#14.
“You? An idea?”
Elena snorted, as if she had just heard something utterly preposterous. Her expression was a mix of bewilderment and skepticism, wondering what sudden wind had shifted to make me act this way.
However, she didn’t tell me to be quiet. It seemed she was willing to listen, if only out of curiosity.
Feeling like a junior employee having a proposal reviewed by a terrifying boss, I began to explain my thoughts. My heart hammered against my ribs.
“I heard that while many people buy seeds every year, very few actually end up sowing them.”
“That is true. Most people see the planting as a chore. Digging into the earth is hard labor, and it’s not as if every seed you scatter is guaranteed to bloom.”
“That’s why I was thinking—what if we turned the act of sowing the seeds into an event itself?”
I stole a glance at Elena. She tilted her head at the word ‘event.’ The territory was already holding a seed-distribution charity event, after all.
“We already have plenty of charitable functions prepared. What more are you suggesting we add?”
Her tone carried a clear nuance of: *Don’t go looking for more work.*
But I couldn’t back down now without even making my case.
“The current seed-sharing event ends at the distribution. It doesn’t actually lead to people participating in the planting.”
“It is a long-standing tradition, Roena. It is thanks to that tradition that the Hadelus Flower Festival is so famous.”
“To be precise, it’s famous because the sight of flowers blooming in the snow is breathtaking,” I pointed out sharply.
Elena’s eyebrows twitched at my bluntness. Yet, she didn’t offer a rebuttal. Deep down, she knew the seed distribution had become somewhat of a performative formality.
In this world—or any other—people gathered at festivals to create “aesthetic moments” and build memories. If we played into the desire of families, couples, and friends to make lasting memories, we could naturally increase the participation rate for seed planting.
“So, what is it you’re trying to say?”
“There’s no law saying flowers must only be planted in the ground. They can be planted in the sky, too.”
“What nonsense is this? Where in the world is there a flower that grows without being planted in the earth?”
Oh, but there is.
“Please bring me some paper and a pen.”
“Yes, Little Madam.”
Vivian, who had been waiting nearby, hurried out and returned in a flash with the requested items. Under Elena’s piercing gaze, I began to sketch a sky lantern with focused intensity. A lantern designed to carry flower seeds.
“And this is?”
“It’s a sky lantern.”
“I can see that much. I am asking why you are drawing it. I assume you aren’t suddenly planning a talent show.”
“The idea is to put the spores and seeds inside these lanterns and release them. The sight of the seeds scattering in the wind will be quite beautiful.”
Take the dandelion, for example. Once its yellow petals fall, it forms a snowy-white orb of spores. They look like a cluster of fallen stars; it’s hard to look away when you stand in a field of them. And what could be lovelier than those white spores drifting lazily through the air before settling into the earth? Almost everyone has the childhood memory of puffing air at a white dandelion to watch it fly.
“I heard that the Delus flowers produce spores. If we let people release lanterns filled with these seeds over the lands we’ve already tilled, they get to plant the seeds and make a beautiful memory at the same time. Isn’t it killing two birds with one stone? Of course, we’d have to discuss the logistics with the vassals…”
“Hmm.”
Finally, a spark of interest lit up Elena’s eyes. Emboldened, I pressed on.
“Since Delus flowers come in rainbow colors, we can make the lanterns in various colors to match. Wouldn’t it be a lovely one-day event?”
“Well, it is a decent enough idea. A bit unrefined, perhaps, but decent.”
Elena let out a small chuckle and folded the paper, tucking it into her bodice.
“I didn’t realize you cared for the fief to this extent. Especially to think of spreading the Delus flowers. I expected you to throw a tantrum and demand they all be burned to the ground.”
*I’m not a complete monster…* I thought, though in fairness, the list of Roena’s past misdeeds was quite long.
“Ahem! Anyway, as long as we designate a specific area for the event, I can just avoid going there. I can’t exactly ban the Delus flowers that everyone loves just because of my allergy.”
True. I had no desire to suffer like I did last time. I just thought that since the flower was the symbol of Hadelus, a small event tailored to it would be a nice touch.
Elena hesitated for a moment before starting to say something.
“Regarding that flower allergy of yours…”
“Yes?”
“…Hmph, never mind. For now, I have heard your suggestion. I shall discuss it with the vassals, so you may leave.”
Elena swallowed whatever she was going to say and dismissed me. I asked tentatively, hoping for confirmation.
“Does that mean my proposal has been accepted?”
“It’s not entirely useless.”
Elena fluttered her fan, offering words that were somewhere between a compliment and a dismissal. Well, it sounded like a ‘yes’ to me, which was enough to lift my spirits.
“Hehe. Yes! Then I’ll be going now, Mother!”
“That word ‘Mother’ seems to have stuck to your tongue… Just go.”
Elena waved her hand with a weary sigh.
“Yes, ma’am!”
I gave a polite bow and skipped off the terrace. I felt a sense of accomplishment, like I had finally pulled my weight. To ensure a brilliant future for my Archid, I had to win over my mother-in-law and father-in-law. I didn’t want Archid to live burdened by a painful past as he did in the original novel.
Perhaps it was because I was thinking of him?
Just then, I ran smack into Archid as he was stepping out of the bedroom.
“Where have you been?”
“Oh, I was just visiting Mother.”
“Visiting Mother? Why… did she scold you?”
Archid’s voice was laced with concern, and I quickly waved my hands in denial.
“No! I just felt like I’ve been doing nothing but playing around lately with the festival coming up. I went to ask if there was anything I could help with.”
“I see.”
“What about you, Lord Archid? Where are you headed?”
“Ah, I am…”
“Oh! You’re going to training. Come to think of it, it’s exactly time to head to the training grounds.”
I said it casually because his schedule was etched into my brain as clearly as it was in my diary. But Archid, unaware of my internal database, looked at me with startled eyes.
“How do you know that, My Lady?”
“Pardon? Well, because you always head to the training grounds at this time…”
*…And I’ve watched you go from my window.*
I stopped myself just in time. If I said that, I’d sound like a total stalker or a hopeless obsessive, and my “Archid Fan-girl” status would be totally exposed. Archid stared at me, waiting for me to finish my sentence. I shifted my gaze and mumbled.
“I just guessed because your outfit looks perfect for swordsmanship training.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes! Of course. I mean, it’s not like I’d follow you around and spy on you or anything, right? I’m not a pervert.”
“I never thought of you that way.”
“R-right? That would be so weird. It’s not like I’m monitoring you…”
The more I spoke, the more it felt like I was digging my own grave. As I rambled through my excuses, Archid spoke up.
“No. What I meant was, even if you did those things, I wouldn’t think of you as a pervert or feel like I was being monitored.”
“Pardon?”
“I mean you should do as you please. Well then.”
With that, Archid stepped past me and through the lobby. Once the door clicked shut, I stood there, my eyes darting around in the silence.
*If I did everything I ‘pleased,’ you’d definitely be horrified.*
I touched my cheeks, feeling a shy heat rising. He probably didn’t mean anything by it, but how could he just wreck my heart like that? Archid had no idea how passionately I adored him.
If this were modern Korea, I would have already filled my room with every piece of merch imaginable and spent every morning and night watching his videos. I’d be a member of his fan cafe, knowing his entire schedule, what he wore, what he ate, and every little thing he liked.
*‘Should I start a fan cafe here?’*
I entertained the dangerous thought for a second before shaking my head. I couldn’t go around causing a scandal in the dignified social circles of this world. If my true nature were discovered, I might be socially exiled.
But then again, high society was still a place where people lived. At that moment, I could never have imagined that I would eventually make those very dreams a reality.
—
A small banquet was held for the distinguished guests who had traveled to Hadelus for the festival. Having been largely reclusive since waking up in Roena’s body, I felt forced to attend. Since I lacked her memories, I couldn’t tell who was an acquaintance and who was a stranger.
As the Flower Festival was held during the warmest time of the year in Hadelus, it drew many nobles from both within the fief and from afar. There were even separate gatherings for the young ladies and lords of the territory. Because so many children Archid’s and my age had come to visit, a special dessert party was being held just for the youth.
I headed toward the party venue, escorted by Archid. He seemed incredibly tense, likely because he hadn’t expected me to ask for his escort. The fact that his hand was becoming slightly damp was proof enough. It made sense; since we had always acted independently, going somewhere together must have felt deeply awkward for him.
The hall was already filled with various desserts, and children were excitedly eating and chatting. As the doors opened, every eye in the room turned toward us simultaneously.
They looked quite surprised to see me arriving side-by-side with Archid—and even more so that I was being formally escorted by him.
“Roena!”
Just then, someone waved at me with a bright, welcoming smile.
And in that exact moment, a flood of memories that did not belong to me came rushing into my mind.
