Chapter 32
“It’s a forest where monsters live. It’s dangerous. Absolutely not.”
Even if developing the territory was important, there was no way she could send Red Bear into such a dangerous place just to retrieve a piece of Komo wood.
Donghui wasn’t sure if Red Bear was truly a person or just a fabricated existence created by her status window. But either way, she had begun to grow fond of him. It was the same with the others.
She had repeatedly told herself not to grow attached. But having lived alone for so long, Donghui couldn’t bring herself to push away those who genuinely worried about her and devoted themselves wholeheartedly to taking care of her.
“I’ll return from the forest before sunset.”
Donghui shook her head.
“There must be another way.”
If they couldn’t find Komo wood, they could always take on another quest.
At Chloe’s firm tone, Red Bear clenched his jaw and bit his lips hard.
Until now, he hadn’t realized just how deeply their lord cared for their safety. His nose stung with the urge to cry, and he quickly sucked in a breath to suppress the emotion.
“The Black Forest is indeed home to monsters. But no matter how dark it gets under the trees, they never come out during the day. Even if they do, we’re more than capable of defeating them.”
Red Bear had felt useless ever since arriving in Grace. This was an opportunity he didn’t want to miss. If he pulled this off well, he could prove to be a valuable asset to the young lord.
“I promise I won’t take any unnecessary risks.”
Donghui, listening to Red Bear’s repeated assurances, stared solemnly toward the Black Forest. Then she looked up at the blazing sun above and, with a determined voice, fixed her gaze on him.
“Even if you don’t find the Komo tree, you must be out before sunset.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure my men return safely.”
Red Bear was visibly moved by the concern on Donghui’s face.
Despite his promises, Donghui still couldn’t feel at ease.
Just as she was about to give the order to cancel the mission altogether—
“My lord. If it’s Komo wood you need, there are a few trees in the Grace Castle garden.”
A calm voice interrupted their exchange. It was Handsome, the newly promoted butler, who had been quietly listening.
“What?”
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation with the captain…”
Thinking Donghui was angry at his intrusion, Handsome bowed deeply, flustered. No matter how much his rank had risen, it still felt inappropriate to step in during such a conversation.
“No, not that. You’re saying there’s Komo wood in the garden?”
Only then realizing why the lord had raised her voice, Handsome smiled brightly and nodded, his chest puffed with pride.
“Yes! There is. The previous lord had a keen interest in botany. He planted a number of species from the Black Forest, and though most of them withered away, the Komo trees survived. There’s a shaded section of the garden near the castle wall—he built it specifically for plants that dislike sunlight.”
“I don’t remember seeing a garden like that.”
“There’s a recessed area by the eastern wall. The previous lord made it a garden for shade-loving plants. It’s enclosed on all sides, even has a roof—perhaps that’s why you didn’t notice it. The gardeners only enter once a month.”
“Once a month?”
“Yes, the Komo trees can survive on very little water. They only need to be watered once a month.”
That explained why she’d never noticed any strange trees during her walks through the garden.
To think she’d end up feeling grateful to a father she’d never even seen!
Donghui smiled at Handsome, pleased he had remembered such a useful detail at the perfect time.
“Lead the way. We’ll put off going to the Black Forest for now.”
First, she needed to find out what exactly Komo wood had to do with Tiesite.
“Wow…”
Donghui couldn’t help but gasp in awe as they reached the secluded garden.
She’d expected some small shed—but this was far more impressive.
The structure was a brick greenhouse with solid red brick walls and only a few ventilation slits in between. It was clearly built to block out direct sunlight, suiting the plants that thrived in shade.
Creeeak.
As they opened the large wooden doors, the hinges gave a protesting groan, almost as if rejecting intruders.
Surprisingly, the air inside wasn’t stagnant. It was cool, fresh—almost minty.
“Whoa!”
Even though sunlight barely reached inside, the greenhouse was bright. It didn’t take long to find the source.
Donghui pointed at the faintly glowing plants scattered around the room.
“What are those?”
“Glow moss,” Handsome answered.
“Glow?”
“Yes. They emit light in darkness. They’re also excellent for treating headaches.”
“Oho!”
The name was odd, but the promise of headache relief made Donghui’s eyes sparkle. She reached toward the moss, curious.
“Don’t touch it!”
“You mustn’t!”
Shouts came from both ahead and behind her.
Startled, Donghui quickly withdrew her hand. Handsome rushed over, checking her hand for burns.
“Are you hurt?”
“Huh?”
Donghui tilted her head, confused.
“Glow moss emits intense heat the moment it’s touched. Many have suffered burns from it.”
“I didn’t know that…”
“Always use thick gloves when handling it.”
Handsome’s voice was filled with concern, like an older brother scolding a younger sibling.
“Got it.”
Strangely, the scolding made Donghui want to act cuter on purpose, so she answered a little stiffly.
As they walked on, Handsome occasionally glanced back at the excited Chloe, who was admiring the plants. Though he was leading the way, it felt wrong to walk ahead of his lord. He found himself unconsciously hunching his shoulders.
“We’re almost there, my lord.”
Handsome’s voice was even more respectful now. It had been a long time since he’d last been in the garden, and he couldn’t remember the exact location of the Komo trees. He scanned the surroundings, anxious.
Just as he began to worry they wouldn’t find it, Donghui’s excited voice rang out.
“Is this the Komo tree?”
It matched the description she’d heard earlier, so she stopped walking and asked. Handsome turned to look—and realized with an embarrassed flush that he had walked right past it.
“Yes.”
She had expected a dark, intimidating tree from the Black Forest. Instead, it was about her height, with a thick trunk and round leaves the size of old coins. It looked… cute.
From afar, it resembled a tree covered in green coins.
When she touched a branch, the thick leaves clacked together like a tiny horse trotting—clack clack clack.
“This would be noisy if grown outdoors.”
Donghui chuckled, imagining the noise it’d make on a windy night.
She approached and snapped off a branch.
“My lord!”
“You mustn’t!”
Red Bear and Handsome shouted in unison.
Donghui quickly understood why.
From the broken branch oozed a thick, honey-like sap with a foul, putrid odor.
“Ugh! Smells like poop!”
She pinched her nose with her clean hand, gagging.
Fortunately, the stench didn’t last long.
Staring at the viscous sap, Donghui suddenly remembered the Tiesite powder she’d brought.
She poured it onto the ground, letting the sap drip onto it, then stirred the mixture with the broken branch.
No proper tools—but the more she mixed, the more convinced she became.
This was it!
The gray Tiesite powder dissolved smoothly into the sap. The mixture turned a deep gray, then began to harden.
“Is this… cement?”
This was a jackpot.
The sap and powder mixture solidified into a rock-like clump.
“Red Bear. Hit this with your sword.”
She set the hardened lump on the ground.
Though confused, Red Bear followed the order and struck it with his blade.
Clang!
Instead of shattering, the lump deflected the sword with a ringing sound.
Red Bear stared wide-eyed as his blade trembled from the recoil.
“My lord… what sort of magic is this?”
Handsome was equally dumbfounded, his gaze blank with disbelief.
Even after returning to the castle, Donghui spent ages trying to scrub the sticky residue off her hands.
Still, it was worth it.
She hadn’t tested much yet, but she was certain—this was valuable information.
As she sipped her tea contentedly, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
It was Anna.
Since receiving her gift of bread, Anna had worn a constant smile—but today, she seemed hesitant, peeking in nervously.
“What is it?”
The tea Delma had prepared was just to her taste—an elegant blend of herbs and flowers, comforting and sweet.
“Master Ray is here.”
“Who?”
Donghui took another sip, unconcerned.
“Master Ray. Your fiancé.”
“I have a fiancé?”
Oh my god.
She slammed her cup down, eyes wide.
Well, with a face like this, it made sense she’d have a lover.
Ray? What an adorable name. What’s next—his younger sibling is named Morning?
While she was getting lost in ridiculous thoughts, Anna continued.
“You got engaged about a year ago.”
There was a sigh hidden in her voice.
“Do you not like him?” Donghui asked, curious.
Anna flailed her hands.
“I-I would never dare speak ill of the lord’s fiancé!”
“You think I’m too good for him, don’t you?”
At Donghui’s sly question, Anna finally nodded, looking upset.
“Anyone can see the lord is too good. Ray is a nobleman too, but…”
“But?”
Anna hesitated again, but when Donghui smiled at her, she finally whispered:
“Besides his face… he doesn’t have much going for him. I’m sorry!”
She bowed low, looking utterly guilty.
“It’s fine. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Donghui’s cool response eased Anna’s panic.
With the mood lightened, Donghui pressed further.
“Did he fall for me at first sight?”
Anna blinked. Why was her lady talking about her own engagement like it was someone else’s?
“No, you fell for him.”
“What?”
“Yes. The lord was quite taken with him from the start.”
Apparently, Chloe had loved her fiancé so fiercely, even the neighboring territories knew of it.
“…Me?”
“Yes…”
Anna looked baffled. Was the lord serious? Or just joking?
“With this face?”
“Y-yes!”
This kind of plot twist isn’t my thing…
But hey, who said women couldn’t make the first move?
Maybe Ray was just as smitten with her—her appearance and boldness.
Still, the idea of having a fiancé made Donghui’s heart flutter. Even if she’d never met him.
Her cheeks flushed. She’d never been the romantic type, but this—this must be Chloe’s residual emotion.
Chloe had really loved him.
Feeling oddly sentimental, Donghui straightened her clothes.
“Let him in.”
Her heart pounded. Fast. Loud.
She had never dated, never even had a celebrity crush—too busy working to survive.
Now, her heart was thundering, her breath quickened.
And she had to be careful.
If Ray knew Chloe well, any strange behavior might tip him off that she wasn’t the real Chloe.
A soul in someone else’s body…
In this world, that was enough to be burned as a witch.
I should say as little as possible.
If anyone noticed something was off, she’d pretend she was unwell.
When Ray finally entered the parlor, Donghui understood—immediately—why Chloe had fallen in love at first sight.
He was the very definition of a prince.
Golden hair. Emerald eyes. A chiseled nose. Plush red lips.
He’s too beautiful to be real!
She had never seen a man this handsome. Ever.
“Ray…?”
His name came out as a whisper, trembling. Donghui clamped her mouth shut.
Get it together.
Ray, seemingly unaware, smiled radiantly and sat across from her.
Stop. Please. I’m going blind.
He was practically glowing.
Her fiancé? This man?
It was almost worth dying on Earth just to get here.
“Chloe. Have you been well?”
Even his voice was criminally attractive.
Donghui nodded slowly, dazed.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t think straight.
Ray was a walking danger.
A beautiful, beautiful danger.
