Episode 38
Arms stretched wide, one leg slightly lifted. His expression was solemn, like a general heading into war.
‘Oh dear. It’s been a while since he did that.’
I whispered quietly into Grandma’s ear.
“He’s playing scarecrow… He probably thinks he is a scarecrow right now. He likes it…”
“Huh?”
Grandma looked over the empty garden bed with a puzzled expression.
“There’s nothing to guard, so why be a scarecrow?”
“Oh, I don’t think he knows exactly what a scarecrow does… He just thinks it’s cool… Eeep! Don’t make fun of him!”
“Pfft.”
Grandma suppressed her laughter so hard she snorted like a pig.
“I’m dying of laughter…”
I shouted toward Theo.
“Theooo! Count to ten, and then lift the other leg! Or else only one leg will hurt!”
The baby’s eyes slowly rolled toward me.
Then swish.
He switched to the other leg.
“Well then, let’s scatter seeds and plant seedlings too!”
I strode into the garden with confidence.
Grandma called the maids and had them set up a spot for her in the shade where she could see me well. Grandpa, who had been installing a safety fence near the lake, also came over.
I picked up a short tomato seedling I had brought in a basket.
“Watch closely. When planting seedlings, dig a hole like this… plant the roots deep…”
The moist soil, rich with water, gently slipped through my fingers. The tomato seedling slid perfectly into the hole I’d dug like a mole.
“Then pat the soil back over it like this! And finally, a bit of water… Ah! One last important step!”
“Important? What is it?”
I tickled the soft leaves with my fingers and shouted.
“Cheering! Grow up big and strong!”
“Ahahaha! Right, right! Whether it’s a child or a plant, cheering is important for growth!”
‘Seriously though… it really is.’
I touched my slightly flushed earlobes as I watched the light green magic seep into the leaves.
Though I had acted over-the-top, it was all to hide that I was infusing magic into them.
‘The magic has to seep in gently so they’ll grow healthier!’
I busily moved around the garden, tending to everything.
‘The crops I grow here will definitely help solve the conference issue.’
The problem was…
‘The growth speed.’
The conference was in three weeks.
Plans rapidly scrolled through my mind.
‘Can I harvest the necessary crops by then?’
It would’ve been difficult in the past, but now, somehow, I felt it might be possible.
‘I feel like my power has grown a little.’
While saving Grandma, I had sprouted a seed and made holy water in an instant. Thanks to that unexpected experience, I realized something.
‘That my magic might not only communicate with plants, but also have other abilities!’
The so-called, new ability unlocked!
‘Like rapidly growing or healing plants with magic, maybe…?’
Of course, it was still just a possibility, not certain.
‘But strangely, I feel like it’ll work.’
I gazed at the distant ancient tree.
The very one that had almost withered after giving me all its magic.
Its leaves were still black, and its trunk dry and sickly. It would probably take some time before new leaves sprouted and it entered recovery.
I recalled the tree’s voice:
[ The line of druid mages has been severed. ]
‘Druid.’
Of course, my trips to the library were partly to read plant books, but also…
‘To research the word druid.’
I even tried asking the trees at the Wintervalt estate just in case, but didn’t get much.
So I started digging through the library, but to be honest, there wasn’t much clear information in the books either.
Just two lines in an old-looking storybook:
《 A druid is one who holds the special power to connect the natural and human realms. They could hear nature’s whispers, understand its language, and aid in its growth and healing. 》
‘Hmm… Seems like it refers to someone with magic like mine.’
Since it was a general statement, I needed to investigate further.
But there weren’t many books on magic in the mansion, so it was uncertain whether I’d find what I needed.
‘It would be great if I could visit the Imperial Palace library or the Magic Tower library, where there are many magic books…’
That wasn’t possible for now. And I had to deal with the tasks right in front of me first.
‘Just like always, the plants will help me! I’ll be fine!’
I gently tapped a soft stem.
‘Right?’
Rustle rustle, the leaves swayed as if responding.
My lovely babies.
“Alright!”
I jumped up.
To prevent the crisis that would happen to Dad at the conference, I’d do everything I could!
‘And for that, I need to successfully tend this garden first!’
Filled with determination, I spun around and shouted.
“Grandpa! I have a favor to ask!”
***
Now then, a quick question.
What’s the number one virtue a garden farmer must have~?
Excellent horticultural knowledge?
Skillful garden management?
Or maybe the financial power to buy the best fertilizers?
‘Nope.’
The most important thing for a garden farmer is—
“A diligent commute to and from the garden!”
In other words, how faithfully they come and go!
Back in Lepi Village, I used to clock in at my garden when the sun rose and clock out when it set.
I was the embodiment of diligence itself—a model garden farmer.
But unlike before, the Wintervalt ducal estate was just too big. It was exhausting going back and forth between the main building and the cottage multiple times a day.
‘I have to visit the library, attend the maids’ rest meetings, eat three meals a day, and linger around Dad, so I’m super busy! And I can’t keep asking the gardeners to give me rides in the cart every time…’
However—
“Heh…”
That problem ends today.
Because now, I finally had it.
“Mobility! Wooooaah!”
Vrooooom!
“Y-you’re gonna get hurt! Lirin!”
Whiiizz.
“I won’t get hurt!”
Kate shrieked in panic, but I ignored her and wildly pushed off with one foot. My hair fluttered in the wind, exposing my neck and ears.
Zoom. Whirl.
I ended with a perfect drift stop on my heel.
“Ooh… This is no joke.”
I gently stroked my new ride.
Yes.
This was Grandpa’s latest model for kids in need of mobility.
A wooden board.
‘I asked him because he’s good at making things like cottages and clothes… and it’s amazing!’
I barely explained, but he made something perfect.
‘Come to think of it, Grandpa’s good at making toys too. He should start a business!’
Even as a side job!
‘It’s just too perfect!’
A long board to rest your feet on.
A tall, steerable handle.
Two wheels in front, one in the back.
And a little yellow chick doll at the front, made from leftover cloth from my clothes. Oh, that must be Grandpa’s taste. It’s a little childish for me!
“But I’m having fun, so whatever! Let’s go, chickie!”
I squished the doll, gave it a kiss, and put my foot back on.
Whizz whizz.
I pushed off like crazy and sped across the front of the mansion like a biker gang.
“Wheee! This is fun!”
Am I a genius inventor?
Where on earth did this idea come from?
‘No idea, it just popped into my head!’
“Woo!”
Theo, nestled in Aisha’s arms, squirmed impatiently. His eyes sparkled—he clearly wanted to ride too.
Screeech. I stopped in front of him in style.
“Sorry, Theo. Not yet. This one’s for eight-year-olds…”
“Buu!”
“Kiddo. I’ll make you one when you’re older.”
Grandpa, standing beside us, patted Theo’s head.
“In the meantime, here’s this.”
“…!”
Thump. A mini carriage, perfect for Theo, landed before him.
He’d have to power it by kicking his feet, which might be tough, but Grandpa seemed to have added a tiny acceleration magic device. So he could keep up with me!
‘Huh? It looks kind of like the carriage from the B-series wooden dolls?!’
Maybe Grandpa got inspired because Theo played with it so much.
‘I-I hope we don’t get sued?’
In any case, Theo’s eyes sparkled round and bright as he met his new toy.
“Nice, Theo! You’ve got your own personal carriage now!”
Oh no. We’re outlaws now.
“Alright. Follow me, Theo! Let’s go show Dad!”
“Wooo!”
Vrooooom.
Kicking up dirt, we sped away, full of excitement.
***
Cough, cough.
The pipe smoke scattered in the air.
“What the… is that?”
Kalec blinked in disbelief. He slammed down his brandy glass and rushed to the window.
A lazy afternoon.
He had just finished dealing with a pile of annoying tasks with cold precision and was massaging his temples for a brief break.
After telling the butler to bring more herbs recently trending in the capital, he had pulled back the curtain—
“Hehehehehe!”
A laugh burst forth that snapped him out of his gloomy mood.
Suddenly, it felt like his entire life genre had shifted.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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