Cedrion spoke deliberately as if trying to etch his words into my mind.

“However… since this is a marriage involving Norhart, it requires royal approval.”

Perhaps because I had lost so many memories, Cedrion kindly explained the common knowledge of this world to me.

“Is it impossible without approval?”

“Given Lure’s situation and the royal decree restricting Norhart, we have to at least pretend to respect the procedure.”

Judging by his displeased tone, it seemed that in normal circumstances, simply notifying them under the guise of seeking approval would have sufficed.

“So, the engagement only takes effect once the approval is granted.”

“That’s right. Right now, we are only promised to each other in spirit.”

I interpreted his use of “spirit” as “in writing.”

“Which means I cannot reveal the secrets of Norhart to you until our engagement is official.”

Cedrion hesitated briefly, as if choosing his words carefully, then continued.

“Instead, ask me something I can tell you.”

“For example…?”

“Like what Odelia Lure was like when she was eight years old. I can tell you that even before our engagement.”

Though his voice carried a playful tone, his golden eyes were unusually solemn, as if Odelia’s eighth year held immense significance.

If there was anything to say about Odelia at that age, it could only be one thing.

“Does it have anything to do with Prince Michael monitoring me?”

“Yes.”

“……”

I had suspected as much, but hearing such a direct confirmation left me stunned.

“…I’ll think about it.”

Cedrion raised an eyebrow as if dissatisfied with my response.

“I just don’t see how knowing that now would help me. My father is already imprisoned in the Coffin of Atonement.”

And I am as good as dead.

Cedrion’s attitude made it clear that my childhood and Lure’s treasonous conspiracy were closely linked.

For example, perhaps in exchange for covering up the incident, Odelia had been chosen as the crown princess.

But I couldn’t be sure if digging into that past was truly better than spending the remainder of my life in Norhart, building memories with Angie under the care of its people.

“I know I may seem foolish to you for hesitating.”

“There is no scenario in which Odelia Lure would appear foolish to me. But at least, it seems you are willing to listen to me now. That is enough.”

“…I can’t deny that.”

Cedrion’s lips stretched into something resembling a smile.

“By the way, about the engagement ceremony…”

I bit my lip as I recalled my recent thoughts about Michael.

‘No matter how curious I am about the original male lead, if his history with Odelia runs this deep… It wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.’

When I didn’t continue, Cedrion furrowed his brow slightly.

“You’re worried about the royal family attending, aren’t you?”

“Hearing what you’ve said, I feel even more certain that I shouldn’t meet him.”

“If he had any sense of shame, he wouldn’t come. But whether or not he has any is something I cannot say.”

Cedrion’s voice, when speaking of “that man,” carried the same biting sarcasm he had used when ridiculing his poor magic skills before.

…Avoiding Michael seemed like the right choice.

Before I even realized it, I had come to trust Cedrion’s judgment regarding my safety.

“I will do everything I can.”

His firm voice fell over me like a promise.

***

The vegetable garden construction continued into the afternoon. The laborers spent the entire morning digging deep holes in the garden, after which Cedrion traveled to the blue-roofed mansion and brought the vegetable garden over in its entirety.

‘Magic really is amazing…’

I couldn’t contain my awe as a perfectly cut rectangular mass of soil suddenly appeared in the grand duchy’s rear garden.

Once the cultivated soil, preserved through magic, was placed into the prepared pits lined with compost, the laborers filled the gaps with soil, completing the replanting process.

“Don’t forget the fertilizer! This area looks a bit sparse—pile it on!”

The gardener, determined to sell as much fertilizer as possible, meticulously supervised the workers.

“Hey there, it’s been a while! Have you been doing well? Have you been drinking plenty of water and soaking up enough sunlight?”

Meanwhile, I flitted among them, making up for the past two days by greeting my little green companions all at once. I was clad in a newly purchased apron-style work outfit and boots from the gardener.

“Oh no, look how wilted you are. You must have been short on water. I’ll give you plenty once we finish moving.”

“Meow.”

“And how did you end up injured here? This place should be safer than where you were before, so don’t worry anymore.”

“Miyaang.”

“That’s right. Even a cat like this won’t be able to harm you now.”

“Nyaa.”

Perhaps sensing the gardener’s arrival, the calico cat had also joined me at some point, accompanying me as I made my rounds through the plants.

Meanwhile, Cedrion followed behind me, holding up a parasol, looking somewhat… embarrassed by my behavior.

“Do those plants really understand you?”

“What’s wrong with showing them some love? There’s no harm in—ugh.”

Just as I was about to snap at his teasing, I suddenly felt dizzy.

A wave of anemia made my vision spin, and I staggered.

“That’s why… you shouldn’t be doing this when you’re unwell.”

Cedrion’s large hand swiftly caught my frail arm, steadying me.

‘I almost collapsed again. I really shouldn’t keep doing this…….’

Time and again, I managed to avoid an embarrassing situation thanks to Cedrion’s quick reflexes, but I couldn’t afford to appear any weaker than just frail.

“You already have your hands full taking care of Angie. Work like this……”

“All I do is water the plants. Mathias does all the heavy lifting.”

“…Who?”

“My knight.”

For a moment, Cedrion’s grip on my arm tightened.

His golden eyes seemed to glint coldly. Feeling an odd need to explain, I quickly added,

“I’ll bring Mathias tomorrow and properly take care of it, so……”

“Come with me.”

As Cedrion tugged my arm toward him, his face suddenly came very close.

Thump, thump, thump—my heartbeat quickened. I needed Angie.

“I don’t care if you tend to these plants twenty times a day, just come with me.”

“Nyaa.”

Somewhere in the distance, the cry of the calico cat echoed faintly.

***

“My lady, don’t be surprised! Tada!”

“…Oh my god.”

“It really looks just like your old room, doesn’t it?”

After the transplanting work was nearly finished and the workers had all returned to Mildorf, I stepped into the Grand Duchess’s chambers and couldn’t help but gasp—not in admiration, but in shock.

“The curtains, the bedding….”

“It’s all just like your room, isn’t it?”

Cedrion had said he would ensure my comfort while publicly announcing our engagement, and true to his word, he had decorated the room to resemble the one in the Blue-Roofed Manor.

Of course, as a room traditionally used by Grand Duchesses, it still had its share of golden candlesticks and jewel-encrusted ornaments, but…

“The color of the valance, the pleated drapes on the outer curtains, the embroidered polka-dot muslin on the inner curtains—even the silk patterns on the bedding are identical to yours! And look at this console and mirror!”

Mila chattered excitedly, unable to contain her enthusiasm.

She was right. The bed, the console, the bedding—every item in the room was an exact replica of what I had in the Blue Roofed Manor.

That is, they had all been newly made.

“Norhart really does have everything, doesn’t it?”

Of course not.

Silently, I apologized to the unknown craftsmen of Norhart.

‘I’m sorry to all the seamstresses and furniture artisans of Norhart….’

It was obvious that these had been crafted from scratch in the few days since I had accepted the engagement.

By the time I returned to the east wing after spending the day outside, the move was already complete, and all my belongings from the guest room had been transferred here.

A proper move-in, was finished in precisely three days.

It had taken two days to create new furnishings and decor identical to my old room, and one more day to arrange everything we brought from the Blue Roofed Manor.

“Maa, Umwa!”

“Hmm, Angie. Do you like your new room?”

“Dooaaahh!”

I scooped up Angie as she bounced excitedly, gripping the rail of her crib.

The furniture arrangement was exactly the same as in my old room—except this room was more than five times larger.

The only difference was that one side of the room had been set up for Angie.

A crib completed just yesterday, a low daybed where she could lounge or roll around as much as she pleased, and an array of extravagant toys that Cedrion had been bringing over…

“Angie, you’re so lucky. The wonderful people of Norhart have set up such a lovely space just for you.”

“Nnnoo!”

“You’re already being loved so much in Norhart. I’m so happy for you.”

“Nnnoo!”

Angie shook her head vigorously, as if she actually understood.

Ah, this cuteness—it melted away all the exhaustion from the day.

‘No matter what Angie was born with or without, to me, she’s just my adorable, precious Angie.’

Whatever abilities she might have, they would be Cedrion’s responsibility to nurture since he’d be with her far longer than I would.

Once the engagement was finalized and I uncovered Norhart’s secrets, I could acknowledge Cedrion as her father without hesitation, and my role would be complete.

Yes, complete…

Thinking about the ‘end’ made me feel strangely melancholic. Was it because of the kindness I’d received in Norhart? Because of the death that awaited me? Because of Angie? Or perhaps…

‘…Cedrion is only being good to me because I’ve lost my memories. Above all, it’s because of his childhood connection with Odelia.’

Sensing my sudden shift in mood, Angie’s tiny hands pressed against my cheeks.

“Nnoo.”

“What do you mean, ‘no’? Hmm?”

“Aangamddeee.”

“Huh?”

“Nyaaang itoo.”

Her delicate golden eyes shone as she babbled with conviction.

I didn’t understand the words, but it felt like she was comforting me. So, I planted a deep kiss on her soft little cheek.

“My Angie is so smart. Are you cheering up your sister?”

A sweet giggle bubbled out of her in response.