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Maribelle reached up to the cabinet above her, taking into her hand a jar of citrus leaves. In truth, citrus had never held much significance to her and it was definitely not her favourite tea blend. Even then, however, tea was something she learnt to love. How would she be an appropriate noblewoman if she didn’t? Consequently, it wasn’t as if any tea flavour caught her attention.
That was until she saw Lissa’s response to her orange and lemon-scented tea, how her eyes lit up as she tasted it. From that point on, she decided to make her tea infused with citrus aroma for Lissa whenever she got the chance. When she thought about it, Lissa resembled citrus. Sweet and bright, shaped like the sun, but could turn sour– yet not in a bad way.
Serving Princess Lissa truly had given her a new purpose in life. Perhaps it was the bitterness of her life prior, her loneliness and her image in the crowd that made service, a role most people would deem as a burden, a blessing. Or perhaps it was the sweetness Lissa carried– one that she herself didn’t acknowledge.
Carefully, she adds a spoonful of tea leaves into the teapot along with boiling water, letting the leaves colour the water with their flavour. She doesn’t forget to add sugar, as Lissa likes her tea sweet.
People sometimes thought that her service was stripping her of her own ambitions, but that was false. Her bonds and her love was simply a ground for her to stand on, a support system for her to carry the courage to fulfill her own goals, no matter how far they seemed to be. Maybe it was due to her role given at birth, the idea that her studies would lead her in this world due to her status, but she was determined to go farther than that, her desire to demand justice all over the world a never fading light. But if she had no support, no love to offer, she would crumble and fall into a pit of darkness once more.
A short moment had passed, and the tea was ready to serve. Teapot in hand, she leaves the kitchen and heads to the garden, where she finds Lissa sitting on one of the tables. Upon noticing Maribelle, she waves her over, a bright smile on her face.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long, darling.” Maribelle says as she pours the tea in the cups set on opposite sides of the coffee table.
“Oh no– don’t worry, you didn’t! I was just thinking about stuff.” A hint of worry was evident in her response, despite her cheerfulness.
Maribelle takes a seat opposite of Lissa. “Do tell, I am always here to listen. You know that well.”
Lissa’s gaze is casted downwards. “Well, this may sound really selfish, but now that the war is over, you mentioned embarking on your journey as a judge-advocate, right? Of course I care a lot about you and I want you to take whatever path makes you happy! I was just worried that… since you won’t be my retainer anymore, we might not see each other much.”
Her words catch her off guard and make her slightly emotional, but she smiles again and shakes her head. “Oh, do not worry yourself about such matters, darling. Even though I might not officially be your retainer anymore, I will always be in my heart. Just because I may be far away, you will always be the first thing on my mind. Now, drink your tea before it cools, you wouldn’t want that, would you?”
“Oh! Right!” Princess Lissa’s mind is swiftly taken off the subject as she picks up her cup and takes a sip from her tea. “It’s delicious, as always! Did you add citrus aroma again? You mentioned it being my favourite.”
“Yes, of course my dear.” Maribelle nods and takes a sip of her own tea.
The taste of citrus now reminded her strongly of Lissa thanks to all the times they drank tea together. And once again, she bore a bright expression on her face.
In her eyes she shone brightly as the sun. She really did resemble a citrus fruit. Perhaps that was Maribelle’s favourite tea blend in the end.