"…..you bastard," I grimaced at the sight in front of me. " This is why you assigned me to be your personal knight, didn't you?" I grinded my teeth, clearly unhappy about it.
"You're the best choice, after all. Since you're...pfft..."
The silver-haired jerk continued to wheeze by his own, accompanied by entity, though only I could hear both of them. Not approving of the same humour, I shot a death glare, exuding utter hate and betrayal.
"Please control your face, it isn't very pleasant to the eyes," he commented.
In front of me is the imperial palace. Yes, the exact one we went to before. Fortunately, that cotton candy is still nowhere to be seen.
*Please have a tea party or something!* I prayed, ignoring the girly-faced guy.
*Are you still holding grudges against her…donkey?* Entity snickered.
*You're lucky that you don't have a physical body. Had you do, I'll send you flying in no time,* I huffed, balling up my fist.
*Heh, loser,* entity taunted.
After passing through the imperial guards, I escorted Lucius to the meeting room, cautiously observing the surroundings for any possible threat. Threat for me, I mean. Who could ever threatened the almighty Marquess of Leonhart, right?
Seeing the palace in broad daylight, it became far more breathtaking than that of my previous experience! It radiates the vibes of the other world's Rome, built with large pillars and high roofs. The carefully planned garden landscape, filled with blooming exotic flowers.
Meticulously crafted furnitures decorating the sides of the corridor, with white marble flooring beneath it. Elaborate snowflake carvings on the walls, symbolising the ice attributes running exclusively in the imperial bloodline. An angel statue with a harp by the pond, looking so realistic that it might actually come to life! What a gorgeous place!
"The meeting might take a few hours, you can go and explore the palace more while waiting," Lucius suggested once we arrived by a large brown door.
"Alright," I nodded, watching him disappeared into the room.
Through the crack of the door, I managed to sneak a peek and saw the long table inside with a few nobles, already seated on their respective chair. Some stood up at the sight of Lucius, while other just gave a brief glance. It looks like a typical official meeting, must be boring to death!
As the door came to a close, I began to shift my feet, walking away. *Hm, where should I go now?* I pondered.
Wandering around, I took in more of the palace's structure. It feels like a medieval film setting, a very high quality one at that! It must've costed a fortune, one I couldn't even begin to imagine.
I descended a couple of stairs, onto the white brick pavement. The weather is excellent today, sunny but not scorching hot. Down a few more steps, I eventually reached the imperial garden. As expected, it is a beautiful sight even after looking up close. The palace's flowers had caught my interest even from the previous visit. Now that I got the time, might as well go looking around. The gardeners must've had an exceptional green thumb, being able to maintain such a beautiful garden.
"Oh, there's a nice rose scent!" I sniffed, following the trail of such alluring scent.
The garden resembles a large maze, making the walk even more enjoyable! Given that I could find my way out of it, of course. Taking a turn to the right, my view was flooded with blooming roses of various colours. Red, yellow, pink and white, a complete set of 'em!
"Woah, isn't it still summer? And it's blooming so nicely too!" I admired the flowers excitedly.
*As I thought, the gardeners here are exceptional!*
"It's because of magic," A small voice replied. "Earth attribute, to be exact."
"Really? I didn't know they can do tha-!"
*…wait up,* I froze in my spot. *Who's that?!* I jumped away, searching for the voice.
Right behind of me is a beautiful pink-haired young lady, dressed in blue with a beige bonnet. As she is shorter, she had to look up to meet my gaze. She held no contempt in her eyes, yet I sweat profusely at the sight.
"Greetings, the 7th flower of the empire," I bowed.
Replying my greeting with a nod, she looked around me before asking, "…I heard that the Marquess is here?"
*Ah, is that why she's here?* I thought with relief.
"Indeed, he is," I answered, looking back up. "The Lord is attending the meeting at the moment."
"Hm, I see," the princess hummed.
.
.
.
*Then, why isn't she leaving?!* I got flustered at the awkward silence.
Just before I was about to excuse myself, she asked, "Do you like the flowers?"
*Oh, easy question!* I perked up.
"Yes!" I nodded, a bit too enthusiastic than what I had hoped for. "It's very nice to see, somewhat healing, even! Since the flowers depended on magic, does this mean that they can bloom during winter, too?"
"…Yes," the princess answered, slightly taken aback from the unexpected enthusiasm.
"Really? That would be such an amazing sight!" I clapped my hands together, imagining the never-ending beauty.
*Magic is good, that's for sure!* I nodded to myself.
"…it's just flowers. It can't do anything and not so impressi—"
"That's not true!" I denied. "Who cares if it can do anything or not? Just looking at it filled me with enjoyment. I'm sure everyone would think so, too!"
My parents were florists, hence I grew up admiring these fragile creatures. Despite its beauty, their lifespans are very short. I often wondered if there's a way for it to live slightly longer, especially when gifted to someone. But I guess, such isn't a problem in this world. Heh.
Not getting any responses from the supposedly foul-mouthed princess, I felt my heart descended to my stomach.
*Shit, is she angry 'cause I cut off her sentence?* I quietly glanced back at her.
To my surprise, she didn't look angry. Instead, she replied shyly, "…It's my skill. I made it bloom."
"Seriously?!" My eyes widened at the declaration. "That's a wonderful skill you got there! Must be great to have these flowers all year 'round!" I looked at her with admiration.
"…y-you think so?"
"Of course!"
The princess's thin lips curled up to form a soft smile, a hint of pink rushed to her cheeks.
*Is she pleased? I guess the last encounter with her doesn't mean much anymore, then.*
By the way, it's my first time knowing about her attribute. It wasn't mentioned in the novel anywhere! A skill to bloom flowers, eh? That's also the first time I heard of it. I only knew of the skills used in combat, defence and healing. Something that's typically used in battles and wars. Didn't know these kinds exist, too.
*Hm? Now that I think of it, how come she's an earth attribute? Don't all imperial family members were born as ice attributes?* I pondered.
"Would you like to join me for a tea?"
"Pardon?" My thoughts were cut short due to the princess's invitation. "How could a mere knight like me join you, your highness?" I faked humbleness, not wishing to go.
"Come," she gestured me to follow her, instead.
Being the commoner I am, refusing isn't a choice. With great reluctance, I just agreed, "…alright."