"You look lovely!" Annabelle praised me the next morning.

"Thank you, but you look far lovelier." It wasn't a lie, either.

She was dressed even fancier than usual, if such a thing is possible. Her dress is pink, with golden lining and pinned sleeves. Her waist looks even thinner with her crinoline, the widest I have ever seen, and long white gloves with golden embroidery of flowers.

"Oh, thank you!"

"Your dresses are always so beautifully elaborate."

"Oh, these? My mother back in my home country sends me these gowns," she touched the lace on the dress. "She loves dressing me up despite our distance." She chuckled, as if remembering a fond memory.

"That's a wonderful mother. So what would you like to do today?"

"Do you want to take a stroll around the forests?"

"Sure," I replied, hiding my surprise that was is walking in the mud with such a memorable dress. She took no heed, instead walking casually into the trees, leaves an array of red, orange, and brown.

"Do you like flowers?" she asked suddenly, scanning the ground.

"Yes, my sister, Catalina, is a talented gardener. She would grow the prettiest lilies."

"Oh, lilies! What is your favorite flower?"

"I do not have one. Which flower do you like?"

"Daisies." Her answer surprises me once more; I expected such a high-borne beauty to like roses or other grandeur flowers.

"Their simplicity is calming, and they remind me of the sun."

"I suppose they do look quite pretty."

Suddenly, Annabelle turned to face the sky. She smiled, yet her eyes look sad—no, melancholic.

"I love wildflowers the most, they grow free and seem to shine more through the weed and grass," she whispered, looking into the blue, cloudy sky. "Unlike me."

I didn't know how to respond. I never imagined her to be someone who speaks that way.

"Is it hard to leave your home country?" I asked instead, unsure of how to reply. She laughed politely at my question, probably sensing the awkwardness.

"Of course not. Ever since coming to Taraxac, I've had more freedom, and the people here are so much nicer. I've learned a lot being here." Her gaze, reflecting the blue sky, was thoughtful like her words—which seemed to speak of something I couldn't understand.

"Why, good morning," a voice called out. I turned to see Oda, right behind us. She was wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a gown with long sleeves. I remembered she had albinism and needed protection from the sunlight. However, I didn't expect the princess to be someone who took walks, especially on an ordinary autumn day.

"Your Highness!" Annabelle gasped, curtsying. I took her lead, causing Oda to smirk. For the first time, I realizes how casual I always acted around with her, failing to treat her like the royalty she is.

"Please call me Princess Oda. If I remember correctly, are you two Lady Annabelle and Lady Karina?" Princess Oda's acting was surprisingly good. Both Annabelle and I nodded.

"Yes, Princess Oda."

"I'm pleased to meet you here, Princess Oda. If you don't mind me asking, where are you headed to?" Annabelle conversed with ease. Was it a result of her being in a higher class?

"I am planning to take a walk into the forest," Oda said with a rare smile. Maybe it was acting, but it looked genuine and kind.

"Why, Karina and I planned the same!" Annabelle announced with a clap of her gloved hands. I observed that this was a habit of hers: she did the same yesterday.

"Shall we go together?" The princess didn't wait for our approval—she simply started walking, taking the lead. I had a feeling something was up, but follow the two richly-clad maidens into the forest. Annabelle sent me a nervous look, and I smiled for encouragement.

Deeper inside, and in the shad of the tall trees, it felt much cooler. I didn't feel fully recovered yet, but better than before. We walked in silence before it was finally, and gladly, broken by Oda.

"Lady Annabelle, you were quite popular in Berennis, weren't you? Why did you not marry a prince there, but come to Taraxac?" she asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice. I glanced at Annabelle, who looked at her skirt in silence.

"I was, well, exiled," she murmured, biting her coral lips.

"Exiled? How? You were well-liked," Oda continued without pity nor emotion despite the sensitive topic. Annabelle looks troubled. I wondered if I should say something. Annabelle opened her mouth slowly.

"My sisters were damsels, and not many men wooed them." Her voice faded away and Oda turned around, examining her carefully. We had stopped walking, and now we simply stood there in a circle.

"Continue, Lady Annabelle. Or would you like some privacy?" Oda looked at me.

"No, no! It's fine." Annabelle gave me a frail smile. "Many asked for my hand in marriage. Father found it shameful if the youngest child got married, whilst my three elder sisters were still unwed, so he sent me to Taraxac." Her eyes never met the Princess's, who stared her without shame.

"I see, how awful. Does your family not miss you?" she probed in the same monotonous way.

"My mother does," Annabelle protested quickly. "My sisters, however, seem quite glad to be rid of me."

Suddenly, the princess turned to me, a familiar smirk on her face.

"Lady Karina," she said in the previous serious tone, but her eyes full of mischief, "tell me why you joined the Dandelion System."

"Me?" I stammered, not prepared. I had to keep up with the act—or, actually, keep up with her tricks. "I thought I might as well try; to marry the prince is every maiden's dream,"

Oda's smile was too smug for my comfort, but she nodded, satisfied.

"I wasn't allowed to say this, but since you two are honest to me, I'll tell you two that today the Dandelion Seeds have been scattered." Annabelle and I stared at each other in disbelief, and Oda chuckled. "There will be a meeting at the end of dinner to announce this."

"Thank you for telling us, Princess Oda," Annabelle said enthusiastically, and I followed with a forced smile on my lips.

"You are welcome. I shall part ways with you here."

"Farewell, Princess Oda. It's been a pleasure to meet you," I answered nervously. Annabelle bids farewell too. We watched the princess's figure disappear from view before Annabelle broke out in excitement.

"What a shock! The princess tried to be kind, but it felt like an inspection!" I didn't know what to say: I felt like it was actually me who she was examining, or playing tricks on. "Oh, it's time for my afternoon tea. Would you care to join me?"

"I'll be honored to," I said in a voice similar to Princess Oda's fake one, making her giggle.

We walked past out of the forest, and then I noticed a girl sitting on a bench at a clearing. She was crying; her pale lips were pressed into a tight frown, and her eyes were red. Her dress was black, so was her matching hat, which had a black veil at the front.

"Karina?" Annabelle called my name.

"Is that maiden also a contestant for The Dandelion System?" I asked. Annabelle turned to look at her.

"Yes. That's Tristesse Roncevalles. She's from Berennis too, but was adopted by a Taraxacan family. She's beautiful, isn't she?"

She was.

"She's crying," I said, hesitantly.

"She's mourning, most likely." My head snapped back to look at her, and her face seems tell me she regretted saying it. "Well, lets get going," she said instead. Knowing I shouldn't ask anymore, I nodded and walked away. A strange silence hovered over us, and my mind is still on the girl. Who is she mourning for? Why did Annabelle's attitude suddenly change?

"Annabelle!" Blithe was at the dorm door. "And Lady Karina! Are you having tea with us today?"

"Yes, thank you both very much for inviting me," I answered and followed them up the stairs to their dorm. Annabelle's room was different from mine; she had already decorated it. Flowers in vases sat on the windowsill, new curtains were placed, paintings hung on the walls, and a patterned carpet laid beneath my heels.

"How is the room?" Annabelle asked, seeing my traveling eyes.

"Splendid. I'm shocked you did this so quickly."

"I must say the place was dull at first. After Annabelle did this, the place seemed to glow," Blithe praised, carrying a tray of tea cups. She placed it down in front of us.

The tea had a lovely aroma, and there were tiny egg tarts topped with an array of berries.

"Who is your lady in waiting?" Blithe asked me. I pondered over what to say, since I don't know Aideen's family name. Then I remembered she was an orphan.

"Aideen."

"Oh, her!" She furrowed her brows in sudden disproval. I was confused at how she contorted her face at the name, and she noticed. She relaxed her face. "I see, I apologize for my outburst."

I shook my head. "No, its fine."

"If she's ever free," Blithe said softly, "I would like to meet her." She gives me a queer smile, sending shivers up my spine.