Chapter 200: CH 200

“My mother told me about this garden.”

Arsene went back to his house to think about the matter. Demimore said he wanted to give him some time alone.

Although being alone together felt awkward, Demimore stated that he wanted to admire the house’s garden. Demimore exclaimed in admiration as she looked at the splendid flowers.

“I can see why my mom missed it. It’s so beautiful.”

“It’s not just that.”

“The flowers change every day?”

“How did you know?”

I tried to tell him the garden’s secret, hoping to surprise him even more, but he already knew, which surprised me even more.

Demimore’s eyes widened as if it was funny that I was looking at her with wide, sunken eyes.

I wondered how his eyes, which can be so piercing, could be so pretty when he smiles.

I don’t think there’s anyone on this continent whose eye smile is as beautiful as his.

“My mother talked about this garden.”

“Huh?”

“She said there’s a garden where the flowers change every day.”

I thought Arsene used magic to change the flowers in the garden every day just for me who stays here alone. But since even Demimore’s mother knows about it, it must have always been like that.

Oh, I’m so glad I didn’t tell Arsene. I would have been thoroughly embarrassed. I can’t even imagine how many years of tease I would have to endure.

“His Majesty planted a beautiful garden in his palace for my mother, who misses it.”

The palace garden was filled with all kinds of extravagant and unusually beautiful flowers.

And although I hadn’t seen it myself, there was even a beautiful and enormous indoor garden in the palace.

My father, who was one of the few people who had access to them, had dismissed them as a waste of taxpayer money.

“But my mother always had a dreamy look in her eyes, and she regretted leaving this beautiful garden behind.”

I could see why the Emperor was so obsessed with his gardens and greenhouses.

The Emperor must have loved Demimore’s mother much more than I thought. Well, he even granted me an unusual wish for saving her life.

He doesn’t even know what I want to wish. Moreover, I’m the youngest daughter of Grand Duke Conler whom he hated so much.

“Why did she leave this beautiful place and end up in the palace?”

Demimore’s face looked quite bitter as he fiddled with the petals of the freesia.

Even though it was night, the bright moonlight revealed his handsome features. Looking at him like that, I felt like I was watching a movie…….

“Still, I think your mother must have been happy.”

“My mother?”

“Yes……. With Demimore by her side.”

I had a very sentimental thought that Demimore was the most beautiful flower the emperor had ever planted in her garden.

If she looks this beautiful in my eyes, how much more beautiful would he have appeared in his mother’s eyes?

“Could that really be true? I couldn’t even protect her properly?”

“What are you talking about? Thanks to you, she was saved.”

“But it’s all thanks to the Laminaicho you gave me.”

“I only gave it to you. It was you who used it when your mother was in danger.”

“You’re forcing it too much.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. After winter, we’ll finally turn fifteen. We’re still young. We just need to do well from now on.”

I didn’t bring up the fact that my mother wasn’t here because it wouldn’t serve as any consolation. I didn’t want to comfort him by pointing out my own deficiencies. I wanted to show Demimore endless possibilities.

Even though I didn’t realize until now that I was loved enough, I’m somehow finding a way to envision a future where my family is happy together.

“…… I’ve been studying really hard lately, not just swordsmanship, but also classical literature and diplomacy. I’m even studying imperial studies behind Cameron’s back.”

“Huh? Oh, wow. That’s great. I’m impressed.”

I didn’t know what to say to Demimore, who was suddenly bragging about his studies, so I gave him a thumbs-up.

But I felt like it wasn’t enough just to look at her, I hesitated for a moment and then raised my hand, placing it on Demimore’s head.

Even if we’re friends, is it okay to just stroke his head……. As I hesitated, Demimore subtly closed her eyes.

I relaxed and stroked his silky silver hair.

“I wonder if you really meant that compliment”

“Oh no, I thought you were amazing.”

“Haha, yeah. I’ll believe it.”

At Demimore’s words, I felt a bit sheepish from denying it too much. He chuckled softly.

Perhaps because his laughter sounded pleasant, my heart fluttered slightly, and I stroked Demimore’s head a little more firmly before retracting my hand.

Demimore opened one eye to see if he was disappointed that I was no longer stroking his hair.

“Since I’ve been studying like that, Jasper has been enjoying it the most.”

“Ah, I can imagine.”

I thought of Jasper, who always begged me to motivate Demimore whenever he saw me.

Considering that Demimore is studying with determination and even studying imperial studies, I could imagine how thrilled he must be.

If I think about Cameron, who had seizures just from reading books related to imperial studies, I can imagine how much effort Demimore is putting into his studies.

“You’re truly amazing, Demimore.”

“I thought the same. But hearing about the situation you’re in, I wondered if it’s really impressive that I can study so comfortably.”

“I don’t think there’s a need to compare yourself to others. Just because it’s hard for me doesn’t mean it has to be hard for you.”

“…Is that so?”

I nodded firmly in response to Demimore’s words. I didn’t want Demimore to go out of his way to make his own emotions seem insignificant because of me.

“That’s why I hope you don’t feel responsible for my situation for no reason.”

“If you say it like that, it sounds really hurtful.”

“Ah, of course, I’m thankful for your help.”

I quickly pacified Demimore, whose lower lip was starting to pout. Demimore looked at the colorful flowers again, and then, as if resolving something, he said.

“I’ll stay until I can convince Arsene.”

“I understand.”

I said with a playful sigh. Demimore smirked at me mischievously.

I tried to speak as coldly as possible, but I also hoped that Demimore would understand my intentions.

It might be futile, but I didn’t want him to give up anything in his life because of me.

“By the way, with these flowers blooming so beautifully, it’s no wonder that Laminaicho is extraordinary.”

“I asked Arsene, and he said that Laminaicho is difficult to grow even with magic.”

Laminaicho was a green leaf that grew parasitically on branches that had withered during winter. Each leaf was extremely precious because they literally sprouted like magic.

We were fortunate to have a few laminaicho trees in our estate.

The Laminaicho, which bloomed with such strong vitality, became an ingredient for creating powerful potions, but its full effect would not manifest unless properly processed.

“That’s why Lucas is truly amazing. He keeps studying and cultivating Laminaicho.”

“The Emperor even tried to create a cold room to grow Laminaicho.”

In addition to the greenhouse, a cold room. It seemed like something the Emperor would do. Demimore shook his head as if he was truly annoyed.

In the end, he said, it was rejected because the conditions weren’t right, and the laminaicho wasn’t that easy to grow.

It was so demanding that even the Emperor, who was obsessed with plants, could easily give up on it.

“You gave me something so precious.”

“It was to repay you…”

Demimore chuckled as he recounted how ridiculous it was that I had given him the laminaicho as a child.

Feeling a little awkward, I rubbed my upper lip with my index finger. In the end, thanks to the Laminaicho, I obtained a wish ticket like a blank check from the Emperor, so it wasn’t a bad thing.

“Wasn’t it a waste?”

“You were able to save your mother so it wasn’t a waste.”

“Well, I’m happy to still have my mother, and……. I could come and see you like this.”

With that, Demimore covered his mouth and turned away. Demimore’s ears perked up as he realized he had said something embarrassing.

Well, he was good at everything, but sometimes, he would get embarrassed in strange situations. After taking a few deep breaths, Demimore turned back around.

“By the way, Mary’s birthday is also in winter. And Laminaicho also blooms in that cold season.”

“Um, don’t you think that’s a little far-fetched?”

“Haha. Can’t you agree with me a little? It’s nice to have a strong vitality like Laminaicho.”

“It’s nice to live long, but…….”

You tend to get too attached to life.

I remembered something Leo had said to me once. Hmm, I rubbed my forearm, feeling creeped out. Demimore asked me in a concerned voice if I was cold.

I quickly shook my head, but Demimore took off his coat and placed it on my shoulders.

“T-Thank you.”

“It’s okay. By the way, speaking of Laminaicho, do you know what it’s called among common  people?”

“Magic potion? Panacea?”

At my answer, Demimore shook his head vigorously. Then he spoke in a hushed voice.

“The herb that blooms in the season of death.”