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Aries had always known Gustav was a capable man. Dexter wouldn\'t trust Gustav with affairs that had nothing to do with the manor if he wasn\'t. However, it still surprised her how efficient Gustav was. Gustav dug everything he could and gave her the result two days later.

Everything that was regarding Princess Agnes and Lady Ivory since the selection started was all in the documents Gustav had gathered. There was some information that didn\'t have that much importance, but also information that Aries could use at the right time.

Although reading them made Aries admire Princess Agnes. The said woman was surely a woman worthy of admiration. Not only she could dominate the high society and host tea parties flawlessly, but also, her methods in governing the south were faultless.

If Aries wasn\'t a candidate herself, she would support the princess, for she had proven herself worthy. However, Aries had this newfound reason to become the empress. Her coronation was already set in stone even when there was obviously a much-worthy candidate, but Aries didn\'t want any appeal or problems once she claimed the throne.

Lady Ivory, on the other hand, wasn\'t any less remarkable. Unlike the sophisticated and elegant Princess Agnes, Lady Ivory was as cunning as a fox. She would use her lackey to verbally attack anyone she disliked while keeping her good public image. Personality aside, Lady Ivory also governed the east properly. Although there was some discrepancy, Aries needed to confirm.

The competition was tough, and Aries only realized how close this race was. After all, this was the only time she actually took her opponents seriously. If this was a fair competition, Aries wouldn\'t be certain about winning. It just so happened her backer was the emperor himself, but she didn\'t want to be complacent anymore.

Aries stood in front of the window in the empty hallway on the second floor of the Hyacinth Palace. She had been staring at the courtyard, watching Lady Ivory and Lady Julienne — Lady Ivory\'s handmaiden — walk while chatting.

The two were obviously headed to the main garden. Her eyes glinted with complexity, expression sharp.

"Lady Daniella."

Aries blinked upon hearing Sybil\'s voice from her side. When she turned to face her, the sharpness plastered on Aries\'s face was replaced with gentleness. There, Sybil and Suzanne were standing several feet away from her and were looking at Aries with surprise.

"What are you doing here, my lady?" Suzanne asked as they approached Aries. "I heard you just recovered from your fever. You should stay in your room and rest some more."

"My lady…" Sybil reached for Aries\'s hand to check if she was cold.

They didn\'t see Aries for over a week and they blamed it for not looking after her even more attentively. Aries had helped the people in the west district, but she ended up falling ill because of it. Hence, they felt guilty about it as her handmaidens.

Normally, Aries would feel guilty after seeing the worry in Sybil\'s eyes. However, she didn\'t budge now. Aries offered them a kind smile, holding Sybil\'s soft and gentle hands.

"I had been stuck in my room for days. I feel sick of it now," Aries humored with a smile. "That\'s why I thought I should take a stroll. I didn\'t want to strain my body, so I rested in here for a while."

"You should\'ve called for us, my lady." Suzanne frowned. "We came looking for you, but when we found out you went out, we were worried."

Aries\'s smile turned warmer, darting her eyes between the ladies. "Where\'s Princess Veronika?"

"She\'s probably looking for you in the opposite wing where you always spend time," said Suzanne, and then Sybil added, "she\'s anxious about you, my lady. Princess Veronika had been restless upon knowing you fell ill."

"Is that so?" Aries let out a shallow breath, putting her hand down. However, Sybil didn\'t let her hand go, as if she was a child afraid to get abandoned by her mother. Aries didn\'t mind, though. Sybil was naturally clingy and was very fond of Aries, treating the latter as her big sister. Sybil reminded her of Alaric.

"How about we take a stroll in the garden? I feel slightly stuffy after staying inside my room for days," Aries proposed with a smile, raising her brows in anticipation. "It would be nice to spend an afternoon tea with you. I missed Princess Suzanne\'s personally brewed tea."

Suzanne blushed mildly. "You flatter me, my lady."

"Hehe. You look happy!" Sybil didn\'t spare Suzanne some slack as she sold her out.

"Stop it, Sybil. Do not embarrass me."

"But your tea is truly amazing," said Aries, nodding encouragingly at Suzanne. "Would you invite me for tea?"

Suzanne looked at Aries bashfully. She cleared her throat, sporting an indifferent look, but the natural blush on her cheek and the redness on the tip of her ear sold her out. Aries and Sybil didn\'t tease her, though.

"It\'ll be my honor," said Suzanne formally. "I procured a few herbal teas for my lady."

As Suzanne walked beside Aries while Sybil was on the other side, she kept bragging about the herbal teas she procured. Aries was moved by the princess\'s gesture, getting the gist of how worried they were about her well-being.

Although Aries didn\'t fall ill, she had been distraught over Dexter\'s condition. Hence, it could be considered Aries wasn\'t really well. Even until now that they were on their way to the garden, Aries was barely fine. A part of her heart was lying within her brother\'s loose grip, and only she would retrieve it if he regain consciousness.

They reached the garden without noticing it as they happily chatted; Aries was modest all throughout. The three of them stopped by the fountain, surrounded by a variety of flowers with spaces for tables and chairs. They planned to use the pavilion as it was a better spot to enjoy a cup of tea, however, it was already occupied by Lady Ivory and Lady Julienne.

"They don\'t usually go in here," Suzanne mumbled, apparently displeased at the sight of the two ladies in the pavilion.

Sybil also frowned, tugging Aries\'s arm. "My lady, should we go to the other garden? It won\'t be far and we could see the Rose Palace from there."

Aries looked at Sybil and then at Suzanne. She knew Lady Ivory and Julienne would be there; they were the reason Aries asked these two to stroll in here. Just as her lips parted, her tongue rolled back upon hearing Lady Ivory\'s voice.

"Lady Vandran." Aries caught Suzanne roll her eyes before moving her eyes in the pavilion\'s direction, and was met with a pair of clear golden eyes that were just as bright as the sun. Lady Ivory simply smiled at Aries, and the latter smiled back.