Every autumn, grandmother would plant seedlings she obtained from the neighborhood.

Mother helped grandmother without a word. I sat plumped down in the yard, watching them.

“Why plant in autumn? Isn’t spring better?”

Grandmother smiled at my curious question and answered.

“Everything has its proper time.”

“Proper time?”

“The best time to do things. Some trees start putting down roots from early spring. We can’t plant trees in winter when the ground is frozen, so if we plant them in autumn…”

“The roots will start moving as soon as early spring comes?”

“Correct! My granddaughter is such a genius.”

Her soil-covered hand playfully touched the tip of my nose.

“Everything has its proper time. If you don’t do what needs to be done then, time that has passed won’t come back. That’s why I plant trees in autumn.”

“And planting trees in autumn is also a long tradition of our tribe. When we plant trees in autumn and they survive the winter healthily, new life will sprout vigorously in spring. Seeing that, we make a commitment to spend a healthy and safe year ourselves.”

Mother continued grandmother’s words.

“I don’t really understand.”

“Haha. It’s okay if you don’t understand yet. But remember this. People should leave traces. You should plant at least one tree in the world.”

“Why?”

“People and trees are similar. They put down firm roots and grow their bodies. With the help of sunlight, water, and soil.”

“I don’t understand that either.”

“Oh my! I thought my granddaughter was a genius!”

Back then, I couldn’t understand at all what grandmother and mother were saying.

I just nodded, jumped up declaring I would help, and enthusiastically played in the dirt.

So what happened to the tree we planted then?

“Serpina.”

“Ah. Sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

I barely managed to hold onto my wandering thoughts at Dante’s call.

Anyway, I chose to plant trees because remembering that day always made me smile unconsciously.

I hoped the people of the Richter mansion would have such smile-inducing memories too.

With such memories, they could smile and overcome each autumn that comes, year after year.

Even if I’m no longer here.

Instead of voicing his doubts, Dante agreed.

Though the worry of ‘Don’t overdo it, you promised’ still followed.

And so, the big day arrived.

“Alright. Everyone got a shovel?”

Those who expressed interest in participating gathered together, gripped shovels in their hands, and dug the ground.

Among them were Mari, Siena, Barhan, Markops, and Ena.

Some busily filled watering cans with water and poured it into each hole, while others were assigned to moisten the roots.

Perhaps because it was voluntary participation, everyone moved their bodies diligently with shining eyes, without any grumbling.

“It’s my first time planting a tree.”

“I wonder if it will grow well? I hope it does.”

“By the way, what kind of tree is this?”

“Don’t know.”

The chattering voices involuntarily brought a contented smile to my face.

I searched for Mari and Siena with my eyes.

Ah, there they are.

Fortunately, Mari and Siena also had bright expressions for once.

“Everyone’s working hard. It’s nice to see, isn’t it?”

Dante, who was helping plant trees mixed in among the people, nodded.

“Indeed. I never imagined I’d see a scene like this.”

“It’s all thanks to me, right?”

“Yes. It’s all thanks to Serpina.”

Really, I can’t even joke around carelessly.

“Shall we plant one together? There’s an empty spot over there, and we have seedlings left.”

“Sounds good.”

I took Dante’s hand and led him towards the empty space.

While I brought a seedling that had its roots moistened in advance, Dante dug a hole.

“We need to give it plenty of water before planting. So this tree can survive the winter and grow vigorously when spring comes.”

After carefully planting the seedling in the hole, Dante covered it with soil.

We trampled the ground together to make it firm.

Looking at the young tree firmly fixed in place made me feel proud.

“Earlier, you had an expression like you were curious why I suggested planting trees, of all things?”

Dante looked at me with round eyes, as if I had hit the nail on the head with my question.

Haha. How cute.

I squatted in front of the small tree and began to speak.

“When I was young, my grandmother told me that autumn is the proper time to plant trees.”

“Autumn, not spring?”

He’s asking the exact same question as I did when I was little.

Haha. I nodded with a laugh and continued.

“Yes. Some trees endure the winter and spread their roots as soon as spring comes. So there are trees that need to be planted in autumn. The trees we’re planting now are all that type.”

“Ah.”

His short exclamation made me feel proud for no reason.

In the end, I’m just showing off with my grandmother’s teachings.

“She said that in one’s lifetime, one should plant at least one tree. That it’s a way to leave a trace in the world. Look. From now on, this is our trace.”

I pointed at the tree we just planted and smiled.

“Even if we have to leave, this tree will remain here and continue to grow. Doesn’t that make you feel a bit sentimental?”

…Hm?

When no answer came, I awkwardly turned my head.

Dante was quietly looking at me. I could feel his blue eyes fully taking me in.

W-what? Why is he looking at me like that?

Moreover, it seemed strangely quiet around us…

When I glanced around, I saw that everyone was looking at me while holding their breath.

Don’t tell me they all heard just now?

Did everyone focus on watching me show off?

…Oh my goodness.

I bit my lip and lowered my head deeply, overcome with embarrassment.

Ah. I’m dying of shame.

And so, the tree planting event to boost the energy of those suffering from autumn melancholy ended with my face burning.

Darn it.

Still, it was fun in its own way, and I felt proud too.

Yeah. That’s enough.

I tried to suppress the rising embarrassment, comforting myself like that over and over.

Then I decided to stop doing unnecessary things and focus on other matters.

Let them suffer from autumn melancholy or not.

Come to think of it, it was a problem that would resolve itself when winter came. In other words, there was no need for me to step up and fulfill my duties as the lady of the house.

Then what exactly should I do as a duchess?

In fact, there was no need to step up and do anything. It’s not like anyone was pushing me to do so.

But it bothered me that I hadn’t really done anything, even though I had decided to fulfill my duties as the lady of the house and be helpful to the male lead while staying here.

…What could I do that wouldn’t lead to embarrassing situations like last time? I racked my brains over and over.

“Ah. That’s it.”

As I was pondering, I soon came up with a good idea.

“You want to interact with the northern nobles?”

Barhan asked in surprise.

“More precisely, I want to interact with the noble ladies of the north.”

I called Barhan and told him I wanted to interact with the noble ladies of the north.

Barhan was startled but his eyes sparkled.

He couldn’t help it.

From the standpoint of someone protecting Dante, this proposal wouldn’t be bad.

“There was that incident with Count Vietsa’s corruption before, remember? I regretted it a bit then. I thought if we had more interactions and conversations with other northern nobles, such things wouldn’t have happened. And if we give them frequent opportunities to gather here, wouldn’t it increase the unity of the north?”

“Yes. That’s right. That would be correct. However…”

“However?”

“I’m not sure if you can handle it with your physical condition. I’m worried it might be too much for you…”

He seemed to hesitate sincerely.

Anyone watching would think they were making a terminally ill person work.

“Come on. I’m really healthy. There’s nothing to worry about. And it’s just a tea gathering where we chat and then part ways, how could that be too much?”

Seeing his clearly worried expression, I drooped my eyebrows.

“…I know I’m an inadequate person. But as a wife, I want to be of help to Dante. Is it really not possible?”

“How could it not be possible? I will speak to the Duke about it.”

“Wow! Thank you, Barhan.”

I gave Barhan two thumbs up.

With this, I’ve gained one ally.

Whew. I’m glad I spoke to Barhan first instead of directly to Dante.

In times like these when overprotectiveness is severe, if I said I was going to do something, everyone would probably rush to stop me.

Even Dante.

So, wouldn’t it be reassuring to have someone to persuade them together?

And if that person is Barhan, all the better.

There were good reasons why I was pushing for this ‘Northern Noble Ladies’ Meeting’ so much.