“Actually, I don’t really like it when someone touches my garden. But, since it’s you, My Lord, I’ll make a special exception.”

Before properly starting, she didn’t forget to take credit.

“You can be a little moved, you know.”

“I’m touched.”

Due to his calm voice, it sounded even more serious.

“You’re actually accepting it. As expected, tough on the outside, soft on the inside.”

With a low exclamation, she began the brief lesson in earnest.

In fact, there wasn’t much to do.

How much could there be to do in a small garden that one visits every day?

Honestly, I just play in the dirt alone, pull out some impudent weeds that keep popping up, remove yellowed leaves, catch some insects, sprinkle fertilizer based on the soil condition, and thin out plants if they grow too close together.

Then harvest the ones that have grown enough, process them, dry what needs drying, extract juice from some, grind what needs grinding, and that’s about it.

Let’s see. What should I have the male lead do?

Since it’s his first time, I want to give him something fun to do.

Hmm. If that’s the case, then of course…

“Today, we’ll harvest some necessary items, then water the plants. While we’re at it, we’ll catch any bugs on the stems or in the soil.”

“I understand. Which items should I harvest?”

“Well, first…”

As I stood beside him and pointed out various things, Dante quickly accomplished what I instructed.

His fingertips were much more deft than I expected.

Well, he is someone who protects the North and the Empire from magical beasts.

…Am I using too high-quality labor right now?

Just then, I saw Dante kill a small insect trying to climb up a stem.

And he did it cleanly with a trowel.

No matter how I look at it, this seems like a waste of talent.

But what can I do? I didn’t force him, he said he wanted to do it himself.

I’m innocent.

After deciding to ignore it, I did my own work.

Actually, there wasn’t much for two people to do in such a small garden, and I had given most of my tasks to Dante, so I didn’t have much to do.

I was just idly touching the ground when he asked:

“Do you enjoy this, My Lady?”

“Are you challenging me to a duel? You’re not politely mocking me, are you?”

At my reflexive question, Dante’s eyes widened and he shook his head.

Seeing his unusually flustered face, it seemed he hadn’t asked the question to mock me.

“I’m asking because I’m genuinely curious. You always seem to enjoy it so much.”

“Hmm. Yes. I do enjoy it. Since I was young, I’ve liked playing with soil and plants. I like flowers too.”

“…You must have been disappointed coming to the barren North.”

“No. Rather, it’s because I found peace in the North that I remembered how much I love nature.”

That’s really how it is.

When I lived at the Count’s estate, I had completely forgotten what I liked.

No, I didn’t even have the chance to recall. I didn’t have time to like or love anything.

There was always a steep cliff behind me, and in front of me were the Countess glaring at me, my indifferent father, and my half-sister who hated me.

In that inescapable unhappiness, liking something was a luxury.

Ah, new sprouts.

Among the stems I had thinned out a few days ago, I noticed new sprouts peeking out.

Small, cute, and admirable.

“Growing plants is about sowing seeds with your own hands in the land you’ve cultivated, and watching them grow. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing something you’ve nurtured take deep roots and grow healthily and admirably. It feels like I’m watching my traces in this world increase one by one.”

“Traces in the world?”

“Yes. Even if I leave, these will continue to take root here, right?”

I said this thinking that even if I get divorced and leave, wouldn’t Markops and Siena continue to take care of them?

But.

“Why do you say such things?”

An unexpected question came back. I didn’t expect a ‘why’ question.

As I stood there speechless, Dante averted his gaze diagonally.

What is it? What’s going on?

From the question to his behavior, I couldn’t understand the emotional line at all.

It seems our male lead has a more philosophical side than I thought.

Ah, or should I interpret it more simply?

‘Why do you say such things?’

In other words, why am I trying to leave something behind even after I’m gone?

This interpretation seemed more plausible.

Well, if I leave and the real female lead from the original story comes, she might want to decorate the garden in her preferred style.

If I’m not here obsessing over the herb garden, there’s no reason to keep this garden alive.

It’s not particularly great from an interior design perspective.

Right. Well. I’ll cultivate a separate herb garden later anyway.

I smiled brightly at Dante.

It meant he could do whatever he wanted with the garden later.

There was no response.

Dante stared at me for a while, then rolled up his sleeve once more and picked a flower.

Ah. That shouldn’t be picked now!

Serpina thought Dante’s help with the garden work would be a one-day whim.

However, the next day, Dante was again waiting in front of the garden at the time Serpina usually came out.

“My Lord?”

“What shall we do today?”

It wasn’t just that day.

The next day, and the day after that too.

Dante would come out earlier than Serpina and wait in front of the garden, then squat down with her when she arrived.

“What should I do today?”

Asking the same question as always.

Thinking that he must have found it to his liking, Serpina worked in the garden with him.

Although she didn’t like borrowing other people’s hands, she didn’t mind with Dante, as she felt somewhat concerned and sorry for him in various ways.

Rather, she was glad that he seemed to have found a hobby that suited him.

After all, work-life balance, that is, the balance between work and rest, is important.

She even felt a bit proud to have gifted a good hobby to the male lead who was awkward even with taking a breather, let alone having a hobby.

Of course, no matter what, she didn’t want to give up sowing seeds.

Serpina wasn’t the only one surprised.

“You’re out here again today.”

“Yeah, I know. Do you think gardening is secretly becoming trendy among nobles?”

“It’s so nice to see you two getting along. Plus, with the Duke here, I think the Duchess won’t overexert herself.”

“Wow. You’re just ignoring my words.”

“Sorry, Siena. I didn’t feel it was worth responding to.”

Anyway.

The Duke and Duchess working together in the garden.

It was undoubtedly a rare sight.

However, even the servants who initially seemed about to faint from shock were now gradually getting used to this scene.

Just like when Serpina, emerging from her seclusion, suddenly started cultivating a garden.

“But doesn’t the Duke’s clothes look really uncomfortable?”

At Serpina’s question after finishing the garden work, Mari and Siena nodded.

“It does look a bit like that. It’s certainly not an outfit that looks comfortable for labor.”

“I wonder what kind of clothes are comfortable for working. For me, a loose dress is comfortable and nice…”

The clothes Dante is wearing now seem to scream in pain every time he squats down.

Especially the thighs.

The contours of his firm muscles are so clearly visible through the fabric, how painful must it be?

“It would be nice if there was something like loose work pants.”

“Loose work pants?”

“Soft, very stretchy, with a roomy waist.”

Add to that a variety of colors and vibrant floral patterns, and it would be perfect, but…

Ah, but.

“…Pfft.”

Imagining Dante in loose work pants, I couldn’t help but laugh.

With his height of over 190 cm.

A solid body covered in muscles like armor.

Thinking of someone who looks like a cold city pretty boy wearing loose work pants…

“I want to see it.”

“Pardon?”

“It might unexpectedly suit him well and look cute. I guess I should make some clothes specifically for farming.”

“Hmm. In that case, should I go ask Markops?”

“Markops?”

“Yes. Since he works as a gardener, he should know well about comfortable clothes for working!”

Hup. That’s right.

“That’s a good idea. Then please do ask him.”

“Yes, leave it to me!”

As Siena answered energetically, Mari entered the room.

She came to inform that the meal was ready in the dining room.

“I’ll be there soon.”

Originally, I used to eat lunch alone in my room, but recently I’ve been eating in the dining room.

It was because Dante suggested we have lunch together.

Come to think of it, it seems like I’ve been spending more time with the male lead lately?

I guess Dante has become more comfortable with me too. Of course, I was the one who put up the wall first.

Anyway.

I felt proud that it was evidence of our relationship improving quite a bit.

A feeling of moving away from the ill-fated relationship that would only leave trauma and wounds for each other?

If we continue like this, I think we can remain good friends.

With light steps, I entered the dining room and saw Dante who had arrived earlier.

Wow. He’s quick today too.

“You’re here early? Have a good lunch, My Lord.”

“Have a good lunch.”

“Wow. It looks really sumptuous today too.”

The table was full of food.

It’s always new to see, but now it’s become quite familiar.

For the past few days, we’ve been eating such lavish lunches that the table seems about to break.

“I’ve told you, you don’t need to prepare this much.”

“No! We can’t do that!”

I muttered as if letting it slide, but Ena, who had suddenly popped out of the kitchen, strongly disagreed.

She was holding another plate in her hand.

Ena, who had brought the food herself, looked around the already full table and then placed the plate almost wedging it between the other dishes.

This is not a packed subway train of food, you know.

As I looked at her with exasperated eyes, Ena muttered dejectedly.

“If I had my way, I’d serve even more, but the table is too small.”

“Then perhaps we should enlarge the table?”

“That would be fine too, My Lord!”

“Stop. If you make it any bigger, I’ll just eat casually in my room.”

At my firm reply, both of them closed their mouths.

Why are they both so genuinely disappointed?