Chapter 1435: Meeting a Fangirl
Lilly was led through the back garden of Cestine Palace, her breath catching at the sight of the parterre. It stretched before her like a work of art, with flower beds arranged in intricate geometric patterns, edged by precisely trimmed boxwood hedges.
White stone pavements meandered gracefully between them, their smooth surfaces catching glints of sunlight.
Along the way, ornamental pots overflowed with vivid seasonal blooms, and elegant spruces stood like guardians, their forms sculpted to perfection.
The air was fragrant with roses, jasmine, and a hint of fresh-cut grass, mingling into a heady perfume.
As they walked deeper into the garden, the scenery subtly shifted. Towering trees began to rise on either side, their dense canopies forming a gentle curtain of greenery.
It was here, half-concealed among these natural sentinels, that Lilly first glimpsed it, a vast, round glasshouse with a soaring dome ceiling.
Though hidden away behind the trees, it did not feel out of place. Rather, it seemed to emerge from the landscape as if grown there organically, its elegant white framework and intricate iron lattice blending seamlessly with the surrounding foliage.
In the dappled light, its glass panels shimmered like crystal, reflecting fragments of sky and leaf alike. It felt separate from the grand garden, almost as though it existed in its own secret world, yet remained part of the palace’s flawless design.
The palace staff stopped at the edge of the clearing and spoke in hushed tones, as though raising their voice here would disturb the sanctity of the place. This, they told her, was no ordinary garden.
It was the royal family’s private sanctuary. Only they and the Archknight were allowed to enter freely. A select few gardeners and maintenance staff held permission to tend it, but even they came rarely and with great care.
Lilly was struck silent, her chest swelling with both wonder and reverence. To be allowed here was not just an honor—it was a privilege few could ever dream of.
She drew a deep breath, the cool, sweet air filling her lungs, and stepped forward onto the white stone path. Her footsteps softened as she neared the grand entrance of the glasshouse.