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Chapter 04
After the events of that day, Seren decided to try moving around without being too scared. Honestly, no matter how painful it had been, telling someone as lively as her to stay in her room for over a week was unreasonable.
“Since we’ve come to the palace, we should explore. It might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Emily looked worried and said, “Shouldn’t we be careful about wandering around?”
“We’re not prisoners, are we?” Seren added, though she herself felt a twinge of unease. “I don’t think so, right?”
“Perhaps, but… young lady…”
“My fever’s gone, and I don’t feel any more pain. Soon, we’ll probably need to leave the palace anyway.”
Her left ankle still couldn’t move, but it didn’t hurt. Most of the bruises and scrapes on her body had faded. For the first few days after she woke up, nightmares had persisted, but last night’s sleep was calm.
Though the Duchess of Sons was still worried about her shock, Seren, who had no memory of the incident, felt as if she had simply had a few hard days of illness upon hearing stories of being attacked or having an accident.
When Seren expressed her desire to go outside, the Duchess looked slightly surprised by the unexpected request.
“You’re still not fully recovered, Rubab.”
“Would it be alright if I just took a walk in the garden? Lord Is said it wasn’t necessary to stay in the room all the time.”
“Lord Is?” At first, the Duchess seemed puzzled, clearly not knowing who that was. Seren, realizing this, explained awkwardly, “Ah, yes. He’s the Guardian who takes night duty.”
“Oh, I see.” The Duchess murmured an odd exclamation. Seren hesitated; it seemed she didn’t know the man’s name. But the Duchess quickly smiled warmly.
“It’s been so long since I heard that nickname, I’d forgotten. If he has permitted it, then anywhere should be fine. Shall I prepare a wheeled chair for you?”
“I think a cane will be enough. I also want to practice walking.”
“Very well. I’ll also prepare clothes soon. We haven’t yet arranged something that perfectly fits Rubab, but… adequately…”
“Oh, no!” Seren exclaimed, flustered. She had thought the Duchess’s offer for anything she might need was just a customary courtesy for palace guests. She could understand borrowing something like a cane, but not clothes.
“I heard Emily has my wardrobe bag. That will be enough!”
“But, Rubab…”
“I just want a short walk.” Seren’s voice shrank. She slightly regretted venturing out.
“Just the cane, please.”
The Duchess hesitated a little but finally nodded. “If that is what you wish, Rubab.”
About an hour later, the Duchess personally brought a cane, beautifully engraved with laurel leaves at its tip. She also handed Emily a large parasol.
“Of course, I should accompany you, but I am otherwise occupied at the moment, so I apologize.”
“No need to apologize. You don’t have to worry so much about me.”
The Duchess lowered her head without replying further.
“Where do you plan to go?”
“I’ve heard the White Flower Garden is beautiful. May I go?”
“Of course. But it is a bit far from this inner palace. If you feel unwell, please return immediately.”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
Still concerned, the Duchess provided a wheeled chair and two attendants. Seren, holding the cane in one hand and supported by Emily with the other, slowly stepped outside.
Though it had been too dark the night before, the palace corridors were surprisingly beautiful. Every pillar was decorated with laurel carvings, and vine sculptures hung from the ceilings, almost lifelike.
“Wow… I almost missed seeing this. I should’ve at least opened the door, Emily.”
“I’ve mostly only gone between your room and the maid’s, but there aren’t many places as lavish as this.”
“This doesn’t feel like a regular guest room.” Seren muttered, slightly confused. Though the rooms were large and ornate, she had assumed all palace rooms were like this. But this place didn’t feel like just a room.
“Is this the Guest Hall, or something?”
Her muttered voice echoed to the high ceiling, but no one replied. The attendants following at a distance also said nothing. Perhaps due to strict discipline, she had never seen the attendants speak freely before.
Seren slowly made her way to the central courtyard, asking an attendant for directions toward the outer garden where the White Flower Garden lay. Feeling the sun and moving her leg muscles after a long time, she felt alive. She hoped her left ankle would continue to improve smoothly.
Despite a few difficulties along the way, benches throughout the garden allowed Seren to rest, and she safely reached the outer garden.
Passing through neatly maintained but basic gardens, she finally entered the bustling outer garden, which revealed extravagant landscaping.
Splash! The sound of water from a marble fountain spread far and wide. Seren inhaled the fresh air deeply.
‘I’ll enjoy this as much as I can.’
Though she personally preferred natural environments like Estelle’s, she thought, once she returned home, when would she see such sights again? It felt as if every flower in the world had been planted here, and even the patterns of the stone tiles forming the walkways were harmonious.
“Beautiful. Where else is famous around here?”
“The Moonlight Corridor!” Emily shouted excitedly. Seren chuckled quietly. She had already seen it, though only in her mind. Across the path, a group of elegantly dressed ladies approached.
“Oh.” Seren froze. In public, the lower-ranked person had to step aside first. She needed to retreat, but her leg made stepping back difficult.
The women approached, chatting among themselves without noticing if anyone was in their path. Emily quickly supported Seren, trying to pull her back, and the attendants behind tried to approach, but before they could, Seren was pushed backward by one woman’s skirt.
“Ah!”
A cold gaze scanned her from head to toe.
“I’m sorry.” Seren bowed quickly, and Emily knelt. The woman was clearly a daughter of a high-ranking noble family.
“Oh my, are you alright, Lady Eliana?”
“What if your clothes get dirty?” the women walking together said to the lady Seren bumped into.
Lady Cora, walking beside her, sharply scolded Seren.
“How rude! Blocking a noble lady’s path, and still kneeling stiffly!”
“I’m sorry. My… leg is injured…” Seren said, trying to kneel on one knee with her cane. She could do it, but moving quickly without support was difficult.
The attendants hurriedly blocked her path.
“My apologies, Lady Eliana. This lady is a guest of the head maid…”
Smack! Lady Cora’s fan struck an attendant’s cheek, leaving a red mark.
“How dare a servant speak without being asked?” The attendants lowered their heads. Lady Eliana surveyed them with indifferent eyes. Though she glanced at them once because they were guests of the Duchess of Sons, they did not seem important.
Most nobles entering the palace would know her, but Seren had never seen her before. Her attire was plain; even her maid would have dressed better. Usually, unqualified visitors received permission from the head maid or chief attendant, so this must be the case. Most likely, the attendants’ relatives at best.
“That’s enough, Lady Cora. She seems to be here to see the White Flower Garden.”
“But my lady! How can you leave such a rude commoner like this…!”
“What can one do if she’s uneducated?” Lady Eliana said, flicking her silken-gloved hand on her own hem. She wasn’t in the mood to participate in Cora’s misbehavior.
Seren bit her lower lip. Humiliation brought tears to her eyes, but she had to keep her head down. Stepping aside promptly was proper etiquette, and one could not speak without permission from a superior.
Lady Eliana removed her gloves and flicked the dirt from her hem in front of Seren’s eyes. Seren bowed even lower, and then a tall man’s shadow fell over her.
