The voice that had piped up first was not the one she’d expected, but she was nonetheless unsurprised to see him here. Of course, the matter of Endymion’s mere presence was enough to rocket him to the top of the suspect list; if anyone were to traipse through her greenhouse… but she was momentarily distracted by the level of absurdity of his following questions. She couldn’t decided whether she was elated of how transparent he was being, or of how absolutely shameful his deception skills were.

Thankfully this maternal wound delivered by Endymion was repaired by dear Lycoris and her rationality. And given that Lycoris was the last one of her offspring that she’d produced, she was content to believe that her sensibilities were perhaps saved for the last of the Dempsey children. “Thank you, Lycoris,” She breathed before shooting Endymion a suspicious look. “Though of course, Endymion, you might be correct if you can convince me what kind of wind would be strong enough to tear not only the leaves off the fine but the cordons and the shoots as well, hmm?”

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