Bess and Mila answered quietly, but Sara, who still hadn’t calmed down, glared at the two while grumbling.

“Sara!”

When Anne’s scolding continued, Sara reluctantly nodded her head in response. However, her expression remained unjustly aggrieved. Mila, who selectively did really unpleasant things just because she hated them, was too detestable.

“Mila, is this the end of the report this time?”

Anne, after reading the contents of the report, which was significantly shorter than usual, asked with a puzzled expression.
The report contained only the information that Sara had shouted outside. It was an extremely objective account, neither embellished nor diminished.

“Yes, Princess Stella rarely interacts with others. She mainly dedicates a lot of time to cultivating plants, and in her spare time, she reads books or takes walks.”

Although Mila explained in a restrained manner, Anne’s expression revealed a dissatisfied look.

“And in the Rose Hunting Festival, Princess Mila hunted several purple-horned lizards. Moreover, she did it with the dagger she had there, not with the weapons sent from the homeland. Have you found out anything separate?”

Her tone was sharp, as if testing.

Since Mila truly knew nothing about the Hunting Festival, she could respond with a more genuine expression than usual. It was the first time she felt fortunate about being asked about something she didn’t know.

“It was really surprising for me too regarding the Hunting Festival. I had no idea that Princess Stella had such a talent. There were no activities like training in swordsmanship even when she stayed at Verudra Castle. She didn’t bring any separately prepared weapons when she came from the homeland.”

To prove that she was telling the truth, Mila opened the page in her notebook where the list of items was written and presented it to Lady-in-waiting Anne.

Although there was no need to examine it further as the list had already been checked, Anne meticulously reviewed it once again to make sure she hadn’t missed anything.
“Indeed. However, we must consider all possibilities. Although Princess Stella has passed the bloodline verification ceremony, it doesn’t explain everything. There’s a possibility that Stella Princess was sent to Amalun for a different purpose.”

“Are you saying…?”

Mila asked, trying not to let her voice tremble.

“We shouldn’t overlook the assumption that Princess Stella might be an assassin. Among the princesses, no one has shown such exceptional hunting skills.”

“But if there were truly different motives, wouldn’t she have hidden her skills? Moreover, there were not only the Emperor but also other nobles present.”

Mila’s argument was valid. Anne, who had been searching through her notebook, found a section and raised her eyebrows.

“Princess Stella gave you a purple-horn as a gift.”

“Yes.”

“Were you pleased to receive it?”

“I simply accepted it as it was given. I did not harbor any other emotions.”

Mila recalled the purple-horn carefully wrapped in a handkerchief, fearing it might be tarnished.

In response to Mila’s answer, Anne nodded and closed her notebook. She knew that even if she asked Mila to return the gifts she received as presents right away, Mila would do so without hesitation.

“Mila.”

“Yes, Lady-in-waiting.”

“I consider you as someone to follow in my footsteps.”

“I will do my best not to disappoint.”

“Do not give your heart to Princess Stella. One mistake is enough.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”
“Go outside.”

Mila quietly rose, bowed, and left the room. When the door opened, Anne signaled to the maid standing outside, and the maid handed Mila a small pouch from her bosom.

Receiving the quite substantial pouch, Mila let out a relieved sigh. It meant that Anne was pleased with her report.

After finishing the report and returning to Berdura, Mila was speechless at the sight before her.

Contrary to her expectations of finding Princess Stella taking care of crops in the garden as usual, Stella had set up a target and was fully immersed in practicing throwing daggers.

Swish!
Thud!

Each time Princess Stella’s thrown dagger swiftly hit the target, Daelen and Bryn, who were watching nearby, sent enthusiastic applause.

“Amazing! Princess, you hit it again this time.”

“You’re even closer to the center than before!”

A deep sigh escaped from Mila’s lips, who had just reported that Princess Stella didn’t engage in such practices. She thought cultivating crops and secretly selling them at the market might have been a better use of her time.

“Princess.”

Stella, who was about to throw the third dagger in succession, stopped upon hearing Mila’s voice.

“You’re back?”

Perhaps due to the vigorous movement after a long time, Stella’s face was covered in sweat. Despite the flushed complexion and the beads of sweat, her smile at the corners of her mouth was bright and beautiful.
For someone under suspicion of approaching the emperor with ulterior motives, the smile was overly bright and innocent.