Asha now considered the event schedule, avoiding the nobles.

Since the incident at the Lilac Duchy, the nobles’ attitudes had completely changed. If they used to ignore Asha, a butterfly from a minority race, now they seemed interested in her, doing things they hadn’t done before.

Some of them even launched a surprise gift offensive, waiting in every alley she passed to strike up a conversation. Uncomfortable with this, Asha finally stepped into the rose garden.

This place was almost like the Emperor’s sanctuary, and without the Emperor’s permission, others couldn’t enter casually.

For a slightly different reason, Asha felt she might understand why Karaf had come here to hide when he was young.

Being alone among fragrant flowers made her feel at ease and her breathing became more relaxed.

Suddenly, the scent she had smelled from D’Art came to her mind, and she decided to look for that flower in the rose garden.

It was truly a scent she had never experienced in her life, and it was a bit regrettable that only she could enjoy this wonderful fragrance.

Asking him about a second flower was a question she couldn’t ask since she didn’t know it. Therefore, Asha bowed to various flowers, smelling their fragrances on her own.

However, even in the vast garden with numerous types of flowers, she couldn’t find a scent similar to his.

It was truly strange.

Having toured the entire garden, Asha sat on a long wooden chair, feeling a bit tired, and checked the remaining schedule.

After the ceremony at the monastery, a ball would be held immediately at the palace. If the dance went well, many nobles would probably approach her for a dance or conversation.

Anticipating a tiring day, Asha sighed early on but tried to gather her spirits.

She had to adorn Karaf in the ballroom with a “companion flower,” inserting a golden twig. Choosing the wrong person as a companion flower could be risky, especially since the chosen noble, the companion flower, had significant power.

As Asha finished reviewing the documents and was leaving the rose garden, someone called out.

“…Baroness.”

At the entrance of the rose garden, Nia stood hesitatingly, holding her hands together.

“Nia, my dear.”

Asha greeted her with some relief, and Nia asked cautiously, “Is it okay to be with the Baroness for a moment?”

“Does Nia need a place to breathe as well?”

Asha playfully asked with a smile, but Nia answered seriously, “Actually, I needed a safe place to have a private conversation with the Baroness, and seeing you enter here, I waited. I apologize.”
Asha sensed that Nia’s atmosphere was unusual, so she changed her expression and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Nia approached her closely and said, “I wanted to offer advice to Baroness. I thought it might help you choose the companion flower for Karaf.”

Her words were significant. “Please understand that I have no intention of manipulating you or arranging flowers according to my taste. Based on what I’ve reported to my father and information I’ve gathered in social circles, I’ve sorted out flowers that would be good to be close to and those that should be kept at a distance.”

Nia cautiously pulled out a paper from her pocket and handed it to Asha.

As Asha unfolded the paper, her eyes widened. Extensive information about numerous nobles was written there, neatly categorized into nobles favoring Karaf, antagonistic nobles, and opportunistic sycophants.

Asha realized that the contents on the paper were very honest and realistic. It almost perfectly matched her past experiences and feelings. Moreover, it explicitly expressed that the Duke of Delphinium was included among the antagonistic nobles, stating that he was blinded by honor and ambition.

Unexpected information about individuals she couldn’t see clearly from her perspective was also available.

Nia spoke firmly, “If Baroness wishes to know more about any noble, I will gather the information. Just attending social gatherings and subtly observing should reveal most non-secret information. I told them that I became a maid under my father’s orders to investigate Baroness, so there shouldn’t be any suspicious individuals. On the contrary, there might be those who seek Baroness’s favor, asking me how to gain Baroness’s favor for their family’s power.”

“Nia, my dear, if there are such people, let me know like this. I’ll be able to distinguish them at the banquet.”

Asha whispered, smiling at Nia, “Tell them that I’m very interested in dull history books. Mention that if they want to give me a present, a book would be appreciated because of my insomnia.”

Nia also smiled and replied, “Certainly.”

While book presents might be common, if the book was rarely thought of as a gift, it would be easy to distinguish people. Moreover, from the giver’s perspective, it could carry a subtle message like, ‘Study history,’ adding a touch of mockery. If there were maids who intended to give such books, it would be safe to reject them, as they were likely to be opportunistic and troublesome people.

Asha looked at Nia with a faint smile and said, “You’re doing well.”