The conservatory was the perfect location for the tea party that would define Rhea’s future social interactions.

An intimate table with a cream lace tablecloth and four settings sat at the ready for the guests to arrive. Three teas were prepared, the Arud family tea, the newly made one that Calder had named the Ipheion tea after Rhea made it for the first time, and a general rich black tea perfect pairing with some of the scones for later after the tea sandwiches were consumed.

As the young ladies of no more than 13 years of age streamed in, their steps dainty and their gazes curious, Rhea raised her head and smiled.

[YOU WILL DO WELL, RHEA.]

“It is an honor that you have invited me, Lady Ipheion.” A flash of red-orange hair and emerald eyes introduced the first lady to arrive in the garden.

“Thank you for joining me for this humble event, Lady Allaway.” Rhea gave her a small tilt of her head in respect, but not giving too much in case one humbled oneself too below one’s station. “Please sit wherever you feel comfortable.”

Relief alighted Lady Alvina Allaway’s gaze as she saw the circle table. No social politics to juggle at her first tea party.

The lady curtsied before going to find her seat, and Rhea turned to welcome the next lady.

And so followed such comments with each until all three of her guests were sitting around the table and Rhea stood before her seat. A hostess did not sit until all her guests were served their tea.

Turning to the first lady to her left, Lady Sigrid Mercer, with beautiful waves of dark brown hair that flowed down her back and pretty brown eyes that lowered shyly when being spoken to.

“Lady Mercer, what tea would you like?”

“What…what…” Her face blushed before she spoke again her voice a near whisper, “What type of tea is available?”

“We have the famous Arud blend, sweet and flowery with an ever so slight bite at the end. Very pleasing with a dash of milk.” Rhea pointed to a glass pot of magenta-pink tea. “Next…” Rhea pointed to the blue tea, a perfect sea blue tea she’d placed many hours into crafting just right. After many nights of trading with the system different types of plants weren’t found in the Ember lands until she found just the right mix that was safe and delicious to consume. “The Ipheion blend. If you prefer lighter teas with only a faint flavor, this is the one for you. It has a smooth almost creamy taste with floral notes at the end. I suggest some sugar or honey if you prefer a sweeter taste. Last we have the Royal black tea.”

A slight gasp from the lady across from where Rhea stood. Pale blonde curls trembled around the soft curved features of Lady Dana Iris. “However were you able to get the recipe!”

“I’m afraid that is a secret.” Rhea smiled. It wasn’t universally known that the Fern and Ipheion alliance supplied much of the notes that could be found in the Royal tea to the capital. The lush farmland of their territories is much more conducive to thriving plant species than that of the sandy shores of the Capital. Dana’s father might know the secret as his family was close to the Capital, after all, they were the Duchy. And from the look of determination in Dana’s eyes, it probably would not be long until she was aware as well, but for now, it was Rhea’s to mystify her in the eyes of the young ladies. Mystery was an essential tool in society. A thin balance of curiosity and knowledge.

Lady Mercer spoke up, her voice a gentle whisper. “The Ipheion, please.”

Rhea nodded before placing a tea strainer over the lady’s cup and pouring the blue tea into the teacup. After carefully placing the teapot back on its warming stone and placing the strainer in its holder she tilted her head toward her guest. “Lady Mercer, would you like cream or sweetener?”

“Two sugars and please call me Sigrid.”

The chimes of the other young ladies requesting that Rhea do the same had her tilting her head, “As you wish, ladies.”

As if only waiting for such a wish to be fulfilled Alvina turned toward Dana, “Is it true about the healer that was found?”

Rhea looked over curiously, ‘Healer? Could it be her, ALICE?’

Rhea glanced at Sigrid who sat to the side happily nibbling on a tea sandwich and smiling at her cup of blue tea. Glancing back at the two across the way Dana gave a secret smile that was covered by her tea cup.

Rhea wishing to test the waters spoke as she set her teacup in its saucer, “I heard a rumor that a healer was to be adopted into the Duchy. Is this true Dana?”

“Goodness news travels quickly to the Ipheion. I merely heard about it from Father a couple of morns previous.”

“On the wings of sky-beasts, many a word is heard,” Sigrid whispered from her spot.

“Indeed,” Alvina spoke up. “Dana, please don’t leave us in suspense.”

“Aged 15 she was found at a small fishing village at the edges of the Capital lands. It was the Empress who requested my cousins to adopt her into the family despite her age.”

[INDEED IT IS THE MAIDEN FROM THE TALE.]

Rhea lowered her gaze as her eyes widened in surprise. History was about to be played in front of her and she couldn’t help but wonder if it was frightening or exciting.

Lady Arud would later commend Rhea on how well the tea party went having received many praises from the parents. “It seems you might have made some friends as well, Rhea.”

Rhea looked happily upon the small bundle of letters in her hands, “Yes, it would seem so.”

It was at a tea party with her dear friends when she was 14 that they all came up with a marvelous idea.

Dana had been extolling them about her trip to the capital.

“On our way back we stopped by the port city to exchange modes of transport.” Dana moved her spoon forward and back before placing it on her saucer. “There is a shocking lack of commerce for young ladies. For such a well-known stop there was little to nothing.”

Sigrid who’d grown over the year into a more introspective wise young lady spoke up, “What would you have there?”

“More than one dress shop would be necessary. Oh and in the capital there was a delightful bakery. I would have one there.” Dana took a sip of her tea and tilted her head, “I sorely missed your tea blends when I was at the Capital, Rhea. Countless times I craved to sip your tea while I nibbled on the array of delights there.”

Rhea had long been curious about making something of herself beyond that of the Barony. Calder would not be bequeathing the Barony to her any time soon and although she still took heiress classes she yearned for something more.

Alvina leaned forward and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper, “What have you thought of, Rhea?”

“What if…” Rhea took a sip of her tea and stared out at their tea spread, “What if there was a place where you could have my teas, sandwiches, and desserts?”

Dana tilted her head to the side, a stray curl falling across her shoulder, “Like a bakery?”

“More than that.” The idea was at the cusp of her mind but she couldn’t quite formulate it into words. “A tea house. A commerce and social center surrounding high tea.”

A clap had them all jumping in their seats and the sunlight through the conservatory’s glass ceiling shimmered across golden hair, jade eyes sparkled.

“What a splendid idea, Rhea. I’d invest.” Favian gestured away the ladies standing to curtsy. “None of that you are my little sister’s dearest friends.”

Rhea shook her head and took a sip of her tea, ever since they first met Favian had gotten it into his head that since he lacked a younger sister in his family he would ‘adopt’ her as his own. Such a silly notion.

“A tea house, what a truly marvelous idea,” Alvina spoke up, and her eyes gleamed with the prospect. “I’ll have to investigate the trends of the young ladies at other tea parties.”

“I could help with the numbers,” Sigrid spoke up.

Dana laughed at the excitement of her friends, “If we achieve such a feat, I will spread the word.”

Rhea smiled at her friend's antics, “And what shall I do?”

“Don’t you know, little sis, you are the mastermind. The master of teas.”

Rhea shook her head and laughed but couldn’t help but wonder what they could achieve if they set their minds to it.