“Pardon?”

At the sharp glint in Viscount Nielsen’s eyes, I flinched slightly. But he simply let out a hearty laugh and continued in his smooth, easygoing voice.

“For someone who lived in Belvo, life in Meldorf must feel rather dull. But it’s fortunate that you’ve found enjoyment in gardening.”

“…You could tell?”

“Otherwise, it would be difficult to cultivate such a diverse array of plants. There are flowers, of course, but also herbs—are you growing these for personal use?”

With that, Viscount Nielsen crouched down right in my vegetable patch and began inspecting my beloved greens.

Sensing that his curiosity was not just casual, I lowered my guard slightly and asked cautiously,

“Are you also interested in plant cultivation, Viscount?”

“There isn’t a single Norhart official who isn’t. The climate in the North is harsh, so researching what can be grown is part of our duty.”

Oh, I see. I nodded in understanding.

“We cultivate a wide variety of medicinal plants as well. Some of Norhart’s specialties include various herbs.”

“Ah, I see…”

Viscount Nielsen’s eyes narrowed slightly. He seemed to be expecting a different reaction from me, but I had little interest in things I couldn’t eat.

“By the way, that watering can is quite beautiful.”

“Ah, this one.”

Now that I thought about it, the gardener had mentioned that he only expected something like this to sell in Norhart.

“Apparently, it has a weight-reduction enchantment. When I came to Meldorf and decided to start a vegetable patch, I called in a gardener to buy various supplies, and I got this then.”

“A gardener?”

“Yes. Embarrassing as it is, this is my first time tending a vegetable garden, so I bought all my seedlings and seeds from a gardener at once.”

At the sharp gleam in Viscount Nielsen’s eyes, I found myself awkwardly confessing despite having done nothing wrong.

Perhaps sensing my discomfort, Viscount Nielsen quickly offered a genial smile.

This was no time to be feeling each other out for camaraderie. I let out a small sigh and handed the watering can to Mathias.

“Since we have a guest, I’ll head in first. You see the ones that haven’t been watered yet, right?”

“Yes, and the ones over there should be watered in the evening, so I’ll leave them for now, right?”

“Right. Be careful not to get water on the leaves.”

“Leave it to me!”

While the Grand Duke had been busy forcibly inserting me into Angie’s life, Mathias had somehow become a master gardener.

“Shall we head inside?”

“Oh dear, I dropped by unannounced, yet you’re setting aside time for me. It’s an honor.”

“Ma! Ma!”

Noticing that I had finished in the garden, Angie, who had been in the nanny’s arms, began waving her hands at me.

She wanted me to hold her immediately.

“Ah, Angie! I just need to talk to this gentleman for a moment; then I’ll come right back. Stay with Mathias for a bit.”

“Mmm! Ma!”

Angie let out a firm cry, as if demanding to be taken along, but that wasn’t possible. Viscount Nielsen was surely here to discuss the Grand Duke’s absurd marriage proposal, and there was nothing good about Angie being present for that.

Not that a four-month-old baby would genuinely understand, of course.

“Mmm! Na! A!”

I quickly shot Viscount Nielsen an apologetic glance and rushed over to Angie.

“Angie, I’m sorry. I’ll be quick. Play with the nanny for a little while, okay?”

“Shh, shh!”

“Yes, just for a little bit. I’ll be back soon. This gentleman is waiting, okay?”

“That’s right. Lady Odelia is busy, so shall we wait patiently here?”

“Yes. Once the gentleman leaves, I’ll stay with you the whole time.”

“Shh, hng…”

Seeing that I was resolute, Angie reluctantly seemed to accept it.

Feeling a small sense of triumph at my successful discipline, I turned to Viscount Nielsen with a light smile.

“Shall we go quickly? As you can see, the Grand Duchess is watching.”

“Indeed, she seems very attached to you.”

Judging by the warm smile on Viscount Nielsen’s face, he, too, seemed to view the marriage proposal favorably.

‘Wait, I thought you were the normal one…?’

***

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

Once again, we were in the modest blue-roofed mansion’s parlor. I spoke up as soon as Mila had set the tea and left.

“I have no intention of leaving Meldorf.”

“That was quite decisive.”

Viscount Nielsen’s expression clouded with discomfort. Whether he liked it or not, his duty was to fulfill his liege’s wishes.

But I had no intention of yielding either.

“As you know, while my coming to Meldorf was akin to exile, I’ve grown quite fond of this home…”

“Indeed. If I had cultivated such a beautiful garden, I’d find it hard to leave as well.”

Viscount Nielsen smiled, but there was undoubtedly something more behind it.

“Moreover, does His Grace not already have a woman he holds dear?”

“A woman…?”

“I’m talking about Angie’s birth mother.”

I observed Viscount Nielsen’s expression closely.

The Grand Duke had claimed that Angie’s mother was dead, but just because someone dies doesn’t mean emotions vanish.

‘Maybe it was just a one-night affair. Maybe that cold-hearted man has already forgotten her. But how should I know? If I choose to believe it, that’s that.’

It was an excellent excuse. Concealing my satisfaction, I put on an expression of regret.

“I am alone in the world, searching for a husband to share my future with. I cannot accept someone who already holds another woman in his heart. I need someone I can rely on through love.”

I fully utilized Odelia’s features to craft the most wistful, delicate smile I could.

“Of course, His Grace is the perfect groom in many ways. It’s just that our circumstances don’t align…”

Viscount Nielsen’s sharp gaze bore into me from behind his teacup.

“So, you mean to say that you cannot accept His Grace because he harbors feelings for another?”

“Noble marriages are not dictated by love alone, but if there is not only no love but affection for another…”

“Lady Odelia.”

Viscount Nielsen set down his teacup, cutting me off.

“On my honor as Franz Nielsen—I can state with certainty that His Grace has never held feelings for another woman in his life.”

“But Angie is clearly…”

“His Grace can explain that himself.”

“Explain… what do you mean?”

“The situation is quite different from what you may be imagining. However, since it is a secret of Norhart, I cannot reveal it carelessly. If you become part of Norhart, His Grace will gladly explain everything.”

Viscount Nielsen once again smiled warmly.

If no love was involved, wasn’t it just a one-night stand? Should I have said that I dislike promiscuous men?

Nielsen’s cryptic words made my long-forgotten migraine seem to resurface.

***

“My Lady, My Lady! His Grace the Grand Duke has arrived!”

Hearing Mila’s voice as she ran toward me, her orange ponytail bouncing, I sighed.

‘…So, he’s finally come today.’

It had been three days since Viscount Nielsen’s visit.

For some reason, the Grand Duke hadn’t shown up at all during that time.

Thanks to that, I enjoyed peaceful days, which had been entirely satisfactory.

[To Odelia, the one who has stolen my heart.

I hope you spent the night peacefully.

My longing for you and our child, Angie, is enough to fill the entire Eugène River, but circumstances have prevented me from leaving the castle.

In my regret, I send you these few lines, hoping you will not be angry with me.

With love,

Your captive, Cedrion Norhart.]

That absurd letter was undoubtedly a problem.

‘Is he planning to use this as some kind of evidence later? What is this ridiculous pretense?’

Shuddering at the thought, I stepped out to greet him, unaware of the spectacle awaiting me.

“My dear, have you been well? I wished to visit you countless times a day, but circumstances would not allow it.”

The Grand Duke, impeccably dressed as always, recited his lines like they had been fed to him. Just like last time, he took my hand and kissed it.

As I stood there, captivated by the elegance of his movements, he raised his head and smiled.

It was a strangely natural smile.

‘Did he… take special training just for this?’

I cleared my throat, trying to hide the sudden warmth in my face.

“Ahem… If you’re busy, there’s no need to force yourself to visit.”

“But I miss you terribly when I don’t see you for too long.”

“…….”

“And I fear Angie might forget her father’s face.”

Still bent forward, he gazed up at me with a gentle voice.

As my heart pounded against my will, I quickly averted my gaze—only to notice figures hidden in his overwhelming presence.

One was Viscount Nielsen. Beside him was…

“Lady, have you been well? Your garden has become truly magnificent!”

With a cheerful smile, the middle-aged man greeted me—it was the gardener I had met while setting up my garden.

“What brings you here…?”

“The Grand Duke invited me to accompany him so I could provide insight into what you hold most dear—your garden.”

So the Grand Duke had chosen my garden as his means of persuasion.

I shot a sharp glare at Viscount Nielsen.

I hadn’t taken him for this kind of person—wasn’t this a bit much?

‘It’s a matter of my salary!’

Viscount Nielsen did his best to evoke my sympathy with a look of pure devotion.

‘Didn’t he say everyone in the north is interested in agriculture because of the harsh climate? What was that about?’

Realizing I had been lured into giving away information under the pretense of shared interests, I swore never to be deceived again. Then, I led the guests into the drawing room.

***

“Your Grace.”

“Cedrion.”

“…Fine, Cedrion. Would you care to explain why you brought a gardener with you?”

Perhaps the Grand Duke answered readily because I finally called him by his name.

“I intend to renovate the Grand Duke’s castle for your sake.”

“…What?”

Startled by his matter-of-fact tone, I glared at Viscount Nielsen, who only gestured for me to listen.

“This is the current layout of the castle.”

With a flick of his palm, a three-dimensional image of the Grand Duke’s castle appeared like a hologram.

‘Oh, right… he can use magic.’

Because of his reputation as the battlefield’s mad swordsman, I had nearly forgotten that he was also a descendant of the great mage, Arcado.

The floating projection expanded, casting a shadow over the drawing-room table.

“This is the main castle. The building at the front is the outer palace, where official affairs are conducted.”

As he spoke, the respective structures glowed in different colors.

“And this is the central courtyard of the inner palace, traditionally designed as a garden for the Grand Duchess.”

The vast space within the U-shaped buildings blinked lush green.

At its center stood an elegant fountain, surrounded by carefully arranged trees and marble statues in a radial pattern.

Then, with a sharp snap of his fingers—

“I plan to clear this space and create a vegetable garden just for you.”

The projection instantly transformed, replacing the lavish scenery with a humble, self-sustaining vegetable patch that filled the entire courtyard.