"About Lily?"

Marianne couldn't help but use Celitia's nickname along with Sophia, her tone becoming even more gentle and water-like.

"Did something happen between you and Lily?"

When it concerned Celitia, Marianne showed even more care.

Sophia gradually buried her head deeper into her arms, struggling for a long time before finally uttering a sentence:

"Mom, I feel like I might be terrible, no different in essence from those arrogant and domineering nobles I despise..."

Marianne stroked her head again: "Why do you say that?"

Sophia kept her head buried, not daring to look at Marianne, stammering:

"Because I've also... had terrible thoughts... I want to be the only person by Lily's side; I want to see her smile at me, and only smile at me..."

She let out a muffled breath, "Isn't such possessiveness terrible enough? It's no different from those greedy nobles..."

Marianne sighed softly.

This gentle sigh made Sophia even more nervous.

Burying her head deeper and deeper, Sophia was already waiting for Marianne's reproach.

"I thought you were troubled about something difficult, but it's just this?"

Marianne was both helpless and amused, tapping Sophia's head with her finger.

"Ah?"

Sophia looked up in bewilderment, her disheveled hair covering her face, looking both dazed and adorable.

"Such possessiveness is perfectly normal."

Marianne smiled, gradually smoothing out Sophia's messy bangs and tucking the loose strands behind her ear.

"You just haven't figured out the source of this possessiveness."

Sophia repeated blankly: "The source of possessiveness?"

"Yes," Marianne nodded, her expression becoming even more gentle, "The reason is simple—you like her, silly child."

As soon as Marianne said this, it was like a thunderbolt striking from clear skies, stunning Sophia speechless, her tongue tying in knots:

"Li-li-li-like her?!"

"That's right. It's precisely because you like her that you feel such strong possessiveness."

Marianne smiled slightly, "This is human nature. You don't need to blame yourself for it, Sophia."

Sophia felt her head spinning, completely stunned by Marianne's sudden conclusion for quite some time.

"But... but...?"

She was the kingdom's first heir, destined never to have complete freedom.

And they were both girls.

Could they possibly receive blessings?

"Shouldn't I... not...?"

Shouldn't she properly find a suitable husband who could provide assistance, bear qualified heirs, and continue the family line?

As a princess, Sophia had long made expectations for her future, never considering any other development.

Marianne shook her head, and the words that came from her mouth were particularly firm and resolute:

"'Should'? No, Sophia, emotions have never had right or wrong, nor do 'should' and 'shouldn't' exist. The shackles of status, worldly rules, others' opinions... are these things important? When emotions in the heart ignite without reason, those insignificant rules and regulations will only burn to ashes in the flames."

Hearing Marianne's words, Sophia suddenly remembered—yes, she was exactly this kind of person.

A woman who, from common birth, crossed class barriers, fell in love with the king, and ultimately achieved a happy ending.

These were words Marianne would say, words she would speak to her as someone who had been there before, and as a mother.

Sophia gradually calmed down.

She raised her head, quietly gazing into Marianne's blue-gray eyes that were as vast as the ocean.

"If I were to make a decision that goes against worldly reason... Mom would definitely stand by my side and support me, wouldn't you?"

Marianne's lips curved upward, her gaze gentle yet firm.

"That's right, I will always stand by your side. So follow your heart, Sophia."

As expected.

This was her family, the family that would stand behind her and protect her as she stumbled forward.

Sophia felt her eyes growing warm and nearly shed tears on the spot.

She wanted to throw herself into Marianne's embrace but was a bit embarrassed since she had grown up.

As if seeing through Sophia's thoughts, Marianne laughed and actively opened her arms, pulling her into her embrace and gently stroking her long hair.

"Don't always put so much pressure on yourself. Occasionally do what you want to do, Sophia."

Nuzzling against Marianne's chest, Sophia buried her face deeper, hiding her completely red cheeks.

"Mm... I plan to think carefully about what kind of feelings I have for Lily..."

Marianne gently touched the girl's soft, fluffy head:

"Good, then get some rest early. If you have any more troubles, you can come to me anytime."

After saying goodbye to Marianne, Sophia returned to her own palace in a daze.

Dismissing all the attending maids and lying on the large, soft bed, Sophia stared blankly at the gauze canopy above, Marianne's thunderbolt-like words echoing in her ears once again.

Like... her?

The interwoven patterns on the canopy gradually transformed into a coolly beautiful face etched in her heart, which through the hazy night, vaguely showed her a gentle smile.

That night, Sophia didn't sleep a wink.

The next morning.

A gentle rain had fallen the night before, and small puddles had accumulated on the cobblestone streets of the outer district, reflecting the sky's image like mirrors.

The flower bouquets displayed outside shops were covered with dewdrops, crystal clear and adding even more charm to the delicate petals.

The tightly closed shop door opened, and a girl with light silver-gray long hair emerged, turning back to say:

"Luna, I'll head out first. If anything comes up, just come find me at Florence's workshop."

Luna's flower shop had officially opened for business, and trade had been consistently good since opening.

In another corner of the shop, they specially sold various miscellaneous tools, mostly items Florence had commissioned for sale, which were also quite popular.

Every rest day, Celitia would come over to help Luna and complete the work Florence had assigned.

"Alright, you go ahead," came Luna's response from inside the shop, "and give my regards to Miss Florence too."

"No problem."

Celitia smiled faintly, stepped over the puddles on the cobblestones, and turned toward the depths of the alley.

Knocking on the not-very-sturdy wooden door and getting no response from inside, Celitia couldn't help but call out loudly:

"Florence? Are you awake, Florence?"

The inside remained completely silent, so Celitia had to try pulling the door, and unsurprisingly, it opened directly.