Today was the day of the annual tea party.

I was currently snacking mindlessly on a cookie while Dante, William, Millie and I sat outside at a white table. Millie and William seemed to be discussing some boring topic while Dante just stared up at the sky with bored eyes.

Time was passing by more quickly these days. I'm not sure if it was because I was so consumed with my gang, or if it was because I was starting to enjoy myself more.

Either way, I won't complain. The more days that pass, the closer I am to becoming adult!

Unfortunately, I still had to go to this stupid tea party hosted for all of the nobles. I don't even understand why I'm forced to go. It's an event for finding suitable marriage partners or to spend time with your fiancé.

But I don't fall into either of those categories. My father refuses to discuss marriage, once again I won't complain, and it's not like I'm trying to find a marriage partner either.

Why would I be interested in any snot nosed brats?! That's just sick.

Actually, it seems that Dante, William, and Millie also aren't interested in finding any marriage candidates either.

Millie's social status is lower than most people, so her family couldn't approach anyone if they wanted to. It would be up to her to catch herself a man, but she's too timid to try that. Another option would be to marry her to someone older who is still single, but her parents are soft-hearted and would never do that to poor little Millie.

For William, it's quite obvious who his parents have their eyes set on for a marriage partner. Too bad for them I'm purposely ignoring their intentions. William's much too young for me.

Dante, on the other hand, doesn't have any parents. Although he lives with Queen Luna, she merely provides him with shelter and food. That's about as far as her maternal care goes.

Hmm. I wonder if he ever feels lonely. He never really talks about himself that much, so I have no idea if he does or not. I would ask but we never seem to have a moment alone. Maybe I should try to spend time with him one on one?

I shook my head slightly blushing.

Why am I even thinking about this? I shouldn't care about his personal life like that. It's not like we have a deep relationship. If anything, we are more like friendly acquaintances who spend time together.

I don't know a thing about him.

Actually now that I think about it…. I don't really know much about these three except for what I learned in the novel.

We never gossip or share personal feelings with each other. Do people even do that in this world?

I twirled my hair as I eyed the three of them meticulously. Millie abruptly ended her conversation with William and smiled charmingly at me, "Seri… Why are you looking at us all like that?"

I shrugged, "I was just thinking that I don't know a thing about any of you."

An abrupt silence fell over the table. I continued to munch on my cookie unperturbed by the silence.

William frowned at me, "Whose fault is that?! You're too lazy to make an effort!"

I snorted, "I'm not lazy! I'm just…" I trailed off trying to think of a word. I shrugged, "I guess I am lazy."

He sat back and crossed his arms in irritation, "We've been friends for several years. Can't you try to make more of an attempt to be friendly?"

I tilted my head and spoke apathetically, "Friends?"

He nodded, "That's right."

For some reason, my chest felt heavier at this. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. Instead of feeling happy, I felt dread at the mention of being friends.

I responded indifferently, "Hmm. I don't remember saying we were friends. I thought we were just friendly acquaintances."

This response startled the other three, which showed on their faces except for Dante. He only glanced at me with a sharp glare.

"What do you mean by that?" Williams voice wavered as he said this, but he maintained an irritated face. I went to explain but was cut off.

"Oh, hello Prince William."

We all looked to the intruder and saw Ilene in an elegant green dress with tight curly hair. She smiled at us looking magnificent, but we all knew that under that smile was an annoying conniving girl. Behind her were her two followers giving us smug smiles.

William frowned at her with a cold expression, "What are you doing here."

She looked away and blushed, "Oh.. I just merely wanted to stop by and give Seri something."

My ears pricked up when I heard this, "Me?"

She turned to me and smiled, "Yes. I made you some cookies."

My mouth watered, "C-Cookies?"

William glared at me, "Don't get excited. She's probably planning something."

Ilene pouted her lips at this, "Prince William… I know I bullied Seri in the past, but I want to make up with her now. I've seen the error of my ways."

He chuckled coldly, "The past? Do you really think that we are that stupid? You are currently making up rumors about Seri."

Millie nodded gaining courage from William, "That's right! You said she f*cks ponies!" Millie blushed slightly for having repeated it.

My eyebrow twitched, "F*cks what?"

Ilene quickly cut them off with watery eyes, "No! I would never say that. It's truly awful to say that about a person. It's nothing a lady would ever say." She gave a sharp glance at Millie, "Or ever repeat."

Millie went to refute her but realized she was right. She closed her mouth and melted in her seat from dejection.

Williams voice grew colder, "Everyone in school knows it's you who started it."

She shook her head, "No! It really wasn't me! Someone must have said that to start a malicious rumor about me."

She started sniffling and forcing tears to rush down her cheeks. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her bad acting.

Sel nodded behind her, "You mustn't be so mean to Lady Ilene!"

Mel nodded, "That's right! Ilene's truly the victim here."

William clicked his tongue, "I don't think you're the victim here at all."

Ilene's frown twitched. She decided to switch gears knowing she wouldn't win, "Well.. Anyways. I still think I should apologize regardless." She turned to me, "I'm truly sorry for everything I've done to you. Can you forgive me?"

I snickered, "Like William has said, we aren't stupid. Why would I accept an insincere apology?"

She pouted, "But I specifically made you these cookies…"

My face twitched as she held them out.

No… Resist Seri! Resist the temptation!!!

She spoke in an alluring voice, "They have chocolate chips with chocolate frosting. There's also caramel mixed in. I heard you really like sweet things."

My body shook in desire. William frowned at me when he noticed I was about to give in, "Don't be an idiot."

Ilene dangled them in front of me. My hands slowly reached out in anticipation.

"I won't… I'm not so easily bought over…" I mumbled while looking at the cookies with longing in my eyes.

She smiled, "Did I mention they are topped with powdered sugar?"

I quickly snatched the bag away from her and sunk my teeth into a cookie. My body shook with happiness, "Sooo good~"

She chuckled, "I'm glad you like them."

The three of them stared at me with disappointment. William clicked his tongue, "I can't believe you. How can you be so easily won over?!"

I ignored his tone and chewed on the cookies happily, "Oh calm down! It's just cookies. She clearly put a lot of effort into these. It'd be a shame to let them go to waste."

Ilene smiled happily, "I'm glad you like them. Well, I guess I will leave you to it now. I don't want to take up any more of your time."

I waved at her as she quickly scurried away. Dante looked at me suspiciously. I smiled at him, "Do you want a cookie?"

He said nothing, but held out his hand and I placed a cookie in it. He sniffed it cautiously and took a small nibble.

I gave a big grin, "Good, right?"

"It's poisoned." He said in a flat tone.

William smacked the table in anger, "Poisoned?!"

I glanced down at the cookie, "I guess that explains the weird aftertaste."

I shrugged and put another cookie into my mouth.

"What are you doing?! Spit it out!!!" William shouted and attempted to smack away the cookie in my hand.

I shuffled away from him, "Oi! Knock it off!"

"WHY ARE YOU STILL EATING IT?! HE SAID IT'S POISONED!!!"

I looked at the cookie and shrugged, "I mean… I've already eaten it. If I'm going to die, I'd rather die happy with a cookie in my mouth."

William smacked his forehead, "But you might be fine if you don't eat them all!!!"

I ignored him and continued to eat the cookies. Millie looked at me timidly, "Perhaps you should… Slow down…"

I doubt it will kill me. In the novel, Ilene never attempted to kill Mary with poison. So, I'm probably safe.

While William freaked out, Dante spoke calmly, "It's only a sedative."

William stopped shouting and looked at Dante, "A sedative?"

He nodded, "At most she will just fall asleep."

I finished the bag of cookies and tossed it away. I sat back happily and rubbed my stomach. I chuckled, "I wish sedatives would work on me. I could use a good night's sleep."

William slammed his hands onto the table and stood up, "I don't care if it is only a sedative. Ilene can't just poison people at her whim!"

He snatched the last cookie from Dante and stomped over to his mother. We watched as he held the cookie out and explained. Then both him and Queen Luna turned red with anger and stomped off to find Ilene and her mother.

Like mother like son.

Millie glanced at me timidly, "Are you sure you feel okay?"

I nodded, "Oh yeah. I feel great. I've never felt so relaxed. I ought to have her make me more."

Millie giggled lightly, "Please don't. She might trade it out for poison that will kill you." Her face twitched slightly at this thought, but I didn't notice.

"Eh. I doubt even that would kill me. I've already ingested enough poison that could kill twenty people and I'm still fine. If anything, this just proves that I have an immortal body!"

Dante glared at me, "You aren't immortal."

Just then, someone stumbled and bumped into a nearby servant who accidently spilled some tea onto Millie's lap.

Millie's eyes widened from shock. She looked down at her dress which was now soiled. She gave an unpleasant frown.

"Oh my gosh! I am so so sorry! I didn't mean to!"

She looked at the boy trying to contain her scowl, "It's fine."

He was a plain looking boy with freckles. He looked to be only a bit older than us.

He shook his head with tears in his eyes. "No! It's not okay!" He fell to his knees, "I have committed an unspeakable mistake! Please punish me!!!"

Millie frowned deeper, "I said it's fine."

He grabbed her wrist and looked up at her with urgency, "No! We must wash it off before it stains your beautiful dress! Please come with me, miss!"

Before Millie could refuse, he pulled her away from our table. It happened so quickly that both me and Dante sat at the table flabbergasted.

"Huh." I said still watching her be dragged away, "I guess we are alone now."

An awkward silence filled the air. I fidgeted in my seat not knowing what I should say. To make matters worse… I don't have any more sweets in front of me!

Dante glanced at me, "Would you like to go for a walk?"

I jumped up abruptly, making him flinch. "Yes. Let's go."

We started walking through the garden in silence. I looked around trying to think of a conversation to break the awkward atmosphere.

"So… How's your home life?"

He glanced at me with an eyebrow raised, "Home life?"

"Yeah... You know… Does Queen Luna treat you well?"

"Yes."

"Good… Good…"

"…"

"…"

UGHH! I CAN'T HANDLE THIS!!

I'm going to smack my head into a wall!!!

Dante stopped walking and I walked a few steps before glancing at him. I stopped and turned around with a curious expression. He seemed to be thinking of something. I waited for a bit but grew impatient.

"What is it?"

He glanced up at me slowly then turned away quickly. He muttered, "I have something."

"Okay…"

It grew silent again.

I groaned, "What do you have?"

He reached into the inside of his jacket pocket and pulled out a white rose. My eyes widened at it, "Woow! I've never seen a white rose before. It looks so pretty."

He hesitated. Then he spoke while staring deeply into my eyes, "Do you want it?"

I couldn't help but laugh. He clearly intended to give it to me all along. Why is he being so shy?

I nodded, "Yes. I would love it."

He looked almost surprised. Then a large smile crossed his face.

I felt my heart skip a beat when I saw that smile.

It was a handsome smile that lit up his face and crinkled his nose. It was warm and charming. But more importantly….

It was genuine.

I blinked in surprise as my heart fluttered. I never knew he could smile like that. Realizing I was staring, I coughed awkwardly and forced my eyes away. I reached out to the rose and grabbed it, trying not to reveal my blushing face.

I looked at it in my hands and couldn't help but laugh at myself. I looked up at him and smiled back, "Thank you. I will treasure it forever."

The tips of Dante's ears turned red at this. He too glanced away from me awkwardly. As we both stood there fiddling our fingers and shifting uncomfortably, Lona walked over to us.

"There you are. Your father has prepared the carriage for us to depart. So say goodbye and-" She stopped abruptly when she noticed what I was holding. Her voice turned stern, "What are you holding?!"