Linoan was rather endeared by the adorable little flower that had been prancing about the dance floor all evening, and every time she moved past, the duchess's eyes were drawn to her floral dress and scarlet hair without fail.

There's something about the girl's cheerful energy that reminds her of Tina, but with the sort of grace not uncommon of a noblewoman. So when she finds herself standing next to the girl at the refreshments table, the lady of Tahra feels compelled to strike up a conversation.

"The apple tarts are a personal favorite of mine." She suggests, smiling. "You should try them if you haven't already."

"The apple tarts are a personal favorite of mine," comes a voice of guidance and sweet(-toothed) wisdom just when Maria needs it most. Long had she been hesitating at the dessert table and faced with the most dire of decisions: what sweet should she eat next? As tasty as it sounds, she can't simply eat everything at the table, but there is something to be said for trying desserts yourself. What better way to find baking inspiration?

"The apple tarts," she murmurs thoughtfully, a sparkle forming in her eyes as she piles one onto her plate. "Hee hee, they do look yummy! Okay--"

A peek over her shoulder at her savior blows the little princess' eyes wide like saucers, her plate promptly abandoned on the table. The lady standing before her now looks like she's come straight from a fairytale, spun in soft words and a softer smile; Maria, ever the sunflower, cannot help but smile back.

"I'm really excited to try it," she continues, a curtain of crimson brushing her shoulder as her head cants, one arm stretching out to retrieve her forgotten plate. "I like to try sweets and bake them, but I haven't had a lot of apple ones before. Oh! But have you tried the strawberry shortcake? I don't know if it's my favorite, but it's a little bit like a trade, isn't it? Hee hee!"