199 Over A Pot Of Tea (1/2)

Once in the study room, Sylvy was able to relax a little more. She sat down on the sofa as Tinee brewed a fresh pot of tea for her King and the Grand Priestess. Neither of them knew what to say to one another so the room was silent for a while.

As Tinee served them their tea, Sylvy finally mustered up the courage to speak first.

”Thank you, Grand Priestess Alfin,” Sylvy said.

Alfin was not certain why her King was expressing her thanks. But after some thought into it, she realised why.

”You're welcome, my King,” Alfin returned the courtesy, ”Your subjects need to know their place. You are the King, after all.”

Indeed she was, yet she was also just a mere puppet controlled by strings.

”There isn't much I can do,” Sylvy sighed as she looked down at the hot cup of tea in her hands.

”Who told you that,” Grand Priestess Alfin scoffed.

Sylvy looked up in shock, ”Well… my family…”

”You mean your brother?” Alfin said sharply.

Sylvy was surprised by the Grand Priestess's direct attitude. There were few who dared to show their true face to her and she definitely did not expect the Grand Priestess to be one of them. Seeing the King's expressions made Alfin chuckle.

”My apologies, my King. I am blunt with my words,”

Her apology made Sylvy smile a little, ”That's alright, my brother is … intrusive, to say the least.”

”That boy is still hung up that he didn't get to be King? He's been holding it over you, hasn't he?” Alfin continued.

The Grand Priestess took the words right out of her mouth. But Sylvy had an image to uphold. She had her family name written on her back and the weight of her nation in her arms. The King cannot be selfish. The King must be just.

Seeing Sylvy's troubled expression and lack of words made Alfin let out an audible sigh. She leaned back into the sofa chair and sipped her cup of tea. She recalled the Choosing Ceremony that was held in the Butterfly Dome.

Alfin oversaw the entire ceremony from start to finish. She herself had expected the ceremony to be nothing more than a mundane affair. But when she saw Sylvy and her family walk into the Butterfly Dome, she knew there was something different about the girl.

Much to everyone's surprise, the butterflies chose her instead of her brother, Eskyl. The shock on all of their faces was priceless to behold. Eskyl kept any disagreement he had to himself. All he did was to maintain the image of the Flutterheart family. But the surprise on Sylvy's face revealed everything.

It had been six years since then and Alfin usually did not meddle with politics and governance. But the rumours that had been brought to her attention worried her. Witnessing it in court first hand was a separate matter altogether.

”I had high hopes for you, my King,” Alfin said with a sigh.

”I had high hopes in myself too,” Sylvy replied with a soft sad smile.

Tinee watched on with sadness. She had been by Sylvy's side since she was ten. The lady-in-waiting knew the heart of her King like her own. Under the pressure of the Flutterheart Family, was there really a place for a Female King?