Every autumn, my grandmother would plant saplings she had obtained from the neighborhood.
My mother helped her without a word. I sat on the ground, watching the two of them.
“Why do you plant in the fall? Isn’t it better to plant in the spring?”
With a curious question, my grandmother smiled and replied.
“Every task has its right timing.”
“Right timing?”
“The best time to do something. Some trees start rooting busily from early spring. In winter, the ground is frozen, so if you plant the trees in the fall…”
“As soon as spring comes, the roots will start moving, right?”
“Correct! My granddaughter is quite the genius.”
Her dirt-covered hand playfully touched my nose.
“Every task has its right timing. If you don’t do what needs to be done then, the time that has passed will never return. That’s why I plant trees in the fall.”
“And planting trees in the fall is also a long-standing tradition of our tribe. After planting the trees in the fall and ensuring they survive the winter healthily, new life will sprout in the spring. Watching that, we also resolve to have a healthy and safe year.”
My mother continued my grandmother’s words.
“I don’t really understand what you mean.”
“Haha. You don’t have to understand yet. But remember this: people must leave traces behind. One tree must be planted in this world.”
“Why?”
“People and trees are similar. They firmly root themselves and grow, with the help of sunlight, water, and soil.”
“I still don’t get it.”
“Oh dear! I thought my granddaughter was a genius!”
At that time, I didn’t understand at all what my grandmother and mother were saying.
I just nodded my head and jumped up, determined to help, and busied myself with playing in the dirt.
So, what happened to the trees we planted back then?
“Serafina.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
I barely held onto my thoughts as Dante called me.
Anyway, the reason I chose to plant trees was that recalling that day made me smile for no reason.
I hoped the people of the Richter mansion had similar memories that brought smiles.
With such memories, even if autumn returned every year, we could face it with a smile.
Even if I were no longer here.
Instead of voicing his doubts, Dante agreed.
Still, the worry of ‘I promise not to overdo it’ lingered behind.
And so, the long-awaited day arrived.
“Alright. Everyone received a shovel, right?”
Those who expressed their willingness to participate gathered together, shovels in hand, and began digging the ground.
Among them were Marie and Sienna, Barhan and Markovs. And there was Ena too.
Some busily filled watering cans and poured water into each hole, while others took on the role of moistening the roots.
Perhaps because it was voluntary participation, everyone moved energetically with shining eyes, without any grumbling.
“I’m planting a tree for the first time in my life.”
“Will it grow well? I hope it does.”
“But what kind of tree is this?”
“I don’t know.”
Their cheerful chatter brought a smile to my face.
I searched for Marie and Sienna with my eyes.
Ah. There they are.
Fortunately, Marie and Sienna also had bright expressions for a change.
“Everyone is working hard. It looks nice, doesn’t it?”
Dante, who was helping with the tree planting among the crowd, nodded.
“Indeed. I never imagined I would see such a scene.”
“It’s all thanks to me, right?”
“Yes. It’s all thanks to Serafina.”
I really can’t even make a joke without it being taken seriously.
“Shall we plant a tree together? There’s an empty spot over there, and we have some saplings left.”
“Sounds good.”
I pulled Dante’s hand and headed toward the vacant area.
While I fetched the sapling that had been pre-soaked, Dante dug the hole.
“You need to water it well before planting. This tree must endure the winter and grow vigorously in the spring.”
After carefully planting the sapling in the hole, Dante covered it with soil.
We both stepped on the ground to make it firm.
Watching the young tree securely fixed in place filled me with pride.
“Last time, you looked curious about why I suggested planting trees, right?”
At my question, Dante’s eyes widened as if he had been hit right on target.
Haha. How cute.
I squatted in front of the small tree and began to speak.
“When I was young, my grandmother told me that autumn is the right time to plant trees.”
“Not spring, but autumn?”
He asked the same question I had as a child.
Haha. I chuckled and nodded, continuing.
“Yes. Some trees endure the winter and stretch their roots as soon as spring arrives. So, there are trees that need to be planted in the fall. The trees we’re planting now are all of that kind.”
“Ah.”
His short exclamation made me feel a bit smug.
In the end, I was just boasting because of my grandmother’s teachings.
“My grandmother said that everyone should plant at least one tree in their lifetime. That’s how you leave a trace in the world. Look. This will be our trace from now on.”
I pointed to the tree we had just planted and smiled.
“Even if I were to leave, this tree will remain here and grow strong. Doesn’t that feel a bit sentimental?”
……Hmm?
Not receiving a response, I awkwardly turned my head.
Dante was quietly looking at me. I could feel his blue eyes completely capturing me.
What’s this? Why is he looking at me like that?
Moreover, it felt strangely quiet around us…
When I glanced around, I noticed that everyone had fallen silent, watching me intently.
Could it be that they just heard everything?
Were they all focused on me while I was boasting?
……Oh my god.
Overwhelmed by rising embarrassment, I pressed my lips together and lowered my head.
Ah. I’m so embarrassed I could die.
Thus, the tree planting for those who get autumn blues ended with my face burning.
Oh, damn it.
Still, it was somewhat fun and fulfilling.
Yeah. That’s what matters.
I tried to suppress the rising embarrassment and reassured myself several times.
Then I decided to stop the unnecessary things and focus on something else.
Whether everyone gets autumn blues or not.
Thinking about it, it was a problem that would resolve itself in winter. It didn’t mean I had to step up and fulfill my duties as the hostess.
So, what could I do as the Duchess?
In fact, I didn’t really need to take the initiative. No one was pushing me to do so.
But while I had resolved to fulfill my duties as the hostess and help the male lead during my stay here, I felt uneasy that I hadn’t really done anything.
……What could I do to avoid an embarrassing situation like last time? I racked my brain.
“Ah. I’ve got it.”
As I pondered, a good idea came to me.
* * *
“You want to interact with the northern nobility?”
Barhan asked in surprise.
“More specifically, I want to interact with the noblewomen of the north.”
I called Barhan and expressed my desire to engage with the noblewomen of the north.
Barhan’s eyes sparkled, even though he was startled.
It was only natural.
From Dante’s side, this proposal wouldn’t be bad.
“There was the Count Viesa incident last time. I regretted it a bit. If I had interacted more with other northern nobles and shared stories, that incident might not have happened. And if we provide opportunities to gather and meet frequently, wouldn’t that strengthen the bonds in the north?”
“Yes. That’s right. That’s the right thing to do. However…”
“However?”
“I’m worried whether you can endure it with your stamina. I’m concerned that you might be overdoing it…”
He looked genuinely hesitant.
Anyone would think I was asking a sick person to work.
“Come on. I’m really healthy. There’s nothing to worry about. And anyway, it’s just a gathering where we drink tea and part ways, so what’s the big deal?”
Seeing his clear hesitation, I drooped my eyebrows.
“I know I’m lacking. Still, I want to be a support for Dante as a duchess. Is it really not possible?”
“What could possibly be impossible? I will speak to the Duke about it.”
“Wow! Thank you, Barhan.”
I gave Barhan a double thumbs up.
With this, I had made an ally.
Phew. I’m glad I talked to Barhan instead of going straight to Dante.
In these overly protective times, if I said I wanted to take on a task, everyone would likely rush to stop me.
Even Dante.
So, having someone to persuade alongside me felt reassuring.
If that someone was Barhan, even better.
There was a reason I was so eager to promote the ‘Northern Noblewomen’s Gathering.’'''