Close to the gardens, it was cool in the flower room as smells of damp petals and beeswax lingered in the air. Ceramic jars and crystal vases reflecting rainbows lined the shelves on the wall, various tools hanging on the side. Dozens of buckets of fresh flowers on the tiled floor surrounded their feet, summer blooms of marigolds, hydrangeas, daisies, dahlias and roses exhaling earthy floral elegance.

The summer heat was held at an arm's length by the water in the big porcelain sink where water droplets rolled off the marbled vase, shiny reflection mirroring Lily trimming the stems.

"Do you need more daisies?" she asked Fiona arranging a stunning bouquet. On the big island table behind her laid a multitude of them, colors lushly unraveled, ready to be housed around the mansion. Lily observed her intently to make out her answer but was distracted when a figure approached the wide open window.

"Good afternoon, Lily!" Cedric shone dazzlingly as he waved. The small chimes above tinkled louder as if overtaken by happiness.

"Good—Good afternoon." She blinked at the well known Duke suddenly in front of her.

Fiona voiced the greeting unperturbed as if it was expected for him to pull something like this. While he did start working on a summer project with Marquis Remington, his visits were starting to be quite frequent, common as cicadas chirping in the summer. How he was getting away with it, Lily wasn't sure, but it seemed like he always had "important matters" closeby to attend to, and how he was "really invested" in their project.

"How may I help you, Duke Cedric?" she carefully asked.

"I wanted to get a human's input on an important matter."

Lily raised a brow, her lips quirking up. "Which you have in Paalwey." 

"Openly sharing opinions with a Duke seems to be very hard to many. And don't worry, I was on the way. As always." 

The three smiled as if they were sharing an inside joke. He explained the rise of human population in Paalwey and how they started segregating; unease started growing amidst his mechanical citizens at the evasion. 

Lily perked up her ears as he leaned against the window frame, occasionally cleanly gesticulating with his hands.

"We are already preparing uniting events to lure them out of their shells. What do you think?" 

"That's a great idea. You can also create sports that require both of them."

"Oh, that would be interesting to watch!"

Lily brought the faces of the humans she met to the forefront of her mind. "You should definitely assign collaborative missions like building houses, academies, and roads. After all, people need jobs. They will naturally bond and understand one another better over time. You can prompt your human residents to encourage them to associate too. It will make the newcomers more comfortable to be with those already confident."

Cedric thoughtfully held his chin. "Good suggestions." 

Fiona snorted. "Handling challenges like these is nothing for Lily. She is skilled at mediating." 

"This is why it was a great idea to come to you." 

She could hear his smile. "Hehe, well—thank you both." Lily warmed at their praises as she brushed the velvet petals, squeezing the thick stem gently just to admire its feel. She noticed Cedric staring at it so she offered it to him.

"Do you wish to try?" 

"Fishing for free labor? Very cheeky, Lily." He accepted the flower and expertly took the shears without brushing her fingers and snipped it like she had been doing. He took another one. "This is surprisingly relaxing." 

"More relaxing than ruling a duchy?" she teased.

He sighed. "Maybe I should instead become a florist. It would suit me." 

"Mr. Florist Cedric, what would be your shop's name?" 

"Leaf it to me." 

She let out an exhale of a laugh. "Bee-leaf in yourself and the dream can bloom."  

He gasped. "Triple pun! I've been bested!" 

In the background Fiona made a face, turning away.

Cedric put the flowers into the marbled vase, voice turning soft. "But in all seriousness, I do enjoy helping my citizens and Paalwey. It's a fulfilling community. And a purpose."

Lily hid her smile at his sincere feelings. She knew he was a good leader. "And you're a great aspect of it for them too."

Cedric actually turned bashful as he rubbed his neck whilst glancing away. He felt his core inside warming as the world did from the sun.