𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓𝟏: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡

The first outing with Lord Montyver ended in an incredible result.

That day, thanks to Prince Ghodrove’s planning, I was able to return home late at night.

However, everyone was asleep, so I couldn’t see them until the next day.

The Marchioness had told Florenci, “Leon had an upset stomach, so your Okaa-sama was taking care of him.”

Therefore, Florenci was worried about Lord Montyver’s stomach.

When I told him he got better, he showed a relieved expression.

There was no way I could honestly tell him that the cursed Lord Montyver had been in mortal danger, so I have nothing but gratitude for the Marchioness.

ㅤ

Three days later, Lord Montyver showed me his cheerful face.

In one hand, he was holding a pot of Crystal Snowdrops.

ㅤ

“My goodness, I apologize for worrying you.”

ㅤ

Florenci was the first to run over and call out.

ㅤ

“Lord Montyver, does your stomach no longer hurt?”

“My stomach?”

“I heard that you hurt it when you went out with Okaa-san the other day.”

ㅤ

I thought we hadn’t coordinated our story for a moment, but Lord Montyver seemed to understand what I meant instantly.

ㅤ

“Ah, yes, yes. It was truly terrible, but thanks to Ren’s Okaa-san’s nursing, it’s all better now.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

ㅤ

Lord Montyver crouched down and said, “What a kind child you are,” as he patted Florenci’s head.

Florenci’s eyes narrowed happily.

ㅤ

It seemed that Lord Montyver’s tutor had come with him. Florenci reluctantly left the room.

ㅤ

“Lara, did you forget this flower in the carriage?”

“Yes, that, yes.”

ㅤ

When I got home, I remembered it, but since I didn’t know his situation, I thought I’d ask him next time I saw him.

ㅤ

After receiving the Crystal Snowdrops and expressing my gratitude again, the Marchioness cleared her throat.

ㅤ

“Oh, Marchioness, it seems you explained well to Ren.”

“Of course. I couldn’t say that you were almost killed, and his Okaa-san couldn’t return as a significant witness person.”

ㅤ

It seems the he brought the Marchioness a silk handkerchief as an apology gift.

ㅤ

“If you prefer something better, I can prepare it.”

“This is enough.”

ㅤ

Lord Montyver was invited to sit by the Marchioness, but he bowed his head, saying he had something to apologize for first.

ㅤ

“I’m sorry for involving Lara.”

“The person you should be apologizing to is not me, is it?”

ㅤ

The Marchioness suggested that he should apologize while walking in the garden.

Lord Montyver looked back at me with a slightly troubled expression. I sensed a reluctance, so I thought it couldn’t be helped and invited him.

ㅤ

“It’s sunny today, shall we walk outside?”

“Is it okay?”

“Yes. Let’s plant the Crystal Snowdrops too.”

“That sounds good.”

ㅤ

Ga-chan seemed to be enjoying tea with the Marchioness. Recently, she had acquired a taste for tea, dropping her favorite lump of sugar and drinking.

ㅤ

“You don’t have to worry about time, take a break.”

ㅤ

While being seen off by Marchioness and Ga-chan, Lord Montyver and I went out to the garden.

Lord Montyver was carrying the Crystal Snowdrops.

It was still a little chilly outside, but the sunshine was warm.

ㅤ

“It’s colder than I thought, but are you okay?”

“Compared to Vulcano’s climate, it feels like a warm and cozy day.”

“Wow, is Lara’s hometown that cold?”

ㅤ

Lord Montyver had a downcast expression today.

Maybe he thinks he doesn’t have to pretend to be a bright man in front of me anymore.

Surely that’s not the only reason.

He must be lost in something. Otherwise, he wouldn’t look at me with the face of a lost child.

ㅤ

“Lord Montyver, sometimes I think life is like the changing seasons.”

ㅤ

I asked a passing gardener where to plant the snowdrops.

He said I could plant them wherever I wanted, so I sat down in a suitable place.

Lord Montyver crouched next to me and took out the Crystal Snowdrop from its pot.

I used the shovel I had borrowed from the gardener to dig up the soil.

I transplanted the snowdrop and lightly covered it with soil.

Since the source of nutrition for magical plants is magic, there is no need for watering, and they can be left as is.

But my relief was short-lived.

Lord Montyver began to talk.

ㅤ

“Lara, tell me more about your theory that life is like the changing seasons.”

“I was embarrassed after I said it.”

“Go on.”

ㅤ

The seasons keep coming around.

Spring brings beautiful blossoms, summer brings intense heat, fall brings harvest, and winter brings falling snow.

ㅤ

“Similarly, in life, we all have our blooming seasons, we endure the harsh, sizzling heat of tough times, we reap the rewards of our hard work, and we bear the weight of accumulated snow-like pressures – life is full of such variations.”

ㅤ

But that’s not all there is.

Life, like the seasons, moves and changes over time.

ㅤ

“No matter how much snow accumulates, causing hardship, it melts when spring comes. 

Similarly, in life, even if times are hard now, it won’t last forever?”

“I hope so, that’s what I believe.”

ㅤ

It would have been nice if I could state that firmly, but I can’t take responsibility for other people’s lives.

As a result, my statement was quite gentle.

ㅤ

“Moreover, everyone feels the seasons differently, and what you are feeling is not necessarily the same as what others are feeling.”

ㅤ

Even if Lord Montyver finds the cold of Binemöer harsh, I, born in Vulcano, might not feel the same. The way we perceive life is also diverse.

ㅤ

“Even a problem that seems huge to one person might seem trivial to another. That’s why I think it’s important to talk about things, rather than bottling them up inside.”

ㅤ

I want you to know that your current situation is not everything. Your actions can turn your fate around.

With that wish, I tried to express a bit of my worldview.

ㅤ

“Lara, thank you. Somehow, I feel encouraged.”

ㅤ

Saying that, Lord Montyver revealed a gentle smile.

His lost-child-like expression seemed to have disappeared somewhere.