Stella’s tone was not entirely gentle. Caitlyn was someone who made an effort to appear favorable to Princess Anette.

“But it wasn’t that color when she sent it.”

Caitlyn pointed to the Sargulrak as she questioned. Judging by her expression alone, it seemed as if she was accusing someone of theft.

“Well, plants can grow differently depending on the person who cultivates them.”

“Does that mean Princess Anette is not good at cultivating plants?”
Caitlyn particularly favored Anette among the various princesses. In other words, she ignored Stella to the extent that Anette, her close associate, would be satisfied.

Stella, who had entered someone else’s garden since the morning, responded incredulously while looking at the drooping Caitlyn, holding the reins of the conversation.

“I don’t understand why I have to endure this questioning from Princess Caitlyn since the morning. And within my own garden, no less.”

It was only then that Caitlyn realized her emotions had taken over. She closed her mouth, and with an irritated look at Sargulrak, she swiftly turned around and walked out of Verdura Castle.

Stella, who had been quietly observing Caitlyn’s perfectly groomed figure early in the morning, narrowed her eyes with an annoyed expression, as if sensing that something troublesome was about to happen.

But that was just for a moment. In the garden, there were still many crops awaiting Stella’s touch.

Stella, engrossed in inspecting the vigorously sprouted seedlings, only rose from her seat with regret after Mila came to fetch her.

Caitlyn went straight to Muege Castle as soon as she left Verdura Castle. She felt the need to inform Princess Anette about this.

Princess Anette was sincere, perhaps more than anyone else, when it came to gardening. Upon arriving at Muege Castle, it was in the garden that Princess Anette began working first, as Caitlyn had observed.
Thanks to her pride and hobby of gardening, the gardens of Muege Castle were renowned not only in the plant area but also among several castles where princesses resided as beautiful gardens.

If rumors about the golden peonies cultivated by Princess Stella spread, Princess Anette’s reputation could quickly shift to Stella.

This was not a favorable outcome for both Princess Anette and Caitlyn, who was making an effort to gain favor.

“What’s going on so early, Caitlyn?”

It was just after finishing breakfast. Visiting someone else’s house at such an early hour was not only uncommon among the nobility but also frowned upon by commoners.

Anette openly expressed her displeasure at Caitlyn’s impolite behavior.

However, Caitlyn showed no particular reaction to Anette’s serious expression. Instead, she gave a look that seemed to reproach Anette for acting so leisurely.

“Princess Anette, this is not the time to be so leisurely.”

Anette was perplexed, but since the maid Sarah was watching, she responded with as graceful an attitude as possible.

Anette was aware that Sarah regularly reported about her to Lady Anne in Oar Castle. The maids’ reports applied not only to her but also to all the princesses.

Anette belonged to the faction that thoroughly utilized this system. She believed that the more positively Sarah reported, the more she would realize how well-suited she was for the position of empress.
Although Sarah was a maid, she also served as a supervisor. Therefore, unlike when dealing with maids from her homeland, Anette only showed the appearance she wanted Sarah to see.

“I really don’t understand what you’re talking about. It’s early in the morning, but since you’re here, why not have a cup of tea before you go?”

Anette tried to handle Caitlyn with as much patience as possible. However, Caitlyn, instead of sitting in the seat Anette had prepared, nervously tapped her chest as if she were about to suffocate.

“You should go to Verdura Castle now.”

Out of the blue, when the topic of Verdura Castle came up, a wrinkle appeared on Anette’s face for the first time. Anette did not like Stella’s behavior, and she didn’t find anything pleasing without any gifts from Princess Stella.

Anette was unhappy with her current situation, not receiving proper love or recognition even from her home country. She disliked pretending to be cheerful about the circumstances. In Anette’s view, Stella was not adhering to the appropriate standards and behavior for her position.

It seemed right for Stella to feel depressed.

“Why do I have to go there?”

“The peony Princess Stella gave you.”

As soon as the peony was mentioned, Anette asked with a disdainful expression.

“Did Princess Stella kill all the flowers I gave her? Even if she can’t raise them properly, why be greedy for them?”

Anette sighed as if feeling sorry for the situation.

“That’s not it. Do you remember the peony you gave her, Princess?”

“It wasn’t dying; I heard that was its natural color.”
Anette, who had given the peony to Stella, heard belatedly from a maid about the brown peony. Pretending to know, she said:

“It wasn’t its original color. Do you know what color Princess Stella changed that peony into?”