Lianne’s gaze was fixed on the sack of carrots, but her eyes, deep in thought, reflected a whirlwind of complex emotions.

‘With quality like this, they would definitely sell for a high price. If we leave them, they’ll just rot and become inedible. How can we sell them?’

If she had a connection with the royal chef, she might have found a way to sell them, but Lianne didn’t even know what the chef looked like, let alone have any connections.

Even though they worked in similar roles, the difference in status between the royal chef and herself, a maid, was like night and day.

Milla, perhaps sharing the same thoughts, stared silently at the sack of carrots for a long time before finally speaking in a heavy voice.

Initially, she hadn’t even wanted to touch them, but the taste of the carrots turned out to be surprisingly fantastic. The happiness she felt while harvesting them made the carrots seem special, despite being just carrots.

“Verdura Castle is the farthest from the entrance to the imperial city. And it’s impossible to carry this many carrots outside the city.”

Milla was someone who prioritized reason over emotion. If she said there was no way, then there truly was no way.

The faces of those who had looked at Milla with a hint of hope were now clouded with disappointment.

As the wind blew, the sweet scent of the carrots wafted over, even from a considerable distance.

“Isn’t there a way?”

Stella asked, her face clearly showing her disappointment. Sighs echoed around the group.

“Then what are we going to do with all these carrots?”

As they considered the possibility of letting them rot, Darren proposed an unexpected solution.

“There is actually a way to get them out.”

Even as Darren spoke, his expression suggested he was unsure if he should be sharing this information. Brynn, who seemed to already know, shook her head vigorously, signaling that it wasn’t a good idea, but the words had already escaped.

“What is it? What method do you have?”

Darren’s words lifted the somber mood. Brynn sighed deeply, like she was resigning herself to the situation, her expression saying, “Let it be.”

As hope quickly rekindled, Stella’s voice grew stronger. If there was a way to sell the carrots, she felt she could work even harder as a noble farmer.

The produce she grew was undoubtedly different in taste and color from ordinary crops. Anyone who tasted them once would surely come back for more.

“There’s a slightly collapsed wall behind Verdura Castle. If you pass through there and follow the forest path, you’ll reach a village. The path is narrow but not rough, so you can pull a small cart through.”

Milla, who had been listening quietly to Darren, seemed to ponder something before asking, “Are you talking about Conpagno?”

“Yes! That’s right. Once you cross the mountain, you reach Conpagno Village.”

However, Stella struggled to grasp the conversation between Darren and Milla.

“Isn’t it strange that such a large castle wall has a weak spot like that?”

Inside the castle, security was always tight, and the gates were kept firmly closed to prevent anyone from understanding the structure of the castle until they reached Verdura. The same applied when heading to the main castle.

“Each district around the main castle acts as a giant wall. Do you remember how many gates you had to pass through to get from the Plant District to the main castle?”

“Five?”

Stella replied uncertainly, recalling the times the carriage had stopped along the way.

“Yes. The main castle is surrounded by five sturdy, high walls. Verdura is a castle located outside the fifth wall.”

“It’s really out in the corner.”

Her situation suddenly felt very real, both visually and spatially. But perhaps being in the corner was a blessing in disguise. It meant there was a way to reach the village without going through the cumbersome process.

“I have to go.”

As Stella stood up abruptly, feeling urgent, Milla firmly stopped her.

“You can’t go yourself, Princess.”

“Why not?”

Milla hesitated for a moment before speaking in a voice devoid of warmth.

“If you’re caught sneaking out, who knows what punishment you might face?”

“Has anyone ever left the imperial city before?”

“No, not even once.”

Milla’s response was very firm. Lianne tried to smile despite the situation, but it only made her expression more awkward.

Though she had suspected it, the reality of being trapped hit her once again.

“So, I really have to stay here, without moving.”

Stella smiled bitterly. But no one could easily comfort her or assure her that everything would be okay.

It was a moment when Stella felt intensely lonely, even while surrounded by people.

In the end, it was decided that Darren and Brynn would go out to sell the carrots. It was disappointing not to be able to take them out herself, but there was no choice. Darren knew the route best and was strong enough to pull the cart.

That night, Stella carefully placed three well-baked carrot pies into a basket and headed to the garden.

Since everyone was asleep, there was no one to ask where she was going. The pie was quite large, making the basket heavy.

Milla silently watched from the darkened room as Stella, carrying the basket, walked toward the garden.

“She really is a strange one.”

In Milla’s hand was the brooch that Stella had given her.

Stella considered leaving the picnic basket with the pie at the castle entrance but decided to wait a little longer.

If she met someone, she would give it to them; if not, she would take it back inside.

Stella felt incredibly lonely, enough to want to talk to someone she barely knew.

She didn’t know if anyone was watching her in the garden, but it didn’t matter. Sharing food with a hungry, powerless knight seemed harmless enough.

“Stella, what are you doing there?”

A voice called from above. Stella tilted her head back to find the source of the sound.

The voice came from a branch not far from where she stood. Sitting on the branch were Ark, Esta, and two earth fairies she had never seen before.

They weren’t human, but seeing familiar faces was comforting.

“Who are you?”

Stella asked curiously, looking at the fairies.

“This is Oton, and this is Iver. Oton is a fairy with strong autumn powers, and Iver is…”

“Winter, I suppose.”

Stella guessed the season each fairy represented by looking at their clothes.

Iver wore garments as white as snow, which was why Stella said winter, but the earth fairies reacted as if she had performed some extraordinary feat.

“It’s just as we’ve heard. How did you know without me telling you?”

Iver genuinely marveled and jumped down from the tree with the lightness of a falling snowflake.

While the other earth fairies descended, Ark struggled to get even halfway down, and only Esta was anxiously calling out.

“Esta, help me down! Take me with you!”

“Just jump. You’re an earth fairy; you won’t get hurt even if you fall.”

“But I’m scared.”

“Ugh. Then don’t climb up in the first place!”

Despite his irritation, Esta climbed back up the tree to carry Ark down. Even as Ark was on Esta’s back, he covered his eyes with his hands during the descent.

“But what’s that smell?”

The earth fairies sniffed the air and gathered around the basket.

“Oh, it’s a carrot pie. I made it with fairy carrots. Want to try some?”

“Ooh! Yes!”

“I love human food! And I love pie!”

Amidst the enthusiastic cheers, Stella took a carrot pie out of the picnic basket.

It might not be as delicious as when it was freshly baked, but just opening the basket lid made the aroma much richer.

“Wow!”

The pie was already large, but in front of the fairies, it looked like a round dining table. The earth fairies drooled and marveled.

“Can we really eat it?”

“Yes. I set aside some for the less fortunate. This is for you.”

“Yay!”

As soon as Stella finished speaking, the four fairies rushed toward the pie. She briefly considered cutting it for them, but the fairies expertly sliced it with their tiny hands.

“It’s really tasty!”

“Wow! It’s so much better than just eating carrots!”

“This is the best food I’ve ever tasted!”

The earth fairies chatted with sticky carrot puree around their mouths. Stella watched them eat voraciously for a while before she stood up.

“I think I’ll just head back in today.”

“Aren’t you giving the pie? Didn’t you say the less fortunate one was coming today?”

Ark asked, wiping his sticky mouth with the back of his hand, which only made his hand sticky too.

“Seems like they’re late. I was just going to leave it here. They can take it when they come.”

“Should we deliver it for you?”

Ark asked seriously while sucking on his fingers. Stella wasn’t sure if she could trust Ark with the pie, but having no better option, she agreed and was about to go inside when she heard a soft whinny.

Heehee heeh.

Stella turned sharply at the sound of Ben’s soft whinny. Standing at the entrance to Verdura Castle were the junior knight she had seen yesterday and the old horse, Ben. She felt more pleased than she expected.

“You’re here.”

“Yes.”

Kai answered, unable to take his eyes off the picnic basket she held. Recently, Kai had realized just how strong his appetite was.

The thought of eating carrot pie had kept him cheerful while waiting. It was amazing how something as simple as food could bring such joy, a new world he had yet to discover.

Stella handed the entire basket to Kai.

“There are two pies in here. There were originally three, but I gave one to the earth fairies. Two should be enough, right?”

Stella asked kindly.

“Yes, thank you.”

“From tomorrow, I’ll just hang this basket out front. I’ll keep it stocked with food. Come and eat whenever you’re hungry. If the basket is empty, I’ll refill it.”

Stella spoke carefully, as if instructing a child on an errand. Kai, who had been listening intently without realizing it, couldn’t resist his curiosity and asked, “Why are you doing all this?”