“No, what is this!”

Klot was speechless at the sight before him. Most, if not all, of the gardens he had visited for other princesses were adorned with vibrant flowers and precious trees.

However, the garden of Verudra Castle, where he currently stood, was half-empty and, of all things, filled not with flowers or trees but with crops.

He had never visited a garden when invited to other castles.

To Klot, all gardens seemed pretty much the same, and he never took the time to admire them. But a garden filled with crops was unheard of.

Forgetting momentarily that he was a guest, Klot spent a long time observing the crops in the garden before realizing how much time had passed and hurriedly entered the castle.

“Thank you for granting permission despite the sudden request, Princess Stella.”

Klot’s demeanor was noticeably different from when he taught classes. If encountering Klot at Muege Castle felt like searching for something unpleasant like a hyena, meeting him here felt like encountering a neighbor who had come to visit without notice.

It was surprising how the change in location could alter a person’s atmosphere so drastically.

Stella couldn’t hide her astonishment as she looked at Klot, who even wore a nonchalant expression and a faint smile.

“Am I being strange?”

Seeing Stella’s unusual expression, Klot asked.
“It’s not that, but the atmosphere is so different from when you’re teaching.”

“If I surprised you, I apologize.”

Klot was polite and offered a sincere apology. Seeing this unexpected side of him, Stella couldn’t help but feel perplexed.

As the two conversed in the reception room, Bryn brought refreshments. There were carrot pies and sandwiches with spinach, creations made by Lian.

The feeling of the refreshments was significantly different from the dessert-focused offerings usually seen. Klot observed the carrot pie and sandwich in detail, his gaze sharp like a scientist observing an experimental subject.

“Did you make these yourself?”

Klot’s gaze on the food was keen, as if he were scrutinizing an experiment.

“Lian, the chef in Verudra, is very skilled. As you may have guessed, the spinach and carrots used here were directly grown in the garden.”

“The servants are very diligent.”

Klot genuinely admired. However, Mila’s words delivered another shock, causing Klot to freeze.

“These crops were sown and cultivated by Princess herself.”

Mila was confident that Stella’s farming story, while perhaps unknown to other nobles, would have a positive impact on Klot at least.
Klot wasn’t an ordinary noble who disregarded agriculture or commerce, having avoided the aristocratic superiority complex. This was one of the reasons why Emperor Kai Edelgart of the Credion Empire considered Klot as an outstanding talent. However, there was always resistance to innovative forces, and Klot, especially, was seen as an eccentric and heretic who used the emperor’s power to undermine the honor of the nobles.

“Really? Princess, you personally cultivate crops?”

Klot’s expression was as if he had seen a ghost.

“Yes. Would that be a significant issue?”

“No, not at all. Absolutely not. It’s just astonishing to think that someone like you exists in reality.”

Even though he advocated innovation, Klot himself hadn’t personally engaged in farming. Stella, on the other hand, was a princess of a realm, albeit treated more honorably than anyone else in her home country. Although he came as a tutor, he felt like an explorer discovering an unknown world.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you introduce the crops you personally cultivated, Princess?”

Despite having a good look upon entering, Klot wanted to hear the explanation directly from the princess. Confirming a long-cherished dream right before his eyes made Klot unable to conceal his excitement.

“Of course. It’s not that difficult. Before that, why don’t you try these? They have a very special taste.”
The reason Klot was so thin was that he had little interest in eating. He only ate enough to survive and be able to move.

Engrossed in reading and research, he often skipped meals for days without even realizing he was hungry. Only when his vision blurred did he think,

“Oh, I haven’t eaten for three days.”

Even now, Klot didn’t have much of an appetite. However, since he had come all the way to a humble place, he had to taste the food offered by t
Lian and Stella, not knowing English, just stared at each other awkwardly. How many times did they repeat this?

After Klot had devoured half of the carrot pie, he finally explained the reason behind shedding tears.

“I didn’t know food could taste this good.”

As it turned out, Klot was not good at perceiving tastes. What others found overly salty, he only felt slightly bland. Even when eating a cake that was supposed to be sweet enough to make one’s tongue tingle, he couldn’t properly sense the sweetness.

With all the flavors
Regardless of the type, if Klot had not read books as they came, he might not have recognized the golden beets. He had no interest in what color the beets were when blooming brown in the gardens of Meuge Castle.

The garden of Meuge Castle was entirely personal, serving as a decoration for the princess’s vanity and nothing more.

“I’ve heard it helps with a good night’s sleep. Later, when I make tea with the beets, I’ll share some with the teacher too.”

For Klot, who suffered from poor appetite and insomnia, this was excellent news.

“Thank you very much. If it’s not too much trouble, may I occasionally come here to explore the garden?”

“Of course.”

Stella felt a bit overwhelmed when Klot took the initiative to become friends with her. However, she suppressed her emotions and responded calmly.

Showing a lively, childlike attitude wouldn’t have a particularly positive impact on her relationship with Klot.

“Lian.”

When Stella called out to Lian, who had escorted Klot to the gate, she handed over a bundle of crops she had specially prepared for him.

“What is this?”

Klot asked with a bewildered expression.

“It’s nothing special, just spinach and carrots that I personally grew. If you come around next week, I’ll share other crops as well.”

“Really!”
For Klot, who had just enjoyed a delicious meal for the first time in this place, it was more precious and valuable than anything. Klot held the received gift as if it were a precious jewel box.

“Thank you. I’ll definitely come back next week.”

“Goodbye.”

As Klot’s carriage, which had been waiting in front of the palace, moved away, Stella waved her hand, bidding him farewell.

Once the carriage was perfectly out of sight, Stella, Mila, and Lian looked at each other and exchanged a knowing smile.

“Mila, did I do well?”

Stella shrugged and nodded in response to her own question.

“But, Your Highness. Who on earth is he that you would see him off like this?”

Lian, who had lavishly treated him without knowing who he was, couldn’t contain his curiosity until the carriage was no longer visible.

“Now, he’s the history teacher.”

At Stella’s cryptic remark, Mila and Lian widened their eyes, eagerly waiting for what would come next. However, Stella just smiled slyly and kept her lips sealed.

Unable to bear the curiosity, Lian continued to ask Mila, but Mila didn’t know either.

However, now Mila finally had one thing she was sure about Stella, the princess. There was a plan and purpose behind every action of the princess. So, it was necessary to reconsider all of the princess’s actions.
First, what is the reason for farming?

Second, what is the reason for personally taking on tasks that could be delegated to subordinates?

Third, what is the reason for learning swordsmanship?

Finally, what is the reason for making people align with oneself?

Milah didn’t know that each of these different actions might be pointing towards a single purpose. For the first time that day, Milah thought that Princess Stella might be a formidable person.