"You shouldn't be shaking this much, Alicia. It's just tea to the young mistress and her company." The butler's words did little to stop the rattling of the silver kettle and cups. Alicia was aware of her task. It was her duty and that voice inside she called obligation that brought her this far.

  "I've taken too long and I fear that I've invoked her ire. If I fail my task, I expect her wrath." Alicia's voice was hoarse, her mouth dry. The summer heat did little to help. She stood before one of the many elaborate doors within the Baron Soufil's manor with her gaze far in the distance knowing his daughter was inside seething.

  The worst of the season waned and the Baron's daughter was due to return to the academy in little more than a fortnight. She served faithfully for years, but the Soufil family were intolerable. Alicia hoped that this would be the last time she would have to serve her before leaving herself. One last drink before a much needed change.

  "Don't think too hard, it's just tea. Perform your duties and I'm certain the lady will likely ignore you, possibly throw some cutting remark your way at the worst." The butler placed a hand on Alicia's shoulder and gave a soft smile, "Take a deep breath and get it over with. It's not life or death. Just tea." The butler then knocked hard twice on the great doors behind him and pulled open one side. Alicia braced herself, eyes closed, and took that deep breath.

  "Miss Tristiana Soufil, your tea shall be served." Alicia proclaimed. She stepped through and the door closed behind with a mighty thud. The sudden sound and gentle burst of air knocked her forward just a little bit. The contents of her tray clattered as she caught herself. The four girls in the room turned their attention towards the noise and the din of their conversation silenced. Alicia could feel their eyes upon her.

  Tristiana raised her head slightly with an air of conceit and spoke. "We've been sitting in anticipation for quite a time. Your thorough diligence is truly unparalleled." Alicia simply stepped up to the table and prepared her service. One cup and saucer placed for each sitting spot in the center of the room. The four girls sat down with looks varying somewhere between that of impatience, contempt, and apathy.

  The first cup to be filled was that of Darcy Silverhunt, the gaudy girl with gawking eyes. She was Tristiana's doll, dressed in the finest pastel cloth. The tanned skin she's claimed as fashionable was on full display, adorned with countless precious bracelets, anklets, and bands. Her hair tied back in twintails. She seemed to want everything about her to be bouncy and bright. Alicia often wondered if this girl's head was stuck in the clouds or if it ever came back down to reality. Respect was still required, she was daughter to that trifling count and mayor after all.

  "Thank You! Thank You!" Darcy spoke in a cloyingly saccharine tone as Alicia poured water, "This will certainly be lovely tea." Darcy leaned forward and dropped her head down to the level of the cup watching as steam rose from the steeping tea while her eyes took on a glassy glaze.

  "Is everything to your liking, Miss Darcy?" Alicia asked.

  "This is fine." Darcy replied in a far more lethargic tone. "Darcy wants to watch the steamy wisps."

  The second was Joanna Barber, the loyal pet. She was a plain girl that looked out of place in the lavish estate, wearing clothes that were probably the best for the child of a modest merchant. Her brown hair was trimmed and styled simply, rather unadorned. Fitting for one earning the name of barber. She was consumed by a book she held in her left hand, joyless eyes scanning the pages behind thick glasses. Her razor out of sight.

  As Alicia was about to pour water into her cup, Joanna swiped it away. Alicia was startled by the sudden motion and watched what the girl was up to. Joanna made an inspection of the cup, smelling the leaves, then pulled out a pinch of them to taste.

  "Bitter, but passable." Joanna muttered as she set her teacup back on the table, "There was no need to waste so much time selecting this."

  "It's an exotic leaf imported through Pennens. It's supposed to impart energy and raise spirits. The taste is unfortunately tied to the benefits." Alicia hoped that an explanation would at least smooth things over. The look from Joanna and the other girls seemed to imply otherwise.

  "Of course." Joanna set down her cup and returned her gaze to her book.

  Alicia took a deep breath and poured the water. "I'm certain you'll be able to sweeten it to your liking. Sugar and honey is provided for your benefit. The sweet biscuits as well."

  The third was Isolde Soufil, the adopted daughter of Baron Soufil. She looked barely half the age of the other girls yet held a cold, savage stare that followed every motion Alicia made. Alicia never saw her without the cloth coif covering much of her head. Perhaps the family wanted to hide some obvious tell that she was not related. So much about the girl seemed a bit hidden.

  Alicia was quite wary, having seen Isolde practice her magic and combat skills on occasion. Isolde was nothing if focused when it came to violence. She seems to have been blessed with even more diverse mana than her sister. Far more than Darcy or Joanna for sure. Alicia was void of such blessings and wished not to incite any displeasure or worse.

  Alicia finished filling Isolde's cup and smiled softly. Isolde’s piercing and judgemental glare lingered causing Alicia pause, unnerved by the lack of response. She hoped that the silence was the sign of Isolde's satisfaction, or at the very least a lack of dissatisfaction.

  Last was Tristiana. Third child and eldest daughter of Baron Soufil. Her eyes projected an aura that cut right through Alicia. Her braided hair was black as her soul. She tossed it over her shoulder to keep it out of the way of the tiara she wore to flaunt her status. Her dress was heavy and lined with exotic fur which caused her no discomfort even in the summer heat.

  Every interaction Alicia has had with this girl served to reinforce the pompous demeanor that Tristiana has had over everyone; believing she was the sole true sovereign over all. The Baron has always bent to Tristiana's whims. As did her alleged friends. Her satisfaction is always paramount.

  Alicia's shaking caused her to fumble the kettle more than she would like. She took a brief moment to settle her nerves and get the proper hold to pour as she intended.

  "Your delayed service is causing me nothing but aggravation, maid." Tristiana snarled. "You have no place in my domain, finish and leave."

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "Guests are to be served first to demonstrate the hospitality of house Soufil. I wish to not sully the family name." Alicia replied.

  "I don't care about that!" Tristiana boomed. She snarled then slid her cup to the end of the table next to Alicia. "Pour the water so that maybe, I may possibly share an experience with my friends. Get on with it."

  Alicia proceeded with a slow pour so as to not needlessly spill. She bowed and waited a moment to either be dismissed or ask for their pardon before she left.

  She waited.

  And waited.

  She looked up.

  There was a flurry of wordless glances between the girls. Alicia froze, cold sweat forming on her brow. Joanna poured some of her cup into her saucer and took a sip from her barely steeped, steaming hot tea as Tristiana passed her cup over. A few swishes and a swallow of tea from her own cup, then Joanna did the same from Tristiana's tea. Alicia felt the blood drain from her face.

  Joanna spat the water out. She coughed and gagged only to then thrust her fingers down her throat and withdraw to behind the seating arrangement. The girl stumbled and began to heave and spit up all manner of things in a revolting manner.

  Tristiana stood up and stepped towards Alicia with seething malice. Alicia couldn't help but back towards the door as Tristiana advanced. The tray and kettle tumbled to the ground with clatter and thud.

  "Please, Miss Soufil. Calm down. There is no need for this." Alicia pleaded. Tristiana's footsteps echoed throughout the room with a quickly increasing tempo. As Alicia made her retreat, Tristiana was at a near all out charge and lunged forth. She thrust out her arm wrapping her hand around Alicia's throat, throwing her back against the door.

  "HOW DARE YOU SERVE ME TEA LIKE THAT!" Tristiana bellowed. The hand she held to Alicia's throat became wreathed in painful flame. Alicia let out an agonized scream as her skin singed and blistered from her neck to her lips. "I will have you hung for this. What a waste. Disgusting." The words steamed out with absolute contempt. She then turned to the side, "Darcy, dear?" Her tone shifted addressing her friend.

  Alicia glanced towards Darcy with the kettle in her hand. She was looking at it with intense curiosity. With Tristiana's beckoning, Darcy set the kettle down on the table next to Isolde with the handle deliberately facing the small child. She spun to face Tristiana and put on that smile she uses for almost every situation. "What can Darcy do for you, Tristiana?" Her saccharine voice returned and her eyes sharp as ever.

  "Gather up the kitchen and waitstaff and bring them to the courtyard. I'm going to have to make an example."

  "Yes! Yes! You can count on Darcy!" Darcy stepped towards the door with a slight bounce and grimaced, becoming overwhelmed by the scent of burnt flesh and hair. She turned briefly to the agonized Alicia to quickly speak. "A thousand apologies, miss Alicia. We can't enjoy any tea from your fancy teapot today. Darcy hopes the best for you! See you again soon!" Alicia passed out from the pain as Darcy left.

  Isolde picked up the kettle, flicking the handle a few times. "Conspirator, possibly more. I hope that maid revives by the time Darcy has the staff gathered." Isolde sighed, "You probably went too far with your fire again, sister."

  Tristiana finally released her grip and Alicia fell limp to the floor. "You think it's too far when she was trying to serve me that garbage? Look at Joanna and tell me I went too far."

  Isolde and Tristiana turned to the still coughing Joanna as she stumbled back to the table to take sips from her teacup. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

  "She's fine." Isolde gestured towards Joanna.

  "Joanna is a valued subject and associate." Tristiana replied. "I will not have her suffer needlessly when she's protecting her lady."

  "She said she's fine, Tristy. Joanna’s a strong girl."

  "She clearly needs a moment."

  Joanna sipped on the others’ tea while the sisters talked. The bitter taste was preferable to the emesis she expelled before.

  "Joanna." Tristiana spoke, "When you have yourself together, let me know if the maid has any lingering use."

  Joanna set down the cup in her hand. She stepped over and knelt down by Alicia to take status of the maid. "She's breathing. She has a pulse. Just a bit pale." Joanna produced a small vial and removed its cap, her face wrinkled as a new pungent odor reached her nose. "This should rouse the maid."

  The vial was held near Alicia's face, Joana waved it gently to have it waft in the correct direction. Alicia's eyelids soon twitched, then sprung open. She winced and moaned and tears ran from her eyes as the pain hit her once again.

  The agony slowly turned to anger.

  Alicia curled her hand into a fist. She clenched it tighter with every moment of anguish. Tristiana may be out of reach, but Alicia would surely strike her friend right in front of her.

  "And so it has roused her." Joanna withdrew the vial and capped it. "Welcome back. Your wound won't put you in any immediate danger. However, I neither have the intent or capacity to dress it at the moment. The sooner you expose the extent of your little plan and your conspirators, the sooner you will be treated. Perhaps you'll even avoid infection."

  Alicia clenched her teeth as the rage boiled within her. She stayed silent and slowly squirmed waiting for the right moment and position to strike. One good blow to the head to knock her out, maybe for good.

  "Silence won't help you. We fully intend to drag you outside in front of your fellow staff to make an example of you if you don't talk here."

  "You're making it sound like you aren't going to do any work on her, Joanna." Isolde spoke like a bored child. She sighed a bit and rolled her eyes. "I'll wait in the courtyard now. Between the maid and you, this room is filling up with some of the worst smells I've experienced in a while."

  Joanna turned to Isolde. "This isn't about indulging in sadism, this is about truth and justice. We'll get nowhere if she isn't alive or awake."

  "If Tristy's show of force didn't do it, why hold back?"

  "One must start with a baseline before incrementally-"

  Alicia took advantage of the moment to turn her body and pull back her arm. The wound up punch aimed to strike true on the side of Joanna's head. She hadn't thought much beyond that. Perhaps spring up and run away. Perhaps grab something and strike the other two. Alicia let loose her fist with a grunt. She grinned a bit and braced herself for the sharp pain of her knuckles hitting bone as the strike landed true squarely on its target.

  Her attack simply stopped.

  Just as Alicia's fist touched Joanna's skin, all motion of it ceased. Joanna continued to speak as Alicia began to desperately pull her fist away. "-incrementally increase intensity based on the subject's reactions." Joanna grabbed Alicia's fist before facing her again. "At this point, I would either break her fist or dislocate her shoulder. However, this one seems to have far too much spirit to break considering her action. I'll do it outside so her conspirators may see. Perhaps that would flush them out. Yes, that could do well. Agree, Tristiana?"

  "I approve of your choice. You suffered by the actions of this one. I give you free reign to act as you see fit." Tristiana spoke in a dismissive tone.

  Fear grew in the eyes of Alicia.

  "To the courtyard, then." Joanna's response was curt. In one swift motion, she lifted Alicia over her shoulder with strength that belied her frame and carried her out. Tristiana and Isolde followed behind in mild contentment.