Lily went looking for Liora throughout the entire house but couldn't find her. As planned, Liora and Roseria were taking a walk in the white-flowered garden behind the estate.
Liora glanced at her. "Do you walk every day?"
"Not really. I just didn't want to sit around all day. But back at the palace, I do it to avoid my embroidery lessons."
"Ah."
Roseria sighed. "I'm terrible at it anyway. My roses end up looking like crushed insects."
Liora smiled at her. "At least they have character."
They both fell silent again. A bird hopped along the hedge beside them.
"Well… that's something, I guess." Roseria walked a few steps ahead before glancing back. "You don't have to keep three paces behind. I'm not your mistress."
Liora caught up with her. "Princess?" she asked. Though Roseria was kind and informal, Liora still felt the gap between them. Roseria was royalty. She was a commoner.
