Author's Notes: Hi, everyone! I apologize for the long wait in updates. As you may have noticed, I've condensed everything into fewer chapters to help cut down on the chapter list length. You can now find around several drabbles per chapter. I also added a couple of new drabbles here and there to help flesh things out a bit. I am not sure how all this will affect viewing and reviews, so please let me know if you encounter any problems.
I'll also be moving here soon, so updates may continue to be rather late as I get settled in. Sorry!
Also, I want to thank everyone who's left a review! Your feedback is always wonderful to read. I really appreciate it.
I hope you all enjoy!
-x-x-
Waiting
As much as Rio wanted to forget that night, however, fate saw differently.
It started several days later, with whispers and smiles. Always meant fondly, as one would tease a child. But sometimes she'd overhear murmurs about fairytale romances, and she'd cringe.
It isn't like that, she wanted to shout. We're only friends!
She wasn't stupid. She could guess who they meant. Amir.
But as much as they treated her like a kid, she knew better. She was a farmer, and he a prince. He was only being polite.
It wasn't her fault that whenever she visited, he was waiting.
-x-x-
Tea for Two
Then there came a day when Amir wasn't waiting.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Rio, but Master Amir is unfortunately indisposed of at the moment." Sanjay inclined his head apologetically. "If you have a message…"
An afternoon without interruption? Rio's face lit up in a blush. Did she dare?
Sanjay's brow creased in concern at her silence. "Ms. Rio?"
She swallowed. "I… I actually came to see you, Sanjay."
His eyes widened. "Me?"
"Yes. If that's all right, I mean…"
"Certainly." His expression relaxed into a smile. "My apologies, I never thought you'd be here for me. Would you like some tea?"
-x-x-
Hot Tea and Warm Thoughts
Sanjay felt his chest warm as he watched Rio contentedly sip her tea.
He could hardly believe she'd come for him. For the prince, certainly; people visited all the time. But for him, a mere servant?
He flushed for reasons he wasn't sure of.
She glanced at him, and he smiled awkwardly. He hoped she didn't notice. "Seeing you smiling over the tea I prepared for you, Ms. Rio… Well, it reminds me of just how warmly everyone here in town has welcomed me," he said. "Let's continue to be good neighbors in the future."
"Of course!"
His heart fluttered.