The sun was shining very brightly. Butterflies danced on blooming flowers, and birds sang on tree branches. The summer breeze was warm against Holly's skin.
The day was perfect for a cup of tea.
Holly stirred her tea after pouring a generous amount of milk into it. There was nothing more delicious than tea on a sunny afternoon.
She sat in the middle of the garden, accompanied by Gilbert, whom she was forced to sit with. At first, he refused and chose to stand awkwardly beside her. But Holly couldn't hold the awkwardness between them. After a long debate, Gilbert relented and sat with her at the same table.
Holly's mood was as bright as the sun. One week had passed since the banquet that Felix held. She enjoyed Felix's presence more and more and got used to living in the palace.
At first glance, her life felt like was five years ago. She could wear a pretty dress, eat whatever she wanted, take a walk in the large garden, and be served by many servants. Of course, the palace was much better than castles.
"I hope Arthur can enjoy this too," Holly muttered as she poured Gilbert tea.
Gilbert felt sorry. He knew Holly must be missing her family, but there wasn't much he could do. Gilbert, Millard, the old lady, and Justin were all like ghosts who suddenly disappeared without a trace. Even Cass's best people failed to find them.
"Do you think Arthur is your enemy?" asked Holly with a calm smile.
Gilbert gasped. That was not an easy question to answer. He wasn't sure how to tell her if Arthur most likely worked with Millard. But at the same time, Gilbert was also not sure if Arthur was an enemy considering he never intended to attack Felix.
"I don't know, Your Majesty."
"It's okay. But, can you just call me by my name when there's no one around? I want to be closer to you."
Gilbert nodded awkwardly, his blue eyes still staring at Holly doubtfully.
"Besides, soon you will be my brother-in-law," Holly said shyly. A blush crept up her cheeks.
Gilbert froze for a moment, then nodded stiffly. His eyes stared blankly as if something was bothering his mind.
"Actually, I still don't get it. How did the rumours about the beast exist? I believed that a beast would come to the village if we didn't make sacrifices."
Gilbert scratched his head awkwardly while smiling shyly. "That was my mistake."
Holly put down her glass and looked at Gilbert with her wide green eyes. "You?"
"In the past, people used to come to the forest, and they accidentally saw my wolf. At that time, a woman was injured while running away because she was afraid to see me, so I helped her. But other people who saw it thought I was looking for a victim. After that, they added rumours and sent women once every ten years."
Gilbert held back his embarrassment as he told Holly that. He deliberately kept the incident a secret from other residents because it was too embarrassing. But thanks to that, humans didn't dare to come to the Dark Forest anymore.
Holly laughed. She couldn't help but laugh after hearing the truth behind the rumours. It wasn't as terrible as she thought; Gilbert even had good intentions to help humans.
"I'm sorry. I'm relieved that the rumours weren't true."
Gilbert also smiled at Holly's reaction. He was glad Holly wasn't mocking him or even scared after hearing the truth.
Several maids stole glances at them. The atmosphere in the palace was getting busier because Felix's coronation as King would take place tomorrow. Many maids were busy preparing decorations, cleaning the entire palace and making food.
Holly's smile slowly faded as she remembered she wouldn't be able to see it live tomorrow. Once again, she must hide. Holly was tired of pretending to be invisible, but that was the only thing she could do.
She didn't know Felix's plans, but he promised they would get married soon.
Holly's eyes turned to the white rose she had placed on the table. Lately, she has always carried it everywhere. She did everything she could to destroy the flower, even burn it. However, that cursed rose still stood without smudging.
"I can't believe magic exists," said Holly as she plucked a flower petal.
White petals fell on the floor and scattered everywhere. Those petals never ran out and always grew the new ones, replacing the fallen petals. It continued until the floor was filled with that white thing.
"Where did Felix get this flower?"
She wasn't Holly if she didn't have curiosity. She had actually wanted to ask this for a long time. Where did this flower come from? And how could a flower as beautiful as this beat Felix?
"Do you know who made these flowers? Are they witches?"
Gilbert cleared his throat loudly while searching for an answer. He turned his face away from Holly. Clearly, he was trying to avoid the question. But that just made Holly even more curious. What exactly was Gilbert hiding?
"Why didn't you tell her?"
A voice from behind startled them both. Holly turned her head and found Astragus looking fiercely at the flower in Holly's hand with his haughty face.
Holly didn't like this man. He was the kind of person to avoid, especially for a human like Holly. But Holly's curiosity overcame her fear.
Astragus walked up to them. His long white robe touched the grass. Up close like this, he looked scarier. Holly held her breath, seeing his cruel face.
Seen from any side, he was not similar to Cass. And Holly was grateful for that. They didn't look like father and daughter at all.
"It's Helga," said Astragus, pointing at the cursed flower.
Holly frowned. Who was Helga? She had never heard about that name before.
"Who was Helga?"
Astragus' eyes grew sharper after Holly asked that. Holly maintained her calm face. She must not appear weak in front of the enemy.
"The late Queen. That flower is the late Queen Helga."