Chapter 4

The way the white sap dripped from the end of the stem was fascinating. Reinel considered calling the gardener to ask what kind of flower it was, but decided to ask later and wrapped the stem with a handkerchief. The bright flower was not only beautiful in appearance, but its subtle fragrance was pleasant to smell.

As befitted the season of fresh greenery, a cool breeze brushed through her hair. Reinel enjoyed a walk with her father and second brother, exchanging words as they strolled. Seeing Reinel’s cheerful expression seemed to reassure both of them, and they even joked around, making these leisurely moments together feel truly happy.

***

After the walk ended, Reinel had the flower placed in a vase and headed straight for the office. Dressed neatly in outdoor attire, she entered her father’s office to find that, at some point, her own desk had been prepared right next to his.

“Since it’s been a while since you managed the merchant group, if you have any questions, ask them right away. That’s why I put your desk next to mine. Of course, if you want, I’ll arrange a separate office for you.”

At those words, Reinel shook her head.

“This is enough. It’s been a long time since I was involved in managing the merchant group, so I think it’ll be good to start with a warm-up.”

“Good. You can start with simple things and move on to more complicated matters. Still…….”

Lyle swallowed the words, ‘You managed the inside of the Earldom well enough…….’ He didn’t want to remind his daughter of her married life with that damned bastard, Neque Kaiden.

His judgment was wise, and Reinel smiled softly as she sat down at the desk prepared for her. The chair supported her back comfortably, and the fountain pen she used to favor was placed next to the documents.

“Then I’ll start with the simple ones.”

“Go ahead. If you have any questions, ask right away.”

“Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll ask immediately.”

“Good, good.”

As Reinel began to focus on the documents, Lyle Estrid, who sat at the desk beside her, also returned to his work.

Management of wheat, grains, and fruit—the traditional export items of the East—was something Reinel had mostly handled before, so she was able to concentrate on the merchant group’s work while recalling previous experiences.

For a while, the only sound in the office was the fountain pen gliding over paper. The completed documents piled up on the right, making it easy to distinguish them from the unresolved ones.

Lyle’s aide, Earl Baker, moved the finished documents. The processed paperwork would return to the merchant group owned by the Estrid family, becoming the basis for their activities. After a while of moving document trays, he stopped when Lyle Estrid had worked for about three hours without getting up.

“Reinel. Let’s take a break now. It’s best to eat lunch, rest a bit, and then return to the paperwork.”

“Yes, that sounds good. I was just starting to get tired myself.”

Reinel put down her pen and stood up. Her body felt stiff, so she planned to eat lunch, stroll through the garden, and then return to her desk.

Just as Lyle Estrid was rising from his desk, his gaze lingered on the documents his daughter had been working on.

As expected of his capable daughter, the merchant group management tasks were handled neatly and well. Of course, the unseen parts of the paperwork she processed would be read by the aide, Earl Baker, so any mistakes or errors would later be reported to him without his daughter knowing.

‘But since there haven’t been any issues so far, it seems Reinel is handling things well.’

Lyle Estrid wore a satisfied smile as he led his daughter out of the office. Their steps toward the dining room were very light.

***

After the meal, Lyle returned to work first, while Reinel decided to stroll through the garden before coming back. She went to the spot where that unique flower had bloomed and saw the gardener lingering there, planting something.

“Will. What are you planting over there?”

The old gardener, with his bushy beard, turned at the familiar voice. There stood the noble lady, still carrying traces of her childhood.

“My Lady!”

‘You’ve come back.’ With those words, the old gardener Will welcomed Reinel. Seeing Will, who had tended the Estrid Earldom’s garden for forty years, always brought her joy.

His warm welcome as she returned to the Estrid Earldom brought back childhood memories. She had once tried magic on the rose bushes Will tended and burned them all down. Many other childhood memories involved Will as well.

“Yes. I’m back. It’s been a while, Will.”

“Welcome home. The garden is always open to you, My Lady. Are you taking a walk right now?”

“Yes. But I also have something to ask you, Will.”

“Please, ask me anything. I’ll answer whatever you wish.”

The old gardener smiled kindly and bowed to Reinel. Thinking Will was just as he always had been, Reinel stepped closer to him.

Then, she picked up the stem of the broken flower.

“This flower, I’ve never seen it before. Did you plant it, Will?”

“Ah. You must mean the seedling Young Master Seiden brought. Yes, I received it and planted it in the garden.”

Looking at the broken stem, the gardener smiled gently. He seemed to know why the flower had been broken even without being told. Reinel calmly gathered her voice and spoke.

“I broke it myself……. There are hardly any flower varieties I haven’t seen, but this was new to me, so I picked it. Is there anywhere else you’ve planted it besides here?”

“Yes. I planted some around the lake over there. Would you like me to show you?”

“Yes. Thank you, Will. Please do.”

The old gardener led the way, and Reinel followed with quick steps. The path winding through fragrant flowers made her hurry along. The gardener walked confidently, never hesitating.

It took ten minutes for Reinel to reach the lakeside. The garden of the Estrid Earldom was so vast that there was a lake for summer recreation, and Reinel had made many memories there, so the scent of the lake water was familiar and welcome.

“Here it is. Since these flowers require a lot of water, those planted near the lake grow larger. Their fragrance is stronger, too.”

“That’s true……. What’s the name of this variety?”

“It’s called Kriashers. It gathers mana on its own and, when it blooms, produces magic stones. You can dig up the stones from the roots.”

‘I just liked the flower itself…… but to think it produces magic stones.’

Reinel thought she would have to dig up the magic stones around the flower she picked when she went back. Sensing her thoughts, Will spoke.

“The roots of the flower you picked should also have magic stones attached. I’ll dig them up and have Emily bring them to your room.”

“Yes. That sounds good.”

“Then I’ll do that.”

Will left Reinel in the fragrant spot and walked away. It was a considerate gesture, allowing the lady to enjoy herself alone. Reinel was grateful for Will’s thoughtfulness.

Reinel took off her shoes and dipped her feet into the lake. The cool water wrapped around her ankles, making her whole body feel refreshed. She sat on a rock by the lakeside and splashed the water.

As the afternoon sunlight grew stronger, the coolness seemed to double. Reinel reached out and touched the Kriashers flower. Its scent grew stronger, wafting up to her nose, and she enjoyed the deep fragrance while she continued to play in the water for a while.

‘If only Seiden was here, I would have splashed water everywhere and had fun with him.’

Since Seiden was away as part of a diplomatic delegation, it would take more than a month for him to return. Kayden could return quickly upon hearing news about Reinel, since he was fighting near a Mage Tower gate, but the Yurud Kingdom had little exchange with Mage Towers, so there were only a few gates installed there.

“So refreshing…….”

Reinel soaked her feet, reminiscing for a while. Memories of playing here with her brothers every summer came back vividly, and her eyes grew hot.

‘I keep tearing up……. I shouldn’t be such a crybaby…….’

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She regretted marrying against the wishes of her father and brothers. If she could go back, she would never have made that marriage. But the past couldn’t be changed, and Reinel was living in the present.

“At least I got divorced. That’s something. You did well, Reinel. You did well.”

She whispered to herself over and over, and the heat in her chest slowly faded. As she tried to calm herself with deep breaths, the shadows of the thick trees above her swayed.

As if comforting her, telling her it would be alright.

A gentle breeze blew, scattering Reinel’s hair. The cool air brushed past her ears and soothed her flushed skin. Reinel closed her eyes for a moment and enjoyed the wonderful flow of air.

How long had she kept her eyes closed?

Reinel slowly opened her eyes. The wind rippled the surface of the lake, sending waves across the water. Feeling that it would soon rain, Reinel stood up.

Her intuition proved correct, and raindrops began to fall, one by one, on her head. She covered her head with her arm and ran toward the entrance.

When she arrived, she saw a carriage she had never seen before and stopped in her tracks. It bore the Imperial crest, which piqued Reinel’s curiosity about the reason for this visit. But when she saw the figure stepping out of the carriage, her eyes widened.

“First Prince……?”