Chapter 48

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 48

Chapter Title: The Dead Forest and the Fairy Garden (5)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Roxiana finally spoke up after draining her fourth mug of beer.

"Your Highness, have the refugees settled in yet?"

"Ah, the refugees. Normally, it takes about half a year for them to find their footing when they come flooding in. That's when they start landing jobs and getting familiar with the locals. Torkan takes in even former slaves, so there's not much hostility, but when they come in droves like this, problems crop up."

He explained it matter-of-factly, as if it were something he'd dealt with many times before.

"It must be tough arranging work for them since they all had to quit whatever they were doing back home."

"Creating jobs for that many isn't a small task—it's a national issue. We're brainstorming all sorts of solutions. We were already planning to ramp up fish exports, so we're launching more fishing boats and researching ways to deliver fresh catches to the deepest parts of the continent."

"That'll take a lot of time. Until then, the national treasury's covering their support, right?"

"Exactly. But no need to worry. With magical beasts everywhere, we can always hunt them and sell the byproducts—no one's starving to death. A single magical beast heart has sold for more than a low noble's annual salary before."

Even as he discussed these headaches, Floyd's expression didn't change. He seemed utterly unconcerned, with no trace of anxiety about the future.

How can he have no openings at all?

She'd planned to probe any weak spot he revealed—maybe offer to use her abilities if he complained about the refugees. But he wasn't showing even a hint of vulnerability.

Or maybe he doesn't have any weaknesses to show.

Roxiana knew full well how many headaches accepting refugees brought. No matter how used to it Torkan was, trouble always brewed wherever people gathered.

Suddenly, she recalled him in the marketplace, barking curses as he broke up a brawl. That refreshing, no-holds-barred shout made his current nonchalance make sense.

Yeah, if he handles everything like that, no wonder he's worry-free.

His words, actions, and thoughts were utterly unlike any nobles she'd known, leaving her perpetually off-balance.

Roxiana abandoned her plan to make him ask for help first and spoke plainly.

"Your Highness, if the problem is the dead forest from the fire, how about I try reviving it?"

Fortunately, Floyd smirked instead of snapping at her like before.

"I've heard the Lily Palace garden is exceptionally beautiful. Flowers blooming out of season, trees growing vibrantly."

"Yes, so with that power..."

"Princess. This insane blaze is far more ferocious against magical beasts than what you saw—practically demonic. It burns every inch of ground they tread on, as if it has a grudge against them. Down to the depths. Land scorched by it takes at least three years to recover, even with every effort. Barely a single blade of grass might sprout."

"But with my power..."

"Drop it, Princess. I have no intention of watching you freeze to death like that again."

"That was because I was too weak then. It'll be different this time. I'm healthy now."

"Healthy?"

Floyd scanned Roxiana from head to toe. Her neck that looked like it might snap in his grip, her pale skin, her excessively slender wrists.

"Princess, your eyesight must be poor. Where exactly looks healthy?"

"Everywhere. I've been eating well, sleeping well, resting well. I've been moving around a lot, so my stamina's better than usual."

"Aha."

"Not everyone can have arms as thick as yours, Your Highness."

"Of course not."

"So how much bigger do I need to get before you'll let me use my power?"

"As big as me."

"Ha!"

"Once you get as big as me, we'll talk then."

It was absurd. Grow as huge as that man? There wasn't a single knight bulkier or taller than Floyd.

So that was a refusal. Don't even dream about it.

Roxiana bit her lower lip, then grabbed her mug, chugged the beer, and slammed it down with a thud.

"You're so stubborn, Your Highness."

"Says the princess? You're the stubbornest person I've ever met."

"Same here. You're the stubbornest person I've ever seen."

"Fine, then. I'll concede I'm more stubborn—so apologize."

He picked up an apple and split it in half. Juice ran down his wrist.

Roxiana stared at his glistening hand, took half the apple, and crunched into it. As the sweet juice dribbled down her lips, she wiped it away with the back of her hand and glared at him.

She hoped he'd call out the crude, rude, unladylike behavior. But he just said casually, "You're eating well. Like apples, huh?" without a word of reproach.

Her attempt to vent her anger fizzled out since he took it in stride.

"I'm not a bird in a cage."

"So you're done with the slave bit now?"

As Roxiana clamped her mouth shut, he chuckled and raised his hands slightly.

"Alright, stop glaring. I won't tease anymore."

"......"

"Of course, I have no plans to keep you caged, Princess. You can fly anywhere you want."

"Then why...?"

"Princess, an injured bird can't soar the open skies for long. It tires quickly, and when danger strikes, it can't dodge in time. So you still need to stay in the cage."

"Do I really seem that weak?"

"Extremely. I'm afraid to even hold you—you might crumple. So stay in the cage a bit longer, Princess. Once you're fully healed, I'll open the door anytime."

Floyd pressed his lips together in mild displeasure as he glanced at Roxiana trudging away.

At least she's showing her emotions more than before.

Adrian always said a woman's sulky face was the most annoying sight, but Floyd found it enjoyable. It was novel to see Roxiana make that expression.

Well, she used to have a full range of expressions.

Lucas had stolen her smiles—the ones she used to give so freely, whether laughing or pouting.

But her smiles will come back.

Floyd knew, because he had endured the same.

They'd succeeded in stripping smiles from him too, but only briefly. Floyd refused to let them control his emotions at will.

He hoped Roxiana would realize that too.

Or has she already, in her own way?

Floyd had chosen not to live the life they wanted for him. They'd hoped he'd drown in despair, flailing in grief—but he'd clawed out of the darkness and laughed heartily in the end.

Though he'd considered other paths once.

Revenge, maybe?

Until recently, Roxiana had just wanted to die. Now her attitude had shifted abruptly. It wasn't solely responsibility for the wolf pup.

Instead of smiling, she was trying to accomplish something—proving her worth.

Dragging me into that revenge?

Whether it was vengeance or sheer defiance against their expectations, it was a relief she'd abandoned thoughts of death.

Yeah, whatever. Wanting to live is the starting point. She'll learn soon enough that burning your life on revenge is pointless.

As they reached the Lily Palace, Roxiana paused and faced Floyd.

"Thanks to Your Highness, I enjoyed some delicious beer and a great time. Thank you."

"My pleasure."

"Then I'll head in. Good night."

"If you avoid doing anything foolish, I might actually get a good night's sleep."

"Why is that foolish? I just want to help you."

"The fact that you know exactly what I mean means your head's full of those foolish ideas, doesn't it?"

Hit right on the mark, Roxiana flushed and glared at him steadily before whirling away in quick steps.

Floyd watched her retreating figure with a smile until she vanished from sight before turning.

As he walked, thinking back on their drinking session, a white figure pacing the garden caught his eye. Arsen, fully dressed in his uniform.

Arsen rarely stayed at the Grand Duke's palace this late, so Floyd called out curiously.

"Arsen. Not feeding the dogs today?"

Arsen, who kept three dogs, always handled their feeding himself despite having servants for it. Unless something urgent came up, he'd head home right on time every evening.

Even if they drank together, he'd be back by midnight. The dogs got lonely without him too long, he said.

"I already did."

"You did? Then why are you back?"

"The wolf..."

"Wolf?"

"No, never mind. I'll be going."

The only wolf that came to mind was the gray one entrusted to Roxiana, so Floyd grabbed Arsen's arm as he turned.

"What's with the wolf?"

Seeing the worry etched on Arsen's pale face made Floyd's heart sink.

Did something happen to that pup? If anything happens to the wolf, the princess might want to die again.

Arsen swept back his long silver hair in irritation and let out a small sigh. He stared at Floyd for a moment before speaking in a voice thick with concern.

"The wolf is too small."

"......What kind of nonsense is that?"