Through the gentle mountain breeze wafting through the forest, the clear and cozy scents of flowers, grass, and trees brushed against her body.

“Sigh…”

Idel took a breath with a content expression. As the refreshing and comforting forest fragrance permeated her lungs, the slight anxiety she had in her mind seemed to vanish.

[Dash] “Proving Fleuret’s lineage is simple. Just enter the Fairy Forest alone and return.”

[Dash] “Is it dangerous inside the Fairy Forest?”

[Dash] “Not at all. It’s a place where flowers and trees spread out like a paradise. If you simply walk to the center of the forest, you can return within two hours at the latest.”

Contrary to her initial worries, the Fairy Forest was peaceful, just as her nephew had described.

‘If I follow this path, I should reach the center of the forest.’

The forest path, stretching out before her amid tightly packed trees reaching to the sky, guided Idel like a beacon. Strangely, as she entered the Fairy Forest, she diligently walked along the path that unfolded before her like an indicator.

‘Where could the orchids be blooming?’

Idel gazed attentively at the drawing in her hand, along with the flowers and trees blooming nearby. In the drawing, a crimson orchid was depicted.

Although her nephew had already informed her of the orchid’s appearance, he mentioned that she had to enter the forest and find out where the orchids were blooming. Following the path guided by the protection of the fairies, Idel believed she would undoubtedly find the orchids somewhere along the way to the center of the forest.

As she continued to walk, observing her surroundings, the sound of falling water nearby caught her attention. When she approached the concealed thicket, a massive waterfall unfolded before her eyes as she brushed it aside.

“Wow…”

The clarity of the falling water, breaking into thousands and tens of thousands of fragments, was visible. It was a breathtaking sight, and Idel stopped in her tracks, staring blankly at the waterfall.

“Could that be…?”

She squinted her eyes as if focusing her sight. Beyond the stream of water, crimson flowers that emerged through the thick vines on the opposite cliff came into view.

‘Considering the vines growing with the flowers, it’s likely to be an orchid.’

As Idel lowered her gaze again to the drawing in her hand, green vines were entwined around the orchid. Convinced that she had found the presumed orchid, Idel approached the waterfall.

‘Certainly, it’s an orchid.’

As she got closer, the distinct shape of the flower left no room for doubt. However, her expression soon deepened as she contemplated how to retrieve the flower.

‘How can I bring that flower back?’

After standing still for a while, surveying the surroundings of the cliff from different angles, Idel reached a conclusion.

‘I have no choice but to climb the cliff using the rocks.’

Although the location where the orchid was blooming wasn’t very high, it wasn’t within arm’s reach. With a cautious expression, Idel considered how she would reach out for the flower after gripping the third rock.

‘One, two, three… After gripping the third rock, I should be able to reach it.’
Having completed her thoughts, Idel took a deep breath and, with a loud exhale, stepped onto the first rock. Then, she proceeded to place her foot on the second rock above it.

“Oops…!”

Due to the moss-covered surface near the waterfall, Idel slipped and missed her step. Desperately, she grabbed onto the nearby vines of the orchid.

“Gasp…!”

It was a precarious situation, as she could have fallen under the waterfall. Fortunately, grabbing onto the vines, Idel regained her balance and scolded herself for her startled reaction, feeling the palpitations of her greatly expanded heart.

‘It’s okay. Calm down. I just need to reach and grab the last rock now.’

Idel gripped the vines tightly, climbed onto the rock that would be the last foothold, and simultaneously reached out with her hand, gathering the three fully bloomed orchids.

‘There we go…!’

Having safely plucked the orchids, Idel put them in the pocket of her jacket. She was about to descend, following the same path she had climbed while holding onto the vines.

Suddenly, the vine she had been holding onto snapped with a ‘snap.’ With the severed vine and the loss of balance, Idel’s body helplessly fell under the waterfall.

“No…!”

The scream of the powerful water, which could make one’s ears muffled, swallowed even her delicate voice.

“As this is a reception for esteemed guests, everyone, please make an effort to be at your best.”

“Yes, Miss Roselin.”

Roselin directed the maids as they prepared for the evening reception welcoming the diplomatic delegation. As the event approached, her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Oh, Father!”

As the sun tilted outside the window, the countenance of Viscount Fleuret darkened. Unlike him, Roselin’s face became increasingly radiant as time passed.

“Your sister hasn’t returned yet.”