Chapter 61
“So the Empress has decided to cast me aside completely, huh.”
It felt like she was already too deep in to back out now. What a headache this was turning into.
Louisa clicked her tongue briefly and began stacking a bundle of letters one by one onto Brown’s outstretched hands.
“When is my brother going to the North?”
Brown hesitated for a moment, as if wondering whether the conversation about the Duke was over. But soon, he nodded slowly and regained his usual composure.
“I believe he’s planning to go sometime this week. I imagine he’ll consult you soon, my lady.”
“Then if the schedule allows, tell him to go tomorrow.”
“…Tomorrow, my lady?”
“Yeah. Also, are there a lot of vacant lands in the North?”
“Yes. There’s even land that has been granted to you, my lady.”
“Then let’s build a winery there.”
“A winery?”
“I’m planning to go big, so if the land I own isn’t enough, buy more nearby. I’ll give you the money you need.”
“The scale should be sufficient. But… why all of a sudden? Are you planning to expand beyond Alber Rozé?”
“Nope. Alber Rozé is going to manage it once he comes to the North.”
Brown stared blankly at Louisa. His expression revealed a clear sense of confusion, but Louisa didn’t wait for more questions. She just kept speaking.
“For Blake wine.”
The lukewarm wind had turned cool before she knew it. Louisa’s eyes fluttered open.
“You’re awake just in time. We’re almost there, Louisa.”
She turned toward the gentle voice beside her.
With a faint smile, Louisa met Demian’s gaze as he looked down at her, then shifted her eyes to the window behind him.
It was a familiar place—the dry branches swaying violently in the wind, the gray sky devoid of any sunlight.
This was the North—Blake territory—where rain was certain to fall by dawn.
“I guess I’m just not cut out for an active life.”
After the busy and chaotic life in the capital, arriving in the quiet North felt like she could finally breathe again.
Of course, the border areas were troublesome because of monsters, but since she didn’t plan to go near them, it didn’t matter much.
A smile crept onto her lips as the silhouette of the Blake estate came into view.
“I’ll just settle down here for good. If I get bored, there’s even a bustling district nearby I can visit.”
She was the type of person who could lie around all day without ever getting bored, so she doubted monotony would be a problem.
Besides, Bella was settling in as a saintess, and Raphael had left for the East with her. The world was their problem now—not hers.
“Brother, I need to talk to you.”
Louisa fiddled with the ends of her braid and opened her mouth.
“Yeah? What is it?”
“I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but… I’ve been running a wine business, and I’m planning to move the winery to Blake territory.”
She felt anxious. What if she had gone too far?
Like shadows from the past, the voices of those who used to call her arrogant and malicious for daring to act smart and outshine others began creeping back into her mind.
People were selfish and multifaceted. She’d shown them a different side for a while, but the moment she stepped out of line, they might reveal their true faces.
Her chest tightened with sudden unease and her breathing became shallow.
Just then, a warmth brought her back to herself.
“Really? I think that’s a great idea.”
Her fading vision snapped back into focus. Startled, Louisa met Demian’s eyes as he gently patted her head.
“If there’s something you want to do, then go for it. Just don’t force yourself to do what you hate.”
His hand was gentle. Demian tilted his head slightly, his eyes crinkling with a smile. The cold breeze slipping through the carriage door disappeared, leaving only warmth.
And yet, her nose began to sting.
At that moment, the carriage wheels clunked against solid ground.
“We’re here, Louisa. Let’s get out.”
Ugh, what’s with my nose? Maybe it was the cold.
Louisa pressed her knuckle against her nose and then stood up with a composed expression.
“…Okay.”
“It’s cold, so bundle up well.”
“We’re right in front. It’s fine…”
“Still, you just came from a warm place. Take care not to catch a cold.”
“Alright.”
“Good girl. Here, take my hand.”
Demian got off first and reached out his hand.
His hand was about the same size as Raphael’s.
…Why did Raphael come to mind all of a sudden?
Louisa shook her head, as if to clear her thoughts, and took Demian’s hand. As she stepped down slowly, her breath formed a faint cloud in the air.
As they approached the entrance, a butler waiting outside greeted them politely. Demian returned the greeting and turned to Louisa.
“Father probably went to the border. Want me to take you to your room?”
“…No, I want to check on the greenhouse first.”
“To see how the flowers are doing?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“Got it. Then I’ll go inside first.”
Demian hesitated briefly, then smiled and left without protest. Louisa watched his broad back for a moment before turning toward the greenhouse.
Is it because I haven’t seen him in a while? Or is it because I’ve taken on so much lately… Why do I feel so strange?
With a puzzled expression, Louisa walked over to the locked greenhouse door and pulled a key from her pocket.
Clack. With a heavy sound, the door slowly opened.
“…What the hell.”
Her steps stopped dead.
“What is all this?”
Louisa stood stunned, eyes wide as she took in the scene before her.
The greenhouse should’ve been barren or overrun with weeds.
Instead, it was overflowing with sacred flowers.
Every inch of the space was filled with them, as if sanctified. Her knees nearly buckled from shock. Her pupils trembled like flower petals in the wind.
And then, a sweet fragrance filled her lungs.
Though weakened by surprise, her body suddenly felt lighter. Familiar warmth enveloped her—something she absolutely didn’t want to escape from.
After staring at the surreal sight for a long moment, Louisa finally muttered,
“…I need to call a priest.”
This was something Priest Yoran had to see with his own eyes. Louisa sent for a knight to fetch him immediately.
Yoran arrived just as Louisa was beginning to collect her thoughts.
She turned at the sound of someone approaching.
She had told everyone to stay away, so the only one entering could be Priest Yoran.
“…What in the world is this?”
The cold Northern air clung to him, but his face flushed red with heat as he stepped into the greenhouse.
His astonished eyes took in the sacred flowers filling the space.
“I was about to ask you the same thing.”
“These flowers… They’re sacred, aren’t they? I’m not mistaken, right?”
His footsteps were uncharacteristically heavy for someone usually so composed.
“Yes, it’s real. I did some thinking while waiting for you.”
Yoran’s gaze finally shifted from the flowers to Louisa. Her face was calm, despite the slight trace of confusion.
“Has the number of sacred flowers grown in the temple recently?”
“No… The amount has stayed the same.”
“Then the cause must either be the soil in this greenhouse, or… my divine power.”
“If it were the soil, then there would’ve been unusual growth before—when this place was maintained.”
“I never heard of anything like that. Before I planted these, the area was just full of weeds.”
Only then did Yoran notice the weeds growing between the sacred flowers.
And yet, even in the narrow spaces where weeds had sprouted, the sacred flowers had forced their way through and taken root.
“If this place had been inherently special, it wouldn’t have been overrun by weeds. I think the seeds must have taken root here because of fertile soil… or something else.”
“…I see your point. May I examine the flowers up close?”
“Please, go ahead.”
Worried she might accidentally step on one, Louisa backed away from the entrance.
Yoran knelt and reached out, not to touch the flowers at first, but the soil.
He closed his eyes.
After a moment of silence, he opened them again. The confusion was gone, replaced with serious contemplation in his pale gray eyes tinged with blue.
“You were right. The soil has no particular energy. But…”
His fingers brushed against a stem—then suddenly stopped.
“The sacred flowers are full of divine power. An enormous amount.”
“…What?”
That, she hadn’t expected.
Louisa blinked blankly.
“My lady, may I see your hand?”
She gave it to him without thinking. He held it in one hand, while touching a flower with the other.
“Just as I thought…”
He stood with a strange look on his face.
Louisa waited quietly for his next words.
To be continued.
