Afternoon tea created a bridge between Lenore and her mother, and Lenore no longer found herself anxious at the thought of being around her. There are still wounds on her heart and years of missing time that have left them uncertain about each other, but now they have the courage to take small steps and talk about the topics that burn on the tips of their tongues.
However, now Lenore is trying to figure out how to start bridging that distance with her father and brother. It's not going as smoothly as it did with Vella and her mom, but Vella spent time in Barrowmere, and that visit helped them grow used to being around each other again. As for her mom, Lenore used the power of the noble lady's tea party, a custom that's never out of style.
As for her father and brother, Lenore feels lost when trying to think of an activity to use to bring her a bit closer to them. Alaric has a tendency to spend his extra time working, so she's never seen examples of hobbies that she could invite her dad to join her in doing for an afternoon or evening. Whatever time might work best. She also hasn't seen him drink much tea or eat much dessert when it's served after dinner.
Maybe he just doesn't like sweets. That's okay. As for tea, well, it would be good for him to find a type he likes since there are plenty of blends with medicinal properties—although she only knows that thanks to Wirvoth. Those blends helped her during nights when sleep wouldn't come or when she felt overwhelmed by the life of a duchess, an unexpected shift from the quiet life she lived as an unwanted girl in her uncle's manor.
So, why can't that be enough?
Lenore noticed from their first meeting that her father is burdened by a weariness that takes years to accumulate, and she can guess that she's part of the reason behind it. But he doesn't need to carry that with him anymore. She's free and happy, finding joy and fulfillment in a marriage that was meant to be a way to keep Alina at home and avoid angering the emperor by disobeying him at the same time.
With that, she heads to Alaric's study, asking a servant for directions when she realizes that she's not getting any closer on her own and that this townhouse's layout is still unfamiliar to her. She knocks twice and enters after she hears his voice on the other side of the door.
"Do we have a physician in this townhouse?" she asks.
She knows that Wirvoth has stayed in Barrowmere. Not that she blames him, since he spends a lot of time researching and all his equipment is at the estate. Of course, he won't want to leave it behind if he doesn't need to.
Alaric puts his work aside to look at her. "Are you not feeling well?"
"No, I was just thinking of ways to start talking to my dad." She sits in the chair on the other side of his desk, facing him like she's there for a planned meeting. "I don't really know what he likes, but he looks like he could use some more medicinal-based tea blends that help with fatigue. I thought it'd be fun to have a set of different ones and try them together."
Alaric chuckles, then moves his hands to casually cover his mouth, even though Lenore sees that he's still smiling behind it. "We don't have a live-in physician here. I've never stayed in the capital long enough to hire one. However, there are a few physicians that I can contact if needed. Your request is simple enough. I can have some servants pick up the tea tomorrow if you want to prepare to meet with him in the evening."
Lenore nods. "I would be very thankful for that."
They don't talk about much more after that, but Lenore lingers longer than she needs to, simply unwilling to step away just yet.
-:-
Lenore is almost afraid that her dad won't show up in the lounge at the appointed time after the servant she had invite him to spend time with her that evening said that he was hesitant when accepting. Still, she has the tea prepared—each blend in two cups—and the description of every type is carefully written on a paper by its associated tea.
True to his word, her father shows up and sits on the opposite side of the coffee table when she gestures at it. His outfit is neat, though not overly formal. But it's the lines on his face that Lenore's gaze stays on. Lines that show age. Stress. Sorrow. Each one is a story of her father's past.
"Your mom enjoyed having tea with you," he says. "She had to wipe away stray tears for the rest of the day because she was so happy. And so relieved."
Lenore smiles at that. "I liked it, too."
Her dad's smile is small and fragile, quickly replaced by a tense expression that she can't fully read. "Lenore, you don't have to do the same for me. Letting your mom into your world is already more than I can ask for."
"Did you not want to spend time with me?"
Her dad shakes his head. "No, it's not that. Never. I just know that you went through a lot, and it was because I wasn't strong enough to save you. I didn't have the power or influence. If spending time with me reminds you of that past, I understand."
Lenore gently pushes one teacup with the first blend of tea towards her dad and takes the second one for herself. "It doesn't remind me of that past. At least, not in the way you think. I just think that I missed so much time with everyone, and I want to know the people who are my family now. It might not ever be perfect, but that's okay. After spending so long apart, I want to take those small steps to learning how to be a family again."
Her dad brings up his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut to keep his tears from falling. "Lenore, I'm so sorry."
"I know," Lenore says. "It's okay now. I'm happy now. But you aren't getting out of trying these teas. They're supposed to help you sleep."
Her dad's chuckle sounds wet, somewhere between a laugh and a sob. "Very well."
None of the tea blends taste great. But their bitterness is sweetened by the love of a father and his daughter learning to be a family again.