Then the emperor decided to break this silence. “The same people, excluding no one, will appear here in two weeks’ time” He stood up from his throne.

“You are all dismissed” The Herald said wiping his sweat. Then Felix, the emperor’s personal guard, whispered to his ear, and he made one more announcement. “His majesty summons Princess Anthanasia to his garden”

'I’m doomed.  But Jennette wasn’t poisoned so I’m not supposed to die? Right?'

Anthanasia made her way to the Garnet Palace. There weren’t much guards which was unexpected for the palace inhabited by the emperor.

The security in the Ruby Palace seemed to be tighter, but the décor and design of the Garnet palace was on a whole new level.

She had never gone this deep into the Garnet palace, and had never been in the garden. When she got there Claude was sitting nonchalantly while Felix stood beside him, as a guard should.

“Sit” The emperor said and Anthanasia immediately obeyed. “Do you know why I called you?”

'Goodbye the Ruby Palace, I’ll try to live a happy life during exile'

“I am ready for my banishment”

“You think I’ll banish you?”

'Sigh, It was expected'

“You want to kill me. Hmm, is it a slow death or a swift one”

Felix looked shocked, while Claude looked indifferent, and his gaze shifted to the tea.

“Is it poison?” Anthanasia said staring at the tea.

“No”

“I thought so” She stood up and climbed the chair. “Should I fall quickly or slowly?”

“No"

Then she sat back down. “Do you want my head?”

“No”

'Not my head? So what? Does he want my neck?'

“My neck? Isn’t that strange, but if you so desi-

Felix couldn’t take her misunderstanding of the situation and the Emperor not explaining. “Princess he invited you to have tea!”

“Tea?” Her gaze shifted back to the tea cup.

'Isn’t it poisoned? Well, I was going to live a happy life? But why aren’t I scared of him? I thought I’d be trembling due to my desire of wanting to live a peaceful life, or is it actually just normal tea?'

“I wouldn’t use such a cowardly method to get rid of you, if I wanted to”

She picked up the cup and took a sip. And a weird taste could be felt on the tongue.

'Th-this is poison!'

She held her mouth with her hands trying to remove the awful taste.

“What’s wrong with you?” Claude asked.

“The poison is taking effect”

“This poison nonsense again, I told you it isn’t poisoned”

“So, what’s with its weird taste?”

“Isn’t that how people your age like this tea, sweetened and sugared?"

“The flavor of tea is often more enjoyed when getting the real taste, not just drinking sugar” Anthanasia said gently.

'This is definitely how Jennette’s likes her tea. I enjoyed spending time with her but her tea skills are…, but, I’ve never drank this quality of Lippe Tea.'

Felix acted as a maid, and poured a new cup of tea.

“Mmm, it tastes like flowers are blooming inside of my mouth”

Felix and Claude looked shocked for a second, but regained their composure.

'What did I say? I don’t think he only called me here to have some tea. I’m not his beloved daughter. I’m the unloved Princess.'

“Your majesty, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you call me here?” Anthanasia asked, getting straight to the point.

“I want you to find out who was the mastermind behind the poisoning”

“I thought you also came to the conclusion that I was behind it”

“I’m not dumb”

“I will do as you wish your majesty”

'Of course, why else would he want to have tea with me, except me finding out who was trying to poison his lovely daughter? What did you expect? I’m the unloved princess'

Anthanasia finished her tea, bid the emperor farewell, and went off to find out who the culprit was behind the poison attempt.

________
Happy New Year to anyone who is reading. I just published a one shot fanfic, New Year Special titled 'A New Beginning?'
Hope you have tine to check it out. Once again, happy new year!