Chapter 03 –
After visiting the storage warehouse, a small change came over Rosebel.
The sparkling particles she had seen there now appeared more often in her sight than before.
However, she had no idea where to begin or how to gather information about them. Since it wasn’t something she could solve right away, she chose to focus on what mattered next. Right now, deciding what to plant and how to use the empty land was just as important.
“Father, about the unused land I mentioned before—I want to try planting a few different things.”
Duke Efrian nodded at Rosebel’s words. He could clearly see her effort to prepare herself as the next head of the family.
“What are you planning to plant?”
“Potatoes. If we plant them now, we can harvest them in autumn.”
Since returning from the apple warehouse, she had been planning for the future.
She didn’t say it out loud, but she believed the duke would be able to solve the mystery of the sparkling light.
“Then I’ll have people clear out the weeds.”
“Oh! That’s fine. I’ve been doing it little by little myself.”
Although she said it was fine, her mind was already crowded with thoughts of a future that had yet to happen.
Farming could fail due to droughts or heavy rain. But it was hard to understand how such a vast orchard could suddenly collapse.
Because she hadn’t read many books, the information she knew was limited.
“You can leave things like that to others,” the duke said.
“No. I want to start with small things and move forward slowly. And I’m planning to visit the blacksmith soon. The farming tools I use need to fit my hands. The ones we have now are too big and heavy. I could get hurt if I’m not careful.”
“Were you injured?” the duke asked sharply.
He had misunderstood her words, thinking she was hurt instead of almost hurt.
Rosebel understood his reaction. To him, it probably looked like she was pushing herself too hard right after getting out of bed.
“I said I almost got hurt. And this is to make sure I don’t get hurt in the future.”
“Then all the more reason to hire workers to do it!”
“If I inherit the family without knowing anything, don’t you think the future would be uncertain?”
At Rosebel’s firm words, the duke couldn’t argue.
Watching his daughter seriously prepare to become the heir, he realized his earlier worries had all been meaningless.
Even though they were a ducal family, no one wanted to marry in as a son-in-law.
The reason was simple. A family favored by the Emperor just because of ‘apples’ was not viewed kindly.
“So you truly intend to inherit the title.”
“Or would you rather I marry just anyone?”
Rosebel frowned as she bit into an apple that tasted completely different from the one she had eaten in the warehouse.
“Don’t say such things, not even as a joke!”
“That’s exactly my point. Any noble with common sense wouldn’t want to become a live-in son-in-law. And if someone did want to, we’d have to be suspicious. Why would I put our family in danger? It’s better if I take responsibility myself, no matter how it turns out.”
“Porridge? Rice?” the duke asked, confused.
Without realizing it, Rosebel had used an expression from her previous life. This world probably didn’t even have porridge or rice. She paused, thinking seriously about a better comparison, then snapped her fingers as if she had an idea.
“Whether I become an unripe apple or a perfectly ripe apple, I’ll take responsibility!”
Even she frowned at how awkward the metaphor sounded.
As expected of a Korean—she had instinctively compared things to rice.
Duke Efrian had been happy lately because he felt closer to Rosebel. But at the same time, he was worried about his daughter suddenly declaring she would become the head of the family.
He couldn’t tell Rosebel, but he possessed a special ability. Because of it, he had gained many things.
He didn’t dislike his rise in status. What troubled him was the fear that the secret he hid might be discovered.
When Rosebel mentioned the sparkling lights in the apple warehouse, his heart had started racing.
It was an ability that was difficult to explain. And to explain that power, he would also have to talk about his wife.
He had no idea where to begin, and he worried about how his daughter would take it.
“Rosebel, do you remember how you used to say you wanted to leave this place when you were young?”
“Well… I think that’s natural for a childish kid.”
“Farming isn’t something you can manage with just basic knowledge.”
Rosebel sensed firmness in the duke’s tone.
“That’s why I said I want to learn. And I don’t plan to learn half-heartedly.”
“Then I’ll watch you closely from now on. There’s something I need to tell you someday… but I need time to整理 my thoughts.”
“Of course. Please tell me when you’re ready.”
Duke Efrian remembered that when Rosebel was young, she had dreamed of marrying the Crown Prince.
Because of that, he believed that what he and his wife had built would end with them.
‘Efrian, we’re not ordinary, but we must act like we are. We must make people believe we produced high-quality fruit simply because we worked hard.’
Those were his wife’s repeated words.
Special power could be strength in the hands of the powerful. But for commoners, it was nothing but a curse—an excuse for witch hunts.
Duke Efrian had thought their family line would end with him.
But now that Rosebel had stepped forward to inherit the family business, a small spark of hope was lit. Of course, he never imagined she might possess the same ability as them.
If Rosebel did have the same power, he was determined never to let her get involved with the imperial family.
“She’s our daughter… maybe it’s okay to hope a little…”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”
“Anyway! I’ve made up my mind. So please teach me a lot from now on, and I think I’ll be asking you for many favors.”
“Favors? Ask for anything.”
A gentle smile spread across the duke’s face, and Rosebel smiled with him.
“Oh! After the harvest, please buy wheat chaff and wheat bundles.”
“Wheat chaff?”
“I read it in a book. They say burning wheat chaff and spreading the ashes is good. And wrapping wheat bundles around apple trees during winter helps too.”
The duke found it admirable that she was already planning an entire year of farming.
Unlike him, Rosebel couldn’t stand leaving land unused. She even seemed to enjoy farming.
“It’s obvious you’ve been studying hard on your own.”
“I think I need to know at least the basics before I tell others what to do.”
“Looks like you already want to act like the boss… but unfortunately, that day is still far away, so hold yourself back.”
The duke spoke gently, yet firmly.
Rosebel was slightly startled. She had only ever seen his kind side before. When it came to the orchard, his tone clearly drew a line.
“Ah… yes. You’re still the head of the family, Father.”
‘Still?’ You little rascal! Once the flowers start blooming, you won’t have time to relax, so rest well while you can.”
Laughing, Duke Efrian looked forward to early summer, when white apple blossoms would be in full bloom.
Brightly patterned trousers that drew attention. Perhaps she still wanted to hide her identity, because a large bonnet covered Rosebel’s face.
“Miss, no matter what, going out dressed like this is a bit—”
“Maria.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t call me ‘miss.’ Just stay quiet.”
Rosebel didn’t go as far as telling her to speak casually, and headed toward the blacksmith.
“Welcome.”
“I’d like to order hoes and pickaxes for a sixteen-year-old girl.”
“…What?”
The blacksmith looked past Maria at the child whose face was hidden, making it hard to tell even the gender.
With a bitter smile, he listed the available types. After looking them over, Rosebel sighed.
Maria quickly held out a piece of paper.
“I heard custom orders are possible. Can you make them according to this drawing?”
“Huh? Ah! Of course.”
The blacksmith stopped staring at Rosebel and began taking the order.
“I’d like five of each.”
“Certainly. But what is this skewer for?”
“I was told it would be useful. Just make them as ordered. Send the bill to Duke Efrian’s estate.”
Maria smoothly continued the conversation.
“Very well. They should be ready by tomorrow. Is that acceptable?”
“The sooner, the better. I’ll send someone tomorrow at noon.”
After finishing the order, the two left the blacksmith shop.
Maria wanted to return to the estate as quickly as possible, but Rosebel had other plans.
Farming wasn’t everything. To sell the harvest, market research was necessary. Not just selling—understanding what consumers wanted was important.
“Miss, I’m scared someone might recognize you. Let’s go back.”
Hearing Maria’s trembling voice, Rosebel simply lifted the corner of her lips and smiled.
