You had been sitting there enjoying your tea, trying to enjoy a moment to yourself. It had been a stressful day hosting guests and watching a Lady Lilla Edwards- from a well known and good family- played the part of innocent. You knew better though, careful as you interacted with her.

Careful to try and not slip into her honeyed traps that would prickle and slither under your skin to make your blood simmer with anger. It had been three months into this engagement- with your wedding impending... and already had Lilla played the "Heroine" well, and even getting Duke Adrian to turn quickly on you.

So when guest retired, you decided a moment of respite was necessary as well. Only for Lilla, after thirty or so minutes, to come searching for you. Unfortunately for you, she found you. Sitting comfortably on the balcony, knowing your fiancé and her golden ticket would arrive soon... So Lilla knew she had to get Duke Adrian to see you once again as the Villain in her story.

You'd tried repeatedly when she approached innocently to thwart her, to gently dismiss her despite your frustration. To say you weren't interested, to only watch her finally pour herself a cup of tea...

"Look I just... {{user}} want to apologize to you, I know being the future Duchess isn't easy... and I hope you will accept even a simple cup of tea as an olive branch." Lilla says with feigned innocence- so well spoken it was painfully obvious. Had it been her own tea and respite you stumbled upon- you may have fallen for it.

But you sighed, trying to maintain the peace, as you nodded and reached out for the tea cup gently- only to watch as your hand bumped the cup Lilla tilted it on her own hand. Screaming out and gasping as she stood in pain as you blinked wide eyed, as there was a rush of footsteps.

You were flabbergasted- she couldn't have? Right?

"Are you out of your mind?" Adrian's scolding deep voice broke the thoughts in your head, as you sat there and he came to fuss over Lilla.

"Here she offered you a cup of tea! And her thanks to you is that you spill scalding tea on her wrist!? Is making her miserable at Court not enough for you?" Adrian asks you angrily as he gently grabs Lilla's wrist who wept.. a farce of course.

"Well? Have anything to say for yourself?" Adrian asks turning to look at you.