Chapter 151 - Test The Waters (1) (2/2)

“I missed you.”

“Well, now you’re behaving more like a baby.”

Despite her light scolding, the nanny soothingly patted Elena’s slender shoulders. The small gesture seemed to melt away all of Elena’s suffering and hardship like a magic spell. She clung to her nanny for several long moments before looking up at her.

“But how did you get here? I was so worried about you that I didn’t even tell you I was getting married.”

“Do you know how much regret I feel now? I feel as if I missed my life’s pleasure in seeing you get married.”

Disappointment was evident in her wrinkled face.

“I was afraid that you might be in poor health. And you can see Mirabelle’s wedding instead of mine.”

“I will not be alive then…”

“Don’t say that. Live with me forever.”

The nanny gave a soft chuckle at her words.

“Yes, My Lady.”

The nanny held Elena’s shoulders back to study her.

“You truly are a mature woman. So beautiful. Your late mother would have been very happy to see you like this.”

“…Would she?”

“Of course.”

Elena’s lips lifted upward at her praise.

“But how did you marry the Crown Prince? Was this your choice or did the Count decide it?”

“Oh, that…”

Elena couldn’t tell her the full truth, so she narrated a false love story about Carlisle. They ventured on other topics as well, and time passed by quickly, as there was so much to talk about.

It was morning when the nanny arrived, and now lunchtime was already approaching.

Ttog ttogeu-

There was a knock on the parlor room door. Elena turned towards the sound and spoke in a calm voice.

“Come in.”

The nanny, who was looking at Elena, instantly changed her mood at the arrival of a new person. The door to the parlor room opened and a woman in a maid’s uniform entered. Elena had never seen her before, but there were so many people working in the palace that she didn’t know all their faces yet.

“Your Highness. The Empress has sent you a personal wedding gift.”

“Gift?”

Elena looked on in wonder. The Empress had already sufficiently congratulated them, of course, but she knew that Ophelia’s relationship with Carlisle was less than friendly.

“What did she send me?”

“A messenger from the Empress’ palace says it’s a rare plant that only grows in the Sibena kingdom in the far south. If it’s tended to well, it will grow pink flowers, which symbolizes harmony and fertility.”

Elena had no protest to the gift. Such a rare plant could be considered a gift of suitable sincerity, while not being too much of a burden. After thinking for a moment, Elena finally replied.

“Bring it here. Let me see it myself.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The maid bowed her head and soon returned to the parlor room with a burly-looking servant carrying a large flower pot. Although the plant had yet to bloom, its sweet scent filled the room. Elena did not particularly fancy sweet scents, but even this she found it pleasant. She studied the plant with her eyes, then nodded when she saw nothing outwardly wrong with it. She was with her nanny for now, and could check it again later.

“It smells divine. Then in my room…”

However, the nanny’s face had changed dramatically once she saw the plant. She had been watching without a word, but now she interrupted in a calm voice.

“My Lady, is there a need to leave right now? Let’s place it here for a while and enjoy the fragrance.”

It seemed a strange suggestion, but Elena decided to follow her nanny’s example. It was not difficult to move the plant at any time.