21. Gardens Galore

After a good night's rest and a divine breakfast at the balcony, we're heading to the gardens. Annalyse and Emmerlyn are working today.

"I love our color scheme today!" AG says. The color palette of the day is salmon pink, navy blue, and white.

"Jocelyn, I'm so proud of you for wearing navy instead of black!" Maxine says as we walk.

"It works well enough." Jocelyn says.

"Here it is." Jax pulls on an unlit candle, and a magical doorway opens in the wall. "Welcome to the vegetable garden!"

"It's so fresh in here!" AG notes.

"This is just like the one at FTRS!" Ollie says.

"Mhm!" Jax says. We walk around in the garden and pass almost every vegetable you can think of.

"Whoa, Royal Manor is fully stocked up with radishes!" Ollie says. "It's not like Alva and her gargoyles are anywhere to be seen, why do you have so many?"

"We have so many to make sure we have enough. The chefs do use radishes in their dishes often, but we have extra just in case." Jax answers. "This way to the flower garden!"

We go to the other end of the vegetable garden and Jax pulls open a wrought iron door that looks pretty heavy.

"Wow, so pretty!"

There are roses, tulips, snapdragons, violets, tiger lilies, torch flowers, and lily of the valleys all over. Magnolia trees and palm trees dot the landscape while shrubs create a decorative border. I feel the mist on my face from the fountain as the sun shines through the skylight.

"Let's sit down and hang out here." Jax says. I sit down on a bench. Kayla and AG share one, Jocelyn sits on her own and Maxine sits on her own. Ollie takes a seat next to Jocelyn.

"Pirate, why did you choose this seat?" Jocelyn asks in a disappointed tone. I roll my eyes.

"I dunno, it was closest."

"I can switch with you if you want." AG asks.

"Please do." Jocelyn says, and they switch. Jax sits next to me.

"Why'd you chose Gilly?" Jocelyn asks.

"Because the seat was open." Jax responds.

"Is that the only reason?" Jocelyn counters.

"Yeah, why else would I sit here?" Jax challenges.

"Because I think-"

"He sat by me because I'm the best." I interrupt.

"Gilly is the best, isn't she? Apart from all of you. You guys are all the best!" Maxine says.

"In the end, does it really matter who sits by who? We're all friends." AG says, and I nod.

"Exactly." Jax says. "We're all friends."

I can barely see a purple light. Or is it orange? Blue? Oh, it's a mirror!

"Good early afternoon! I'm making a rare garden appearance because I have an announcement." Miri's voice booms over the magical intercom.

"Yes, what is it, Miri?" Jax asks.

"A guest will be arriving at the Royal Manor sea ports any minute now. And as you know, it is polite to greet a guest when they arrive." Miri says in a stuffy voice.

"Unlike you did for me." I jab Jax's shoulder playfully, and he rolls his eyes.

"Ok, we'll be on our way." Jax says, and I can see the mirror go back to its original state.

"If the guest is arriving at the sea ports, they must be a pirate!" Ollie says.

"Let's go find out." Kayla says, and we exit the garden through the other wrought iron door.