?" his voice was filled with warmth.
Lili couldn't help but glance up to meet Sorin's gentle gaze, his purple eyes looked serene, so different from how he was a few days ago. She nodded her head in response, unsure of what to say next.
Out of instinct, Lili gently took the teapot to pour the tea but she was stopped by Sorin "Let me do that, I owe you an apology." he said.
"Yes, your Holiness," Lili said meekly. Sorin was as elegant and refined when he poured the tea, the warm liquid filling her cup.
When he sat down, Sorin gently traced the rim of his teacup before locking eyes with Lili "...I'm sorry, Lili. I know that you must have been hurt." he started sincerely, trying to break the tension.
"I wasn't in the right state of mind and I accidentally let it out on you." His voice wavered slightly "It wasn't fair to you."
Lili had a lot of questions in her mind, the seed of doubt had already grown inside of her but that doesn't mean it was all related to Sorin... there had been so much going around in such a short period of time that Lili doesn't know how to react.
"I'm also at fault, Your Holiness." Lili admitted, her emotions felt jumbled "I've been distant and had been avoiding you because I'm... scared of what to say."
"I know that you must have been afraid of me."
Lili almost jumped from her chair, as her grip on her teacup tightened. Still, she couldn't deny what Sorin said. She felt fear when she saw the Saint... an instinctual fear to run.
She had never seen him like that, maybe it was because Sorin had always acted in a manner that made him seem inhuman. He was too kind and too forgiving.
Lili realized that he must have felt scared too, angry, and frustrated. Sorin was not perfect, he must have carried such a heavy burden.
Sorin smiled, a bittersweet smile at Lili's lack of answer "I know you're confused... but I don't want to involve you, Lili." he hesitated for a moment as he reached out his hand to hers.
The warmth was familiar, Lili had missed it.
In fact, she had missed the time when they were all younger and there were not many worries.
When Sorin was too innocent and Felix was still the quiet young man.
Now, they all have changed in their own ways... Lili was the only one to stay inside her little bubble. Afraid of what will happen if she tried to go out.
"Is that why you see me as someone weak? immature?" Lilie couldn't help but ask Sorin.
Sorin's expression faltered, his eyebrows knitting together "I...Lili, what made you think that?" he asked.
Her green eyes shone with unshed tears as she replied "Felix said the same thing! Everyone else carries such heavy burdens while I'm left here not knowing what to do." she sobbed.
"I also want to know, Sorin." she whispered.
There was a silence between them.
As Sorin let go of her hand he bit his lips, a second of vulnerability from someone as strong as him.
"You mean everything to me, Lili." he said "Can you give me some time?"
Lili wiped away her tears nodding her head "Then I'll prove to you that I'm also worthy to stay by your side." she promised, eyes filled with determination.
Sorin chuckled as he sipped his tea, reaching out to gently pat Lili's head.
"I really hope you don't try." he hummed.
***
Sorin was glad that he was able to mend his relationship with Lili. He didn't want to admit but seeing her skittering away from him every time was quite hurtful.
It was interesting too. To see her flustered expression but he doesn't want to prolong the awkwardness between them. It was his fault for showing such a disgusting side of himself to someone as innocent as Lili.
"Your Holiness, there's a letter for you again from the archmage," Lili called out.
She made sure to knock on his door now, erasing that habit of hers of just barging inside his room. In the past, it wasn't much of a problem but now, it was better for her to not know the truth.
"Come in, Lili."
His attendant cheerfully walked in as she handed him the letter, immediately proceeding to go out the door "Oh, you're not staying?" he asked her.
Sorin traced the expensive envelope that the archmage used, a light scent coming from the letter.
Lili giggled "Well, I promised that I'll change, didn't I?" she grinned "I'll start by trying to be more mature." Without saying another word, she bowed and closed the door behind her.
Sorin was left stunned before he sputtered out a small laugh "How Adorable."
He turned his attention to Neve's letter, feeling her mana from the envelope. Traces of her raw power still emanating from the parchment.
Sorin couldn't help but feel worried as he opened it, the first words that were written made his blood freeze. His rage came back in full force, threatening to eat away at his very being;
[Kieran is coming back from abroad. Beware.]
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summer_cicada
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