Follow the princess

Sybill wore a chic cap-sleeved frock with blue lace along the hem, matching shoes, and dangling pearl earrings.

The outfit had been inspired by Elena herself.

So had everything else.

Sybill had styled her long dark hair to resemble Elena's, even shaping the front into matching curtain bangs. A sharp flick of eyeliner extended from the corners of her eyes in a distinctly Elena-esque fashion.

Silvi had been forced to observe the entire transformation from the table, witnessing what could only be described as Sybill fangirling over the princess.

"Sibi, change your hair back immediately. This is too much. First the dress, now the hair."

Sybill completely ignored her and continued admiring herself in the mirror.

"Sibi..."

No response.

Silvi stared at her.

"Fine, Sybill Florence. I am not going with you."

The hairstyle vanished instantly.

Magic swept through Sybill's hair, undoing the carefully arranged bangs and leaving her long black locks flowing naturally down her back. The dramatic flicks of eyeliner disappeared a moment later.

Sybill turned and blinked innocently at her sister, silently pleading for her to come along.

Silvi smiled.

"Much better."

Silvi wore an ominous cloak, with a mask covering her face—a special request after reading *Silhvester and the Case of the Crooked Witch Doctor*.

Sybill had one mission: keep Rowland occupied long enough to investigate the princess. She placed Silvi inside her matching purse, positioning her carefully to ensure an uninterrupted view.

Sybill entered the library in the Grandmaster's wing, a place where Rowland's classes usually took place, although he had hardly learned anything yet.

Magic was not his strong suit, and his attitude toward his teachers had driven most of them away from giving him lessons. Only the Grandmaster endured because he had to make Rowland ready for the throne.

But this new challenger had somehow trained the lion for the circus. Rowland sat quite solemnly, with a book placed nearby to give her the impression that he had been reading.

He stood with reverence at her arrival.

"Miss Sybill, what are we learning today?"

Even this new Rowland managed to shock Sybill, despite her limited understanding of human. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Silvi's voice whispered through Sybill's enchanted earrings.

"The dog that bared his teeth is now a playful puppy, waiting for his master."

"Hmm, hmm."

Sybill nodded.

"Today, you read all of this book, Master Rowland."

She picked up the nearest book without even paying attention to the cover.

One Thousand Herbs and Even More Herbs.

Rowland stared at it in disbelief.

"You stu— I mean, Miss Sybill, why do I have to read a book about herbs?"

"Because a king should know his herbs. What kind of tea calms his mind or grants him peace after making the sort of decision someone like you might make? I think it is a must."

Sybill repeated what Silvi whispered to her.

Rowland hesitated, but opened the book and started reading—or pretended to read.

"Find me after you finish this book."

"The whole book?"

"Umm... yes, yes." She nodded.

Sybill gave the purse a tiny approving glance.

"Silvi, the reasoning was the solid like the Silhvester Holmes."

Silvi smiled beneath the mask, pleased with herself.

With that over, the real excitement began.

Elena looked ethereal in a tea-pink dress as she walked through the corridor after finishing her dancing lesson.

"My lady, you have tea with Lady Lily and Lady Lidia this evening. A dress change is required."

"Oh, Helen, how I despise gatherings where I am not allowed to speak my mind. I just smile and nod like a deranged idiot while indulging their childish fantasies."

Elena grabbed Helen by the arms.

"Save me, Helen. Disguise yourself as me, please."

She pleaded with complete seriousness.

"Mmm... my lady, that is not possible."

"I will pay you in gold coins."

"Mmm... my lady, Madam Candace will kill me if she sees me accepting money from you."

Sybill, with her eyes zoomed in, witnessed the whole exchange and explained it to Silvi, who was hidden in her long-strapped embroidered purse that matched her attire.

"The girl is the shaking the poor maid, Silvi. It is the bullying."

Elena proceeded to the garden despite Helen reminding her that she was short on time.

"Hey, Mister Jack!"

Old Man Jack turned around at the sound of her voice and smiled.

"Hey, Princess. Your dried flowers are ready."

"Grind them into a powder. Mix it with some water and milk, and your skin will look fresh and glowy."

He handed the flowers to Helen.

Elena smiled.

"You're the best, Jack."

"Now, that herb, please," Elena said quietly.

Old Man Jack peeked into his leather pouch. After looking around to make sure nobody was watching, he handed her a small bottle.

"Silvi, the old old man handed something that might be the poison to the girl."

Elena then proceeded to the kitchen.

Phillip, Chef Mario's apprentice, was busy frosting the berry cake.

"Hi, Princess Elena."

"Wah, that looks so good. I want a bite."

She picked a few berries from the cake and ate them despite Phillip's resistance.

"Chef Mario wanted this ready for the tea party, my lady."

"Miss, he will be so mad. His stomach shakes even harder when he gets angry and scolds me," Phillip warned.

"Jushhh putt morrr fowstin," she instructed with her mouth full.

"Silvi, she now the bullying the poor man with the long white hat. She is the destroying the cake with her hands."

"It is the utterly inexceptable."