Novel Bin
Chapter 20: “Battle of the Tea Parties?! Arwen Gets Jealous When a Princess Challenges Me to a Duel of Manners?!”
Scene: The Garden of the Royal Conservatory, Afternoon
Sunlight streamed through the enchanted glass ceiling of the Royal Conservatory, scattering prismatic light onto the polished marble paths and vivid flower beds. The scent of roses and mana-infused tea filled the air.
Zephyr sat rigidly in a too-delicate chair, surrounded by nobility and their fancy porcelain teacups. Next to him sat Arwen, her arms folded and ears twitching irritably.
Across from them? Princess Elenora Von Caelestis. Silver-haired, smug-smiled, and wielding a teacup with more grace than a ballerina.
Elenora: “Mister Arclight. I formally challenge you to a Duel of Refined Manners.”
Zephyr: “...What in the twelve flaming realms is that?”
Arwen: “It's a noblewoman's ritualized power play. It's basically a roast session with tea and deadly social etiquette.”
Zephyr: “Can I pass?”
Arwen: “Not when she's the emperor’s niece. You snub her, we both vanish in a diplomatic ‘accident.’”
Zephyr: “Great.”
Round One: The Subtle Insult Exchange
Elenora smiled sweetly, sipping from her cup. “Oh, I simply adore how you keep your wardrobe humble, Mister Arclight. It’s so...authentically rustic.”
Zephyr: “Thanks. I figured if I wore something too expensive, I’d look like a glorified silver spoon.”
Gasps. One noble faints.
Arwen nearly spits her tea out.
Elenora: “Hmph.”
Round Two: The Dainty Snack Duel
Tiny tea cakes and sandwiches were brought in. Apparently, how you selected and ate your snacks mattered.
Elenora picked up a cake with practiced grace.
Zephyr? He stabbed one with a fork.
Elenora’s eye twitched. “That’s… quite the method.”
Zephyr: “Efficiency beats elegance when you’re starving.”
Aurelia (perched on his shoulder): “Pii~!” Also chomps a tiny macaron
Nobles watched in silent horror… and then, a few started copying him. One clumsy noble even muttered, “This is way easier.”
Final Round: The Graceful Toast
Elenora stood, raising her teacup. “To refinement, elegance, and all things noble.”
Zephyr stood as well. “To warmth, laughter… and not dying of boredom.”
Arwen grinned. Elenora looked stunned… then burst into laughter.
Elenora: “You really are something else, Mister Arclight. I concede.”
She curtsied.
Elenora: “I haven’t had that much fun at tea since I hexed my cousin into burping roses.”
Zephyr: “...You’re terrifying.”
Scene: Aftermath – Garden Path
As the guests dispersed, Arwen and Zephyr walked side by side.
Arwen (quietly): “...You were pretty cool back there.”
Zephyr: “I stabbed a cake.”
Arwen (blushing): “It was a bold stab.”
She bumped his arm slightly.
Zephyr paused, looking at her.
Zephyr: “Thanks for… staying by my side.”
Arwen (smiling): “I always will.”
From a high balcony, Seraphina watched them with narrowed eyes.
Seraphina: “Tch. This war isn’t over.”
End of Chapter 20
What do you think?
Total Responses: 0