‘Prosperous indeed.’
That was the impression upon first seeing the territory of Loarcklo.
Beyond the forest of vibrant colors lay a golden field.
A brown wall, built to protect the estate, came into view, with numerous spires visible beyond it.
Farmers were hurriedly harvesting crops from the fertile soil.
All of this scenery was beautiful. Marian, who had been riding alongside Yerpi on horseback, voiced her thoughts.
“What a magnificent land. Did you know that everything planted here can be harvested within three months?”
“Is that even possible?”
“It is possible in the land of autumn. The lands of Growen are interconnected, so the vital energies of spring and summer flow sequentially into the autumn region over time. That’s why, in each seasonal domain, people can see flowers and fruits suited to that season blooming every day.”
Growen, divided into four major regions, didn’t merely confine each season to its own area—instead, the lands were linked, allowing the seasons to circulate and support one another.
“I had no idea.”
“While it’s a familiar phenomenon for Growen’s residents, it’s also quite special. Because each season has such a distinct character, the people seem to love their homelands all the more.”
Marian’s expression, returning to her homeland, looked more relaxed than ever before.
Pepe, Erka, and now Marian—each of them who had returned to their hometown wore a unique expression.
Like a turtle emerging toward the sea after laying eggs, or a salmon swimming upstream to its birthplace, those residing in Growen’s castle would one day complete their purposes and return to their respective homelands.
For a brief moment, the expressions of those who had arrived home seemed to offer a glimpse into that final chapter.
At last, the guards stationed at the castle entrance recognized the delegation from Growen.
After the heavy castle gates opened, Lord Dyson Loarcklo, having already received word, stepped forward personally to greet the delegation.
“Welcome to Loarcklo. Your Grace, and Your Highness.”
Dyson, whom she had only seen in mirrors before, appeared somewhat younger and sharper in person.
He was accompanied by a woman who seemed a bit older than him. Upon introduction, she was revealed to be Lady Leven Loarcklo, the lord’s wife.
Five years his senior, she was a composed and dignified woman with deep hazelnut-colored eyes.
She also had a gentle voice, one that seemed to have the power to soothe people’s hearts.
“Leven Loarcklo. It is my first time greeting Your Highness.”
“Pleased to meet you, Lady Loarcklo.”
“You may call me by name, if you’d like. Your Grace getting married—I truly think it’s wonderful. I’m grateful you’ve both come to visit our land.”
“I am the one who should be grateful for such warm hospitality.”
Even from this brief exchange, one could guess the lady’s kind nature.
Meanwhile, the lord watched with a pleased expression as his wife conversed with Yerpi.
“It seems two are always more pleasing to look upon than one. Isn’t that right, my lady?”
“Hoho, just like us?”
Seeing the lady naturally link her arm with Dyson’s, one could easily tell how harmonious their marriage was.
“In any case, I entrust my wife to your kind guidance.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
The couple boarded a carriage together to travel within the estate.
An open carriage without a roof allowed them to experience the autumn breeze and observe the estate up close.
The lively marketplace and the content faces of commoners enjoying a prosperous life were clearly reflected in their attire and expressions.
‘So this is what they meant by the most noble estate—it’s not just appearance, but a place where order is deeply established.’
The expressions of laborers, merchants, and other working-class people were uniformly bright, and children ran about energetically, showing no signs of hunger.
The autumn region resembled an ideal world, a utopia imagined by the outside world.
“How peaceful.”
She hadn’t realized she had spoken aloud, but the lord treated her words as the most delightful compliment in the world.
“That is precisely my pride. There is no poverty, nor any significant threat from surrounding monster hordes, so the issues that arise each year can be counted on one hand. Every one of our citizens has at least one hobby. I do too. During your stay, I’d be honored to personally show you the vineyard my wife and I manage together.”
Pride shone on the lord’s face as he spoke. His eyes, filled with conviction, were pleasant to behold.
“I’d very much like to see it.”
“It would be our family’s honor.”
After boarding the carriage, they exchanged conversation on various topics beyond just the estate, including the courtship days of the lord and his lady.
As they amiably conversed while taking in the scenery, their tension gradually eased.
A leaf, carried by the fluttering wind, landed in Yerpi’s hair.
Following the leaf with her gaze, she suddenly noticed a carriage nearby, accompanied by knights.
Charlotte was still inside the carriage she had arrived in.
‘Sorry about that.’
Seeing the tightly closed curtains, she felt a quiet sense of guilt.
But for Charlotte’s sake, it was better not to draw too much attention.
If someone were to recognize her and raise objections, the Duke, bound by duty to protect Growen, would have no choice but to send Charlotte beyond the ice walls.
Charlotte likely understood this too, which was why she remained quietly inside the carriage.
As Yerpi kept an eye on the carriage carrying Charlotte, the delegation finally arrived at the lord’s castle.
Stepping out of the carriage, the castle’s grandeur became even more palpable.
The autumn castle possessed a different kind of magnificence compared to what she had seen in the summer region.
Most striking were the gemstone decorations on the exterior, dazzling to the eyes—so splendid it reminded her of the imperial palace she had visited as a child.
While Yerpi admired the castle, Leven approached to explain more about it.
“The autumn region also holds many mines. All the ornaments embedded in the castle were mined directly from there.”
“Truly beautiful.”
“I especially love seeing the castle from the front. There’s a spire at the center of the nearby oak forest—viewing the castle from there is also incredibly beautiful.”
The lady’s face, expressing a desire to one day take the princess there, was filled with pride for the estate she cherished.
Turning around, she saw Charlotte, cloaked in a robe, stepping down from the carriage with Snoll’s help.
Apparently having received prior notice, a maid from the castle immediately guided Charlotte away, heading toward a side entrance rather than the main gate.
Seeing Charlotte move cautiously, Yerpi felt somewhat relieved. She then followed Raymond inside.
The castle was not beautiful only on the outside.
As the lord guided the ducal couple through the interior, where carpets and decorations harmonized beautifully, he made a suggestion.
“I’ve already heard your purpose. You seek the fruit that only blooms on the Great Tree. But if time isn’t of the essence, would you care to join us for a banquet first?”
At those words, Dante, who had been hidden inside Yerpi’s jacket, suddenly poked his head out.
[Will there be lots of tasty things there?]The sudden appearance of the young dragon startled the castle’s people at first, but their surprise quickly turned into delight, drawing everyone’s attention.
In response to the child’s question, the lord smiled and clapped his hands.
“Indeed, it’s always better to show rather than just tell. First, let me guide you this way.”
The place they followed the lord to was a grand banquet hall.
Even before entering, an aroma that stimulated the taste buds burst forth.
Two chefs were carrying a suckling pig roast, each with an apple in its mouth.
Besides that, one after another, lavish and unfamiliar delicacies piled onto the tables.
“We prepared in advance, in case you were hungry. Would you like to begin the meal right away?”
[I want to!]Dante, his eyes instantly drawn to food, flew straight up and sat on the chair in front of the roasted pig.
Apparently, the meals during their camping trips hadn’t fully satisfied him.
“Please let this child eat first.”
“Then I’ll show Your Highness to your room.”
The lord’s wife stepped forward at the suggestion that the honored guest should rest in the VIP chamber first.
“I’d like to escort her myself.”
“That would put my mind at ease.”
Smiling gently as if to reassure them, Leven stood beside Yerpi.
Dyson and Raymond seemed to have matters to discuss separately. Yerpi quietly stepped aside to avoid making him uncomfortable.
“Take care.”
“Excuse me for a moment.”
He, too, seemed to have been waiting for the right moment to speak.
The two departed down the corridor, each accompanied by their respective guides.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
