The night breeze was gentle in front of the Harmonious Hall, the warmth of the banquet still lingering in the air. The sky was like ink, gradually spreading into the distance, thick and slow.

Thinking of his brows and eyes, Tanya felt an inexplicable sweetness rising in her heart.

"Could it be that Lady Vivienne is enchanted by my beauty?"

Tanya paused, turning around to see Alexander standing before her in silver armor, the moonlight cascading over his shoulders, casting a cold glow.

A smile involuntarily formed on Tanya's lips. "So it's Guard Alexander. Good evening."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "You still have the presence of mind to greet me. You must be quite satisfied with today's events."

Tanya nodded in satisfaction.

"Hmph, if it weren't for me, Alexander, you'd be begging for mercy at Heliam's feet."

This was whispered into Tanya's ear by Alexander, his warm breath tickling her earlobe.

Tanya tilted her head slightly and exaggeratedly bowed, "Lady Vivienne thanks Guard Alexander once again."

Alexander snorted lightly, turning his head away in a huff, his rebelliousness unyielding as he brushed past her.

Verdant watched Alexander's retreating figure and said softly, "This Guard Alexander has a face that is hard to define as masculine or feminine, and with Lady Vivienne dancing in perfect harmony in the hall, I thought he was a gentle man. I never expected him to be so rude."

Tanya's eyes sparkled with amusement.

To expect Alexander to be courteous was like waiting for a barren tree to blossom.

Verdant returned to the main topic. "But Lady, you made Lady Francois lose face tonight. You may want to be a bit more cautious in the future."

Tanya tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Why bother being cautious of her? With His Majesty backing us, we have nothing to fear."

After a dreamless night, Tanya awoke to find breakfast time had passed.

Verdant entered, carrying a copper basin.

"Servant had the small kitchen prepare some food. There are macarons from the Imperial Kitchen， please make do with these."

Tanya's fingers, as white as green onions, soaked in the clear water.

"Did you light incense in my room last night?" Tanya glanced at the ashes in the corner, a faint scent still lingering in the air.

"Replying to Lady, I noticed you were feeling uneasy these past few days, so I used lavender as a calming agent."

"Thank you for your concern." Tanya smiled, gently splashing cool water on her face.

Verdant swept up the ashes in the corner. "Several ladies in the Imperial Garden got into an argument among the peonies and have been at a standstill all morning. Would you like to go see the commotion?"

"Let's take a look then."

The Imperial Garden was a sea of flowers, and the air was filled with a faint floral scent, wafting pleasantly around them.

"What is this about?"

Before they could get close, Francois's cold voice reached them, and against the light, Tanya immediately spotted the group standing in the bright sun.

"Evelyn means no offense, only seeks an apology from Sister Francois."

Tanya raised her eyes.

Dressed in flowing purple fabric, with skin as white as snow and a delicate waist layered in pleats, her long hair cascading down her back in a finely braided ring, adorned with two purple pom-poms on her head, and a touch of vermilion on her forehead accentuating her phoenix-like eyes and ruby lips.

Truly a beauty.

Verdant cautiously supported Tanya. "It’s said that Evelyn’s maid bumped into Francois while walking, and Francois slapped the maid twice. Evelyn then rushed to the Imperial Garden to demand an explanation."

Tanya frowned tightly. "Where did you hear this?"

Verdant’s voice lowered. "I don’t know， I heard it while delivering clothes to the laundry this morning."

Tanya nodded, her gaze shifting between Evelyn and Francois.

"Sister Francois, what do you mean? Are you bullying Evelyn because she just arrived? Evelyn only wishes to serve His Majesty alongside the sisters. Why must you treat her so poorly?"

Evelyn's words were soft and sweet, her eyes filled with grievance.

"I truly pity Lady Evelyn. The people of Southland are gentle and simple, and now that she’s brought into this palace, her first encounter is to be treated poorly."

Tanya tilted her head, Verdant's words fully sinking in.

She squinted her eyes， the glaring sun caused her brows to furrow, yet the coldness in her gaze remained unchanged.

This was not about Francois mistreating Evelyn， it was clearly Evelyn causing trouble.

Francois stood there, proud and aloof, her slender figure straightened, her blue dress flowing behind her, with a crimson scarf on her head serving as a perfect accent.

How could someone with such a cold demeanor lower herself to pursue a maid’s trouble?

But Evelyn, while appearing delicate and lovely, couldn’t hide the hidden decisiveness and cunning glimmering beneath her tear-filled eyes.

"To think she could target Francois, she has certainly put in some effort with the women of the harem," Tanya murmured.

Verdant leaned closer. "What do you mean, my Lady? I’m afraid I don’t quite understand."

Tanya narrowed her phoenix eyes, clarity shining in their depths.

"I ask you, among the women in this harem, who does His Majesty favor the most?"

Without hesitation, Verdant replied, "Of course, it's you, my Lady."

Tanya shot her a sideways glance. "Before me?"

Verdant's heart raced, her eyes widened in fear, her voice dropping. "…It’s Lady Francois..."

"Exactly." A smile curled at the corners of Tanya's mouth, tinged with a hint of coldness. "Since she’s a gift from another country, she must not be bullied in the harem."

"And the quickest way to establish authority is to give someone with a bit of status in the harem a lesson."

Tanya's cold smile deepened. "And Evelyn, being new, shouldn’t provoke the most favored person. She can only retreat and seek someone beneath me but above other concubines, and who is also disliked by His Majesty."

Thus, the proud and fallen Francois became the perfect target.

Verdant listened to Tanya's analysis, her pink lips parting in surprise. "I must be foolish."

Tanya looked at the two before her—one in purple, the other in blue—both of whom were not to be trifled with.

In the distance, Francois had clearly run out of patience, her voice laced with irritation. "Get lost."

"Evelyn doesn't understand why you speak to me this way. All I seek is an apology from you, Sister Francois. I hope you can respect me," Evelyn replied.

Francois's eyes darkened suddenly. "You’re asking for death."

She was already fed up and didn’t consider the person before her worthy of her attention, finding her persistence to be quite annoying.

"The palace rules are clear: those who cause trouble shall face punishment."

A familiar, cool voice rang out from behind them.

Tanya turned her head to see Alexander’s handsome face come into view, his high nose and extraordinary demeanor striking, with a hint of mischief subtly revealing itself on his beautiful cheeks.

"Ah, it's Sir Alexander," Evelyn said, bowing slightly, her lips curving into a smile, her voice even more pleasant.

"Greetings, Lady Yi," Alexander replied with a nod, a hint of coldness at the corners of his mouth as he turned to Francois. "I happened to pass by and sensed a heavy aura of hostility, so I came to take a look."

Implying that he suspected Francois might act against Evelyn.

Francois scoffed dismissively. "I would never stoop to attacking someone of lower rank."

Alexander's gaze turned icy. "I hope you truly mean that."

The atmosphere between them was charged with tension. Evelyn softly interjected, "Since Sir Alexander has stepped in, I'll take a step back. I see that you are familiar with the palace layout. Could you show me around?"

The first part of her sentence was directed at Francois, but her gaze remained fixed on Alexander throughout.

Alexander furrowed his brow, refusing politely. "I have urgent matters to attend to. I hope you understand, my lady."

Evelyn couldn't press further, yet her smile remained undiminished. "Then we can plan for another time."

Evelyn nodded. "I'll take my leave first."

Before departing, her eyes met Tanya's for a brief moment.

Tanya returned her gaze to Francois, who gave a light huff. "Let me advise you, Sir Alexander: mind your own business."

With that, she turned and left.

As everyone dispersed, Tanya cheerfully jumped to Alexander's side. "Sir Alexander."

He raised an eyebrow. "Those who watch from the sidelines often meet their demise first."

"I'm here to express my gratitude!" Tanya said playfully, throwing him a flirtatious glance.

Alexander squinted, a hint of a smile forming at the corners of his mouth. He opened his long fingers. "And what kind of reward do you propose?"

Tanya had initially come for entertainment, her eyes devoid of any gratitude.

"You can tell me what you want. I'll prepare it and deliver it myself," she replied.

Alexander narrowed his eyes. "What could a little maid possibly offer?"

"Forget it," Tanya rolled her eyes, then seemed to think of something. "Have you been sleeping well lately?"

Alexander's rare smile broadened. "Are you concerned about me?"

Tanya fell silent for a moment before turning to leave.

Behind her, Alexander’s spirits lifted, his smile deepening, making his eyes more appealing.

Tanya returned to the palace, the faint scent of flowers still lingering at her nose.

The fragrance of the garden was particularly delightful, mingling with the image of Alexander in her mind.

"Verdant, give me the lavender incense you lit last night," Tanya said lightly, her gaze sparkling like stars, a captivating sight on her delicate face.

Verdant placed what Tanya requested onto a tray, and Tanya also asked for needles, thread, and a blue fabric pouch.

Having rarely worked with needle and thread, she struggled to keep her grip steady.

Verdant guided her from the side, the fabric of her green gown fluttering in the breeze, filling the air with floral fragrance.

"My lady is so considerate， this must be for someone special," Verdant remarked, referring to Heliam, which Tanya was well aware of.

She remained silent, her curled lashes brushing against her eyes, her cheeks pink and adorned with fine fuzz, her long hair tied behind her, the pendants on her head jingling gently in the breeze.

She could roughly imagine how Alexander would react upon receiving the pouch, likely turning his head away haughtily while making rare comments about a little maid's sewing skills.

Tanya's lips curled into a smile, her eyes clear and bright.

A gentle breeze stirred as Tiffany's voice approached from afar.

"My lady, it seems Evelyn has stirred up trouble again, and you've been dragged into it," Tiffany said, wiping the sweat from her forehead, her voice urgent and brief.

Tanya finished the last stitch, wrapping up her work perfectly.

"Let's go take a look," she said, her breath soft and fragrant like orchids.