Chapter 42: Twisted Favoritism
"Did you have fun, Your Highness? I expected you to give up after the dress boutique, but you sure did surprise me when you asked me to make a day out of it. I think there is not even a single shop or restaurant left that we have not visited today."
Tillian reclined in the leather-covered seat of the coach and fixed his curious red eyes on Aideen’s face. The princess pressed her throbbing forehead against the cold glass of the carriage window and closed her eyes, allowing the stinging fatigue to subside, at least for a little while.
She was utterly exhausted. She could not recall the last time she was out for so long, if she ever had, and now she was yearning to get some much-needed rest.
Meeting Prince Yanad affected her more than she expected. Aideen didn’t inform the Duke that she talked to the Crown Prince and pretended that her newfound enthusiasm for shopping emerged from the depths of her timid soul due to the incredible service at Lady Florence’s Dress Boutique and the little errand Tillian had to run while she was trying on the wedding dress.
The result of that errand was now warmly embraced in the princess’s arms.
"You seem to like the flowers a lot; I’m glad. It is now too cold for them, but the florist informed me that he keeps a little greenhouse outside his house just for them."
The lady lightly touched the lush, soft petals of the flowers carefully arranged into a large bouquet and offered Duke Valentine a content smile.
"Peonies were my mother’s favorite flowers. My nanny told me that Utar has entire meadows covered with blankets of colorful peonies that bloom during spring. I did my best to preserve the little greenhouse my late mother left behind in our quarters, but my disability did not allow me to do much... If you don’t mind, Your Grace, I would like to bring these flowers to my mother’s grave instead of keeping them to myself."
Tillian raised his eyebrows for a moment. He was not against the idea of honoring the memory of Aideen’s late mother, Yuliana. On the contrary, this suggestion only proved how wonderful the princess’s heart was. However, while he knew the tragic story behind Yuliana’s untimely death, he had no idea where she was buried because both her last months in the abandoned palace and her death were kept secret from everyone outside the Royal Family.
After all, Queen Consort Yuliana was banished to the old palace quarters, accused of having an affair with her personal guarding knight by Queen Fleur Ruan.
Aideen interpreted Tillian’s silence as a sign of confusion.