Chapter 466 - Teatime? Ⅱ (1/2)
At exactly, two fifty-nine in the afternoon the figure of a female house elf in a neat dress with large droopy ears appears on the green lawn of Prince Manor with a male youth in tow. Dawn quickly checks her somewhat green charge and asks, ”Dawn is worried. Mr. Avery, do you feel well?”
The fifteen-year-old wizard with a sharp face and widow's peak opens his eyes. Evan Avery's eyes widen in shock at seeing the grand castle-like manor of the Prince family. Hiding his shock, Evan turns to the female house-elf and nods his head stiffly. ”I am feeling much better now, please do lead the way inside.”
Dawn's ears twitch in a speculative fashion, but she obediently murmurs, ”Yes, Mr. Avery,” before leading the young wizard across the vast green expanse.
In the distance, a peac.o.c.k cry can be heard that of Fidel making his usual rounds. Much like the Prince's, he was an arrogant fowl, but he was rather responsible and loyal always patrolling the grounds to protect against any intruders. That and the bird killer had returned, he was much safer outside!
All too soon, Evan finds himself striding up the white front steps and entering Prince Manor. His eyes widen at the tasteful, but extraordinary luxury found just in the entranceway. Already waiting in the front foyer, there are two tall, slender female figures. The taller and older figure has short, slightly salt-peppered hair swept up to the side like raven wings, Georgine Prince. While the younger was someone he immediately recognized as Rowan Prince.
Evan carefully studies the face of Rowan Prince. She had grown much taller since he had last seen her. Her expression was rather cold and guarded, but there was a bit an air of femininity to her now that had not been there before. There were more womanly curves to her, and she was well on her way to blossoming into a young woman. And even if she would never be a great beauty like Bethanie Fawley, but there was elegance, a mysterious quality to her that would certainly draw many a wizard's eyes.
Bowing politely, Evan courteously says, ”I thank the Prince household for accepting my request for tea and allowing my presence to grace the Prince household.”
Georgine coolly eyes the youth, who was already a widower for a moment. Finally, she barely tilts her head in acknowledgment, before murmuring, ”Yes, well, manners must be kept.” Turning away, she gestures, ”Come,” before leading the way to one of the inner foyers.
Rowan follows quickly in tow as Evan briskly follows them. They are led to a cream-colored parlor room with dark-colored furniture. Evan Avery moves to aid, the older Prince into her seat, but Georgine refuses and says, ”Have a seat, I shall shortly return,” before swiftly departing and closing the door shut behind her.
Rowan and Mulciber exchange glances for a moment before they each take a seat across from each other. They are silent for a few moments before Rowan remembers her manners and asks, ”Tea?”
”Yes, please,” Evan murmured as he watched Rowan Prince serve them both cups of tea. He is a bit startled to see Rowan's left arm shake for a moment, before watching her grimace, and set the teapot back down.
”It would appear that I am having some trouble pouring tea,” Rowan confessed without staring Evan in the eye. ”If you would do the honors, Avery, I would greatly appreciate it.”
”Of course,” Evan quickly replied hoping to grace himself at least more in her books. With ease, he took the teapot and poured them both a cup of tea. Still, he could not help but wonder what exactly was wrong with Prince if she was having trouble pouring a cup of tea.
”Cream or Sugar?' Evan asked as he set the teapot down.
”A bit of cream and two teaspoons of sugar, please,” Rowan muttered.
Trying to make small talk, Evan adds, ”Well, I don't necessarily like more than one teaspoon of sugar, but I certainly enjoy more than a bit of cream in my tea.”