Chapter 1848: Has Princess Catherine Lost Her Mind?

Because Janelle is such a thoughtful girl, during every day in Lorelei she stayed by Old Mills and Sister Sterling’s side as much as she could. Since they’d come all this way, she wanted them to feel a sense of belonging.

Seeing the two elders to the door, Janelle waved to them and smiled as she wished them good night.

Then she turned and took Trevor’s arm, walking toward Princess Catherine, who had just sat down on a sofa not far away.

These past few days Janelle hadn’t had any private conversations with the princess, but they often met each other’s gaze.

All this time Catherine had been hosting and arranging everything as the mistress of the house, with a constant smile on her face, busy from morning till night. Janelle had taken in all that hard work and effort.

In her heart, she acknowledged this stepmother.

Most importantly, Catherine treated her father very well.

Captain Julie of the royal guard personally poured the tea. In the vast palace, the crystal chandeliers cast dazzling light that fell on everyone.

This special light, mixed with the sunset outside, made the evening seem especially peaceful and beautiful.

"Sit down."

Catherine’s kindly smile rested on the young couple walking toward her, like a mother looking at her own children, full of gentleness and care.

Janelle Mills and Trevor sat down on the sofa opposite her; neither of them knew what she wanted to do—there’d been no prior hint at all.

Julie bent down to pour tea for everyone herself, and handed two cups onto the coffee table.

"Thank you." Janelle Mills had already noticed this short-haired woman in uniform. She was almost always at the princess’s side, and Janelle had heard about her from her brother, knew her name, and knew her position.

Julie nodded with a smile. "You’re welcome." Then she set a cup of tea on the coffee table in front of Princess Catherine, turned, and stepped back to stand waiting at a distance.

Catherine produced a vintage square box, deep purple in color, with embroidery on the lid. She untied the silk ribbon wrapped around it and took out a beautiful bracelet from inside.

"Annie, this bracelet is for you. I hope you like it."

Standing not far away, Julie saw the bracelet and heard those words. Her chest tightened involuntarily; she looked at the princess in great astonishment!

The princess’s face was full of smiles, all her heart and eyes fixed on the girl sitting opposite. "I hope you can accept it. Let’s call it a first-meeting gift."

Janelle Mills was stunned that Catherine would specially prepare a gift just for her.

She thought for a moment before slowly reaching out to take it. The instant her fingers touched the bracelet, she sensed it was no ordinary piece.

Time had left its marks on it; it wasn’t something you could just go out and buy. It must be a treasured keepsake.

The delicate patterns on it all held beautiful meanings; she could understand some of them.

"This is... something you’ve kept for many years, isn’t it?" Janelle lifted her gaze to Catherine, her hands still cupping the bracelet without drawing them back. "It’s too precious." She shook her head and said firmly, "I can’t accept it."

"You must accept it. I’m giving it to you with all my heart." Catherine grew anxious, afraid Janelle would feel burdened, so she spoke to her in a light tone. "I bought this. It did cost a bit, but I think you’re worth it. And this bracelet really suits your style—you’ll look wonderful wearing it."

She was a princess; money wasn’t an issue. Since she was giving away roses, the one whose hands kept the fragrance should be happy too.

And so, with the princess’s earnest insistence, Janelle Mills, after much pondering, chose to accept it. "Thank you."

Sure enough, Catherine was delighted; a smile immediately blossomed on her face.

She had, in a way, gained Princess Annie’s acknowledgement. For the rest of her life, she only hoped their family could live in harmony.

Standing at a distance, Julie’s expression held a trace of complexity. Her mood grew heavy; she felt certain the princess must have lost her head.