"I can name all the flowers planted here..." Gwen casually remarked.

"I only know a few so that's pretty impressive," I commented.

"I doubt it," she snorted in disbelief. She then pointed towards a section of blue flowers at the side– "That's an Iris and it's the duchess's favorite. She was also named after it."

I admired the flowers in question for a bit, nodding my head.

"That explains it."

Iris... What a good name.

"Her other favorite would be this part, the hydrangeas," Gwen informed me again, pointing to the bushes that have a mixed cluster of pretty pink and blue buds– "Apparently, the roots can be used as medicine," she added.

Oooh...

"Interesting..."

"I told you, I know these types of information," she sighed.

I was fascinated by all the flowers that were relatively new to my eyes. I have seen a lot but these are the things I have never seen before. It kind of made me want to renovate my garden and add more. Probably some wall plants and vines...

Actually, if I could have a tiny man-made pond and with a floating gazebo in the middle, that would be awesome. But that would have too much work and it's not like it's a necessity anyway... But if I did get to design my garden in the future, I will certainly add that to the list.

"This garden is actually big?" I commented after a while of walking through and entering new spaces.

Gwen affirmed my thoughts, "Yeah, bigger than your own garden, I will say. It's some sort of a maze after all."

A maze garden? Cool!

"Do you think we can get lost here?" I couldn't help but ask as excitement thrummed through me.

Gwen lets out a chuckle, "Silly, you just have to follow the path where there are hydrangeas and you'll be fine."

"Ooohh, Lady Gwen sure knows a lot..." I teased her.

"I have been coming here for two weeks so of course, I will get familiarized here," she replied– "Anyway, I have to go and powder my nose."

Powder nose– ahhh...

"Okay, I'll stay here and admire the view."

Gwen didn't leave right away and started lecturing me for a moment.

"Remember to follow the path which has hydrangeas or you'll really get lost here."

"I know, I know... Geez..."

She already said that a couple of times already.

She seemed a little doubtful of me but maybe because she really needed to go to the restroom, she didn't say anything anymore and left with her maid in tow. Now, it's just me and Uno. He had masked his presence while tagging along so I don't have to mind him which is kind of thoughtful. He truly is such a great guard.

Just like what Gwen told me, I didn't stray further from the trail as I went deeper into the maze. But not venturing too deep because it would be such a pain to get out of here quickly. As I touched a few cornflowers, my eyes gravitated towards the part of a garden filled with red roses.

Alright, guys. You all know I'm crazy about roses, right? Anything red catches my eyes, again, except blood. So naturally, the red roses hypnotized me to approach them.

And upon closer inspection, these roses are big as heck. Bigger than my hands, that is. And the color is so vibrant I actually feel like it's not a normal breed of rose. Plus it has more petals than I usually see.

"Wow... I want this in my garden too..." I whispered under my breath.

I was so fixated that I didn't see a shadow suddenly appearing on my left. And before I could even notice their presence, they were already talking.

"Nadia?" It was a guy.

I looked up and saw Conrad, standing there with questioning eyes. Or should I say, doubtful eyes? He looked like he couldn't believe I was there and sniffing some roses.

"Conrad!" I exclaimed in astonishment. Why would he suddenly pop up like that?

"You're... Ah, right. Gwen invited you..." he then mumbled the last sentence out loud.

"I thought you don't know, judging from the surprised look on your face just now. Heh~" I snorted.

Conrad looked down at me with mirth in his dark eyes.

"I would know. Have you already forgotten that I'm the next duke? I was just surprised to see you here in the garden."

His long black hair is tied up into a ponytail as usual. Looking at him now, it's kind of strange seeing him in simple clothes when I'm so used to seeing him wearing a knight's uniform.

"Well, Gwen brought me here because of my love for flowers."

He slowly nodded his head, "I see... Why are you alone now?" and looked around us but only saw Uno, good meters behind– "Where is she?"

"She went back because of some personal emergency," and winked at him.

It would be rude to tell a guy that she's going to the bathroom, you know.

"Ah..." Conrad must have got it because that was his only reaction.

A mischievous part of me wanted to tease him so I did.

"What? You're missing her? The two of you live in one house, you don't have to feel lonely," I told him all the while grinning like a cat.

Conrad saw that I was being playful and chuckled.

"Silly..."

"Just look at that smile. That's a smile of a happy man. You two must have been spending your life in bliss," I remarked. Afterward, I stared at him expectantly– "So? What's new?"

Conrad blinked, "New?"

"Are the two of you progressing or what?"

That's one of my purposes when I came here, after all, to gather some gossip.

Conrad seemed confused for a second before he started laughing his ass off.

Shaking his head, he said– "Aren't you too invested in us? You really have nothing to do, huh."

"Damn right! My life is boring, that is why I enjoy pestering someone else's," I retorted.

"You mean, us," he countered.

"Currently, yes..." –my brows then furrowed upon realizing what he's doing– "Hmph. Don't avoid the topic!"

He was trying to distract me from answering the question, wasn't he?

Conrad then shook his head from side to side as if he was done with me.

"What do you want to hear from me, Nadia..." he then uttered, totally ignoring my question and gave me a vague answer.

This made me pout.

"You are no fun, Conrad! Both of you!" I aggrieved.

He only chuckled in response. It doesn't look like he's going to start opening his mouth any time soon so whatever. I will let this slide just for today.

"Anyway, I have already known for a long time but I still want to congratulate you on the engagement. Were you both planning on throwing a party or something to make it official?" I inquired.

Conrad didn't answer right away and appeared to think about it for a second.

"Hmmm... Of course..."

'What a lame response!'

I glanced at him with narrowed eyes, "I'm just saying, Conrad, as your dear friend... You shouldn't let a maiden wait," I started preaching– "Our Gwen is a type of woman that's like a marshmallow..."

"Marshmallow..." he repeated the word in a whisper.

"She's soft and timid when it comes to the matters of the heart. You should be the aggressive one," I asserted. "You know what I'm hinting, right?"

Conrad pursed his lips.

"No, I don't."

"Surprise her with a kiss!"