Soon after tea time had come to an end, the Queen announced that everybody was free to take a stroll around the Palace premises until it was time for lunch.

They had a few hours left for lunch and after their stroll they could return to their assigned rooms to rest until they were called to dine with the King and Queen once again.

Having said this, the Royal couple bid their goodbyes and the rest were left to do as they pleased.

As this was an excellent opportunity to explore the beautiful palace gardens, the ladies chose to do so.

The men were asked if they would rather head to a parlor and converse with each other.

Having come to an agreement, the men chose to follow this path instead of joining the women on their stroll.

The boys under Topher's leadership chose to visit the training grounds used by the Royal Knights.

This was a rare chance for the boys to visit this place so they were quick to agree.

It was the Valente twins' first time visiting the Palace so they were excited to gain this chance and Howard felt the same way.

However, there was one who was strictly against this idea.

"I would rather spend time strolling in the garden.

" Taylor Tanner declared with a firm voice.

Topher felt a headache arising while Howard scoffed at him.

"Fine, if that is what you want.

" The elder brother agreed, unwilling to cause a scene in the Palace.

'I'll deal with you when we get home.' Topher smirked at his little brother who shuddered at this sight.

However, thinking about spending time with his sworn sister, he threw caution to the wind and smiled back at his brother, ignoring that scary smirk.

Topher was amused to see him unaffected but what he saw next was explanation enough for him to decipher what was in his brother's mind.

Gaining permission from his brother, Taylor was all smiles as he turned towards the little girl of the St. Claire family who was standing with a group a short distance away.

"Vonn-!

" His shout of joy turned into a gasp to catch his breath.

Howard had just waved him off earlier when he declared that he would not be accompanying them.

However, when he saw what his plan was all along, he had to stop him.

Thus, before Taylor could call the little girl's name to get her attention, he held him by the collar and started dragging him away.

"Let's go, Brother Topher.

" Howard urged before this fool in his grasp could escape.

With Howard dragging him and Topher leering at him to not create a loud scene, Taylor was filled with grievances as he was 'escorted' out of the garden.

'My sweet dream of viewing pretty flowers with Vonny!' He cried out in his heart as they led him away.

Just as he was about to exit the garden, his eyes met with those beautiful amethyst eyes but seeing her waving him goodbye only brought tears to his eyes.

With this last image, Taylor was dragged out of the garden and the rest of the boys followed soon after.

____

Back in the garden, no one had noticed this scene except for one.

'He looked like a hostage being taken against his will.' Yvonne snickered at this thought before shaking her head.

She had turned right when Taylor had called out her name but was cut off soon after, thus witnessing everything that took place after that.

However, she did not interfere as Taylor's presence here would not be welcomed by the other girls.

Even if Duchess Tanner would not object, they could not stop any rumors that might fly if he insisted on staying behind and spending time with them.

Therefore, she agreed with Howard's actions though he might have had a different goal in mind while doing so.

Right now, only women and little girls remained, and glancing at her mother, this little girl smiled upon seeing her mother's radiant smile.

Raylene was surrounded by people with whom she was comfortable.

On one side was Duchess Tanner and on the other was her sister-in-law, Trisha Valente.

In their group was also Marchioness Kiron who was close to both Raylene and the Duchess.

Raylene did not let Trisha feel left out and introduced her to the friends she had made in the Capital.

Thus, right now, Marchioness Yona was gritting her teeth while watching the new member, a mere Viscountess getting acquainted with the other ladies in high society.

If it wasn't enough that Countess St. Claire had slithered her way into their group without putting in much effort, she was now bringing her relatives along as well.

This did not sit well with Marchioness Yona and she stepped towards them, with the intention of joining them and safeguarding her position among them.

The other ladies did not object and made way for her, letting her join their conversation.

Duchess Brodie and the rest too joined them which left the little girls to their own devices.

Yvonne turned her eyes away from the adults and found that she had too many pairs of eyes fixed on her.

Aleena and Rika Kiron had been asked by their brother to stay close to Yvonne and ensure that Cecily does not target her in any way.

Paying heed to their brother's words, they were standing next to her as they gazed at her.

Similarly, Cecily was leering at the child who had once again stuck close to Jacob Kiron despite the warnings she had received in the past.

Cecily did not care that Jacob had spent the majority of his time debating and discussing with Howard and Taylor.

In her eyes, it was Yvonne who had demanded his attention and diverted it away from her.

For this, she was furious with that girl and her desire to set her right had deepened.

On the other hand, Mae Blaise was annoyed with this girl ever since she had first heard about her, and Elna was miffed that once again, she had managed to steal everyone's attention.

Each and every one of these girls was treated with great care, pampered, and given a whole lot of attention in their own homes so it was understandable that they expected the same treatment from everyone else.

Unable to gain that same treatment was what was causing them to grow anxious and annoyed.

However, a few were different from the rest and could not be grouped under the same category.

The first among them was Yvonne who was loved by her family yet did not expect the same from the rest of the world.

In fact, she would be glad and grateful if they paid no attention to her and let her live her life in peace.

Next came Aleena who was already used to seeing her family's attention being divided between herself and her sister.

Rika, who once had the same attitude as the other girls, had learned that the world did not revolve around her when she first became the Princess's playmate.

She learned that they were more important people than her and she might be special to her family but not everyone would treat her in the same way.

Likewise, the other girl who had similar opinions was the one and only, Main Villainess of the script Yvonne had read in the past, Miss Glennise Brodie.

Glennise was given all the love and care from her mother but was treated coldly by her father who showered her with none of the love she received from her mother.

Thus, she knew that even the one closest to her wasn't willing to shower her with care so she should not expect the same from others.

However, her high status in society as the only child of the Brodie family despite the conflicting treatment she received at home had made her mind work in a different way.

While she knew that she did not deserve all the love and care, she still yearned for it.

Thus, right now, she was confused and wished to know why everyone was staring at the daughter of the St. Claire family.

Clearing her throat, she diverted their attention away from her and brought it onto herself.

As the girl with the highest status here, she had the authority over them and was pleased to see them now paying attention to her.

Scanning her eyes across the various faces before her, a slight smile formed on her lips.

"Hearing that everyone was coming here today, Our Princess has been generous enough to invite us all to her Palace to view the flowers planted there under the special instructions of the King.

" She spoke in a single breath and her smile brightened once she was done.

It took them a few seconds to decipher the meaning of those words and numerous gasps were heard soon after.

The last time that a few of them had entered the Palace was for the Princess's birthday celebration.

Only the daughters of the Ducal and Marquess families had been invited and at that time, they had heard about the special present the King had given to his beloved Princess.

A greenhouse with flowers from all over the Kingdom had been planted in the Princess's palace and she was its owner.

Right now, that owner had sent word through a messenger that she wished for them to join her in viewing those beautiful flowers.

The girls were all ecstatic to hear Miss Glennise's words that she had delivered on the instructions of the Princess who was also her best friend.

However, among those bright and lively faces was one whose brows were scrunched up and her lips pursed in dissatisfaction.

Glancing around at the happy faces, this little girl was reluctant to even smile.

'Can I not go?' Yvonne St.. Claire wondered if there was a way she could get out of meeting the Princess, the second villainess of the script this world followed.