Bea brought the teacup to her lips and lowered her eyes to the plate of cookies sitting in the middle of the table.

"That is up to the host,

" she muttered.

"The empress? Have you ever joined her for tea before?

" One of my brows raised, genuinely curious.

Does Bea have a good relationship with my aunt? I have never heard the Empress talk about her once… maybe… I don't know, really. Maybe she did and I could have forgotten about it.

"I did. Thrice,

" she answered back.

Hmm, there isn't anything amiss.

"That's nice, isn't it?

" I remarked..

Bea smiled cutely.

"Mmm, I think so too…

"

Good to know that there isn't anything wrong going on with the two of them. Bea herself seemed pleased with it too.

My eyes then glinted in mischief as an idea popped into my head.

"Hmmm…

" I hummed and squinted at her,

"What about Ezekiel?

"

Bea didn't falter and remained composed. She then stared right at me, meeting my imploring eyes.

"What about His Highness?

"

"Have the two of you gone on a date already?

" I fired back whilst grinning like a cat.

Bea's dark eyes narrowed slightly but she didn't answer right away.

"That's a yes, hmm,

" I chuckled.

"Did the two of you hold hands too?

"

Bea's eyes widened for a fraction.

"I… That is…

"

Seeing the crack in her usual mask brought joy to me. I told you, I'm a lowkey sadist.

"Hohh… Is that a yes?

" I gloated.

A frown then marred her pretty face.

"Nadia, you seem to be teasing me,

" she declares.

"No, I am not. I'm only curious,

" I feigned ignorance.

She put the cup back down,

"You are always curious. Especially in others' relationships.

"

A chuckle escaped my lips.

"Heh. Am I?

"

"You always have this wicked look on your face that we have grown accustomed to,

" she added as she picked up a cookie on the plate.

"What? What wicked look?

" I feigned ignorance for the second time.

Of course, I am aware of that. My maids have already pointed it out to me long before.

I then stared at Bea who was slowly munching on a chocolate cookie accusingly.

"Hey, wait. You are changing the topic.

"

"...

"

Bea continues to munch, completely ignoring me.

A mischievous smile then stretched my lips.

'Oh no, you don't! I will have my fun.'

"So tell me, where did my cousin take you?

" I pressed on.

Bea looks at me disapprovingly.

"Are you here to ask me about private things?

"

"Yes,

" I frankly answered back.

"You don't change…

" Bea sighs, mournfully if I may add.

Fufufufufu~

"Taking my cousin's attitude into account, I'm sure he invited you for a stroll in the palace garden or something,

" I started deducing despite her sharp glares.

"Or he could have invited you for dinner on the terrace to stargaze… Or maybe… brought you along to the capital while dressed as peasants.

"

"...

"

"So, all of the above?

" I grinned.

Bea shook her head as she sighed again.

"He also invited me to hunt,

" she then gave in.

"Oh, how romantic,

" I remarked.

I bet Zeke took her to go hunting because Bea likes it.

She had overcome her past trauma with the boar incident by going hunting as a sport. I even join her sometimes especially during hunt season. No, we all join her. And I am talking about our circle of friends.

It became one of our few bonding sessions actually.

"Nadia, you are having fun teasing me,

" Bea stated.

"Greatly. Fufufufufu~

"

Bea's dark eyes then bored holes to my face. And for some reason, a wicked glint sparked in them.

"Is it because you're lonely?

" She then retorted out of nowhere.

"Ah?

"

I was so taken aback by her comment that she even started laughing darkly under her breath.

"Heh.

"

Wha-- Beatriz just smugly laughed at me. Like before!

How did I forget that Bea has this shocking side to her? If we talk about who's being wicked, that should be her. After all, Beatriz Ethalion's real personality is a blunt indelicate woman who has a sweet tooth. An icy beauty that has the sharpest tongue which she doesn't hold back.

"Do you still not have a marriage partner?

" she then inquired.

"Yes. I too am beginning to get curious,

" I honestly replied.

"Maybe your father doesn't want you to marry,

" she alluded.

"I think so too.

"

There was a short silence before Bea talked again.

"You don't have to rush.

"

A smile broke my mouth again.

"Aww, big sister Bea…

"

"You are older than me,

" she pointed out.

"So I am your big sister then?

" I smirked.

Bea, upon hearing it, scrunches her face in dismay.

"That sounds rather disappointing.

"

A chuckle bubbled up from my throat.

"Ah, but I once wanted you to be my sister though. Until now, actually,

" I then divulged one of my secrets.

Bea seemed surprised by it.

"You do?

"

"Yes. I even thought that maybe you could marry my brother in the future but oh well…

" I shrugged.

"Your brother?

"

"Don't worry, I know you like my cousin more so it's fine. You're still going to be part of my family. Fufufufufufu~

" I can't help but tease her again.

Bea's face flushed red ever so slightly as she glared at me.

"You…

"

'Cute.'

"Anyway, do you have anything to do today?

"

Bea nodded.

"Yes. About an hour from now.

"

"Ohh… I'm sorry to interrupt your rest then.

"

I thought she's not busy but turns out she is. I wonder if she has anything to do every day...

"It's fine. I like talking to you,

" Bea brushed it off.

"Aww… Little Bea missed me…

" I playfully taunted.

"Ugh…

"

Seeing her disgusted expression brought out a laugh from me. It may have sounded rather unladylike but whatever. There is no one here aside from us and a couple of maids. They could gossip afterward, I don't care.

"Then I will leave you so you could rest more and also so you could prepare. I'll just visit you again some other time.

"

Bea's face slightly fell. She must have been really lonely too and had wanted to talk more. But after hearing that I will visit again, her mood instantly got better.

After my short talk with Bea, I then decided to visit the training grounds. I still have a lot of time to spare anyway so might as well see my brother and Kai. Maybe Eon and Luther would be there too.

The wind blew and the cold air permeated inside my dress that made me shiver.

"Hoohh…

" blowing my hands to warm them, I continued walking.

I knew I should have brought a coat with me. Why have I not thought of that?

"Eep!

" I yelped after something tiny passed through my feet.

It scurried through the bushes and disappeared there without me confirming what it was.

Must be a squirrel…

"Ahh… There are a lot of birds today as well… and animals...

"

If I had not known that it's because of my magic power, I would have freaked out again.

'If only I could control it…'

A butterfly then landed on my head and stayed there obediently even when I'm walking. Not just that but I seem to have an entourage behind me that I don't want to look at. I'm sure it was quite a sight.

"This is troublesome…

"