"You don't have to give me that look, it's not like this was my idea." Minerva debated dropping another sugarcube in her coffee but refrained. Michalis was giving her a look that would probably make anyone else wither, but she'd grown used to it.

They'd grown used to each other again, even if things weren't quite what they once were. And she knew Michalis was busy- She was busy too! But an invitation, in well-practiced calligraphy that she certainly never could never manage, was delivered to her suite and obviously Michalis had gotten one as well.

It wasn't quite a tea party when they were both drinking coffee and not quite eyeing the bowl of sugarcubes just off to the side. When they'd been children, they'd each dropped one or two into their cocoa, despite being fussed at.

"That's why I'm here," Michalis replied.

Because Maria had invited them. And there was a third seat at the table, currently empty.

They'd been promised tea or coffee and a surprise, which Minerva suspected was cake. She'd at least caught a few of the kitchen's comments about Maria taking an interest in baking and trying to learn all she could. It was a worthy endeavor and another thing Minerva would never claim competency at. She could cook over a campfire, but baking was completely out.

Their coffee had been delivered by a servant, which only added to the minor mystery of the gathering. Whatever they were offered, Minerva knew she'd eat without complaint. Michalis would as well.

And before they'd half-finished their cups, the door opened and in came Maria carrying a beautiful cake. She was smiling widely and Minerva echoed her smile. This was obviously a big deal and, she suspected, part of a bigger plan that likely didn't involve anyone in the castle but perhaps the orphanage where Maria had been devoting quite a bit of her time.

"Thank you both for coming," Maria said as she set the cake down. A servant from the kitchen trailed along with utensils but slipped back from the room after depositing them on the table.

"How does it look?" Maria questioned a moment later.

"Delicious," Minerva said honestly. It looked rich and filling and like the sort of thing neither of them would normally eat, even though Michalis was terrible at hiding his sweet tooth.

"You've done well," Michalis added.

"Then let's eat!"

Minerva smiled and let Maria serve her. Even if it was not the best cake of her life, she knew it would be good, because Maria made it.

But- the cake was dark, frosted with chocolate, with tiny sugar flowers. It was rich and moist and once she put a bite in her mouth, Minerva was a little bit jealous of everyone who'd gotten to eat the practice cakes.

Across from her, Michalis's expression suggested that he felt much the same. And while Minerva wouldn't comment for him, she did reach over with one foot and give his leg a nudge.

"It's excellent," he said, before smiling a rare little smile.

That was enough for Maria to start in on all the details of how it was made, which Minerva also listened to between savoring bites. Another slice would be a poor idea, but she was very tempted.

"It really is good. Is the recipe Caeda sent you?"

Maria nodded. "Others, too, that I want to try." She looked to Minerva and then Michalis. They both nodded. If the results would be as delicious as the cake, they'd relent.

They'd have as many tea parties as Maria wanted.