Chapter 74 - Coincidence

Westeria,

It's the first time that the old man meets the Marchioness Astera. He recognized her at one glance and he thought that it's the most interesting thing that is happening this year. 

"Your grace," Marchioness Vivien curtsied to him as her husband bowed. 

"Beautiful lady," Duke Philip approached her and shook her hand. "Come, sit." 

The lady sat down gracefully with her husband beside her. He looked at Secretary Bryan and the man vowed as the maids served them tea. 

"I like the tea that you gave to me. It indeed boosts my immune system." He said. 

Their servant approached the box and placed it over the coffee table. The old man laughed happily. 

"I was about to ask you where you bought it." 

"I made orders from Sanghira but I had combined flavors for your taste, my lord." 

"Let's see." 

The duke opened it and there are different types inside the box. At least three of them. 

"I made a special combination that would suit your taste. If you like it soft and scented or bitter…" The Marchioness explained to him about the teas and he was rather interested in her than the teas. Their family ran a tea house business and it said that she and her daughter were the ones who mixed things for everyone's liking. 

"I heard that the business was doing great because of you." 

She smiled and it reminded him of someone's smile. 

"Yes, my lord." 

"Hmm, my birthday is in a few days and I would like you to settle on a beverage that would suit the dishes." 

"It's a pleasure." Lady Vivien bowed her head. 

"I hope that I am not ruining any plans, Lord Astera." 

"Not at all, your grace." Lord Hansen Astera was too proud of his wife. 

"I already have the dishes prepared so this visit won't be a waste, also my birthday will be in a few days and everyone is too busy for this preparation." 

He stood from his seat as the butler and maid escorted them to the dining hall. 

"I wanted it to be simple. There will be a place where people can mingle and a private place for me and my special guests." 

"Special guests?" The Marquess asked.

"Yes, they love tea. And the other one was like my granddaughter. I want a special tea that would help her get pregnant." 

"I understand." Lady Vivien said with a happy smile. "I had thought of the teas that would be perfect for her taste." 

<><><><> 

Kenzo watched as his wife looked around Westeria. She said that she's been wanting to go here. Westeria is where Royal Parties are mostly held and then there's the Marduque. But for years, they chose Marduque with great access to travel and hotels. Westeria is where the castle of the Emperor or the King is located. 

In their Family, her grandfather was the former Crown Prince. But he declined the throne and to stay as a Duke, passing it to his younger brother who is now the King of Westeria. The King didn't have any children and the only child he had died in an accident. It was a tragedy and so, they appointed Kenzo as the Crown Prince as the only heir to the throne. 

He kept glancing at the castle that could be seen nearby. He wished to go there but it wasn't the right time. Besides, he had to be ready for anything that could happen. Including protecting his wife. 

"I'm full." She pouted at him. He paid for the food as they walked around the city holding hands. "There, it's going down…" She giggled. 

"You looked so happy," Kenzo said. "I should take you to travel around." 

"Really?" Her eyes shine. "Of course, love. I don't want my wife to stay in the house and get stressed out." 

"Thank you!" 

Kenzo will have more business trips. He will take his wife with him and then drop her off at the hotel with bodyguards. Then, let her go shopping around while he's dealing with other things. They soon reached the Astera Tea House. Lots of ladies are there who are up for tea. Both of them are wearing simple and casual clothes. 

"Buy me the best tea. I'll go to the bathroom." He told her and kissed her head. Since she's holding all of the money, she will buy a lot and probably have a take-out. They are even selling tea bags and boxes of tea. Her eyes widened. Stacey loves tea too and she could buy her something right now. 

"Victoria?" She turned her head to the familiar voice. The girl pulled down her black shades and squealed. 

"Harriet." She said in a low voice and they hugged each other. 

"What are you doing here in Westeria?" 

"Honeymoon." She giggled. "We couldn't have a proper honeymoon after we got married so my hubby brought me here." 

"Wow, very romantic," Harriet said. 

"What are you doing here, too?" Victoria asked. 

"Well, I was visiting this tea shop." She said, "I am only picking up an order. And I live in," She moved her lips. "Marduque. My mom and dad have a business here, so I happened to walk in here." 

"Wow, that's great. My hubby is in the bathroom. Would you like to meet him?" 

"Yes, sure." 

"Miss, the teas are ready." The manager said. She waved at her and took the paper bags. 

"Crap, let's meet again. This is needed badly." 

"Sure." 

"And try the specialty. It will suit your taste." She winked. "With macarons." 

"Thank you." They hugged each other again and Harriet left quickly. 

"Okay, so who is the girl that you are hugging? Are you having an affair with her?" Kenzo asked. Victoria laughed. 

"It's Harriet. We met in the mall in Lwazi." 

"Oh," Kenzo nodded. The line was a bit long but then, they reached the counter and she told what she wanted and the staff was even recommending what dessert to eat with the milk tea. Kenzo asks for hot tea instead of cold tea. 

They sat down on the beautiful view and they enjoyed their tea together. This honeymoon is the best for her. She never thought that she'll experience this kind of honeymoon with someone she loves. 

"So, what's next?" He asked. 

"We aren't done here yet." She giggled. 

He held her hand and caressed her thumb across the cheap rings that she's wearing. 

"Let's change the rings with diamonds. What do you say?" 

"This is fine with me." She said, "You made it. It's beautiful." 

"I can make another with real diamonds." 

"Kenz, you are enough." 

"I know but," he brought it to his lips. "I want to give everything to you." 

"Stop it. You make me fall hard on you." 

Kenzo laughed and kept her hand close to his face. 

<><><><> 

Harriet was in a rush but she bumped into his big brother. 

"Hey, what's the hurry?" He asked. 

"Mom needs the tea for the Duke. Go to the tea shop. Victoria is there… but with her husband." 

"Oh," He creased his brows. "Which Victoria?" 

"My friend, Victoria. From Lwazi." 

Hardin nodded. He's on his way to the shop anyway. He went to the shop as the staff greeted him. He waved and looked around. He noticed a familiar man on the corner speaking with a woman as his eyes sparkled. He's even holding her hand. His memory is sharp and since the man looked too familiar to him back in Lwazi, he didn't forget it.

"Was he the guy in the hotel in Lwazi?" He mumbled. "Hmm, odd that I am seeing him here." 

He looked around again to search for Victoria. The Victoria he had in mind is the one he met in the parking lot and the mall. He didn't see any Victoria so he went to the office and checked the orders that his mother wanted him to personally check since the Duke asked for the beverage for his party. And of course, it's the first time that he met their mom. It seemed like his mother already impressed the Duke. It's good for business and it's good for their family connection. 

"This is good." He checked the qualities of the teas and it was sealed properly. He left the office and accidentally bumped into a girl that came out of the bathroom. "Victoria?" He called. The woman turned to him and smiled beautifully. 

It's just amazing that whenever this woman smiles, everything shines. It's odd too that he never saw this to anyone. 

"You are~~" 

"Hardin… remember?" 

"Oh, yes. Sorry." She giggled. "So, you own this tea house?" 

"My family owns this business." 

"Oh, I have to compliment the drinks and sweets. I have to go." She waved. 

"Thank you…" Hardin mumbled. The woman was in a rush. He followed her. But she approached the familiar man from Lwazi and they stood from their seats. 

The man wrapped his arm around her waist possessively and smiled down at her. She looked like a pixie around the man. It must be her husband. Hardin thought deep. Is it the same Victoria that Harriet mentioned? It's just weird that the world was so small that they could bump at each other like that.. He shrugged and left the tea house.