Afterward, while waiting for Poppie, who was left alone due to her loud quacking that seemed to mean “Don’t leave me,” Sasha and Caleil joined us. Sasha and Caleil leisurely offered to follow from behind, asking us to lead the way. Praylee, still maintaining her smile and not releasing the fist she kept against my arm, expressed her gratitude.

Trudge, trudge.

“Indeed, the Hwangseong Greenhouse is vast and magnificent.”

After walking for about 10 more minutes, the thicket barrier and apple trees disappeared, revealing a white world. Although various beige, gray, yellow-brown, and golden colors were blended here and there, the well-balanced color arrangement complemented the grand scale of the greenhouse, enhancing the dignity of the royal palace.

Furthermore, the greenhouse itself had a huge dome-shaped roof, and the slightly tilted ceiling, like an arched bridge, was intriguing. It seemed that they were managing it well, just as it had been in a similar form in my past life.

In addition, the floor was soft as if finely ground, gathered and smoothed pebbles along the seashore. The air carried a peculiar fresh scent emitted only by plants, and the colorful flowers seen in the flower beds here and there captivated the sight, different from outdoor-grown flowers.

“Are there any birds here, by any chance?”

Praylee, who had been busy admiring the surroundings, suddenly asked when she climbed up a slightly sloping path.

“Well, there’s probably everything, right? I saw earthworms here last time.”

There should be plants and animals brought in by Jeff and Hecate for educational purposes, and there could be birds among the gifts received as a gesture of friendship after being publicly announced as the heir to the throne. So, I added that there might be a possibility, leaving it open.

“Oh, really. This place is truly amazing.”

My mind suddenly changed, and Praylee, who seemed to want to insist on seeing the birds, just left it at a question. She showed determination not to let go of the fist clenched around my arm.

Whack.

Even though no one pushed her or ran away, why was she like this? I muttered that I couldn’t understand this child’s mind and went deeper into the greenhouse.

“Look at that butterfly!”

So, as we approached the center, between the space for resting and the beautiful rosebed, we could see the little ones who had started running after the unknown sky-blue butterfly, happily drawing circles and celebrating. The maid was watching the siblings closely to make sure they didn’t get hurt, smiling gently.

“Hehe, Your Excellency, look over there. There’s a pretty butterfly.”

Praylee also directed her gaze to the butterfly that caught the attention of Ronowe and Beris.
From the moment we entered the greenhouse, there were many similar butterflies, but I didn’t pay much attention to them. The upper part of their wings was a deep and slightly dark shade of blue, while the lower part gradually brightened, displaying an emerald color, making them unique.

Indeed, the little ones showed interest and raised their eyebrows.

“That butterfly looks so free. I wish I could soar freely in the sky like that too.”

Praylee, loosening the grip on my arm, spoke with a face full of regret and envy. Her eyes drooped down as if losing energy, creating a melancholic atmosphere.

“Human beings can’t naturally fly.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Since everyone else was having fun, I decided not to insist on the meaning of her words. Praylee tilted her head, seemingly not understanding, but then explained the reason she wanted to fly like a butterfly.

“That butterfly can go anywhere it wants if it desires. I envy that. I can’t go to many places because I’m still not fully recovered.”

So, that was the meaning. After calmly listening to the story, I swept one hand over my chest.

Although my heartbeat was stable, if I strained it like this, it could become a mess at any moment. In that regard, I felt a momentary kinship with Praylee.

“Well, that seems similar to me. I can’t go outside the palace unless permitted either.”

“Oh my, really? It seems like we have a lot in common.”

That’s why I answered that it seemed so, but unexpectedly, Praylee, without a clenched fist, wrapped her cheeks with the hand that was free, looking excited and delighted to have found a kindred spirit.

“I’m glad.”

“Is that something to be glad about?”

Thinking that Praylee seemed to react sensitively to each statement, I examined his expression and turned my body toward the still-noisy Pluere siblings.

“Stop bothering the butterflies and just watch them.”

“Oh, Princess, when did you arrive?”

Now that it seemed necessary to give them a lecture, I raised my voice, and Beris was the first to look at me.

It seemed they had been absorbed in the butterflies for quite some time. I looked at Ronowe and Beris, who were still panting because of running, with a slightly annoyed expression and added that they understood now.

“We were trying to catch this butterfly to show it to you, Princess!”