"Ah, before we start," Helios paused Leila for a moment. He then gave the flowers to her. "Here are some pink peonies. I heard that they were your favorite." Leila accepted the bouquet with a smile and sparking eyes. 

She never received pink peonies, not even as a gift. Not because no one knew, but rather because everyone knew of what pink peonies symbolize. The beauty of marriage and love at first sight. She kept her mouth quiet though. 

"Thank you so much, this is the first time receiving such an amazing and beautiful gift." She stared at the flowers a bit longer and then handed them to Silia to put in a vase with water.

"Then, let us continue." Leila said. 

"I am glad that you are doing fine and well, Your Highness." Helios said. 

"It is all thanks to you, Your Grace. I am so thankful." She smiled at him. They stared at each other, eye contact unbreakable for a few minutes. It was as if time had stopped for the two and they were in their own world. 

The first one to break it was Leila. "While I did want to thank you, I also want to ask you if you could tell me about everything you remember and noticed when you saved me."

Izekiel came up behind Leila and took out a pen and a small journal, jotting down everything that Helios and Cedil told them. 

"It was strange, Your Highness." Cedile stated. 

"Pardon? What was?" Leila asked him, with a curious look on her face. 

"When I was fighting with one of them, I heard them shout and say something about a Lady Lily. After that they all ran away. One of them was caught and taken to our underground. The moment he took a seat there, he had committed suicide. We couldn't get any questioning done."

Leila leaned back in her chair. She was pondering. With her right elbow leaning on the side of the chair, her hand was on the right side of her face. Her index finger tapping the side of her head. She did this every time she was in deep thought. 

"Izekiel." He leaned in closer to her so that she could easily whisper into her ear. "I think it's time I start getting active in high society. Let Silia know and have her let father and mother know so they can start preparing." 

"Yes, Your Highness." He bowed his head and went to Silia. He relayed the message to her and she quickly left the room. 

Helios saw Leila's eyes. Sharp. Cold. He felt as if he messed with her, then she would've bitten back with sharper teeth. It would be scary if you were on the opposing side to her. 

"Thank you, Your Grace, and Sir Cedil, for cooperating with me and, again, for saving me. Is there anything you wish for? I will do anything I can in my powers to fulfill your wish. It is the least I can do for you, who saved my life." 

"Ah, then if it isn't too much, may I ask Your Highness to embroider my handkerchief?" Cedil asked. 

"Is that really it, Sir Cedil?" Leila asked, expecting something bigger. 

"Yes, I would love to have a handkerchief that you yourself, Your Highness, made specifically for me." He said, excitedly. 

Leila chuckled then agreed with his wish. She then turned to Helios. "And for you, Your Grace?" 

"Hmm. I ask that you allow me to freely meet up with you whenever I would like, 5 more times from now on. Or, is that too much to ask of you?" He asked, slightly shy. Leila still didn't know of his personality yet. He seems soft yet not a pushover, and he doesn't seem like a playboy but not inexperienced. 

"Sure, I will allow for that. Is there anything else?" She asked. 

"No, Your Highness. That will be it for me, thank you." 

They chatted for a bit more, the atmosphere starting to feel lighter and more comfortable. Leila invited Izekiel and Silia to sit down as well. It was then getting dark outside, so Helios and Cedil went back to their estate. 

"I can't wait to see you until next time, Your Highness." Helios took Leila's right hand in his and lifted it slightly against his lips. 

Leila smiled and replied with "I can't wait as well. Until next time." 

They left and went back. Leila, along with Izekiel and Silia went back inside. It was dinner time, and by the time Leila knew it she was relaxing in the bathtub, submerged in soap bubbles and peony petals. 

She was thinking of her day, mostly of sir Helios. People said he was stoic faced, but most of the time he was smiling at her. But when his face went stone cold when talking about the incident, she didn't miss how his brows furrowed and his lips turned into a frown. 

His eyes simply captured hers, his hands looked big and his arms looked amazing. She started to wonder what it would be like to be embraced by him. 

"Agh, Leila!" She slapped both of her cheeks with each hand. "Get it together! It isn't the time to fall for someone." She relaxed her arms by her side. "Not after what happened with that vermin, Viril."