Chapter 239 - Alluring and Dazzling (3)

The sound of the birds chirping was heard throughout the place. They sang a happy and catchy tune that Alexandra couldn't help but relaxes as the melody accompanies her as she treaded around the colorful garden with rows and arrays of a wide variety of flowers while butterflies fluttered their wings as they flew around the garden, adding more spice and color to the beauty of the garden. She was only strolling around the place.

The languid atmosphere, the warm and demure sunlight hitting her bare skin as a zephyr passed through and caressed her skin lovingly as her hair lightly fluttered. The sweet and strong scent the flowers emitted, blending with the soft scent of the dewy grass, that conquered the whole place wafted to her nose and tingled the insides of her nose. You will know that your day is wonderful if it starts like this.

This time of the morning was the best time for her as it was cool and peaceful. The traces and remaining pieces the rain left last night was seen, water drops shaped like beads finer than anything, the color beneath it shined through. When the light hit against it, it was silvery-green yet there was a hint of gold and orange.

Alexandra's necklace dangled around her neck as she walked, the red gem as a pendant would reflect the golden light the sun was releasing. Her hair would sway side-to-side lightly as she walked, she wanted to cut her hair short but it feels like a waste as she took care of it for like so long, applying multiple products and not forgetting to comb it. It would also be hard to style it and long hair actually suits her.

Carlos accompanied her as she walked around the garden, she saw a few maids tending to the garden and sweeping the fallen leaves of the trees. Almost a month went by real quick and her brothers have returned to the academy, Amanda's birthday went by and it somehow became a success (There would be a side story for that so I won't be telling it here).

It was already mid-June, 20th day.

Her days were somehow plain and boring as if she went back to being a 5-year-old where she would only spend time by herself alone, reading a book or something.

Although her days were much more peaceful yet boring than ever though she would usually train with Arthur as he wasn't that busy, so she could pass time quickly if she doesn't have anything to do during the afternoon.

Well, her brothers would take her out once a week and go roam around in case they feel like doing so or it feels like they are going to go crazy inside the palace. They want to keep their sanity by going out and doing some fun things that they rarely could do, so it's not that bad.

A weary sigh slipped past her lips as she walked with her eyes closed in the process, so she didn't see the maid that was walking past her while carrying a broom that was used in the garden to sweep. She bumped into her and a thud was heard but before Alexandra could fall back into the cold hard ground, Carlos was able to catch her in time and she was safe. However, the person that she bumped into was on the floor along with the broom.

Alexandra gave Carlos a 'thank you' for catching her before she made an impact with the ground. It could have hurt her and would make her dress dirty but she's worried for the person in front of her who was on the ground.

"Ah, I apologize. Are you okay? Let me help you up," Alexandra asked in a worried tone of voice as she approached her, holding out her hand. She gave her a tender smile and the female looked up to her, their gazes meeting each other. Alexandra realizes her as one of those two maids who were just recruited.

Even though it has been a few months since they came here, Alexandra hasn't interacted with them that much at all despite her being quite close to the maids and other servants of the palace.

The female hesitated in accepting her help but she still did anyway, reaching out her hand and placing it on top of the princess's hand. Alexandra pulled her up and smiled at her, the maid looked quite young. Probably 18 years old or something. As far as she could remember, Diana entered the palace as a maid when she was 13, or was it when she was 14 or 15? But even so, she was still very young yet was able to do such hard labor and work.

To think that she would even be accepted as a maid despite her age.

Well, her mother was one of the trusted maids in this palace and she died when Diana was 13. She was the one that replaced her that's why she was quite skilled and used with such tasks that would probably be too much for a 13-year-old girl like her.

"What's your name?" Alexandra asked the female in front of her still smiling, she picked up the broom that was laying on the ground before she responded to her question.

"Lillianna."

Her voice was low. She was the opposite of the other one that would smile at her every time their gazes met or when they saw each other, however, she wouldn't say anything. Lillianna was quiet and timid, it was like she was shy and always nervous, or was it because she bumped into the princess and now she's asking her name that's why she was nervous?

"What a nice name. Nice to meet you, Lillianna," Alexandra said as she smiled at the girl in front of her who was quite taller and older than her, her eyes closed in the process as her face was beaming with joy.

"Nice to meet you, princess."

"You must be busy, don't worry, I won't talk to you any longer. I just wanted to know your name, you can continue with your work," Alexandra said still smiling at her but this time, her eyes were open and her gaze was gentle. Lillianna only smiled and gave her a polite bow, bid her goodbye before she turned around, and walked away from her. Alexandra watched her walk away for a moment before she continued her strolling around the garden.

--

This time, Alexandra was inside her room and it was afternoon.

Her father had a meeting or appointment with someone that's why he wasn't able to attend the tea party with her and Calixander but as Gilbert was busy, he wasn't able to come to the tea party too. Calixander wasn't as much of a talkative person, he would only respond with either a nod or a hum. Even when she pestered him about Lisbeth and what happened to them, he wouldn't say anything at all. He would just continue eating and tell her, "Just imagine."

"Fine, keep your secrets," She huffed and told him that before she ate again, she didn't ask him anything afterward.

Though she knows that she should respect her elder brother's privacy and she knows that he doesn't like talking about such things, she just wanted to know how is their relationship and what do they do. Even just a sneak peek, tell me how does a stoic and cold person as you date someone, she wanted to tell him but just held her tongue back.

Alexandra was laying down her bed, surrounded by what it seems like a wall of books that she had finished reading and these were only the news one. It just arrived this month yet she was able to finish almost all of it in a few weeks. The effects of boredom, she thought to herself and let herself get lost in a trance and wander with her thoughts.

I wonder how Harrison is doing. Is he venturing in a jungle? Is he riding a camel in a desert? Is he sleeping? Is he doing anything at all? Is he okay? Is he still even alive?

No, happy thoughts.

He's alive, he's fine, probably just sleeping. Knowing him, he would rest and sleep for days before leaving and continuing his adventure. Maybe he has even reached it or is near already, she said inside her head as she distracted herself with such negative thoughts.

As she was in the middle of getting lost in her thoughts, thinking of going on an adventure and sailing a ship like what she had read from the books around her, she heard a series of knocks coming from the door of her room and a voice was heard after. She lifted her head to look at the door as she properly can't see it with the wall of books around her.

"Princess, it's me, Diana."

"Come in," Alexandra responded and thought that Diana might be here to bring her cookies or something. She laid her head back against the soft mattress of her bed as she heard the sound of the door open and there came light footsteps then the sound of the door closing. Diana walked towards the glass table surrounded with couches as she placed down the plate of cookies and glass of juice that she bought for her.

"You finished reading all of them, princess?" She senses Diana approach her direction, staring at her while smiling. Alexandra turned her head to look at her before she responded with a dismayed tone of voice, "Yes, I have to slow down," Just the thought of having to wait for a month for another set of books and such to arrive was dreadful as she finished reading everything that just arrived in a few weeks.

Diana only let out a small chuckle before she responded. "Well, it can't be helped then since you don't have anything to do and all. It's like that time back then when you were still at the Wistalia Palace."

"I also thought that too but my situation is not that bad as sometimes my friends would pay a visit and we would spend time with each other. My brothers would take me out of the palace once a week and I would have tea parties with my brothers and father during the afternoon for almost every day. Aside from that, there are also other books in the public and private libraries. I could just borrow some there," She responded to Diana who sat down beside her and set aside the walls of books that surrounded her as Alexandra stared at the ceiling.

Diana hummed before she spoke, changing their topic into something she didn't expect.

"By the way, princess, I just noticed that not even once you asked to see a portrait or image of your mother. Are you not curious?"

Ah, that.

Well, it feels like she doesn't have to. I mean, I can still remember and recall the image of my mother in my previous life so I somehow didn't mind or care about seeing mine in this life, is what she wanted to say but just held back.

"I heard that after mother's death, father has destroyed or asked someone to hide the portraits of images of my mother as it somehow hurts him and he wouldn't be able to handle the pain. So even if I asked to see an image or portrait of my mother, he might not be able to show me one," Alexandra simply responded as she averted her gaze and stared at the ceiling of her room. It's true, she heard that from one of the maids when they were talking about Alexandra and her family, mainly her mother back then when she just moved into this palace.

They didn't notice that Alexandra was there during that time and when they did, they apologized and bowed, scrambling on their feet and continued doing their unfinished work.

"Is that so?" She heard Diana respond in a gentle voice.

"Yeah."

"Then if possible, would you like to see one?"

Alexandra took a moment before she responded, still looking at Diana. She just smiled at her, "Yes, she's my mother, after all. I am quite curious," She said.

It's not just some simple curiosity. It feels like it was something more than that. Something or someone was urging her to do so and she just can't resist somehow.