CHAPTER 6: Tea Beneath the Garden Sky
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The merchants bowed deeply, one after another, before turning to take their leave.
As they crossed paths with the head knight, Moratta, they bowed once more in respect, offering silent greetings before exiting the throne room.
The heavy doors closed.
"It seems I arrived at the wrong time," Moratta said, facing the king.
"You can stop with the formality," the king replied casually.
"You're the king now, remember?"
Sath smirked faintly.
"Well, it's kind of hard not to," he said.
"Considering you were my teacher."
Moratta paused.
"And I should be the one saying that," he replied.
"Stop calling me my lord when we're alone. Just call me by my name."
"…."
For a brief moment, Moratta remained silent.
"Sath Gary," he finally said with a small sigh.
"Are you happy now?"
"Not quite."
Moratta raised an eyebrow.
"Why don't we have tea while we talk instead of standing around?" Sath said, rising from the throne.
There was a warmth in his smile, one that made refusal nearly impossible.
"…As you wish," Moratta replied.
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They walked through the palace corridors and emerged into the heart of the royal garden.
A vast space stretched endlessly before them, its size impossible to measure, its borders unseen. The sun never directly touched the garden, yet it was bright, alive, and calm, as though sheltered by the world itself.
At the center, Sath and Moratta took their seats as maids in traditional black-and-white attire quietly served tea, bowing before retreating into the shade.
"The aroma is pleasant," Sath said, lifting his cup.
"Yes," Moratta replied.
"Indeed."
"The aroma, its a traditional tea brand his mom favourite " Moratta thought to himself while eyes focused on the tea "and the garden, this must been the closest thing tying both him and his mom"
Moratta smiled while whispering "You're becoming more like her Sath"
"Hmm?" Sath noticing his lips moving but couldn't get what he was saying.
"It's nothing, just me talking to myself" Moratta said covering his attentions completely.
"Oh I see, so you are that old now huh?" Sath said taking a sip from his tea cup.
"Not just his mother but his father it's seems, forming one hell of a son altogether" Moratta thought to himself.
They sipped in silence for a moment.
"So," Moratta began,
"How did the meeting with the merchants go?"
Sath exhaled softly.
"You could tell the moment you walked in," he said.
"I don't disagree with their reasoning. I simply have… other arrangements in mind."
He took another sip.
"Our age is entering a new era," Sath continued.
"And I intend to see it through without unnecessary chaos."
"…."
Moratta didn't respond.
Instead, his gaze drifted toward the garden.
A butterfly hovered gently, settling atop a blooming flower.
"…A new era," he murmured quietly, almost to himself.
Sath noticed.
"You seem to really like the garden," he said with a light smile.
"Didn't take you for the nature-loving type."
Moratta turned back, slightly startled, his guard had been down.
"…Or is it this particular garden that interests you?" Sath added, smirking as he followed Moratta's earlier gaze.
Moratta paused.
He lifted his teacup, took a slow sip, then spoke.
"My mom…"
Sath went silent.
"My mom… was like that," Moratta continued.
"I guess I took after her."
"I guess I'm not that different from you in that aspect"..he thought to himself smiling a bit.
"I see," Sath said softly, his expression brightening.
"Yeah."
Moratta looked at him and immediately frowned.
"…Okay. Stop."
"Huh?" Sath replied innocently.
"I didn't even say anything."
"I know you're thinking something stupid right now."
"Stupid?" Sath said, placing a hand on his chest.
"All I thought was that you're surprisingly open-hearted. Nothing ridiculous."
He failed to look serious in the slightest.
Moratta sighed.
"…Yeah. Sure."
Sath grinned.
"Mommy's boy."
"I knew it," Moratta snapped calmly but clearly annoyed.
"You haven't changed one bit since the day I met you."
Sath chuckled.
Moratta exhaled deeply.
"…I didn't come here just to drink tea."
Sath's laughter faded instantly.
"Hm?" he said, his eyes sharpening.
Moratta straightened.
"There's something I need to report."
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To Be Continued...
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