Translator: Latte Editor: Sasha

What? Elody asked.

Especially Marie Shes been crying a lot. The knights were also worried about us, Caville responded.

Even the knights?

Caville nodded with a serious expression.

Actually, there was a rumor that the emperor wants me to get married to Princess Larissa. Besides. It might be because we use separate rooms.

Ah.

We started sleeping in different rooms as soon as I returned to the duchy, so its natural that the servants are worried about us

I guess thats true.

His words made sense. She even began to feel bad for making Marie cry.

At times like this, shouldnt we show them how good our relationship is? As the ruler of the duchy, I want to give faith to the servants, the knights, and the citizens as well.

Yes, youre right.

When Elody nodded to his words, Cavilles heart leapt for joy.

But on the outside, he pretended to look as if he were anxious.

If the rumors keep circulating around the duchy, it could pose a problem in the future as people will look down on us. Besides, the Temple is also trying to hurt me What if I get assassinated while sleeping at night?

At those words, Elodys expression was stained with shock.

I mean, Im strong so you dont have to worry about me too much. But they might mistake my room for yours and hurt you instead! Im worried about you and I cant sleep at night because of that.

Actually, the reason he couldnt sleep was because he was afraid that Elody might try to run away again.

Of course, Ifrit had been guarding Elody every day because of Cavilles command, but he was still worried nonetheless.

You havent been able to sleep?

Elody stared at Cavilles face. It seemed that he was honest since his eyes were red.

Yes, I have nightmares because my wife isnt next to me, Caville said as he tried his best to look as pitiful as possible.

Elody bit her lips.

So, my wife How about we sleep in the same room again, like we did when we were young? I promise that I wont do anything to make you feel uncomfortable.

Elody pondered for a moment and then nodded her head.

If rumors spread that the ducal couple was not on good terms, then it would pose a threat to the duchy.

And when she thought that in the middle of the night, assassins might come for Cavilles head, fear came over her.

I have to protect Caville, she vowed to herself.

Alright. But lets put two beds in the room instead, she said.

Yes, Caville spoke as he reluctantly nodded his head.

That afternoon.

Elody was also busy that day.

She used elemental crystals to transform the seeds of a fruit. Then, she planted it on a plot of soil in the greenhouse. During the process of planting, she injected a small amount of mana into the soil.

Suddenly, there was a gleam of light that flashed before her eyes.

What?

Elody lifted her head and looked around her surroundings while blinking her eyes.

She had been having hallucinations lately, and often got dizzy sometimes

Was it just my imagination?

What just happened?

Ifrit, who was lying underneath the peach tree, wandered over and asked her.

Just now? Did you feel it too?

.The ground certainly vibrated lightly.

I planted the seeds that were made out of elemental crystals. Is it because of that?

If you injected mana there, then probably yes. Its alright though since the air actually feels a lot fresher!

Ifrits expression was bright. Fortunately, nothing bad seemed to have happened.

Well, thats great. By the way, this plant is something that you might like, Ifrit, Elody smiled, pointing to where she planted the seeds.

Really? How long will it take for it to grow?!

I dont know for sure. It can grow as fast as the peach tree Or it can take longer.

Ifrit stomped to where the seeds were sown.

Calm down, Ifrit, Elody said as she stroked Ifrits fur, Lets come here again when it sprouts. Okay?

Okay.

Her warm strokes made Ifrit feel a bit better.

Although Elody was a far more nasty contractor than Caville, she was at least more gentle than Caville.

Ifrit liked the greenhouse and the owner of it very much.

Suddenly

Madame!

Someone called out her name.

Anna, whats going on? Elody asked

Sir Vedos is here to see you, Anna answered.

Sir Vedos?

As she walked out of the greenhouse, she met a gloomy-looking Brien.

Madame!

Sir Vedos, what are you doing here? If you have something to say, do come in

You have to come with me quickly, madame! Theres no time!

What is it?

Unlike usual, Brien made a huge fuss.

Not only Elody but also Anna and Solar, who were watching them from behind, seemed surprised by his actions.

You two dont have to come! Brien said to Anna and Solar.

But!

Before Anna could continue, Solar stopped her by giving her a gesture saying that Elody would be fine.

Thus, Elody followed Brien.

The place that Brien led her to was the forest behind the greenhouse. The place where she had gotten caught on vomiting blood by Heinz.

Look over there!

Elody looked at where Brien was pointing.

Marie?

Marie was there.

And she was talking

To an unfamiliar-looking man.

Elody glanced at Brien with a sympathetic expression.

Marie doesnt even want to see me, and now shes seeing an apprentice. She left me

Brien was the vice-commander of the knights whose family had been loyal to the Duke of Cernoir for multiple generations.

But to think that he would lose to an apprentice. Brien was utterly frustrated.

Elody looked at the man standing next to Marie. He was a handsome boy with a shy expression.

Marie is being courted?

Elody patted Brien on the back.

Cheer up, Sir Vedos.

Ugh, sniff.

But what did you do to get dumped?

When she asked Marie in the past, she only replied to her saying that Sir Vedos was too old. She said that ever since he left for the battlefield, he had always looked twice his age.

I madame to Marie.

I beg your pardon?

I made a mistake by talking bad about madame to Marie.

Did you curse at me behind my back, Sir Vedos?! Elody asked, flabbergasted.

Did the knights hate me that much that even Sir Vedos started talking about me?

Elody felt betrayed.

N-no! Rather than cursing at you I just said that the two of you were going to divorce and that I wish the princess and the lord well

I see I thought you were having an affair.

I would never cheat on Marie!

Yes, whatever you say Elody nodded.

She had nothing else to say. He thought that Caville and Larissa were going to marry each other, but she also thought the same in the past. So she couldnt really blame him.

Maries very angry at me Madame, can you please forgive me and help me speak to Marie? Please?

Seeing his expression, Elody felt a bit sorry for him.

However, Marie was far more precious to her than he was.

Sir Vedos. Love is so short while forgetting is so long. However, an old love can be replaced with a new one. Let go of Marie and find another woman instead.

But

There are a lot of other single women here in the duchy. You could just go to the market right now and search for one. Also, do something about your appearance.

Madame

Would you like me to give you some red ginseng? Its good for your skin.

I, uh

Elody comforted him by patting Briens back.

Speaking of which Was the forest always like this?

Elody began to look around her surroundings.

The forest was a bit

No, it has changed a lot.

It seems that there were a lot more trees than before

Elody walked away from Brien.

The fresh air entered her lungs through her nose.

Did the forest grow by itself?

Elody was puzzled as she passed through the small forest.

Suddenly, a beautiful sight came to her eyes. She was agape as she saw the unfolding scene.

Originally, there was only an empty field with a murky river behind the small forest.

But now, the field was filled with yellow flowers in full bloom, and the water was no longer murky. In fact, it was translucent and sparkly clean! There seemed to be a lot of fish swimming inside it as well!

Surely

Elody looked down at her palm.

A little while ago, when she planted a seed that was combined with an elemental crystal, a gleam of light suddenly flashed before her eyes.

Ifrit said that it was because of her mana.

He also said that the peach tree grew fast because my magic powers had increased.

If so, could it have caused this as well?

It was clear that something had changed.

Elody headed back to the forest. She observed the forest more closely than before.

Then, she found something strange.

What in the world

The place where Elody stopped was in front of a pine mushroom tree.

Its not even autumn, but there are matsutake mushroom trees!

It was definitely a pine mushroom tree. Elody picked the matsutake mushrooms and smelled them.

She sniffed the scent of the mushrooms and it was amazing. Furthermore, the tree was much larger in size than an ordinary pine mushroom tree.

I have to harvest them and grill the matsutakes.

Elody turned her head and looked at the trees around her.

There were various trees with mushrooms in them that came into Elodys line of sight.

Impossible

It was still spring.

Of course, there were numerous types of mushrooms that grow in the spring or summer However, the mushrooms in front of her were all those that grew in autumn or winter!

And

Its a raspberry!

There were ridiculously many raspberries hanging from the rosewood. And next to it, were trees full of blackberries and magnolia berries.

Elody picked the raspberry and ate it.

Its sweet

Elody looked at the raspberries, the matsutake mushrooms in her hand, the various mushrooms grown on other trees, the blackberries, and the magnolia berries in turn.

This was it.

The same feeling she had when she discovered ginseng a few years ago.

It was the beautiful smell of money.