Clover

Chapter 8: Lunch And Tea

Clover sat across from Surghy at a metal table in one of the many gardens that surrounded the castle.

"Thank you, Clover, for having lunch and tea with me" Surghy said stirring two sugar cubes in his cup.

"don't mention it" Clover responded, waving her hand, while putting on an awkward smile.

Surghy put down his teaspoon removing the slight smile from his face.

"You really don't have to do this for Queen Frankie, I'm sure I can make a song that will satisfy my family enough, so you don't have to feel pressured or watched." Surghy placed his hands in his lap lowering his head as if he were getting scolded.

Seeing Surghy look guilty Clover couldn't help but feel guilty herself.

"No, I've never really had a chance to prove myself to my family and this will probably one of my only chances. I can't disappoint Frankie with the first task, it's really not that big of a deal. I've had to do and been through worse things."

Surghy looked up intrigued.

"Oh? would you like to share such 'worse' things?" 

Surghy propped his arms on the placing his chin on his hands as he folded them.

If it where possible Clover would have folded her ears back like a cat.

'Why must you know such personal things!? And how did you change up so fast!?'

"Why?".

Clover's face was very unpleasant, like she had smelled something bad. The man Infront of her gave her stupide smile, looking as if he trusted the world.

"For inspiration, of course."

Clover sighed, looking down at her teacup, playing with the teaspoon that was next to it.

"the 'worse' things are kind of controversial to the royal family and personal."

Surghy smiled at that.

"Am I not close enough with the royal family already? her highness even said it herself."

Feeling defeated and unable to find an excuse Clover gave in. Clover sighed.

"Well, for starters I've had to take care of my little brother since he was just a baby and I've also been screamed at for hours by my mother for simple mistakes."

Clover looked up at Surghy expecting him to be shocked, but no.

Surghy looked at her with a kind expression, he wasn't smiling or anything, his face was stiff, but his eyes told Clover a completely different story. they were soft and understanding.

This encouraged Clover to continue.

"My mother forced me to start wearing corsets at 9, way before I was ready. She told me it was best to start young so my waist could form in the shape."

Clover sighed.

"But because of it, I sometimes have difficulty breathing and my ribs hurt."

"I'm sorry-."

he interrupted her.

"I understand now, you don't have to continue. I should have not forced you to say anything, Dutchess."

Clover looked at Surghy, once again shocked by his sudden change in attitude and tone.

the words 'I'm sorry' rung in her head. Why did these words make her feel so sad and alone.

no one has told her 'Sorry' and meant it, except for one person, her father.

Clover's father was her hero and the only one she thought who actually loved and cared for her.

'I'm sorry' where the last words her father said to her before he had left to settle some things in another kingdom, but he came back dead not even two days later. at the time Clover was only six and Princeton was just a baby. Princeton has no memories of their father.

Clover smiled at Surghy.

"Thank you, Surghy".

Surghy looked at Clover as if she had said she was the Delvin God. 

(Delvin is one of the gods that is part of the religion they believe in. There are four Gods, Demo the God of nature: plants and animals. Pairreece is the God of negativity: hatred, bad luck, fear, death, sadness, etc. Harrison is the God of positivity: love, joy, fertility, kindness, etc. and Delvin is the God of destiny: dreams, how you live your life, how you die, your personality, etc. Delvin is also the most important/strongest God.)

" I-I, your welcome, I guess..."

Surghy struggled to find a response for Clover, his cheeks turned crimson. Not in a crushing way but from feeling awkward and embarrassed.

Seeing Surghy struggle, Clover couldn't help but hold back a laugh. If Clover was honest to herself, she would see herself in him but in reality, Clover doesn't even know herself so to her this young man who she considers a boy is nothing like her.

sighing Clover pulled a fan she kept in her dress pocket. She unfolded the fan holding it to her face concealing her smile. Clover thought.

'Maybe he isn't so bad after all.'