He must be out of his mind.

“Why are you thinking of me?”

I raised an eyebrow and asked. I couldn’t fathom how the sudden appearance of a fragrant flower related to me.

I thought it was preposterous to simply move on, assuming it was because my hair color resembled the flower petals. So, I decided to sharply scold Carlisle if he said something nonsensical, maybe even give his arm a smack to wake him up.

“Well, that’s because…”

Here he goes again.

I clicked my tongue, recalling how Carlisle had blushed all the way to his ears while talking about being the princess’s knight.

“Ah, come on. I hate it when people leave me hanging.”

I was annoyed by his hesitation, keeping me in suspense without saying anything.

Although he had grown taller than me by several inches and had improved since the old days, he still had the habit of mumbling nervously, as if he had a gag in his mouth.

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

On the other hand, seeing my irritated face, Carlisle hurriedly swallowed his saliva and hastily responded.

“The reason I thought of you when I saw this flower is because you are so beautiful.”

It was a well-established fact that I was perfect, dating back hundreds of years. What was he trying to accomplish by slightly gripping the flower and setting the mood? I looked at him, urging him to go on.

“Whenever this flower sways in the wind, I feel at peace just by looking at it.”

It started to sound cheesy, but Carlisle’s expression was so serious that I couldn’t mock him.

“This flower seems especially vibrant when it catches the morning sunlight. So…”

I had goosebumps. Enough already.

“It reminds me of the times we used to play hide and seek.”

“Hide and seek? Wasn’t that seven years ago when Sasha was the seeker?”

I reflexively questioned, feeling a chilling sensation creep up my limbs.

“Yes, exactly! You remember!”

“Of course. It was the first time I had to run for my life.”

I shrugged my shoulders, looking at Carlisle, who seemed impressed. Remembering an event from just a few years ago was easy for me, who was inherently intelligent.

However, I didn’t expect Carlisle to still vividly remember that event. Don’t humans naturally forget past experiences, especially from childhood, unless they were deeply impactful?

“Where did you hear the meaning of this flower? Did the count teach you?”

I naturally looked into Carlisle’s eyes and asked.

“I learned it from my home tutor. It’s basic knowledge a gentleman should have. If you’re interested, I can show you the related books in our home library.”

I hoped that tutor didn’t also teach him how to talk to the opposite sex. I hurriedly shook my head at Carlisle’s added words.

“No, that’s fine. I’ve read enough books at the palace.”

I’ve already been swamped with heir training, reading books as thick as half of my face every day. Why would I want to read more?

Carlisle seemed a little surprised by my immediate negative response but quickly moved on. A man aiming to be my knight shouldn’t have a narrow mind.

“Your Highness!”

What the— I was startled. Just as I was about to move on to the next area, several horns seemed to blare above my head, making me jump.

“It’s unfair! You said not to leave me!”

Oh, for heaven’s sake.

I flung open the window and looked down at Beris, letting out a wry smile. Why couldn’t he focus for just one hour?

“Brother, I hate you the most! Why did you leave me when I specifically asked you to wait?”

With a sulky face and lips jutting out, Beris seemed to misunderstand that we had left him behind to go play.
I watched a guy swinging his fist up to his arm, and grumbled about his minor fit of temper.

Whack—!!

“Stop fooling around during class, idiot!”

“No! I won’t go!”

Ah, good timing. I was already considering whether to scold that child or to just let it go. In the worst-case scenario, I thought Ronowe would join in whining, but it’s convenient that he knows how to greet people now.

“See you later, Princess!”

As Ronowe, who had been tugging on Beris’s sleeve, made eye contact with me, he gave a wide smile, and then abruptly shut the window that had been wide open.

‘So he came out during class.’

I looked back, relieved that I had narrowly avoided a headache.

“Beris is probably delighted to see the princess after a long time. Please forgive his rudeness.”

“Don’t worry about it; I’m used to it.”

Carlyle must find this amusing after living with these strange kids for so long. His face showed no irritation, which led me to believe that he too had been corrupted by these odd characters.

“We should go inside and get something to drink.”

I decided to head back to the reception room quickly, feeling my throat getting parched. Carlyle smiled in agreement without a word.

Swishh—.

We retraced our steps in silence when suddenly a strong wind blew, causing my meticulously arranged hair to flutter about.

Being a stickler for neatness, I grabbed my hair in one hand, hoping to minimize the mess.