The group arrived at the flower market, a lively area with rows of vibrant blooms and floral arrangements as far as the eye could see. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, a mix of sweet and earthy fragrances, while the sound of people moving around created a bustling atmosphere. Prince Dorian had already wandered a few steps ahead, closely examining the selection, leaving Emilia and Countess Evelyn to stroll together through the colorful aisles.
"You're holding up well, considering how hectic things have been," the Countess remarked, her tone light, though her eyes were watchful. She glanced at the girl with a small smile, noting the determined yet slightly tired expression on her face.
"But with our tight schedule, you're going to need a bit more than willpower to get through everyday."
Emilia smiled, appreciating the Countess's concern. "You're right," she admitted, running her hand over the petals of a nearby rose. "It's been a lot, but we're getting closer to the Queen's celebration, so it'll be worth it."
Countess Evelyn leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a near whisper as they continued walking. "I know something that could help you keep your energy up," she murmured close to the girl's ear, her words barely audible above the hum of the market around them.
Emilia's eyes widened slightly, turning her head towards the Countess, her curiosity piqued by the secretive tone. "Oh? And what's that?" she asked, though Countess Evelyn merely smirked.
The Countess shook her head playfully, a knowing look in her eyes. "You'll see," she replied, keeping the mystery alive as she straightened up and resumed her usual poised stance. "It's something that will… surprise you, and I think it's something you'll find very useful."
Emilia raised an eyebrow but decided not to push further, intrigued by the Countess's cryptic hint. After a while, they decided to get closer to Prince Dorian, who was already engrossed in inspecting a collection of rare lilies.
"These lilies are a great choice," Prince Dorian commented as they reached him, holding up a stem with vibrant, deep blue petals. "They're native to the northern regions, just as we discussed. A symbol of purity and strength, perfect for the Queen's birthday."
Emilia nodded in agreement, "Let's move forward with this."
The Countess then promptly excused herself and walked over to the staff to place the order.
As the two continued to browse through the place, Prince Dorian paused again by a row of delicate blossoms, their petals soft and vibrant. He turned to Emilia with a curious expression.
"Do you have a favorite flower?" The man asked, his voice casual but with a hint of curiosity as he gently touched the petals of a bloom nearby.
Emilia shook her head slightly, "I don't really have any particular favorite," she admitted, looking around at the variety of flowers surrounding them. "I've never thought about it much."
Prince Dorian chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on a flower with soft pink petals. "In my opinion, you remind me of this one," he said, plucking a stem of a flower that had a simple yet elegant bloom. "A Camellia. It symbolizes admiration and grace, with a quiet strength."
The girl blinked in surprise at his thoughtful comparison, her lips curving into a smile. "You're quite the poet, Prince Dorian," she remarked, her tone light. "I'm flattered by your choice."
He laughed warmly, handing her the flower. "It's just an observation."
Emilia took the flower and touched it, "Thank You."
Then they continued their stroll again through the market, passing rows of other exotic blooms, Emilia's thoughts drifted to the upcoming event and the Queen's birthday. Something tugged at her curiosity, and she turned to Prince Dorian with a question that had been on her mind.
"What about the Queen? What's her favorite flower?"
Prince Dorian smiled knowingly, as if he'd been expecting the question. "Tulips," he answered without hesitation. "She's particularly fond of them. They're simple yet carry a lot of meaning, perfect for her. A symbol of rebirth and new beginnings."
Emilia nodded thoughtfully. "Tulips. That suits her," she agreed. "I'll keep that in mind."
Just as she was about to move on, Prince Dorian added, "I heard after you and the Crown Prince returned from Velaris, he gave the Queen a perfume with a tulip scent. He knew it was her favorite."
At his words, Emilia felt a strange sensation settle in her chest. She remembered that scent. Tulip. But wasn't that Selene's favorite flower? Her thoughts began to swirl. The tulip perfume, wasn't it meant for Selene? Alistair had given it to the Queen?
She suddenly felt off-balance, as if a piece of the puzzle she hadn't considered before had fallen into place, but it didn't quite fit. Her mind raced through the memories, piecing together the small interactions she had observed between Selene and Alistair. Had she misunderstood something?
Emilia's smile faltered for a brief moment, though she quickly masked it before Prince Dorian could notice. "I see. That's thoughtful of him," she replied smoothly, though her mind was distracted by the new revelation.
Prince Dorian glanced at her, his expression still relaxed. "Indeed. He's always been attentive to what the Queen likes."
Emilia hummed softly in acknowledgment, though her thoughts were miles away now. Why would Alistair have bought a perfume with a tulip scent? Was it really for the Queen, or had Selene played some unseen role in this?
As they moved on through the market, Emilia couldn't shake the questions swirling in her mind, and though she kept up with the conversation, her focus was elsewhere. For now, she'd have to wait to find the answers.
***
After returning to the manor, Emilia quietly made her way to the study room, her thoughts still consumed by the tulip perfume and her growing curiosity about Selene's role in Alistair's life. The door to the study was slightly ajar, and through the crack, she could see the man seated at his desk, deep in conversation with Lord Gregory, his trusted right-hand man. Documents were spread across the table, and both men were absorbed in their work, discussing matters of the kingdom.
But what caught Emilia's eye was Selene, standing nearby, assisting them with some documents. Her face was still pale from her recent illness, but she moved with purpose, her attention on Alistair, who occasionally gave her brief instructions. The dynamic felt… strange to the girl.
Selene was supposed to be her lady-in-waiting, but here she was, seemingly more involved with Alistair's work. Emilia couldn't help but wonder who Selene truly belonged to, was she still her attendant, or had her loyalty shifted towards the Crown Prince? But a moment later she realized what the answer was.
As the girl stood there, lost in her thoughts, a soft voice interrupted her reverie. "Penny for your thoughts?"
The girl turned to see the Countess standing beside her, her expression calm yet knowing. Countess Evelyn had a way of noticing things without directly pointing them out. Emilia knew she had seen her watching the study room, though the Countess didn't mention it.
Before Emilia could respond, Countess Evelyn smiled warmly. "Why don't we check on Lia's dessert for tonight?" she suggested, her tone light. "I hear she's been working on something special. We could use a sweet treat after such a long day, don't you think?"
The girl blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic, but she quickly nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a good idea," she said, grateful for the distraction. "I'm sure she's been working hard."
Prince Dorian, who had been walking behind them, overheard the conversation and chimed in with a grin. "I could certainly use something sweet after today's flower hunt. Let's see what Lia has been cooking up."
The three of them made their way towards the manor's kitchen, the tension from moments before fading as they walked. The corridors were quiet, the manor settling into its evening rhythm, but the kitchen was still alive with activity. As they approached, the warm smell of sugar and spices wafted through the air, filling the hallway with a comforting aroma.
When they arrived at the kitchen, they found Lia hard at work. The young girl was bustling around, her hands moving quickly as she decorated an array of desserts laid out on the counter. Her clothes were stained with flour and chocolate.
While they continued to watch, Lia didn't seem to notice their presence. Her hands moved with precision as she added the final touches to the desserts, unaware of the admiration she was receiving from her silent audience. Emilia felt a wave of warmth and gratitude for the young girl's hard work, especially knowing how much effort she put into making every dish perfect.
After a few more moments of quiet observation, Emilia spoke up. "Shall we go in and say hello?" she suggested with a smile.
The Countess nodded, and Prince Dorian straightened up from his relaxed position. "Let's," he agreed, his expression brightening at the prospect of tasting Lia's creations.
The warmth of the kitchen immediately enveloped them as Emilia, Prince Dorian, and Countess Evelyn stepped inside. The clatter of pots and pans, the hum of activity, and the comforting scent of freshly baked goods filled the air. Lia, still focused on perfecting the delicate designs on her desserts, didn't notice their approach.
Emilia smiled at the sight of the young girl, her dedication evident in every precise movement. Countess Evelyn's face softened as she quietly approached Lia, watching her from behind before clearing her throat softly to announce their presence.
Lia's head shot up, startled. Her cheeks flushed red as she realized who had entered. "Oh! I, Countess, Your Highnesses!" she stammered, nearly dropping the piping bag in her hand. "I didn't expect to see you here!"
Countess Evelyn chuckled, stepping forward. "No need to be nervous, dear. We were just admiring your work from afar. It looks like you've been quite busy."
Prince Dorian grinned, stepping beside Emilia. "Busy and impressive, I must say.'
Lia beamed at the compliment, her tiredness momentarily forgotten. "Thank you, Your Highness! I've been working on something special for tonight, and I wanted to make sure it's perfect."
Emilia approached the counter, glancing down at the beautifully arranged pastries, each one a miniature work of art. "It certainly looks perfect," she said, her voice warm. "I don't think anyone could find a single flaw in your work."
Lia's blush deepened, and she ducked her head slightly, clearly flattered by their praise. "I just want to do my best," she mumbled. "Especially since it's for the Queen's birthday celebration."
Countess Evelyn reached out, gently patting the young girl's shoulder. "And you're doing a marvelous job. Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed, Lia."
Lia's eyes shone with gratitude as she nodded, her exhaustion seeming to melt away in the face of their kind words. "Thank you, Countess. That means so much to me."
Prince Dorian, never one to resist teasing, leaned in closer to inspect one of the desserts. "So, Lia," he said, pretending to be serious, "which of these masterpieces do you recommend for someone with a royal appetite?"
Lia giggled, a little more at ease now. "I think you'll find the lemon tarts particularly to your liking, Your Highness. They're one of the Queen's favorites."
Prince Dorian raised an eyebrow, glancing at Emilia with a grin. "I'll have to take your word for it," he said, picking up one of the tarts and taking a bite. His expression lit up immediately. "Delicious! You weren't exaggerating."
Emilia smiled as she watched the lighthearted exchange between Prince Dorian and Lia. The atmosphere had shifted, becoming much more relaxed and familial. Even Lia, who had been so focused and serious before, was now smiling and laughing easily in their presence.
Countess Evelyn, noticing how much Lia had to juggle, glanced at the girl's flour-covered clothes and smiled warmly. "You've worked hard enough for today. Why don't you take a break, dear? I'm sure the desserts will be perfect."
Lia hesitated, glancing back at the half-finished batch. "But there's still a little more to do…"
Emilia stepped in, her voice gentle but firm. "You've done more than enough, Lia. Go get some rest. You'll be needed tomorrow for the Queen's birthday preparations."
After a moment of uncertainty, Lia finally nodded. "Alright, thank you," she said softly. "I'll take a short break."
As Lia began to clean up, Countess Evelyn turned to Emilia and Prince Dorian. "Shall we head back and taste these properly?" she suggested with a smile.
Emilia nodded, but before she left, she glanced one last time at Lia, feeling a sense of pride for the girl's dedication and hard work. The moment was brief but important, and as Emilia stepped out of the kitchen alongside Prince Dorian and the Countess, she couldn't help but feel that the young girl had a bright future ahead of her.
Once outside the kitchen, Countess Evelyn caught Emilia's eye, her expression thoughtful. "You've been rather quiet tonight," the Countess remarked gently. "Everything alright?"
Emilia glanced at her, then at the study room in the distance where she knew Alistair was still working with Selene. "Just thinking about a few things," she replied softly, her tone nonchalant, though her mind was still preoccupied.
Prince Dorian noticed the subtle shift in her mood but decided not to press further, sensing that Emilia needed space. Instead, he smiled and said, "Let's save those thoughts for after we've sampled Lia's wonderful desserts, shall we?"
With that, the three of them headed toward the garden, where the evening promised to end on a sweet note. However, the unanswered questions about Selene's place in the manor and Emilia's own feelings about Alistair lingered in the back of her mind, waiting for another moment to surface.
***