Despite having only an hour of leisure, Bryn, with astonishing skill, perfectly finished Stella’s styling.

With a rapid brushing so fast that the hands were almost invisible, Bryn walked quickly through the forest path, turning the tangled hair into neatly arranged locks. Without time for a bath, she gently wiped only her face and hands with warm water infused with fragrance.

She didn’t forget to make each nail shine. Bryn, with remarkable concentration, achieved the best effect in a short time.

“How does this green dress suit you so well!”

Bryn, as if becoming a prince charmed at first sight, blinked her eyes, folded her hands like in prayer, and ceaselessly praised Stella’s beauty.

Finding Bryn’s expression overly exaggerated, I laughed out loud, and that improved my mood a bit. However, it didn’t make going to the tea party enjoyable.

“It would be nice to wear the diamond necklace and ring.”

It was Mila’s decision after comparing it to the yellow sapphire set. Stella’s bright blonde hair and the green dress matched very well.

The dark green dress, not in bright and flashy colors, highlighted Stella’s fair skin and radiant blonde hair. It was truly an outfit that maximized Stella’s strengths.
Calm and always composed Mila, in contrast to the easily excitable and laughter-prone Bryn, showed an exceptional partnership when preparing Stella for adornment.

Mila expressed satisfaction with Bryn’s makeup and hairdressing, while Bryn admired Mila’s discerning eye for choosing dresses and jewelry.

“It’s time to depart now.”

At this moment, the two harmonious individuals nodded, looking at Stella. It was a resolute expression, as if sending a comrade to the battlefield.

The gardens of Muege Castle were abundant with flowers and trees compared to Stella’s barren garden. Like a beautiful painting, the garden was always filled with a pleasant fragrance.

The tea party arranged by Princess Annette was located near a flower garden full of roses and hydrangeas within the garden. As the princesses entered the enchanting venue of pink and purple, continuous expressions of admiration escaped their lips.

Near the elaborately set table, the surroundings were filled with subtly colored flowers.

The princesses entered the tea party venue gracefully, feeling like fairies. With every step they took, the flowing hems of their dresses danced in the air.

Beautifully adorned princesses seamlessly blended with the vibrant flower garden, appearing as if they had always been there.

“Oh, Princess Leanne’s brooch is incredibly beautiful.”

“It’s part of the jewelry set my father sent last month.”
Princess Leanne proudly showcased the brooch she was wearing, her voice filled with excitement due to the surrounding compliments.

Given the emphasis on the word “set,” it was clear that she wanted to convey that several pieces had come together. The princesses began their conversation, complimenting each other’s dresses and jewelry.

Although she had been invited, Stella didn’t feel particularly excited about this occasion. Since her arrival, no one had approached her or struck up a conversation.

If it’s going to be like this, why did they even invite me?

Stella let out a deep sigh but calmly settled her emotions. The fairy companions who had followed along seemed to enjoy Muege Castle’s garden, making this time bearable for Stella.

“Princess Annette, why is the garden so beautiful here?”

“The flowers are incredibly beautiful too. It seems like the skill of Muege Castle’s gardener is exceptional.”

Stella’s eyes sparkled for the first time as she listened, showing interest in the conversation. Until then, she had been listening with a somewhat indifferent expression. The word “gardener” piqued her curiosity instantly.

The most pressing question was why Muege Castle had a separate gardener. After a brief moment of contemplation, Stella turned back and thought that it was better to ask now than regret later.

“Does Muege Castle have a separate gardener?”
The lively conversation that was going on suddenly came to a halt with Stella’s unexpected question. The expressions conveyed a sentiment of wondering why she would ask such a thing. Princess Annette was the one to break the awkward silence.

“Are there none at Verdura Castle?”

“No.”

“Ah, I see. As you can see, Muege Castle is larger in scale compared to other castles, and there are many servants. However, the budgets allocated to each castle in the Credion Empire are similar. That’s why support from the homeland is crucial.

We should also tend to the garden at Verdura Castle. How about hiring a gardener with the budget sent from Amaloon? The imperial palace has an abundance of gardeners.”

When Annette mentioned gardeners, she referred to a dedicated team arranged for the princesses who came as wards rather than formally employed palace gardeners.

The ward team was a mandatory course for those aiming to become official palace gardeners. Among those who showcased their skills there, some occasionally got officially employed as palace gardeners.