BEW 17

 “Actually, I don’t really like anyone else touching my garden. But, since it’s you, Duke, I’m making an exception.”

Before starting in earnest, I made sure to add a touch of gratitude.

“You might want to feel a bit touched.”

“It is touching.”

The flat tone of voice made it sound even more sincere.

“He’s accepting this. Truly, ‘crisp on the outside, tender on the inside.’”

With a small sigh of admiration, I began a brief lesson.

In reality, there wasn’t much to do.

In a not very large garden, what work could there be every day?

Honestly, it’s mostly about playing with the soil, pulling out weeds that stubbornly stick out, removing yellowed leaves, catching insects, checking the soil condition, applying fertilizer, and thinning out overly crowded plants.

After that, it’s just about harvesting appropriately grown plants, processing and drying them, juicing what needs juicing, and grinding what needs grinding.

Let’s see. What should I make the Duke do?

Since it’s his first time, I wanted to give him something a bit fun.

Hmm. If that’s the case...

“Today, we’ll harvest what’s needed and then water the plants. Also, if there are any bugs on the stems or in the soil, we’ll catch those too.”

“Yes. Understood. So, what should I harvest?”

“Hmm, first of all...”

As I stood beside him, pointing out this and that, Dante did well with the tasks I gave him.

His skills were surprisingly deft.

After all, he’s someone who protects the North and the Empire from monsters.

...Am I exploiting high-level talent too much?

Just then, I saw Dante killing a small bug trying to crawl up the stem with a neat strike of the trowel.

It felt like a waste of talent.

But, what can I do? It’s not like I forced him into this; he wanted to do it himself.

I’m not at fault.

Deciding to ignore it, I continued with my own tasks.

In fact, there wasn’t much for two people to do in a small garden, and since I had handed most of the tasks to Dante, I didn’t have much to do.

I was just fiddling with the soil aimlessly.

“Do you enjoy this, Duchess?”

“Are you asking if I’m challenging you to a duel? Are you subtly mocking me?”

The question slipped out reflexively, and Dante widened his eyes in surprise and shook his head.

Seeing his rare look of confusion, it didn’t seem like he was mocking me.

“I’m just asking because you always seem to enjoy it so much.”

“Hmm. Yes, I do enjoy it. I’ve always liked playing with soil and plants since I was young. I also like flowers.”

“...I guess you must have been disappointed coming to the barren North.”

“No. On the contrary, being in the North has reminded me of my love for nature.”

That’s truly the case.

When I lived as an earl’s daughter, I had completely forgotten what I liked.

No, I didn’t even have the chance to remember. I didn’t have time to like or love anything.

Behind me was a sheer cliff, and in front of me was the disapproving earl’s wife, the indifferent father, and the resentful half-sister.

In such an unhappy situation, liking something was a luxury.

Ah, a new shoot.

Among the stems I had thinned out a few days ago, a small new shoot was peeking out.

Small, cute, and commendable.

“Growing plants is about watching the seeds you planted in the soil you cultivated grow. When something takes root and grows healthily because of me, there’s nothing more satisfying. It feels like my traces are gradually increasing in this world.”

“Traces in the world?”

“Yes. Even if I leave, these will continue to take root here.”

Even if I divorce and leave, won’t Marcombs and Siena continue to take care of them?

That was the vague thought behind my words.

But.

“Why are you saying that?”

An unexpected question came back. I hadn’t expected a ‘why.’

As I stood speechless, Dante avoided my gaze.

What’s going on? What’s this about?

I couldn’t understand the series of emotions from the question to his actions.

Maybe our protagonist has a philosophical side after all.

Or should I interpret it more simply?

‘Why are you saying that?’

In other words, why do I want these things to remain even if I leave?

That seemed more plausible.

After all, when the original heroine arrives after I leave, she’d probably want to arrange the garden in her style.

Without me obsessing over the herb garden, there wouldn’t be a reason to keep it.

It’s not particularly great in terms of aesthetics.

Well, I’ll be planting a separate herb garden later anyway.

I smiled at Dante.

It meant he could do whatever he wanted with the garden later.

There was no response.

Dante gazed at me for a while, then rolled up his sleeves again and picked a flower.

Ah. That’s not something you should pick now!

---

Serpina thought Dante’s help in the garden would be a passing whim of the day.

But, Dante was waiting in front of the garden at the same time the next day.

“Duke?”

“What should we do today?”

It wasn’t just that day.

The next day, and the day after that.

Dante came out earlier than Serpina, waited in front of the garden, and when she arrived, sat down with her.

“What should we do today?”

He asked the same question as usual.

Seeing Dante seemed to enjoy it, Serpina worked in the garden with him.

Though she didn’t like borrowing other people’s help, it was fine with Dante, who was considerate and had a lot of anxiety.

On the contrary, she felt relieved that he seemed to have found a hobby that suited him.

Work-life balance is important, after all.

She even felt a bit proud for giving him a good hobby when he was awkward even at taking a breath.

Of course, she didn’t want to give up planting seeds.

It wasn’t just Serpina who was surprised.

“You’re out here again today.”

“Maybe it’s actually becoming a trend among nobles to do farm work?”

“It’s nice to see you both getting along so well. And with the Duke around, it seems like you won’t overwork yourself.”

“Wow. You’re just ignoring what I said.”

“Sorry, Siena. I didn’t find it worth responding to.”

Anyway.

Seeing the Duke and Duchess working together in the garden.

It was indeed an uncommon sight.

At first, the servants were astonished, but now they were getting used to the sight, just like when Serpina suddenly started cultivating the garden after isolating herself.

“But, doesn’t the Duke’s outfit look uncomfortable?”

After finishing the garden work and returning, Serpina’s question was met with nods from Mari and Siena.

“It does seem so. It’s definitely not the most comfortable outfit for labor.”

“What’s a comfortable outfit for working? I’d find a loose dress more comfortable and better…”

The outfit Dante was wearing seemed to scream discomfort every time he squatted.

Especially around the thighs.

With the contours of his firm muscles clearly visible through the fabric, it must be quite painful.

“If only there were work pants.”

“Work pants?”

“Something soft, stretchy, and with a relaxed waist.”

And if it had colorful patterns and floral designs, it would be perfect.

Oh, but.

“...”

Imagining Dante in work pants made me chuckle.

At over 190 cm tall.

With his muscles wrapped like armor.

Imagining such a city handsome man in work pants...

“I’d like to see that.”

“Huh?”

“It seems like it would suit him surprisingly well and look cute. I think I’ll have to make some work-specific clothes.”

“Hmm. Should I ask Marcombs about that?”

“Marcombs?”

“Yes. As a gardener, he should know about comfortable workwear.”

Oh. That’s a good idea.

“That’s a good thought. Then please take care of that.”

“Yes, leave it to me!”

Siena answered energetically, and behind her, Mari came into the room.

She had come to announce that lunch was ready.

“I’ll be right there.”

Originally, I used to have a simple lunch in my room, but recently, I’d been eating in the dining room.

It was because Dante suggested having lunch together.

Come to think of it, it seems like I’ve been spending more time with the Duke lately?

Maybe Dante is also feeling a bit more comfortable with me. Of course, I was the one who initiated it first.

Anyway.

I felt proud that we had become quite close.

Feeling like we were moving beyond the bad relationship that left only trauma and scars?

If this continues, we might stay friends.

Entering the dining room with a light step, I saw Dante, who had arrived early.

Wow. He’s quick again today.

“You’re early? Good lunch, Duke.”

“Good lunch.”

“Wow. Today’s meal looks quite extravagant.”

The table was packed with food.

It was a sight that was new each time but had become quite familiar recently.

For the past few days, we had been having lavish lunches that made the table almost bend.

“It doesn’t have to be this much.”

“No! That’s not possible!”

As I mumbled absentmindedly, Ena, who had come out of the kitchen, strongly objected. She was holding yet another plate in her hand. Ena, who had personally brought the food, glanced around the already crowded dining table and squeezed the plate between the other dishes, almost as if wedging it in. This was turning into a packed train of food. When I looked at her with an exasperated expression, Ena muttered with a downcast look. “I’d love to serve more, but the table’s too small. It’s a shame.” “Would it be better to get a bigger table then?” the Duke asked. “That would be wonderful, Your Grace!” “Enough. If you make it any bigger, I’ll just eat in my room from now on.” At my firm response, both of them fell silent. Why did they both look so genuinely disappointed?