Lost Love [~Toffee~] ((COMPLETED))

Chapter 7

Toffee followed Elara closely, keeping a keen golden eye on his surroundings. He didn't trust the Butterfly's sudden hospitality, if that's what it could be called. Elara only gained some of his trust, even though he believed she couldn't hurt a fly. Or, she didn't want to at least.

"The second drawing room is this way.." Elara said quietly.

"There's two?" Toffee tilted his head to the side only slightly, one eyebrow raising in question. Elara nodded in response, huffing a breath of what Toffee thought was slight aggravation.

"Mom has her own tea room; where she took your king. This room is for me, my sister, and anyone my mother doesn't deem.. 'worthy'... to see her own fancy room."

"Hmm." Toffee breathed. He knew the Queen was particular and somewhat ruthless when it came to war, but making her daughters have tea in a separate room, without her? That was harsh. He could tell it bothered Elara, but his mind peeled him away from that thought for a realization. Elara had a sister? There was another Butterfly princess?

"I don't mean to pry," Toffee spoke suddenly, taking Elara off guard some, "But... You have a sister?"

At this, Elara smiled. The simple thought of Moon made her happy, but not quite as happy as the thought of Toffee made her. It was close though, very close.

"Y-yes I do," She stuttered. Before either of them could say another word, Elara stopped suddenly in front of two gigantic doors. A man in a strange blue suit with puffed shoulders bowed low in front of the princess.

"Princess Butterfly, the tea room is ready for you and your..." When he eyed Toffee he frowned some, then held up his nose in snobbery, "... Guest."

Toffee had had more than enough of the pretentious gall all the Mewmen showed towards him and his people. A vein in his neck began to pop and he squeezed his hands into fists. His mouth was ready to speak, or rip this little man's throat out, he couldn't tell. But before he could rage, or give the butler an earful, Elara spoke, quietly, but assuredly.

"He's more than just my guest, I can... Assure you of that." She smiled some, "He's a... Friend."

The man's eyebrows shot up and his nose wrinkled in disgust. Elara frowned at him, "You know I don't like it when my friends are mistreated."

This brought the man's face back to normal, and he tore open the large door like it owed him something. "Tea has been served." He spoke quickly and angrily, while he ushered Elara and Toffee into the room. "Have a nice afternoon." And with that, he slammed the door shut behind him and left Elara and Toffee alone again.

Elara sat first, in a little purple chair, leaning to take the intricately painted tea pot to pour fine smelling, steaming tea into a matching tea cup. She plopped two cubes of sugar into it and poured just a touch of cream in before taking a spoon and stirring it gently. Toffee watched as she made the tea like it was second nature, not wanting to move towards a seat and scare her. So he stood there, until she had brought the teacup to rest on her lap.

When she noticed Toffee's stares, her cheeks lit up in a rose colored blush like normal. She had a love-hate relationship with how his golden eyes just laid on her and took her in like a wild animal.

"Y-you may... sit, if you like." She almost whispered. It was only then Toffee noticed that he was just standing there, zoned out of his mind.

"Ah," He pushed away all thoughts of emotion, as he sat in a fancy little blue chair beside her, "Forgive me."

"Of.. course," Elara smiled gently, "Would you like some?" She held up the tea cup in reference. Toffee had never really been a fan of Mewnian tea. Swamp water was about the only thing he would drink, either that or normal water from a stream or tap.

Yet he nodded his head politely, "Yes, thank you."

Again, Elara began to make the tea, exactly like she had made her own. Two sugar cubes, a small bit of cream, and a gentle stir. Once she had finished her hands froze over the cup, like she had made a mistake. Toffee looked up at her to see what was wrong. Her eyes were wide, like a doe who had heard the sound of a hunter's footsteps.

"Is everything alright, Princess Butterfly?" Toffee interrupted the silence. Elara shook her head as if from a trance and held a hand up to her tiny forehead.

"Oh dear... Please forgive me, General, I didn't even ask you how you liked your tea.. I just made it like I always do." The words tumbled out of her mouth and she shook her head again, "and I was trying to figure out how to fix it."

Elara's kindness and thoughtfulness made Toffee chuckle. "I'm sure your tea tastes exquisite." He leaned forward and gently pulled the tea cup from her hands, making sure his skin just barely came into contact with hers. It caused her cheeks to burn even brighter than before. "And, please, call me Toffee." His voice had lowered some, to that huskiness that Elara loved. It made her want to swoon so badly.

"Oh... Um - of course..! Toffee." For the first time, she had said his real name right to his face. Toffee enjoyed hearing his name pass through her soft little lips. It even caused his heart to flutter some.

"And you can... You can call me Elara..." The little princess stated carefully, trying desperately to not overstep the invisible boundaries between the two. But she was overjoyed when Toffee simply smiled at her and said, "Elara." bowing his head to show his appreciation.

Elara's heart tried to leap out of her chest after he had said her name. She loved it, almost as much as him saying 'Hello, Princess.' when they had first met.

Toffee could see that Elara had zoned out, her eyes staring holes into the mahogany table in front of them. So, he took that moment to bring his tea cup up to his lips and gulp down a very small amount of the tea. It warmed his throat, and was actually quite pleasant in taste. The only way for him to describe it was flowers; It tasted exactly how flowers smell: delicious.

"Mm," He breathed, almost blissfully. The sound brought Elara back from her daydreams and her eyes landed heavily onto Toffee. She watched, as he took another sip of her tea and smiled.

"This tea is wonderful."

And at that, Elara and Toffee sat in silence; drinking their tea and gazing through the French doors to the courtyard for quite some time. That is, until Toffee had finished his tea and stood, holding a hand out to the little princess.

"Would you care to join me in the courtyard?"

*Hehe! I finally updated! :D I'm so glad to be back. I hate spouting off excuses, but I just recently moved into my own place with my fiancé and we've been having to deal with a lot of things. (Mainly me getting badly sick, AGAIN) BUT! I am back, and ready to continue this amazing story :) I honestly just love Elara and Toffee's relationship at the moment lol It's starting to blossom into something much more than just a childish crush between the both of them and I just love it!!!! xD So, I hope you guys really enjoy this long-awaited chapter and don't forget to vote and comment! I love reading comments and replying as well! Have an amazing day and I'll be throwing another update at you ASAP!*