Chapter 30
Beyond the window, there weren’t the usual embroidered flower beds, cone-shaped trimmed trees, or flamboyant imported flowers typically found in noble gardens.
Instead, there were countless varieties of wildflowers.
Though not as dazzling as gemstones, the lively colors of the wildflowers rustled like waves in the winter breeze blowing over the garden wall.
Trees with naturally spreading branches added structure to what could have been a plain backyard, and lush grasses hanging like ears of grain wove between them.
The path to the large pond meandered gently and organically.
Looking at the small spaces created for tea parties along the way, one could almost smell a tea aroma that didn’t even exist.
“This is impossible…”
In the middle of the garden, Helena murmured in disbelief, fidgeting with the ornament on her small hat as she spotted a familiar, silver-colored wildflower.
There was no way the Duke—the Duke Blanchard—had created such a garden.
“Oh dear.”
Just then, someone who had been bending over amidst the wildflowers let out a groan and suddenly stood up.
It was a petite gardener with vibrant carrot-colored hair that stood out even among the sea of colors.
“They must’ve fallen for me. Definitely…”
The gardener nodded and mumbled something incoherent before suddenly throwing down the weed in their hand and straightening up again as if remembering something.
“But why did they make that face—?”
Tilting their head again, the gardener bent down to pull out more weeds.
“But they were pretty… Yeah, they definitely fell for me.”
Then, with an expression that still showed confusion, the gardener stood up once more and muttered, “No, seriously though…!”
Watching this bizarre behavior, Helena’s deep blue eyes sparkled with realization.
She had figured it out.
The one who created this unbelievable garden was that tiny carrot.
* * *
Jeffrey Carver, the rather handsome red-haired servant carrying the banquet dishes, realized how a commoner caught in the crossfire of royal and noble power struggles might die.
Definitely by suffocation.
“My servant will serve me my meal.”
Right before the banquet began, Duke Blanchard’s words froze the air.
It was practically a declaration that he didn’t trust the royal family.
Yet the princess, contrary to expectations, accepted it without protest.
“Very well, do as you please. This is your manor, after all—not mine.”
Her calm tone melted the tension instantly.
So it seemed the banquet might proceed without further issue.
‘I want to go home…’
As the second main course was served, Jeffrey sighed, watching the princess and the duke eat in silence.
They were chewing tender veal braised in wine from the Bailam region, and from the looks on their faces, it was obvious that the earlier issue wasn’t truly resolved.
‘I’ve seen people chew cardboard with more enjoyment.’
He let out a shallow breath while watching their utterly expressionless mastication.
Despite the presence of dozens of nobles and servants, the banquet hall was so silent that even breathing felt burdensome.
Jeffrey turned his head toward the window showing the distant shed.
For some reason, today he really wanted to see the gardener.
Someone who stuffed their mouth with plain fruitcake like it was the most delicious food in the world—
“…!”
At that thought, Jeffrey instinctively clenched his teeth to hold back a scream.
Someone was outside the window.
He couldn’t see clearly due to the overly bright chandelier, but he was sure the glimmer in the corner of the window was someone’s eyes.
Shiver.
Goosebumps ran up his arm.
An assassin?
Should he tell the Duke?
As he blinked in confusion, the mysterious figure moved lightly—and he exhaled in relief.
It was just a crow.
It had probably been flying around and landed, attracted by the light.
‘Good grief, that nearly gave me a heart attack.’
While patting his startled chest, dessert began entering the hall.
At a pace that made it feel more like a race than a banquet.
‘Jeffrey!’
Noticing the servant mouthing words toward him, Jeffrey nodded and accepted the dessert.
Just then, the final course—lemon meringue pie decorated with wildflowers—was placed before the princess and the duke.
“The weather in your duchy is dreadful.”
Clink!
At the serene voice from the head table, Jeffrey flinched, nearly dropping the dessert plate.
The attendant across from him frowned slightly, but Jeffrey, oblivious, quickly stepped back.
He’d nearly bumped into the Duke.
He remembered how a servant was immediately fired last time he so much as brushed against him and swallowed hard.
“So many incidents in your territory—it’s almost unsurprising. Though I suppose not everything can be blamed on the weather.”
Though sharp in meaning, Duke Cyrus responded without a flicker of emotion.
“You seem excessively concerned about the affairs of a rural territory.”
“Of course I am. As you know, I’m a bit squeamish.”
When there’s the stench of blood, how can I not react?
A cold smile formed on the princess’s beautiful face.
“Many people have disappeared in your domain, Duke.”
“They were the kind of people who warranted it.”
“That’s not your call to make.”
“I simply administered summary judgment within the bounds of the law.”
“‘Within the law,’ you say… Then do the commoners outside have the legal right to defend themselves?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Duke.”
Clack.
Helena put down her wine glass with a smile that was bright and lovely.
“Titled nobles throwing down gloves or socks and dueling amongst themselves—that’s none of my concern.”
The words were surprisingly crude coming from a princess, but those in the hall questioned their ears more than her intent—because her voice was still so gentle.
“But when commoners, who don’t even get the chance to raise a sword, disappear for having blood less noble than ours… Even I, with my weak stomach, can’t ignore that.”
Cyrus’s deep amethyst eyes stared at the princess as if trying to read her thoughts.
“‘Disappearing commoners’?”
“Yes, disappearing—or rather, dying—commoners.”
Under the chandelier light, Helena’s silver hair shone with cold determination, like winter frost.
The Light of the Empire.
It was no coincidence that such a title was given to her.
“That’s why I came here.”
Helena continued.
“I plan to investigate the petitions from all over the duchy. Don’t worry—I brought my own investigators. All I ask is that you provide the space and go about your business as usual. You’ll cooperate, won’t you?”
After a moment’s silence, Cyrus spoke slowly.
“…I’ll cooperate.”
His steady violet gaze met hers.
“If you’re truly aiming to uncover accurate facts and evidence.”
Matching his gaze, the princess smiled.
“Of course I am.”
She’s playing dumb.
Staring at the elaborate tapestry on the wall, Helena flicked her fork.
The cloth adorned with small crimson relcrums was practically a medal that Archer Blanchard—the former Duke and Chancellor—earned for installing the current Emperor like a puppet.
Her foolish father gave up countless powers to Archer, unaware that the man was devouring the Empire from within.
And in the end—
‘The Chancellor who rotted the Empire is dead, but now his son runs rampant in the duchy. Damn those Blanchards.’
As Helena raised her silver eyebrows, heavy silence fell over the hall.
“…”
Looking at the untouched meringue pie, servant Jeffrey Carver began to miss the earlier, quieter moments.
The air was so heavy it felt like he truly might suffocate.
Thankfully, it was Helena’s lightened tone that rescued him before he passed out.
“Anyway, I’m grateful for your cooperation. It’ll make things run smoothly.”
Her gaze turned to the centerpiece on the long table.
Adorned with massive autumn crops and wildflowers from the garden, the centerpiece displayed an image of abundance and peace amid the cold winter winds.
“By the way, I really like this centerpiece. Just looking at it calms me.”
That small compliment signaled that the business talk was over.
As servants and attendants finally relaxed, Helena spoke again while admiring the flowers among the crops.
“Full-bloom ‘Glasshoff’… I thought it impossible for even wildflowers to bloom in this weather…”
She gently tucked her hair behind her ear, brushing her rosy cheek.
And from the banquet hall came faint sighs, unable to be suppressed.
Her beauty was simply overwhelming.
Perfect features, glowing red lips, a balanced nose, and silvery lashes resting over deep blue eyes more profound than the ocean—it was impossible to look away.
“…”
But Cyrus, the one who should have been captivated, was staring only at the little flowers in the centerpiece that Helena had mentioned.
The delicate wildflowers instantly reminded him of that tiny carrot-like gardener.
“I was just curious! I worked so hard on the garden, and you didn’t react at all!”
Recalling that frustrated voice, Cyrus swept back his dark hair.
‘Yeah… I really should go visit the garden—’
Just then—
“I think I’ll visit the garden.”
Cyrus flinched at Helena’s words, as if she’d read his mind.
“…”
Her intrigued gaze fixed on him.
Throughout the sharp exchanges, the Duke had never once wavered.
But the moment the word “garden” came up, he visibly faltered and shut his mouth.
The princess, noticing the flicker in his violet eyes, raised her silver brows and continued.
“I never imagined I’d find a garden like that here. I never thought dark purple Remores and pale yellow Glasshoffs could go so well together.”
“…Is that so.”
“And with the blue and pink lavateras, and the white meadowgrass—those wildflowers looked as if they finally found their place. My tired eyes, sick of ridiculously expensive gardens, feel refreshed.”
“…”
Having accurately listed the flowers in the garden, Helena finally nodded and got to her main point.
“Before I return to the capital, I’d like to have a tea party in that marvelous garden, Duke.”
Cyrus’s hand, holding the dessert fork, hovered above the meringue pie as he battled a strange tension.
“I also have a few questions I wanted to ask. So, about that tea party…”
No, he was just being paranoid.
There’s no way she noticed—
“Would it be alright to invite the gardener to that tea party?”
Crunch.
Unable to help himself, Cyrus stabbed his fork into the pie—and gave no reply.
