The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 225: An Encounter With The Smart Gardener

Chapter 225: An Encounter With The Smart Gardener

"Oh, my! This is so beautiful!" Anna exclaimed with awe as they stepped into the garden area of the Crown Prince’s quarters.

The expansive space was meticulously maintained, radiating a sense of serenity and elegance. Lush golden, red leaves adorned the surroundings, with vibrant autumn blooms scattered throughout.

"There’s a special flower right in front, my lady! You’re surely going to love it when you see it!" Mary chimed in.

She guided the princess and her two other companions, Scarlett following closely behind.

As they approached, Anna’s eyes widened in astonishment. Before her, stood a type of flower she had never encountered in her entire life – blue roses. Their petals held a mesmerising hue, a delicate shade of dark, deep colour that seemed almost otherworldly.

"Goodness heavens! Where did these come from?" Anna inquired, her fingertips gently grazing the velvety petals of the blue roses.

While they emitted a subtle fragrance, they differed from the typical aroma associated with roses. Nonetheless, their captivating colour alone was enough to leave her breathless, their exquisite beauty taking her by surprise.

"The old, retired gardener, Mr Lambert, planted it," Scarlett explained. "He enjoys experimenting with different seeds and unconventional planting methods, often resulting in a mix of successes and failures. These blue roses, however, emerged as a victorious outcome of his trials."

"How fascinating!" Sylvia exclaimed, captivated by the gardener’s achievements.

"Yes, cultivating such a unique flower colour is undoubtedly an impressive feat," Meredith added, appreciating the significance of the accomplishment.

"We find it beautiful as well! However, Lady James strongly dislikes it. She prohibits planting these roses in any other gardens, deeming them hideous," Scarlett continued. "That’s why Mr Lambert chose to plant them exclusively here, as none of the ladies-in-waiting frequent this area."

Mary added, sharing more details. "Mr Lambert once included the blue roses in the main garden, but Lady James and her group insisted they be removed. If she discovered them here, her anger would be unparalleled."

"But I think it’s beautiful! I’ve never seen a blue rose before. We shouldn’t let Mr Lambert’s efforts go to waste," Anna expressed, determined to appreciate the unique beauty of the flowers.

Sylvia, known for her sharp wit, responded playfully, "The only thing Sarah finds beautiful is herself. Perhaps we should bury her in the garden for a display, exposing her pretty head for onlookers’ admiration."

Her sarcastic remark elicited laughter from Meredith, Anna, and even the two maids, highlighting their shared dislike for the chief of the queen’s ladies-in-waiting demeanour.

"But she is indeed beautiful and graceful," Anna added at the end of her laughter.

"Are you kidding me? You’re ten times cuter than her! That’s why our handsome grand duke is so crazy about you! Not to mention the irresistible prince from Sabel Island, who is also determined for you. You have two outstanding, good-looking men vying for your attention. That means you’re undoubtedly special in their eyes!" Sylvia teased, nudging Anna playfully.

"Stop it, Sylvia! You’re embarrassing me!"

Meredith interjected, reminding them of their purpose for being in the garden, "Let’s stop talking about them for now. We came here to find some peace of mind, remember?"

"You’re right. Forgive me, Anna," Sylvia said, her tone filled with sincerity and understanding.

The group shifted their focus back to enjoying the tranquil ambience of the garden, leaving behind the topic of the two princes.

The two maids listened attentively without interrupting, aware that it would be inappropriate to inquire about the mentioned Sabel Island Prince. Their curiosity remained unspoken.

As Anna’s gaze wandered, she spotted a plant growing separately on the ground, distinct from the others. The plant bore several blooming flowers, but they were plain and dull white, unlike the vibrant hues of the surrounding blossoms.

The bolls from which the flowers emerged burst open, and the stems and leaves appeared brownish and dried. The texture of the flowers, however, seemed fluffy and round as they bloomed from their bolls and separated into four parts.

Curiosity piqued, Anna couldn’t help but inquire, "What type of flower is this?"

Suddenly, a shout erupted from behind, causing the group to startle. A growling, rough voice reprimanded them, and they turned to see an old man rushing towards them.

"How dare you try to destroy my plant!" the old man exclaimed, his anger evident.

However, as he approached Anna and her companions and got a better look at them, his expression changed. He wondered who these women were, whom he had never seen before.

"Oh, I’m sorry! We didn’t mean to do anything harmful. We were just taking a closer look," Anna hurriedly explained, realising the misunderstanding.

"Who... Who are you?" the old man questioned, his grey eyes squinting as he tried to identify the princess.

"Oh, Mr Lambert, please don’t be alarmed! These are not the ladies-in-waiting of Her Majesty, the Queen. This is Lady Anna Raychard, the Honorable Royal Concubine of His Highness, the Grand Duke," Scarlett quickly clarified, attempting to assuage any concerns.

Hearing the explanation, the gardener quickly apologised and bowed respectfully.

"Forgive me, my lady! These old eyes of mine failed to recognise you. I have only watched you from a distance during the parade of the proclamation."

"My lady, this is the gardener I told you. He’s Mr Tony Lambert," introduced Scarlett.

"Oh... Hi, Mr Lambert. Please to meet you. I apologise for disturbing your plants. I’m simply taking a leisurely walk here with my companions. Rest assured, we will only observe and won’t pick any flowers," Anna reassured him.

"Please forgive my behaviour earlier, my lady. Lady James has always threatened to destroy my plants whenever I grow something new. She dislikes everything I create. I thought you were one of her subordinates," Tony confided, his voice tinged with disappointment.

"Please don’t mind me saying this, but it seems you haven’t quite aligned with her preferences," Sylvia remarked, a touch of amusement in her voice.

"No offence taken, my lady. Perhaps my old ways don’t meet her requirements. I implore you not to mention to her that I grew these flowers, as she would find a way to destroy them," Mr Lambert pleaded, worried about the potential consequences.

Anna nodded understandingly, promising not to disclose their encounter to Lady James. The princess empathised with the gardener’s predicament and respected his wish to avoid further trouble.

"Don’t worry, Mr Lambert. We all share the sentiment of not favouring the obnoxious Lady James," Meredith reassured him, expressing solidarity with Anna’s statement.

Anna took the opportunity to introduce her friends. "Allow me to introduce you. This is Lady Meredith Grey, my lady-in-waiting, and this is Lady Sylvia Rogers. They both are my dear friends," Anna said, presenting her companions.

"Please, call me Tony, my lady," Mr Lambert offered.

Anna smiled and replied, " I prefer calling you Mr Lambert, considering your seniority."

"You are wise, my lady. Even His Highness, the Grand Duke, used to address me the same way when I served him," Tony shared, reminiscing about the past.

"So you used to work with my husband?" asked the princess.

"Yes, my lady. I had the honour of working with His Highness before," Tony confirmed. "My service began long before His Highness was even born. I remained by his side as he grew up and when he was eventually crowned as the Crown Prince. However, my service ended when His Highness decided to forsake the throne three years ago and move out of the palace."

Tony’s voice showed a hint of sadness as he reflected on the conclusion of his long-standing service. The bond he had forged with Kyren was evidently meaningful to him.

"I see," Anna replied empathetically. "May I ask why you chose not to accompany His Highness to serve him at the duchy or the mansion?" she asked with genuine curiosity.

Tony’s eyes softened as he responded, "My lady, I had reached an age where the physical demands of serving in such positions would have been a challenge for me. I didn’t wish to burden His Highness with my limitations. Therefore, I decided to retire and settle down. I found a modest residence behind the palace, and with no family to care for, I dedicated my time to maintaining this garden. I am grateful to have received His Majesty’s approval for this pursuit, allowing me to continue nurturing this place that brings me solace."

Anna nodded, her understanding deepening, and she expressed her appreciation for Tony’s commitment and the tranquil beauty he had preserved within the garden.

"If you desire any of the flowers, I can prepare a bouquet for you, as you wish," the old gardener offered generously to Anna.

"No, no... let them adorn the garden and bloom freely here. You have done an exceptional job, Mr Lambert. The blue roses are gorgeous!" the princess praised, genuinely impressed by his work.

Feeling heartened by the princess’s words, Tony raised his head, his face breaking into a smile. The appreciation for his efforts meant a great deal to him.

"You think so too? I thought the noble ladies wouldn’t appreciate it since it’s an unconventional colour. It actually happened by accident," Tony confessed with a hint of amusement. "I was attempting to achieve a deep, darker red hue, but it unexpectedly turned out to be blue in the end."

Turning his attention to the maids, the gardener greeted them warmly, "It has been a while, Mary and Scarlett. I haven’t seen you around lately."

"We apologise, Mr Lambert. We have been preoccupied with our tasks and haven’t had the chance to visit," Scarlett explained, speaking on behalf of herself and Mary.

Tony nodded in understanding.

"Scarlett and I often come here during our free time. We enjoy chatting with Mr Lambert," Mary informed Anna, emphasising their fondness for their interactions with the devoted retired gardener.

"I am grateful for your loyal service, Mr Lambert. Thank you for continuing to take care of this place so diligently. It is clearly well-maintained," Anna expressed her sincere appreciation.

"It’s my privilege, my lady. I am also delighted to see His Highness finally have a kind and noble lady like yourself by his side. He has always been alone. When he was young, he used to sit under that tree, reading books all by himself or training in the arena," Tony shared, gesturing toward a majestic tree not far away.

"Oh, it’s an Elm tree! Kyren used to take me for a walk, and we spend time together under the shade of the Elm tree back at the camp," Anna reminisced, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

The memory of the passionate kiss they had shared under that very tree flooded her mind, flushing her cheeks.

"It seems like a fond memory, doesn’t it?" Sylvia teased playfully when seeing the pink hue on Anna’s face, eliciting a smile from Meredith, who understood her meaning.

"Oh, stop teasing me!" Anna exclaimed in embarrassment.

"But you brought it up!" Sylvia countered, chuckling.

"Let’s forget about it," Anna suggested, wanting to change the topic. She turned to Tony. "Mr Lambert, if you don’t mind me asking, what is this flower?" she asked, pointing to the weird-looking plant.

Tony’s eyes gleamed as he replied, "Ah, that’s not a flower, my lady. It’s cotton."

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