“While reading to pass the time, I found the content strange, so I was going to close it soon.”

Despite the situation, I casually made up a story to show that I wasn’t interested in this kind of romantic book.
“Oh, by the way, let’s go to the greenhouse after everyone finishes reading their respective books. It might get boring if we stay here all day.”

“The greenhouse?”

If she belonged to a noble family, it was customary to have a small greenhouse. Praylee seemed clueless, so I chuckled and tilted my head.

“Oh, is it your first time in a greenhouse?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Perfect. It’ll be a good sightseeing experience.”

Although I thought, “How can the daughter of a duke not have seen a greenhouse?” I refrained from saying it out loud to avoid rudeness and focused on reading without further comments.

‘I should read this.’

I should have just let Kallail handle the book from the beginning. Next time, when we come to the library or study with the children, I decided to carefully check the titles before picking up any book. I couldn’t afford to fall into the same trap twice.

One hour later.

“Your Highness, Your Highness!”

“May we go first?”

Contrary to expectations, only Praylee remained in the royal library, and Sasha and all the others had gone outside to the greenhouse. To be prepared, I left one maid by Praylee’s side. It was necessary to have someone to handle emergencies.

“Uh, I’m playing near the entrance.”

“Yes!”

“Understood!”

Rono and Verais, as energetic as ever, ran off, having a footrace with the maid.

‘Rono would have trouble with his hair, but he somehow managed to tie it into one braid.’

I worried about him tripping and hurting his knees, but maybe growing taller made his legs sturdier, as the Flour siblings played skillfully.

“Your Highness.”

It was then. Praylee’s voice came from behind, and I turned around.

“Oh, I thought you wouldn’t come out and stay in the royal library. Did you change your mind?”

“Yes.”

Praylee, with a twinkle in her eye, came closer.

“Come to think of it, everyone’s going to the greenhouse, and since I’m the only one staying in the library, it felt strange.”

Now that Sasha and Kallail were heading to the greenhouse, Praylee would be left alone.

‘I guess she’s afraid of being alone since she probably hasn’t been outside much.’

I listened to Praylee’s story, realizing that she was a subtly fearful child.

“Your Highness, would it be bothersome if I followed you? To keep you company, I mean.”

“No, that wouldn’t be the case.”

Why does she cling to me like this? I felt uncomfortable from this point.

“Then, may I stick by your side like now?”

How could I respond? Thinking it might get too hot if she stayed too close, I suggested keeping a bit of distance.

“Oh my, it’s gotten warmer.”

Why can’t I speak up? For several minutes in a silent and still atmosphere, the sound of breathing was the only thing audible. Perhaps a gardener had planted a huge apple tree, likely intended for divination, which came into view.

“Right. It wasn’t here last time.”

What does an apple have to do with divination? I answered vaguely, and in the quiet atmosphere, Praylee, approaching the apple tree, seemed to find it fascinating.

“Indeed. It’s been open more.”

Why does she talk so strangely? I responded with a muffled reply as we approached the apple tree.

Thud.

“Your Highness.”

“Why?”
Before long, Praylee picked up a freshly fallen apple from a branch, exclaiming as she held it in her hands.

“This apple is perfectly ripe and red, but it got a blemish as it fell just now. It’s amazing how the value of a good apple can be lost in an instant when it hits the ground.”

It’s just one apple, why is she suddenly talking like a philosopher?

“What a shame.”

I lowered my eyebrows, carefully choosing my words as I stared at Praylee, who had a saddened expression.

“Anyway, it’s a fruit from a divination tree. It’s not for sale, and certainly not for eating, so there’s no need to feel too regretful.”

“Still…”

Muttering in disappointment, Praylee, as if projecting something onto the apple, held it preciously, cradling it in both hands.

“If this apple hadn’t fallen and had no blemish, I think its value would have been higher.”

She seemed to be reflecting deeply on her own life, expressing how futile it is for something to become useless right after coming into the world. Her complexion worsened gradually. Being right next to her, I could tell that her face was truly chilling at that moment.

“I felt that our lives are not much different from this apple.”

Maybe it’s because I’ve been in bed for a long time, but seeing her profound self-reflection, I wondered if she wasn’t just Sasha’s sister.

‘Is it an act, or is it real?’

Sasha had a way of pretending to be fine while telling lies, and I wondered if Praylee was putting on a show to present a good image in front of me.

“But life…”

Meanwhile, whether it was just talking or not, Praylee, who had been taking care of the apple, raised it above her head and then dropped it back onto the grass.

Thud.

“Why is it not much different from an apple falling from a tree?”

Bending her knees and squatting down, Praylee mumbled to herself while looking at the apple she had just dropped.

“Fleeting.”