Chapter Six: A battle with tea

Despite being in this world for only a few months, I had never really spoken to Annabelle. She's always busy with something, and Mary's the one who is in charge of taking care of me. So why is she going out of her way to speak with me now? Is it because I took in Kate, or is it because I was snooping in my father's office?

"Well, Lenka?" Her voice sounded annoyed, and her smile seemed forced. "Okay, Annabelle, what would you like to talk about?" I asked. "Not here, Lenka. Please follow me." I began following her down the stairs and out into the garden that's on the backside of the manor. I can't put my finger on it, but something's off about her, like how she was the first to respond to me taking in Kate, even though she's the maid.

We both sit outside in the gazebo at the back of the garden. It's on top of a small hill, and right under the backside of it, there is a small cliff that leads into a small lake. The view is quite breathtaking, with the almost mirror-like lake below us reflecting the blue of the sky, the distant view of the ocean and its waves, and the beautiful blue flowers blooming in the garden. Annabelle pours some tea into the cups and then passes the cup over to me. I take a sip of it, and it's somewhat sweet and quite refreshing in this summer heat. The most unusual aspect of this tea is its light blue color.

"The tea's good, isn't it? I brewed them with the blue roses in the garden." She said it with a calm voice and a gentle smile; however, I could tell that smile was fake, and her words were sharp. She seems too sharp to be just a maid, and this chat appears more like an interrogation. What are her intentions? Is she trying to test me? I need to choose my words carefully.

"I know Annabelle. Mother loved this tea, which is why she made this garden. I'm not that fond of this tea, but I have always loved its pretty blue color." Her face remains unchanged as she takes another sip. I guess I passed the first test even though my answer was only an educated guess. "Why did you take in Kate?" Right to the point, I guess, but something tells me there was more to that question, but she decided to only ask part of it. Should I answer how I would now or how I would before I woke up in this world? What's the answer she wants?

"She simply needed help, so I helped her." I took the middle road and answered it in a way that would fit both narratives. She gave a puzzled expression. "Is that the only reason?" "What other reason is there?" I asked. "You’ve taken a sudden interest in the beastkin, haven’t you?"

What's she trying to imply? "I'm curious about how the other races live and what makes them so different from us." "I see... So, you're not just interested in the beastkin." Again, I have no idea what she is implying. Are these questions made to throw me off, or is she simply trying to make conversation? Damn it. I hate these kinds of conversations. Why can't she just ask what she wants?

Whatever, I might as well be the direct one. "What are you trying to imply, Annabelle?" She took another sip of tea and smiled. "Oh, nothing. It's just odd for you to all of a sudden take an interest in anything. Not that I mind you finally taking something seriously, but I have to ask. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?" "I'm..."

Before I could answer, she cut me off, "You don't have to answer that now, but in the future, your decisions will not only affect you, but will affect all of us. So you'd better plan more accordingly." Annabelle stood up and grabbed her empty cup. "I will make sure that your little plan with the king works, but don't expect me to do you any favors in the future. Your life is not the only one on the line here, and you'd best remember that."

Annabelle began walking back towards the manor, but stopped after a few steps and turned back to me. "Oh, and by the way. Your mother hated blue rose tea. It was you who enjoyed it." She gave a devious smirk, then turned back around and walked away.

I've been had. Just who is Annabelle? A simple maid shouldn't be this cunning. I shook my head. Whatever, she didn't seem like she was an enemy, but I also couldn't ignore her. Granted, I also can't ignore the fact that she was right. I'd better plan more accordingly. There is no way I can fight any wars with what I have now. Plus, if this world has people like her, then I will need to start planning for the worst.

This conversation made me realize that I may be losing my edge. Then again, I have never been good with discussions like these. My mentor once said that I'm a contradicting hypocrite. I still don't fully understand what he meant by that, but it's clear that I am not prepared for the complexities of this world and its politics.

I am unclear about the world's enemy, and I have no army or supporters to back me. Annabelle knows something's off about me. The question is, why is she keeping quiet about it? Is there something to gain from this? I let out a sigh. Overthinking things will get me nowhere. I need to start taking action or I'm....

What are you trying to accomplish? Annabelle's words rang into me again. What am I trying to accomplish? Am I just trying to survive the wars that come, or am I...We were given a new life, but in the end, we will end up in the same place. War is all we know... The me from the dream was right. War is all I know; it's the only thing that keeps me moving. How can an emotionless, war-driven person like me hope to do in this world?

I leaned back into the chair, took a deep breath, and stared at the budding blue roses in the garden. I might as well just relax and enjoy this view and the nice weather. The heat of summer somewhat reminds me of sun-baked sands in Dustka. I take another sip of the tea, and yeah, I'm not a huge fan. I'm not really into sweet things, but now I wonder if there was a time when I was.

I looked over at the manor and saw Kate coming through one of the side gates with a basket of clothes. She was probably bringing in the dry laundry. "Kate," I call out and gesture for her to come over. Her ears point up in surprise, and she turns around and sees me. She starts walking over here with the basket still in her hands. "What is it, my lady?" "Take a seat." She puts down the basket and takes a seat across from me.

I didn't realize until now that another empty cup was on the table. Did Annabelle plan this encounter? Well, whatever, I pour some tea into the empty cup and pass it to her. "Here, have some." She looks at the tea, and her eyes light up in amazement. Then she looked at me with a confused look, and I could already tell she was about to ask if it was okay.

"Annabelle brewed all of this tea for me, but I can't drink it all by myself. So go ahead and have as much as you want." She nods and takes a sip of the tea. Her tail stands straight up and then starts wagging uncontrollably, and her ears sink down and relax. "I take it that you like the tea." "Yes. It's so sweet and refreshing. How is it blue? Can you make..." She cuts herself off and covers her mouth. She just realizes that she is being too energetic and loud.

Your life is not the only one on the line here... Annabelle's right; I may have taken in Kate with little regard for her life, but if I had abandoned her, then who knows how she would have ended up? She could have ended up like that kid... like that little kid in Dustka, or even worse, me. "Is everything okay, Lenka?" She tilted her head and looked at me with confusion.

"Yes, I'm fine, and I'm glad you like it. It's blue because it's made with blue roses. If you would like more, then just ask. I will have Annabelle brew it." Her eyes started to water, and she nodded her head. "Thank you." Kate is still covered in bandages and has just been through a lot, but right now she is all smiles as she sips her tea.

I know I shouldn't spoil her, but part of me sees my younger self in her, or maybe I am just envious of her ability to have such vibrant emotions. Either way, this beautiful view and her warming smile are not something I thought I would ever see in my life. My world has always been black and white, and kill or be killed. Perhaps it's the small things, like this, that make us human. Not that a monster like me is human. I take another sip of the tea. Maybe this tea isn't so bad.