"Empress Bella Bell, Princess Jade Hayes, His Majesty has sent refreshments." Outside, several eunuchs filed in, carrying exquisite pastries and fragrant tea, and set them on the table.
The pastries were exquisite, the tea fragrant—truly a feast for the senses.
"Did you make these yourself?" Princess Jade Hayes looked at the pastries and asked Bella Bell.
Bella Bell grinned, "I wanted to make them myself, but His Majesty said since I'm pregnant, I shouldn't cook—just in case I hurt the baby. So the Imperial Kitchen made them. I don't know if they're to your liking, Master."
Princess Jade Hayes nodded, smiling as her gaze swept over the dishes on the table. She didn’t rush to eat, but instead asked Bella Bell, "By the way, you didn’t forget to bring back the bamboo rat I gave you, did you?"
"Of course I didn’t forget! Master, you gave me such a cute bamboo rat to keep me company—how could I leave it behind!" Bella Bell was delighted and asked her maid to fetch the bamboo rat.
Princess Jade Hayes took the bamboo rat out of its cage and placed it on the table, smiling. "This little fellow was trained by my father. It’s very well-behaved."
"Oh, was it trained by Dr. Rowan Lin?" Bella Bell blinked. "That really is something special! I remember Dr. Lin once trained a pale yellow bird that could track people by scent—it became a legend! I wonder what tricks this bamboo rat has?"
Princess Jade Hayes pursed her lips and smiled. "It’s not much of a trick—just a playful bamboo rat. It’s a bit cleverer and cuter than most, and it can understand simple commands."
Bella Bell’s eyes widened with interest as she watched the bamboo rat.
Princess Jade Hayes uttered a command, and the plump, round bamboo rat began scurrying across the table, weaving between the plates of pastries. It sniffed at one plate, then turned to Princess Jade Hayes and squeaked energetically.
Princess Jade Hayes’s eyes flickered ever so slightly, while Bella Bell watched the bamboo rat with curiosity and affection. "Master, what is it doing? Does it want to eat the pastries?"
"Nothing much, it’s just showing off how cute it is." Princess Jade Hayes put the bamboo rat back in its cage, handed it to Bella Bell, and taught her how to care for it.
Bella Bell memorized everything carefully. As Princess Jade Hayes stood up, Bella Bell grew anxious and tugged at her sleeve. "Master, are you leaving already? You haven’t even had any tea or pastries, and the chair isn’t even warm yet. We rarely get to see each other—please stay a little longer!"
Princess Jade Hayes smiled and patted Bella Bell’s hand. "I’ll stay for tea. But after that, I have to meet with Prince Alexander Hayes in the Hayes Study. The palace is busy today."
Bella Bell’s eyes sparkled. "Master, you and His Highness Prince Alexander Hayes are truly the envy of the capital! I heard you’re planning a new school for girls—everyone is talking about it!"
Princess Jade Hayes laughed. "Let them talk. The more they gossip, the more determined I am to make it happen. You’ll be the school’s honorary patron, Empress Bella Bell!"
Bella Bell covered her mouth, giggling. "Master, don’t tease me! I’m not even sure I can handle being a patron. But I’ll do my best!"
Princess Jade Hayes poured tea for Bella Bell, her tone gentle. "Just be yourself. That’s more than enough."
As the tea steamed between them, the atmosphere in the Hayes Study grew warm and intimate, untouched by palace intrigue—at least for now.