Marquis Remington greeted Duke Cedric at his periwinkle pavilion, spring blooms breaking out of the soil around them. The robot brought with himself a chest which opened to a beautiful foreign torch, its handle carved with careful swirls and masterful craftsmanship. It was a conversational piece, and while the Marquis was ecstatic, Lily was confused as for the reason she was called.

  Cedric's amusement at the surprise coloring Lily's face when she saw him was interrupted by her asking honestly, "I am grateful to be here to view such a novelty… but is there a specific reason you called for me?"

  Dazzles shone around Cedric. "Of course. This belongs to one of the humans' kingdoms. I thought perhaps you might find it familiar and provide some information."

  "You have been travelling before I stumbled upon you, Lily! Ohoho, surely, you've seen a variety of things."

  Lily swallowed. She wasn't the type to recall the past. "I don't promise clarity of those days so…."

  Cedric couldn't help leaning a little lower. She sweated. "Travelling? That sounds intriguing—"

  "It wasn't much," she diverted the direction the conversation was steering to. "But this might look familiar." Lily was impressed with the polished granite it was made of; it tickled something familiar, the way the thick swirls spun in mesmerizing patterns.

  "We found it succumbing to moss in the outskirts of Paalwey. The waterfall provided a picturesque backdrop. Rather an odd place for a torch of this kind."

  Lily was momentarily distracted by the stunning imagery before shaking her head. "I am afraid I can't provide anything helpful right now. Torches are usually shadowed by the capturing flame."

  "Then perhaps a walk might do all of us good. Marquis Remington, seeing as your garden is far splendid than mine, I believe this piece is going to serve you better."

  Marquis Remington perked up. "Oh my, what a generous gift, Duke Cedric! Please, I have to do this justice."

  He led them throughout his garden on the cobblestone path, the edges lined with sand as a reminder of the sea nestled closeby. The flower bushes were quaint and well cared for, and Lily liked to admire this haven whenever she could, especially when accompanying the Marchioness.

  They ambled behind as Marquis Remington ahead jumped from a potential display spot to the next, lost in his own rambling and consultation with one of the gardeners.

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  Cedric sauntered, soft in his movements. "So what are your thoughts?"

  "I must admit, the torch is going to suit the garden well."

  He chuckled, delighted. "I meant concerning the book."

  This paused her, turning her to him. His pearl-like cravat gleamed with its splendid silk texture over the deep blue waistcoat. "You must have already received my letter then."

  "Verily. It was proficiently crafted, I must note. Color me impressed."

  Lily mentally patted herself in the back. "Hehe, thank you."

  They fell into an animated but undisturbing discussion, at times providing input to the Marquis.

  "I see you are enjoying your time with it."

  "Not alone." The annotations swam by. "In the end, it was wondrous to read! The author has talent with words."

  "Then I will send you his other works. I think you will enjoy them thoroughly as well."

  Q had other works? Lily couldn't wait to explore them, distracted by the thought for his words to settle in, while Cedric was glad he was present to see the stars in her eyes. The way human eyes glowed with something ungraspable, alight with emotions in an instant. Animals held those surreally grounding eyes too, a doe's beady ones staring back at him in the forest, communicating beyond audible noise.

  Cedric wanted them to keep it—the alluring butterfly of luminescence gliding around.

  "I hope the occasional rhyming is included because those definitely made me smile." Lily clasped her hands, the tender sun highlighting her amidst the flowers.

  "They were rather satisfying."

  "And clarifying."

  "Fortifying."

  "Electrifying."

  He held his stomach. "With these components, hopefully not."

  Her lips curved upwards.

  "This is the perfect spot!" Marquis Remington pointed at a round turn, between the clusters of trumpet-shaped yellow freesias, its delicately curving petals resembling a star. Lily clapped enthusiastically.

  "That is indeed perfect!"

  The gardener carefully planted it, and seeing their meeting was about to come to an end, Cedric quickly told her, "Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts with me over the letters, Miss Lily, as your conclusions are interesting to hear about! I look forward to more discussions with you."

  Before she could open her mouth, unsure if the sentiment was out of politeness or genuine anticipation, the host joined their side once more.

  "I am thrilled to hear about further finds, Duke Cedric." Marquis Remington held his shoulder and steered them back towards the pavilion, discreetly talking about future business.