Holy power is typically present from birth, and every citizen of the empire undergoes a test to detect it at a certain age. If the test had been conducted, it should have been impossible not to identify the person.

“What do you mean…?”

“It seems the priests are focusing on searching among children, but I don’t think the person who moved it is a child. Perhaps their holy power manifested late.”

“So, are you suggesting we find this person first?”

“You catch on quickly. If we secure someone with holy power, they could be an asset to our side, don’t you think?”

***

Three days had passed since Kyron and I had spoken. As expected, three days was extremely short. I had hoped he might not return, claiming he hadn’t finished his work, but there was no word of any delay.

Did he really manage to get everything done in just three days?

“His Grace is arriving shortly.”

I was taking a walk in the garden, as the weather had warmed up considerably, when a maid approached to inform me of Kyron’s imminent arrival.

“Yes, I see.”

“Um… My Lady, will you perhaps…?”

“No, I won’t be going out to greet him.”

The walk from the garden to the mansion’s entrance was too far. I would see him soon enough anyway.

I continued my walk, intending to visit the greenhouse I had entered last time to admire the plants.

The small greenhouse was filled with greenery.

Just as I arrived, the gardener tending to the plants approached me.

“My Lady, what brings you here?”

“I just wanted to look around. I’m also curious if there’s a good plant I could place in my room.”

“Ah, the saplings you mentioned last time are growing well here in the greenhouse. The flowers you spoke of will soon bloom and adorn the garden as spring arrives.”

I paused for a moment, trying to recall what he was referring to. After a short while, I remembered.

These were the plants from her hometown that Ekette had asked the gardener for months ago, out of longing for home. They were familiar plants and flowers she had often seen growing up.

After marrying and moving to the capital, where she knew no one, Ekette had no one to rely on.

Neither the nobles of her age nor her husband. In the end, the only thing Ekette could lean on wasn’t a person but plants—plants that reminded her of home.

She wanted to experience the joy of nurturing and caring for even small plants. It was one of the few small pleasures that could brighten her dull daily life.

“Are there any plants among them that would be suitable for keeping in my room?”

“Yes, would you like to take a look?”

“Yes, I’d like to see them.”

“I’ll bring some over right away.”

The gardener left briefly to fetch the plants.

It was while I was waiting for him.

“The weather has warmed up. Spring must be on its way.”

When I turned around, Kyron was standing in front of me. He was removing his gloves, appearing as though he had come straight here.

“Oh? You’re already back?”

“It seems you’ve always come to greet me in the past.”

Ekette had always gone out to send him off or greet him at the entrance.

“Why didn’t you come out today?”

“As you can see, I was already walking in the garden, and it’s too far to walk all the way there. But why did you come all the way here?”

“Would you be upset if I said I came to see my wife?”

As if you ever paid attention to me when I came out to greet you.

I almost retorted sharply, but the gardener returned at just the right moment.

“My Lady, here is the plant.”

The gardener showed me a small flowerpot. The plant had round, small leaves adorably attached to its slender stems.

“What’s that?”

Kyron seemed interested in the plant the gardener had brought.

“This is a plant the Lady said she would like to keep in her room. It’s also a plant commonly found in her hometown of Avriel.”

Her hometown, Avriel, was located at the southernmost tip of the empire. It wasn’t a place one could easily visit in just a day or two from the capital. Going there required a firm commitment to a long journey.

Moreover, Kyron was not the kind of person who would allow me to undertake such a long trip. My health was also a concern, and it was obvious that he wouldn’t like the idea of the Duchess being away from the Duke’s estate for an extended period.

Since visiting my hometown was difficult, Ekette’s desire was to at least keep a plant in her room.

“Your hometown…”

Kyron muttered the word “hometown,” almost like he was repeating it to himself.

“You want to keep this in your room?”

“Yes. I thought it would be nice to have something lively in the room.”

I thought my concise answer explained it well enough, but Kyron didn’t seem satisfied.

“…Do you miss your hometown that much?”

Instead of thinking about how much I missed my hometown, I wondered if I had ever told Kyron that I wanted to visit it.

I didn’t think I had.

Yet Kyron looked as if he were peering into a wound, his expression darkening.

“Why are you asking all of a sudden?”

“Because it’s a plant from Avriel.”

“Well, if I’m going to keep one, I’d prefer a plant I’m familiar with.”

I answered lightly, then took the flowerpot the gardener handed me. However, even after I left the greenhouse, Kyron remained standing there, lost in thought.

***

The first day of the festival was approaching.

On the first day, there was an opening event to mark the start of the festival, which high-ranking nobles were expected to attend.

In the original story, Kyron, who wasn’t in the capital, couldn’t attend, so I had gone alone. But this time, with Kyron by my side, we were going together.

Naturally, I knew the correct starting time for the event.

In the original story, I had received a letter with the wrong time due to someone’s prank, but this time, I had double-checked everything in advance.

Kyron and I finished preparing and headed to the street where the festival was taking place.

The scenery of the streets was different from what I had seen a few days ago. During the preparation period, it had been chaotic, but now all the booths and stages were neatly arranged.

Since the opening event was attended by royalty and high-ranking nobles, the area near the venue was heavily guarded and under strict control.

The Emperor’s opening ceremony was to be held on a large platform prepared near the operations headquarters.

In front of the platform, chairs were set up for the nobles, and behind the nobles’ area was a section where commoners could stand. The two areas were separated by a low barricade. This was a world where social classes existed, after all.

The commoners’ section wasn’t strictly for commoners; anyone could stand there.

However, the seats for the nobles were reserved exclusively for those on the invitation list. Only nobles like Kyron and me could sit there.

Even if someone was a noble, they couldn’t sit there without being on the list.

“We still have time. Shall we look around?”

It was Kyron’s suggestion.

“Sure.”

“Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

“Hmm… How about that booth? It seems crowded. It must be popular.”

“Let’s check it out.”

We headed to a crowded booth not far from the event venue.

When we got closer, we saw that it was a booth selling exotic food.

Opportunities to try foreign cuisine were rare, so it seemed curiosity had drawn the crowd.

“There are too many people. Should we go somewhere else?”

It would be troublesome if my illness flared up in such a crowded and cramped space.

“If that’s what you want, let’s go somewhere else.”

But just as we were about to turn away, a commotion erupted from inside the booth.