~Chapter 38~
“Rain? Yeah, I think it rained for the first time two days ago.”
“Really? Then it’ll probably rain again in two or three days.”
Leah sighed in relief, glad she’d come at just the right time.
Phew, that was close.
She had worried about coming too early since she wasn’t exactly sure when snow turned into rain in March.
“Yeah, around this time of year it usually rains every four or five days.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“You’re here for the drop flowers, right?”
“Yeah. It’s best to pick them when it rains.”
“Oh, take these wild strawberries with you.”
“You picked these, didn’t you, Alma?”
“It’s fine. You probably didn’t bring much food anyway.”
Alma shoved the basket of strawberries into Leah’s hands.
“I’ve got plenty of food at home, so don’t worry. And if you need anything else, just stop by my place, okay?”
Then Alma quickly stepped back and waved at her.
“Don’t even think about giving those back. Eat them all!”
“Thanks, Alma!”
Feeling super grateful, Leah hugged the basket and waved back at her friend.
Thanks to Alma, I won’t be starving while I’m here.
Smiling, Leah walked toward her cabin.
The place looked cold and empty—like no one had touched it in months.
She grabbed a broom and swept around the outside before going in.
She started a fire in the fireplace using the firewood she got from the villagers.
Leah had planned to just quietly stay here without drawing attention, but all the dust lying around won the battle.
Ugh, how is there so much dust?
So instead of resting, she cleaned every corner of the cabin as soon as she arrived.
Exhausted, she sat at the table and ate a late lunch—some bread from a bakery in Winstor and the strawberries Alma gave her.
I just want to lie down and rest…
But she still had something important to do.
Dragging her tired body, she left the cabin again.
I haven’t been to the drop flower field in years—I need to check if it’s still there.
She followed a familiar mountain path the villagers used.
Spring was just starting, and the trees were getting ready to bloom.
Look at those fresh buds on the branches.
As she got closer to the field, the path became rougher and harder to walk.
She carefully hiked through the uneven
terrain, taking her time.
After about an hour, she finally reached the drop flower field.
First time being back since then… I came here with Hardt before.
The dropflowers bloomed all year long and didn’t care about the cold northern weather.
It rained two days ago, so they’re a little plump—but not quite enough yet.
Leah stepped carefully among the flowers, making sure not to crush them, and examined them up close.
When she was a kid, she thought even this size was big and amazing.
I remember when I first came here with Grandma—when it rained, the flowers looked so magical my mouth was wide open. She even had to stick her finger in my mouth to close it.
Leah chuckled at the memory.
Rustle, rustle.
Suddenly, she heard something moving nearby.
What was that?
Startled, Leah straightened up and turned toward the noise, grabbing the sharpest-looking rock she could find.
What if it’s a wolf? Or some creepy person?
Her heart pounded as she imagined the worst, clutching the rock tighter.
Then, something moved through the dry branches and revealed itself.
—
While Leah was frozen in fear from the unknown presence…Johann was taking a walk in the garden with a now fully recovered Raphaella.
He felt guilty that it was their first time walking together in the famous Blümhart estate garden.
Only recently did I start caring for her properly.
Back then, he was just doing the bare minimum out of duty—he didn’t know anything.
Even having meals together was barely happening.
Having been stuck in bed for days, Raphaella was full of energy, hopping around happily in the garden.
Johann smiled watching her enjoy herself.
It was still early spring, so not many flowers had bloomed yet, but there was still plenty to see.
Raphaella held her dad’s hand tightly and asked about everything she saw—who the statue was, what the flowers were, what kind of tree that was.
He didn’t have all the answers.
But I can’t leave her questions
unanswered.
So he called over the head gardener nearby, who explained everything to Raphaella for him.
Then, the wise old gardener politely stepped away, letting the two enjoy their time alone.
After walking around so much, Raphaella started to get tired.
“Raphaella, should we go sit over there and have a snack?”
“Yes!”
She beamed and ran to a nearby bench.
Johann sat beside her and fixed her clothes a bit.
Soon, some maids approached and handed them a basket full of snacks.
He pulled out two perfectly baked madeleines, and Raphaella swallowed hard, clearly excited.
She’s adorable, he thought with a small smile, and fed her the lemon-flavored one.
If Leah had seen this moment, she probably would’ve been shocked—he used to make a serious face when she suggested feeding Raphaella like this.
But after feeding her oatmeal for two days, he’d done it naturally without thinking.
Maybe this will spoil her…
He looked at his cute daughter nibbling on the lemon treat.
Eh, once or twice is fine.
“Is it good?”
“Yes!”
“Raphaella,” Johann said, gently patting her hair.
“From now on, don’t hide your feelings. Tell me everything.”
“…Everything?”
“Yeah. Whether it’s something you like or don’t like, say it all.”
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Of course. Even if you didn’t want your mom to go to the North, you could’ve said so.”
“I couldn’t.”
Raphaella spoke firmly.
“Why not?”
“Because then Mom would be sad.”
Johann was at a loss for words.
He felt a pang in his chest, hearing such a grown-up thought from such a small child.
“Raphaella, you still have to say how you feel. If you don’t, and you suffer because of it, that would make your mom even more sad.”
“She’d be more sad?”
“Yes. Your mom would be heartbroken if you were hurting inside.”
He didn’t know for sure, but he believed it.
“…That would be terrible.”
“Exactly. So tell someone—me, your mom, anyone—how you feel.”
He looked straight into her sparkling emerald eyes.
“Did it hurt when your mom left for the North?”
“…Yes.”
“How much?”
Raphaella spread her arms wide and shook them hard—a lot.
“…I wanted to tell her not to go.”
She said in a voice that was starting to tremble.
“I was so, so scared she’d leave and I’d never see her again.”
“Raphaella, your mom’s only gone for a short while.”
“Still… still, it felt like I’d never see her again.”
Tears filled her eyes as memories of her nightmares came back.
“What if she doesn’t come back? What then?”
Big teardrops started rolling down her cheeks.
I just wanted to teach her to express her feelings—not make her cry…
Panicked, Johann took a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped her eyes.
“I want to be with Mom forever. What if she leaves me and never comes back?”
“…Don’t worry, Raphaella.”
He hugged her and gently patted her back as she cried.
“I miss Mom. I miss her so, so much.”
As he held his sobbing daughter, Johann’s red eyes darkened.
He suddenly wondered—maybe Raphaella, even if she didn’t fully understand, could feel something.
That her mom might really leave her forever.
After all, Leah had written in the contract that she’d stay at the estate only until Raphaella’s 8th birthday.
It hadn’t sounded like just words.
—
“Please officially take Raphaella in and raise her here, Duke.”
“You’re abandoning your child?”
“…It’s not like that. I have my reasons.”
“Reasons?”
“I don’t want to talk about them.”
From what he’d seen these past few months, she clearly loved her daughter deeply.
So it didn’t seem like she was trying to abandon her—she must’ve had a serious reason.
Whatever it was.
He figured it might be too late to ask now, but…
He really wanted to know.
Next time we meet, I need to ask her—why does she have to leave Raphaella behind?
