Chapter 101: Why Am I Here?

My tea time with Alice went smoothly as if I didn't ask her something personal — or what she wanted to look like. Alice was an amazing woman. After our little talk, I walked back to my quarters. I stopped in the gravel walk in the middle of the garden and turned my head in the greenhouse's direction.

"Huh?" I blinked twice, furrowing my brows in confusion. I tilted my head and looked around to see that no one was around. 

"Did someone call me?" I murmured before I shrugged. It was probably nothing. I was about to resume in my steps but stopped for some reason. My eyes veered in the greenhouse direction even though I couldn't see its shadow from my vantage point. 

The greenhouse...

When I first caught sight of that place days ago with Hugo, I was already drawn to it for an unknown reason. I couldn't seem to shrug off this feeling and before I knew it, my feet dragged me to the abandoned greenhouse. I only realized I approached it when I was standing in front of its ajar doors. 

'Why am I here?' I wondered, tilting my head as I sometimes couldn't understand myself. I blushed when Hugo suddenly came into my mind. 

After idling in front of the greenhouse to keep my composure together, I shook my head and gazed at the door. Since I was already here, I would like to take a peek. Today was my last day in the palace because we planned to set off to Belcoot tomorrow at dawn. 

"Just a peek," I muttered and tiptoed my way in like a thief. I didn't know why I was being careful entering the greenhouse, but I acted on instinct. 

Just like how I came in here the first time, the beautiful greenhouse was still unattended. It was strange, I thought. If the empress loved her children so much, then her children treasured her, they would take care of this place because they have a lot of good memories. But instead, they all left this place and treated it as if it didn't exist. 

I understood that Hugo and his siblings were important individuals and were busy contributing to the empire. But still, if one was determined, they would have other ways to maintain such a beautiful place that had many wonderful memories. 

"Unless the bad ones are greater," I murmured, standing at the withering plant in a pot situated on the corner. "Then that is more understandable."

I jumped when I heard a voice from behind me. When I turned around, my eyes instantly landed on Daniel's figure, who was several meters from me. When did he come in? I wondered as I came in here without seeing anyone. Although it was not like the entrance was the only door in here. 

Daniel glanced in my direction from the intricate chair he sat on. "I'm surprised to see you here, Rinnie. But I guess Hugo had shown you this place." He peeled his eyes away from me, leaning back while resting his leg over the other. 

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"This place is one of my favorite places in this world. We used to spend a lazy afternoon in this greenhouse with our mother — that's the only time Hugh actually behaves like a child." There was a subtle smile that appeared on his face while I just stood there, staring at him from this distance. "Why no one approaches this place had a deeper reason."

I pressed my lips into a thin line while studying his side profile. From this distance, Daniel looked untouchable and unapproachable. Although he looked kind, there was just this distant feeling he gave off that would make someone hesitate to approach him. 

Well, he was the crown prince. Hence, it was no surprise he had that sort of aura. It was not like I questioned Hugo's opinions about Daniel. I knew the latter was someone reliable, responsible, and strong. But my main concern was the actions of the people around him. 

"Despite that, I find myself in this greenhouse whenever I had a lot to think about or just to simply calm down." He cocked his head back, eyes on me. "Ironic, don't you think? I go to the place where our mother died... murdered to calm down."

I froze at his last remarks. What did he say? Daniel chuckled as his eyes lingered on me before he shook his head and averted his eyes.

"That's right. The Empress, our Mother, died in this place. That is why even the emperor pretended this place didn't exist. It only reminds us about a deep scar that this place left than the good memories we created," he continued in the same calm tone. "How appalling. Just one bad memory and all the good things are forever gone."

I felt somehow sad listening to his voice. It felt heavy even though he maintained a kind tone. A shallow breath slipped past my lips as I trudged in his direction. I looked at him warily, stopping at a distance where I could see him, but not too close. 

"I don't think Your Highness considers the good ones forever gone," I voiced out in a soft voice, sporting a subtle smile when he glanced at me. "If not, then I don't think you will go in here when you have a lot of things to think about or you just need to calm down."

"Hah..." he chuckled almost in a mocking tone, but only it still sounded kind. How strange, I thought. It was easy to detect if someone was irritated or being sarcastic, but Daniel sounded kind and sad overall. Perhaps, I was reading into things too much just because I didn't want to think about my own circumstance. 

"How about you? Why are you in here, my future sister-in-law?" 

"No reason." I shrugged and looked around. "I just found myself in front of this place, so I thought of taking another look."

"Is that so...?"

Huh? Why did he sound… doubtful?

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