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“I want to make sure you have a hearty dinner too, but you said it makes you feel bloated, so it’s a bit disappointing. If it were up to me, I’d want to prepare three meals a day, all lavishly…”
Ena left the dining room with a lingering regret.
Ever since I had been ill, she seemed to have taken on a responsibility for the food.
But, if my stomach was hurting, overeating should be avoided even more.
Is this a twisted form of love?
Ah, but the food is incredibly delicious.
As I ate while thinking these thoughts, the food went into my mouth in a daze.
Even though I was full, it was so tasty that I kept eating. If I end up ill again, it’ll be Ena’s fault.
After finishing the meal and having some tea for a palate cleanser...
“Duke, can I ask you something seriously?”
Dante, who had been about to drink his tea, paused.
He could have just kept drinking, but...
The tea cup that had been hovering in mid-air was set back down on its saucer.
Seeing Dante nodding seriously, I also took a serious tone and asked.
“What do you think about expanding our garden a bit?”
“...That’s your serious question?”
“Yes. I’m very, very serious right now. So, what do you think about expanding the garden? Would it look too unsightly?”
“No. Do as you wish.”
“Oh, you’re so cool.”
“What does ‘cool’ mean?”
“It means you’re awesome, with a quick response. Duke, you’re awesome.”
Seeing Dante avert his gaze while I gave him a thumbs-up with no enthusiasm, I thought he might be feeling embarrassed.
So cute.
He continued speaking while avoiding my gaze.
“Deciding how to arrange the garden is originally the mistress’s responsibility, so you don’t need to ask for permission.”
“Well, that’s true.”
I knew that from the explanation I got from Barhan when we first made the garden.
But there was a reason I asked Dante for permission.
The new plot of land was to be...
“Alright, then I’ll give that plot to you, Duke.”
“To me?”
“Yes. It seems like you’ve developed a taste for farming... I thought it might be good for you to cultivate your own plot and take care of it. What do you think? It should be fun, right?”
Dante was silent for a moment.
What’s going on? Does he not find it fun?
I thought it couldn’t be, since he had been consistently coming out and working hard. That’s definitely an attitude of someone who loves gardening.
Sure enough.
“Yes. It does sound fun.”
I knew it.
“Growing plants has a subtle touch to it and is quite addictive. It’s good for doing something without thinking too much.”
“That’s true. It seems like distracting thoughts disappear while touching the soil.”
“That’s the charm of soil and plants. And herb cultivation is a hobby that suits you very well, Duke.”
“...Everyone seemed horrified.”
His murmured voice was calm. Who made our protagonist feel so deflated?
But I couldn’t pinpoint who.
As Dante said, everyone who saw him sitting and weeding next to me was horrified.
“D-Duke is weeding…!”
Well. It’s quite a sight. Which Duke would be weeding his own garden?
From the perspective of a servant, seeing the CEO weeding the garden would probably make their heart race.
I’d probably be shocked too, thinking, ‘What’s he doing?’
Of course, I have no room to say anything in the role of the CEO’s wife weeding.
Tsk.
“When I first sold land to plant herbs, everyone was horrified too. Is everyone a bit too weak-hearted? Seems like there’s a lot of unnecessary worry.”
“...”
When I looked up due to the lack of response, I saw Dante’s face stiffened.
I couldn’t guess at which point he had stiffened, so I decided to just ignore it.
It seems the Northern Duke’s thought process is a bit different from others.
Recently, everyone who saw me only showed wistful expressions.
Well. This is why gardening fits Dante so well.
“Farming, or rather, gardening, is a hobby that helps with mental healing. For someone with a lot of work, worries, and stress like you, it’s the perfect hobby. So, honestly, I was happy.”
“Happy?”
“Yes. I felt happy that you seemed to find a hobby that could heal your harsh daily life.”
Dante was silent again.
But this time, I could tell his emotions without needing a verbal response.
The tips of his ears, newly exposed from his hair, were very slightly reddened.
Haha.
“So, whether I’m here or not, I hope you continue to cultivate the garden. If it becomes too difficult, growing something small like potted plants is also good.”
It was sincere.
To take care of our garden and, by the way, to relieve stress through farming.
Even though I’m leading it now, if he keeps at it, he’ll be able to tend to the garden on his own.
No, it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t know everything.
There will be people to teach him even if I leave the mansion.
“You can ask Marcombs if you don’t know something. Or, Siena is also good. Oh, and Barhan knows a lot and could teach you well.”
Listing them out made me feel very secure.
Although they’re bothersome advisors to me, they would be a great help to Dante.
“It’s good to have many people around to help.”
“There won’t be any such thing.”
...Why does he speak like that?
A firm denial followed the sincere words.
Why such a firm denial?
Making people feel embarrassed.
“...Why, why is that?”
Feeling a bit intimidated, I asked, and again, Dante gave a firm response.
“Your help alone is enough for me.”
Enough with just me...?
Ah, I see!
Only then did I understand the protagonist’s emotional line. I thought he was just a soft exterior with a tough interior...
He’s actually quite proud?
It seems like my suggestion to ask others for help might have sounded like I was implying he had many shortcomings.
Hehe.
And later, when he regrets it because of the heroine, he’ll give up everything, including his pride, and do somersaults without hesitation.
This seems to be a characteristic of the protagonist, which made me smile.
I nodded with a satisfied smile.
Ah, Dante was troubled.
Seeing Serpina frequently talking about a future where he wouldn’t be there made his heart heavy.
He had hoped for the best as her condition seemed to improve recently, but hearing her speak of an end...
“So, whether I’m here or not, I hope you continue to cultivate the garden.”
“And it’s good to have many people around to help.”
The saddest part was that she said it with a smile, as if it were nothing.
As if she wouldn’t show any sign of pain, death, or a vague future.
“Is there any news from Hetterson?”
“Nothing significant has changed yet.”
“Again?”
“We can’t blame him. Incurable diseases are like that.”
Right. Barhan was right.
Getting angry at Hetterson would just be picking on the wrong person.
In the end, there was only one thing he could do again.
Quietly watch over Serpina’s side.
“Yes. It seemed like you found a hobby that could heal your harsh daily life. I was happy.”
Her kind voice echoed in his mind.
A few days later.
“Duke, this is a gift from me.”
Serpina presented a gift box with a face full of expectation.
“What’s the occasion today?”
“There’s no special occasion. If I want to give a gift, I just do it. Hurry up and open it.”
It had been a while since receiving a gift from someone.
The Richter family wasn’t the type to celebrate anniversaries with great detail.
Especially since my brother’s death, there had been no one to give me anything.
A cursed and isolated soul of the North wouldn’t be receiving gifts.
So, I felt a little nervous.
It was similar to the pleasant nervousness of encountering something unfamiliar.
Finally, when Dante opened the box and saw the gift...
“...?”
He doubted his eyes.
What is this?
Inside was clothing. Yes, clothing. But it had an unusual aura.
A loosely designed outfit with moderate elasticity. Waist straps for adjustment.
And a bright floral pattern that was striking.
“What is this?”
“It’s workwear for gardening. Comfortable and stylish. I have one too.”
Ta-da.
Serpina proudly displayed the pants she had hidden behind her back.
It was a pair of pants identical to Dante’s, except for the color.
Siena, peeking out from the side of the pants, gave a sly smile.
“It’s specially custom-made, so there are only two in the world. Well, all noble clothes are custom-made, but still. How is it? Do you like it?”
Hmm, oh, ah, um.
The answer didn’t come easily.
Whether I liked it or not, it was complicated.
I was grateful for the gift. Especially since it was custom-made, I was even more thankful.
But imagining myself wearing it while working was quite disturbing.
Just imagining it made me feel like I’d have nightmares tonight.
What to do?
Seeing her eyes shining so brightly, it felt like I absolutely had to wear it.
It became twice as distressing.
But, just for a moment.
A faint smile appeared on my tightly closed lips.
I could picture Serpina working diligently in the same floral pants while I squatted and worked.
“Ah, you’re smiling. You liked it, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I really like it.”
“I knew it. Now your thighs are free too. Congratulations.”
Without even knowing what the congratulations were, Dante simply replied, “Thank you. ”
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