Do Flowers Bloom in the Fallen Land?

Seira parted ways with Louis and returned to the D-Arc. She requested that he just drove her at a reasonable distance from the building, and Louis complied without asking why. Then, the carriage turned and disappeared into the distance.

She liked that about him. Keeping a certain line that should never be crossed was one vital condition for her.

“Dad, I’m home.”

When she entered the dark castle alone in broad daylight, dozens of candlesticks lit up on their own as usual.

Seira, over here.

Although she stayed out for several days, Nathan’s face didn’t show signs of reprimanding his daughter.

‘It’ll probably be the same even if I leave and won’t come back for a few months,’ she thought.

She was purely telling it to herself where and when she’d go and leave. Maybe Seira didn’t have to worry so much about Nathan if one day she’d soon die on the battlefield and never come back. Perhaps she’ll even meet the real him then.

Did you eat?

“Yes, I ate already.”

Truth be told, she only had breakfast at the mansion, but it was better to skip meals than to eat some tasteless stew she made on her own. Anyways, she’ll be going to Franto tomorrow, so she’d get her fill there to compensate.

You did a good job.

Nathan nodded with satisfaction.

Did you say hello to the crown prince?

“Ah…”

Now that she thought of it, Nathan did make such a request when she went to Jeff with Baron. She snorted back then, saying there was no reason to meet him. In the end, Seira did end up encountering Calrad.

“We met…”

Really?

Aside from the meeting, they also talked for a long time. Of course, it wasn’t how Nathan wanted it to be. But he didn’t know that, and his translucent face began to glow with what little information Seira told him.

Did you happen to talk about marriage?

“Well…”

Seira rolled her eyes. If there wouldn’t be any problem, it was highly likely she’d start a contractual relationship with Louis tomorrow. If that happened, wouldn’t it be just reasonable to talk to Nathan first?

“Dad, the truth is…”

She quietly looked at his expectant face and continued, “Well, I’m thinking about getting engaged to Louis Franto.”

Huh? What about Calrad?

Seira thought about it for a while, and then decided to just be honest with him.

“Calrad made a mistake. He’d done something he never should’ve done with me, so I think now I can get married to him.”

She couldn’t fool her father forever. One Calrad was enough to wander with absurd hopes.

“I’m sorry, Dad.”

At her words, Nathan’s expression slowly hardened. It was the very first time she’d seen him look at her like that after he became a spirit at the duke’s castle seven years ago.

Why?

Nathan’s voice rang low.

Why are you apologizing? Baby, why is your face like that?

Seira thought it was strange for Nathan to ask her that. He looked like he was on the edge of a cliff, but he was worried about her.

Did something serious happen? Talk to your dad.

The whole duchy seemed to resonate with his voice. It wasn’t just a feeling – the candles shook wildly she thought they’d go out. It was clear that Nathan’s spirit resonated with the castle, and his negative emotions spread like wildfire.

“…”

Seira bit her lips in silence.

Seeing Nathan as if he was about to run out and scold Calrad made her both happy and upset. If he had been truly alive, she knew he wouldn’t just scold him at all. Calrad was sure to pay.

‘No, I don’t think Calrad would’ve done such a crazy thing to me in the first place.’

He would’ve kept his manners in place so as not to offend Nathan Askan, someone who was considered one of the best masterclass slayers in the entire empire.

‘I’d want to see that happen, but…’

But what could Nathan do now? It was just upsetting.

Rather than protesting and repaying Calrad from using his powers to forcibly have her imprint on him, she didn’t want Nathan to find out how helpless and terrified she had been. She couldn’t even get out of his clutches and escape to safety on her own that night.

“Dad,” Seira said, looking at Nathan with serious eyes. “Louis Franto is a very handsome man.”

What?

“I have high standards,” she continued, “Just like my mother was.”

Nathan’s eyebrows, which had been horribly twisted with anger, twitched awkwardly with what she said.

“Louis’ personality is much better too,” Seira added, “He is friendly, kind… and I think he can solve the problems in our estate.”

That was what was most important, but since Nathan couldn’t know exactly the duchy’s situation, she only added that information as a bonus.

“That’s why I’m getting engaged to Louis,” she said with a determined look, “Apart from how Calrad had been mean to me.”

Are you sure? Then why…

“It’s just that I couldn’t fulfill your wish dad…” Seira smiled awkwardly. “So, I’m sorry.”

Seira knew well what Nathan’s wish was. Even if she wasn’t a princess, he would’ve wanted his only daughter to live happily. Protected, cared for, and loved.

But that was a life that Seira knew she could never achieve or reach on her own.

‘Poor dad…’

Had she not cried loudly on the day she returned seven years ago, had she been well enough, perhaps her father’s spirit might have rested in peace. In that way, he wouldn’t have remained as a spirit.

Baby, I’ve told you so many times, but your happiness is the most important thing to me.

Nathan said with a look of lingering worry.

If you like Franto, do it. I can’t help it if he’s more handsome to you than the crown prince.

“Yes, Dad. I’ll do my best this time.”

If their barren land came to life, prosperity to Askan was guaranteed. Louis Franto had the key to making that possible, so Seira had to deal with him and figure out the secret. No matter what it cost, in exchange for anything.

Yeah, that would be nice.

Nathan’s expression in reply was still not bright, but Seira smiled pretending she didn’t notice at all.