The sun was now lazily slipping toward the west, casting long shadows across the garden paths. The breeze had mellowed, and the faint sound of waves crashing against the distant shore played in the background. The table, umbrella, guards, maids, and butlers were gone—shooed off by Dila with the grace and subtlety of someone herding chickens.
Literally.
"Shoo, shoo! Go do noble things somewhere else," Dila had said earlier, waving them away like they were pigeons on a bread hunt.
The maid had blinked.
The butler hesitated.
But when Sarios solemnly nodded like this was totally normal behavior, they left without protest.
Now, it was just Dila and Sarios walking side by side along a winding stone path lined with white flowers swaying gently.
The silence was peaceful.
Then Sarios cleared his throat.
"Princess... may I ask something?"
Dila stopped mid-step and turned slightly, one eyebrow raised.
"Drop the 'Princess' thing."
Sarios blinked.
"Huh?"
