"Welcome to my humble abode~!" Lucina happily greeted when her guests arrived in their carriages at the front of her mansion. Fall's chill was still a ways away, leaving the last warmth of summer to keep the temperature pleasant. It was a wonderful day for a tea party.

"It has been a while, Countess," Margaret greeted with a humble bow and neutral tone of voice while Todd silently accompanied her.

"…" Cassandra regarded Lucina but said nothing as she took Kent's hand to help her out of the carriage.

"I'm glad to see everyone so full of energy," Lucina sarcastically teased as she motioned for everyone to follow her into the mansion.

"…" No one said anything.

"…At least put a smile on for Olivia," Lucina made sure to mention as she led everyone through the mansion and out the back doors to the garden. Once outside, a path wove away from the mansion and split off with one trail going deeper into the garden, and the other leading to a gazebo where a table was waiting with a few chairs. Mary was finishing setting the table and, sitting in one of the chairs to enjoy the gentle breeze, was Olivia who stood up when she saw everyone approaching.

"…Olivia!" Cassandra threw all decorum out the window, rushed ahead, and threw her arms around Olivia to pull her into a tight hug. The force nearly knocked Olivia over but she managed to keep her balance as she returned the hug in kind. Cassandra was trying to put on a stern expression but her tears were ruining her attempt and her hair drills jostled with joy.

"It's good to see you again!" Olivia laughed and gave a friendly wave to Margaret who gave a respectful nod and warmly smiled back at Olivia. "…Cassandra?" The sobbing pink blob wouldn't release her. "Let's take a seat and catch up."

"Are you okay?" Cassandra asked when she finally released Olivia. Her eyes remained fixated on the cold, metal slave collar that clashed with Olivia's white dress.

"…Yes," Olivia replied and gave a reassuring nod. She couldn't help but smile at her sobbing friend as she continued, "A lot's happened since we last exchanged letters, so let's take this time to catch up. I-?" Olivia reached over to take the teapot to serve her guests but it was snatched away by Margaret.

"It's certainly been a while since our last exchange, and even longer since we've last seen each other. I'll get us started on the first round of tea." Margaret still held her usual professional demeanor but there were clear hints of relief and joy as she filled everyone's cup.

"And I can help with the second!" Cassandra proudly declared as she went over to Kent and took a small box he had been holding before returning to take her seat. "I finished my first, original blend and wanted to share it with you!" The box contained a jar of various herbs and spices that Cassandra had crushed up and dried to be used to make tea.

Mary brought out a second teapot, and said, "I'll begin preparing."

"Thank you, Mary." Olivia felt a sense of calm wash over her as she watched Cassandra flick her hand through her pink hair, and Margaret finally take her seat after adjusting her glasses. It was a scene she hadn't enjoyed in a long time.

"Well, you three have fun enjoying tea," Lucina said to get everyone's attention. She looked at Todd and Kent, and suggested, "My presence will only damper the mood, here, so let me take you both to the parlor. I've got some wine we can break open."

"Wine?" Todd immediately perked up and he avoided the suspicious look Margaret was shooting him. "Well, if the Countess insists, I would love to share a glass or two."

Kent gave a glance over to Cassandra, and when she gave an approving nod he agreed, "Lead the way, Countess."

"Alright." Lucina walked over to Olivia and leaned over her. "I'll be inside if you need anything."

"Okay," Olivia replied before leaning up and giving Lucina a quick kiss on the lips.

"!?!" Margaret was frozen like a statue while Cassandra almost spat out her tea in surprise before shooting death glares at Lucina.

Lucina gave Cassandra a snarky grin before turning to leave, "Have a good time~."

***

"Make yourselves comfortable," I told Todd and Kent when we entered the parlor. Comfortable couches surrounded a central table while plush chairs sat along the far wall where a large window looked out to the garden that we could see the tea party from. One of the walls was covered in bookshelves that contained books, fine dining tableware meant for display, and a few ships in bottles that the old Baron collected. The other wall had similar shelving, but in the center was a large wine cabinet that was filled with bottles and glasses ready to be enjoyed. I looked out the window and, judging by their faces, Cassandra and Margaret were most likely interrogating Olivia about the kiss.

"Goodness," Todd muttered as he sat on one of the couches and admired the room, "You still have so many heads?" He was looking at the various animal and demon heads that were mounted around the room. The Rolfs really did have a thing for stuffed heads.

"If I sold them all, the mansion would lose part of its charm," I answered and walked over to the wine cabinet. When I first took over the mansion, I sold various antiques through Trent to make some extra money and the stuffed heads were a popular item, but I couldn't bring myself to sell everything. I couldn't have Olivia live in a boring mansion. As I grabbed a bottle and three glasses, I looked up at the hellhound head I brought over from the other sitting room and used one of the teeth in its open maw to uncork the bottle. When I approached the table, a thought came to me so I asked, "Ah, I forgot to ask: do you drink, Kent?"

"…I can drink a bit." He was obviously uncomfortable with me. Fair, I guess, since we never interacted much and Cassandra hates me so he'd naturally have a poor disposition toward me.

"Oh, come now!" Todd seemed to be taking it upon himself to keep the mood light. "You should learn to appreciate a good drink! After all, you'll be a married man, soon~!" He gave Kent a big smile as he watched Kent's face flush red.

I also decided to tease him a bit, and said, "That's right, I did hear you and Cassandra were going to be getting married. How did you propose to her~?" I had to control my laugh as I poured us our drinks or else he might never tell.

"Actually… She proposed to me." Oh wow, where did Cassandra find such a puppy knight?

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"Haha!" Todd clapped his hands together as he laughed which caused his stomach to happily jiggle. "If this makes you embarrassed, you'll never make it through the actual wedding! Guests love stories like that! Hyenas jumping on a juicy story to gossip over!" He picked up the wine glass and gave it a sniff. "So, what's today's drink of choice?"

I looked at the bottle, and answered, "A red from Terrtort, down in Sevette. Olivia and I aren't drinkers, so feel free to indulge a bit since neither of us would finish this." Wine, and alcohol in general, was never my thing but it made for a good way to make conversation and entertain guests. And, now that I think about it, I've never seen Olivia ever drink alcohol. I know Tress once offered some to her but she told me Olivia bluntly refused and has stuck to water, tea, or non-alcoholic fruit juices. "…" I should ask her, later, if she wants me to get rid of all the alcohol in the mansion if it bothers her; there might be something from her past life that bothers her about it.

"Hmm… Strawberry?" Kent took a sip of the wine and seemed to be enjoying it. I should gift them a few bottles when they have their wedding as a way to start getting rid of this collection.

"And a bit of a chalky-clay tone, too, dear boy," Todd exclaimed as he took an exaggerated sip. "A wonderful taste, I do say!"

"…" Honestly, it just tastes like strawberry and raspberry fruit juice with an alcohol kick to me. But looking at Todd and Kent's faces tells me they seem to 'get' it, so I'll just stay quiet and nod my head… Why would anyone like a 'chalky-clay' taste for a drink, anyway?

"Ah~, do either of you two smoke?" Todd asked and brought out a cigar case and ashtray from his coat.

"No, but feel free to." I got up and walked over to the large windows that looked out to the garden. After opening them, I took a look at the tea party and saw the atmosphere was bright with everyone smiling. They were far enough away that I couldn't make out what they were talking about, but all worries seem settled so I'm glad Olivia's able to properly enjoy herself. I plopped down in one of the chairs to enjoy the wine with the nice breeze that made its way into the room.

"A shame, but understandable," Todd said while cutting the cap off his cigar and joining me by the window. "What about you, Lord Kent?"

"Lord!?" Kent nearly spat out his drink and looked at us with a bewildered expression.

Looks like we were back to teasing Kent, so I joined in, "That's right~. Once you marry Cassandra you'll be elevated from commoner to Baroness of Karkora. You're going to become a noble, so it's natural to attach the title of 'Lord' to your name, Lord Kent."

"That's…" Look at this bashful man blushing while trying to hide his smile with his glass, no wonder Cassandra wants to keep him. "I've never tried smoking, so I'll take you up if you're offering!" He's deflecting the conversation. Cassandra probably has a field day with this puppy.

"That's the spirit!" Todd lit the cigar, puffed on it a few times, and passed it to Kent. "The trick's to not inhale into your lungs. Just keep it in your cheeks."

"My cheeks…" Kent took the cigar and stared at it intently. After a few seconds of, I guess, contemplation, he smoked the cigar. "!!!" And immediately started coughing.

"The cheeks, boy! The cheeks!" Todd reprimanded while patting Kent on the back to help him cough. Luckily, Kent wasn't holding his wine glass, or else the carpet would've needed to be replaced.

"Remember to breathe, Lord Kent." This is why I don't smoke.

"Bad experience yourself, Countess?" Todd asked me once Kent was able to control his cough, and took back the cigar.

"Quite a few of my Hellhound smoke, and it was really bad during the war." I thumped my head against the back of the chair and closed my eyes. "It wasn't bad, but…" The cigar's scent filled my nose. "I…" Even though the smell was different, it was similar enough to the cigarettes my Hellhounds use to bring me back… The burnt smell… Burning leather…seared to flesh…

"Countess?" Todd and Kent were giving me concerned looks and Todd was shaking my shoulder.

"Huh?" When did he get so close next to me?

"You were staring off into space with a strange look," Todd explained. "Are you alright?"

"…Ah." I thought I had my eyes closed but I guess I just lost focus and thought they were closed. "It's nothing. Either way, I don't smoke." The smell…

"I can always enjoy a cigar later." Todd pressed the cigar down on the ashtray to extinguish it. Was I ruining the mood? I didn't want anything to ruin Olivia's day with the others.

"It's really fine to-"

"A cigar and wine are best enjoyed in joyful company." Todd put away the cigar and gave me an…understanding smile. "Let's not dour this day with unneeded worry over a trivial thing."

"…Very well." He was surprisingly sharp and considerate, I guess that's another thing Margaret likes about him.

"Even if you say that…" Kent spoke up before his voice fell off and he stopped to ponder if he should continue.

"Is something wrong?" I asked and saw both Kent and Todd look concerned.

Kent decided to continue, and answered, "Cassandra's mother has started secretly sending our knights to the outskirts of the capital." The implication of his words wasn't lost on me and their weight pressed down on the three of us.

Todd swirled the wine in his glass, and added, "The Second Prince has also been reaching out to Margaret and I through proxies about striking a deal to supply his allies in the capital." Todd's voice became low and gruff as he revealed what was happening in the Empire while I was focused on Solfin and Olivia. "The supply shortage we caused out of protest to the Crown Prince's actions, and continued on Lady Olivia's request, is igniting flames, Countess. They know we won't go to the Crown Prince so they're being rather blatant about their requests which, in itself, is an issue."

I connected the dots and finished Todd's line of thinking, "If you get caught discussing potentially supporting Terence, James will come down on Trent. And I'm sure the Duke is having his heartstrings pulled over Olivia's enslavement to get him involved in this power play." I downed the rest of my wine, set down the empty glass on an end table next to my chair, and bitterly laughed, "That damned panther never ceases to get on my nerves."

Kent tried to look on the bright side with, "There hasn't been any indication that we've been caught, and the knights we're openly bringing are being brought under the pretext of helping secure peace during the unrest caused by the supply shortage. But that excuse can only go so far before the tension breaks."

"Hmm." My fingers tapped against my chair as I stared out the window at Olivia enjoying the tea party.

"Will you not get involved, Countess?" Todd asked me. "You've more than a valid reason to go against the Crown Prince and support the Second Prince."

"I do, but…" A gust of wind blew through the gazebo and ruffled Olivia's hair. She was sparkling so brightly with her friends, safely enjoying tea and laughing after so long. Our feelings for each other are mutual and every day we've spent together since I returned from the north has been filled with bliss. Even if I hate James and want him dead… "I want to focus on Olivia, for now." She's my priority, so until she's ready to let me off my leash, I'll wait.

"You're surprisingly sentimental, Countess Sanguine," Kent said while following my gaze out to the party.

"I'm full of surprises." He didn't sound like he hated me as much. "This doesn't mean I won't get involved, but I'm enjoying the peace I managed to claw for myself."

"A fair reason," Todd agreed and nodded his head. After pouring himself another glass, he asked, "So… What is going on between you and Lady Olivia?" The real question comes out.

"…It's complicated," I chuckled as my eyes stayed fixated on Olivia. "To fully fool James, I went behind everyone's back to save her. James was planning to have her killed since the first day of school, you see."

"!!!" Yeah, those shocked expressions are exactly how I felt when I heard it from James' mouth, too.

"I know Margaret and Lady Cassandra can both keep secrets, but even a hint of doubt is enough for that man to give up and just order her killed. So, I became the villain who betrayed her since he thought it would be funny." It felt like I was confessing a sin, yet my conscience was never clearer than now. "Once we were in Solfin, I explained everything to her and kept her safe in my mansion while laying low so James wouldn't go back on his word and use Royal Grace."

"And that's why you went to Lorn?" Kent asked.

"That's right. I helped Duke Einbore close a large number of gates. We closed enough so that he could participate in politics without worrying if his home would still be there when he returned from the capital every time. That put the Emperor in a good enough mood to ignore James' protests and end the Royal Grace on Olivia so now I don't have to put up with all the shadows spying on me." I watched Tress exit the mansion and head toward the tea party with a letter in her hand… Oh, it's probably that letter from Olivia's family I picked up but didn't have time to give her. That'll put a bright smile on her face, for sure.

"So, why didn't you tell us about all this?" Kent's tone shifted and the hostility returned. "Cassandra's been rife with worry and Lady Olivia's letters all sounded too good to be true for her to fully believe them."

"Well, as you can see, now-"

"Would it have been so hard to explain this months ago!?" …So, the puppy has a bark? Todd's keeping quiet, though I can imagine he's also thinking the same thing. Margaret was blatantly closed off whenever I spoke with her about business during Olivia's stay in the safe room.

There's no need for me to dress up my words, "Why should I have?"

"…What?"

"Royal Grace was still in effect, so even if I did explain things, Lady Cassandra still couldn't have come to see her. If anything, someone might have messed up if they knew so I intentionally kept everyone in the dark." That's a nasty glare you're giving me, Kent. "While I do feel bad that I had to imprison Olivia, it was necessary for her survival so I see nothing to be ashamed of."

"…That's rather sick of you, Countess Sanguine."

"Thank you." While being on Kent's good side would be nice, it's not necessary for Olivia to be happy.

"Sick…but understandable," Todd mentioned. Did Todd understand my feelings? "As previously said: tensions are high all across Arlexia. While it is cruel to leave us out of the loop, it is also the most secure way to ensure Lady Olivia's safety." He looked over at Kent, and said, "Lady Cassandra's vicious hostility isn't something that can be faked, especially when so many of the Crown Prince's eyes are looking. Being one of her closest friends, I'm sure you had your fair share of meddling eyes watching Lady Cassandra. The Countess' silence also allowed us to remain free of involvement in case action was taken by the Crown Prince."

"Still…" Kent didn't want to agree but held his tongue. Cassandra always looked up to Olivia so it must have been hard on her and Kent would have seen that up close. He's a good choice, Cassandra.

"But, as I said, that Royal Grace is now gone." I redirected the conversation to something lighter and looked down at my wine glass. "Fall is rather beautiful here in Solfin, especially the southern forest that comes alight with color, so you're all more than welcome to-"

"Olivia!?!" Cassandra's terrified cry pierced the air. My gaze shot up to the party. Margaret and Cassandra looked horrified. Mary and Tress were trying to grapple Olivia. The letter from her family was on the ground. And Olivia…was trying to cut her stomach open with a knife!?