Chapter 409: Secret Garden

The moonlight gently guided my steps. But it was no inn I was making my way towards.“Ooh, ooh! Where are we going, where are we going?!”

“Ohohoho … you shall see.”

I answered Coppelia’s anticipation with a beautiful smile … and then returned to keeping my eyes on the trail as I almost tripped over a pebble that Mother Nature had illegally littered.

Behind us, Wirtzhaven’s eastern gate was barely visible. 

Only the rooftops of the town could still be easily gleaned, the many candlelit windows and swinging lanterns painting a horizon mirroring the starlit sky–one which helped light the way as I skipped past the brambles, the blackberry shrubs and the fleeing badgers.

An unusual detour.

Usually, this was when Coppelia and I would be heading towards whichever establishment had the honour of disappointing us for the evening. 

But this was no ordinary night. 

And just outside of Wirtzhaven awaited no ordinary sight.

I paused, tilting my head as I gathered my bearings. 

Amidst the dizzying crescendo of crickets, I placed my hand against the bark of a yew tree, then noted a distinct hollow shaped like a bouncing fruit slime. It was occupied by a nest of twigs, and although it was long abandoned, the blanket it had been built upon was still present.

I nodded in satisfaction.

Soon afterwards, the soft padding of my soles against the slightly dewy grass filled the air. The leaves rustled as they brushed against my arm, joined by the occasional creaking of a gnarled branch as they continually tried to greet my forehead.

All the while, the excitement bubbled up within my loyal handmaiden.

“This is so fun! We’ve been to all sorts of shady places, but nowhere like this!”

“E-Excuse me! This is not somewhere shady! We’re still practically in Wirtzhaven!”

“It’s an overgrown trail leading into a secluded forest just outside of a human population centre in the middle of the night. This is definitely where all the best murders happen.”

“Coppelia?! There are no murders around here … I think.”

“... Did you check beforehand?”

“Well, no … but I’m certain it’s not a severe issue. Or at the very least, we’re not likely to see any murders in the dark.”

“Maybe you won’t, but I definitely will. My eyes are great! I’ve already spotted 17 optimal places for a wealthy uncle to meet an untimely end while hunting alone in the forest.”

I let out a tiny groan.

There was just a hint of regret over my choice to seek this location out … not least because Coppelia was correct. This truly was an excellent place for an inheritance to be earned.

Why, there was even a stream to wipe away all evidence.

Glowing night lilies illuminated the edge of the water, blooming like scattered lanterns. Were it not for the shimmering of the moving surface, it would look all the world like a path illuminated in the night. And while I couldn’t quite step on it, I did still follow it.

Soon, the padding of my boots became slightly louder as the ground inclined into a small hill. 

As I climbed, more of Wirtzhaven could be seen peeking between the treeline. The smoke rising from the chimneys painted the roofline in a soft haze, little of which hid the fact it was still a provincial town. 

However, what it lacked in the sweeping vista of my royal capital, it gained in an uncluttered view of the glimmering bay and the frothing waves gently striking the docks. 

An endearing sight.

But also one which was soon replaced by something better.

Otherwise, I never would have brought Coppelia here.

“We’ve arrived.”

I took in a deep breath.

Atop the small hill, little in the way of the surrounding woodlands was there to obscure the view below.

Even so, few glances were spared anywhere other than the field of lunabelles, the small pond brimming with golden fireflies and the smile of a satisfied princess.

I nodded at the garden which made up this secluded spot.

The lunabelles shone with colours of periwinkle blue and powdered sugar. 

A flower which only glowed when the moon was brightest, each burned more fervently than even the fireflies which dipped and hovered across the pond like will-o-wisps dancing in the night. 

The Emerald Sea reflected an image of the stars. But this little pond painted the heavens.

Here, the scent of saltwater and seaweed, of damp wood and burning hearths mixed with the fragrance of dew and something else, carried by a nightly breeze which sent my bangs tickling against my forehead. 

I brushed the strands from my eyes and waited for Coppelia’s thoughts.

“Ooooh~”

She gave hers mostly in smile form.

Like a maiden experiencing her first meadow not pockmarked by snoring drunkards who’d given up escaping from my guards, she twirled and skipped, arms outstretched as she indulged in the rare sight of a secluded garden not even a princess could regularly enjoy.

She kneeled to brush her palms against the nearest bunch of lunabelles. 

And then–

“Om.”

She stuffed a sprig into her mouth.

A few chews later, she turned to me with sparkling eyes.

“Amazing! I didn’t think it was possible, but this might just be better than a random murder!”

My shoulders drooped slightly.

Still, I took the appreciation for what it was … even if most of it came more from her taste buds.

“I’m relieved to hear that. This is quite the rare sight. Lunabelles are dim for much of the month. Only when it’s unclouded and the moon is at its brightest will they bloom like they do now. They’re also very delicate and arduous to grow.”

I pursed my lips.

“... Also, should you happen to find any hiding in the corner of my orchard, please know that they’re not for consumption.”

Coppelia giggled.

I optimistically took that to mean she understood. 

“Mmh~ this is definitely a princess place,” she said with a nod of satisfaction. “All glowing, all pretty and all off-limits to peasants.”

“Quite so. But this isn’t just a princess place. It’s a prince place as well. I came here with my brothers and sisters several years ago on the way to Trierport. Once night came, they all knocked on my carriage door and convinced me to join them on an impromptu escapade.”

A gasp met my confession.

“You snuck away … in the middle of the night?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe you’d ever do such a thing.”

“I know. It’s something I’d never do. But do you know what’s worse? … The escapade was also a picnic.”

Coppelia’s hands covered her mouth.

“What a scandal. Please tell me more while I remember every detail.”

“It was awful.” I shook my head in regret. “A surrender to immodesty. To consume so many jam sandwiches past regular dining hours was a faux pas I’m still recovering from. I can scarcely believe my own lack of discretion. I still feel contrition to this day.”

“Understood! And how did it really make you feel?”

I pursed my lips … during which I subtly glanced in every direction before leaning forwards.

“Coppelia, jam sandwiches taste better the closer it is to midnight,” I whispered. “The same applies for marmalade scones and strawberry shortcakes. It’s alarmingly dangerous.”

“Pfffft.”

Suddenly, she burst into a fit of amusement. 

I was appalled.

Why, here I was, sharing a secret so perilous that if word ever got it, I’d have to disavow all knowledge of snacks altogether! 

And her response … was to laugh! 

“Ahem! In any event, I didn’t bring you here to discuss midnight eating habits neither of us have any knowledge of! … Indeed, I brought you here because a very specific set of circumstances has been fulfilled! I’m now able to grant your most earnest wish.”

Coppelia ceased laughing at once.

Seeing my proud smile, she blinked and looked up instead, hands to her brows as she narrowed her eyes.

What she thought her most earnest wish was … I had no idea. 

Only that no amount of funds could afford it.

“My apologies, I mean I’m here to grant one of your most earnest wishes.”

“Oh, that makes more sense. Which one is that?”

“The one where you wish for me to experience a night bereft of a rooftop.” I proudly placed my hand to my chest. “... I, Juliette Contzen, 3rd Princess to the Kingdom of Tirea, will now boldly sleep outdoors.”

“Eh?” 

Coppelia tilted her head in puzzlement. 

Despite her excellent hearing, it took several moments for her cogs to piece together the words I said. 

“ … Ehhh … ?! Really … ?!”

“Really.” I smiled at the stunned reaction. “All of my kingdom is my home. Thus, far from being morbidly shameful, it’s actually fitting that I experience a night of slumber beneath the starlit sky. Perhaps not for the entire night, yes … or indeed, very long at all. But all endeavours start somewhere. Mine shall be here, in a quiet meadow with no chance of rain, surrounded by rare flowers to distract all the monsters wishing to nibble on a princess and within walking distance of a town with all its semi-modern amenities.” 

No response came my way.

Or rather, no response which wasn’t a silent gurgling as Coppelia’s mouth widened to match the size of her eyes. 

That was very large, indeed.

“You’re going to try sleeping outside?”

“I am.”

“Even though you said you’ll never do it because there are caterpillars everywhere?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Or the fact that because we’re next to a flourishing water source already filled with fireflies that will definitely attract even more bugs and other things coming to eat them?”

“That’s … That’s correct …”

“And that because we’re so close to a town Milly, Billy and Silly are probably still waiting here?”

I failed to contain my shudder.

Even so, this was no time for hesitation! 

I was a princess … and I never went back on a commitment! More importantly, I never did it with anyone I couldn’t bribe!

“This shall not be an easy affair,” I said, just before raising my hand with the fae ring. “... But I’ve become stronger. As has my sleep quality. [Summon Bed].”

Bwoomph.

All of a sudden, the grass was crushed as a bed formed of pure crystalline magic dropped to the ground.

Yes.

It was the Winter Queen’s bed … now repaired and made better than what it was before! 

Ohohohoho!

Indeed, far from just a crystal bed frame, what came with its snowy mattress and newly undented pillows were the icy supports which extended from every corner, propping up a veiled roof able to ward against the threat of rain, curious birds and even hostile caterpillars! 

Yes.

It was a four poster bed!

“Ohohohohohoho … !” I raised a hand to my lips, barely covering my smile. “Behold, Coppelia! The Winter Queen’s bed, now improved to princess specifications!”

Coppelia did exactly as asked.

In fact … she took it to heart so much that she decided to behold using her entire face.

“Heheheheheh~”

She went to work without hesitation, plunging past the veils and onto the waiting bed. 

However, whereas I should immediately be regretting my life choices as she rolled her golden hair all over the bed, she instead paused, noticing at once the unseen improvement. 

She patted the duvet, then sat up with a look of surprise.

“It’s warm!”

Ohohoho!

Here it was! The Summer Queen’s blessing!

… Temperature regulation!

“I see you’ve already noticed,” I said with a proud nod. “In addition to the snowy softness provided by the Winter Queen and the fragrance of a tranquil meadow offered by the Spring Queen, the bed will now remain invitingly warm when it’s cold and refreshingly cold when it’s warm.”

“Ooooh~ this is amazing!”

“Indeed, the temperature will always correct itself to what’s most ideal.”

“The bed is already on the way to becoming autonomous! The next time you’re kidnapped by the fae, you should ask them to make it move about so that it can replace the horse!”

“E-Excuse me! There will be no next time … and I’m not replacing Apple with a bed … although that is certainly an idea, yes!”

Somewhere in the distance, I could almost hear a snort.

It was a far more dignified sound than a certain clockwork doll as she declared war by rolling all over the bed … including my equal two-thirds share.

I had no words of complaint, though.

As Coppelia ensured golden strands of hair would be tickling my nose as I tried to sleep, a memory of a previous night filled with Florella rolling in the grass came to me.

No promises were made to return. But it was a given that were we ever to find ourselves passing through Wirtzhaven again, it’d include a visit to this brightly illuminated garden. 

That day in the future seemed further away than the one in my memory. But to experience it now with Coppelia was by no means less. 

When next I came here with my siblings, I sincerely hoped Coppelia would be there eating jam sandwiches alongside us.

After several moments, I decided to join her in testing the new bed.

BRrrRRrrUuUmMMmUmMmmMUuuMMmmMmM.

Only to then have little choice in the matter.

The world darkened as I flopped forwards, the fireflies vanishing into the ether, the pond sloshing and the glowing lunabelles swaying. 

As the ground began to violently shake, I sought immediate shelter beneath a lightly warmed duvet. 

It wasn’t enough to ward against the sound of groaning. As I dared to peek out, I witnessed the yew trees shuddering around the hilltop, their branches clawing at each other until a dark silhouette came tumbling down, crushing the very same trail we’d taken on the way here.   

Eventually, the rumbling stopped, leaving nothing but an unnatural silence.

Not even the crickets in the grass disturbed the air.

I turned to Coppelia beneath the duvet.

“You see? … This is precisely why we sleep indoors.”