Chapter 3

I changed into my dress, not bothering with any jewelry. I just dabbed a drop of Moonshade Blossom perfume on my wrists and behind my ears.

The party was held in the largest garden of the estate.

The garden was filled with distinguished guests.

Hazel was basically the star of the show tonight, so of course, she made a grand entrance, dressed to the nines.

She wore a scarlet gown with gold‑threaded griffins embroidered across the hem, and an elaborate set of burnished gold jewelry that blazed brightly in the sunlight. Paired with her flawless features, she drew every gaze the moment she appeared.

The men let out audible gasps of amazement, while the women exchanged hushed, jealous whispers, making Hazel's smile grow even more self-satisfied.

She moved through the crowd like a peacock with its tail fully spread, basking in the adoration as everyone treated her like the star of the night.

I settled into a quiet corner, keeping to myself as I quietly enjoyed the pastries in front of me.

"Isn't that Miss Octavia Peyton? Why is she dressed so simply?" a guest whispered.

"Shh, don't you know? Her parents are gone, and she lives off others. There's no way she can compare to Hazel, who's so favored," another guest replied.

"Such a pity. She's actually quite pretty, but next to Hazel, they're worlds apart," someone else added.

The whispers around me weren't too loud, just loud enough to reach my ears.

I tuned it all out, acting like I didn't hear a thing.

Just then, an elegant and dignified lady swept into the garden, surrounded by an entourage of admirers.

"That's Lady Eleanor Stafford!" someone whispered in awe.

The Stafford family was one of the most powerful noble families in Vaelthyr, and Eleanor herself was the Empress's own sister. Her status was truly unmatched.

Meredith eagerly approached with a wide smile. "It's such an honor to have you here, Your Grace."

Eleanor gave a slight nod, her gaze sweeping over the crowd as if searching for someone.

Hazel seized the opportunity, gracefully stepping forward and performing a flawless curtsy. "Your Grace, it's an honor to meet you."

Eleanor glanced at her, a flicker of admiration in her eyes, before she quickly regained her composure. "Miss Peyton, your reputation precedes you."

The compliment was polite but distant. It was clear Eleanor remained aloof, unmoved by Hazel's display.

Hazel felt a twinge of disappointment.

Eleanor's gaze kept drifting across the crowd, but then she paused, sniffed the air ever so slightly, and her eyes zeroed in on me in my quiet corner.

She strode purposefully through the crowd, coming straight toward me.

Everyone's attention shifted, their eyes following her and settling right on me.

I was a little taken aback, but stood up and gave a respectful bow.

Eleanor didn't even glance at my face. Instead, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked utterly enchanted. "What a unique scent... so elegant, so soothing. I've never encountered anything like it."

She opened her eyes and looked at me. "Young lady, what fragrance are you wearing?"

I was stunned.

Everyone went dead silent.

Hazel's expression darkened instantly. She'd gone all out to impress, only for Eleanor to brush her off with a single comment. And me, the so-called ugly duckling, the nobody gardener in her eyes, had somehow become the center of attention, all because of a hint of scent.

I steadied myself and answered calmly, "Your Grace, it's not some rare or expensive fragrance, just a floral essence I distilled myself from the flowers in our garden."

"You made it yourself?" Eleanor's interest grew even stronger. "What kind of flowers did you use? Would you let me see for myself?"

In that moment, I became the center of attention at the entire birthday party.

I became Eleanor's guest of honor.

She held my hand, eager to know every detail about the origin of my floral essence. When she learned it was distilled from a flower called Moonshade Blossom, she was even more amazed.

"I've encountered all sorts of rare and exotic flowers in my life, but I've never heard of Moonshade Blossom," Eleanor remarked. "This fragrance truly soothes the mind. Lately, I've been feeling quite restless, but just a whiff of this scent has brought me such peace."

She looked at me warmly. "Sweetheart, your skills are worth so much more than those pretty faces with nothing else going for them."

As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at Hazel.

Hazel's face went from red to pale, her fingers clenched so hard around her handkerchief that they went white.

After the birthday party, Eleanor personally sent someone to escort me back to the Fragrance Bower. She also bestowed upon me a generous gift of luxurious fabrics and rare medicinal herbs, and left word that whenever I made a new batch of floral essence, I should be sure to send her some.

Meredith and Hazel's expressions darkened visibly with anger.

They couldn't wrap their heads around why Eleanor would show special favor to a powerless orphan like me.

What they couldn't grasp was that for someone like Eleanor, so used to luxury and beauty, Hazel's looks might dazzle for a moment, but they were hardly anything new. It was my unique, calming scent that truly piqued her curiosity.

In the days that followed, my life finally became much more peaceful.