The Duke’s Daughter Trained a Wild Beast

It was already very surprising that the Duke’s hobby was gardening.

But……

‘You’ve been cultivating a seed that haven’t even sprout for 20 years?’

That was really unimaginable.

It seems that Lena in the original did not know this either, so I honestly expressed my surprised feelings.

“Maybe the seed is already dead……? Anyway, he’s in that greenhouse right?”

“Yes, you can go there.”

“Thank you for letting me know.”

As Ludwig said, I headed to the greenhouse.

‘To work hard on a seed that hasn’t sprouted for 20 years…’

I heard that ordinary heads of households are busy with educating their children and earning money.

However, the Duke seemed to be different from that because of his overflowing time and wealth.

I see you found such a novel way to waste your time.

I took a step forward, biting my tongue at his indolence. Then, before I knew it, I was already in front of the greenhouse.

‘Wow, it’s warm.’

The inside of the glass greenhouse was warm as if it were a completely different world.

Thanks to this, plants with broad leaves and colorful petals were also growing.

‘There are so many flowers…… But aren’t these all foreign plants?’

Judging from the large leaves and the gorgeous colors of the flowers, it is not a plant that grows in the Empire.

Perhaps they’re an exotic species…… And they seemed to be plants brought from the Holy Kingdom of Yerta.

So it is normal to be unfamiliar, but for some reason, a familiar yet warm feeling flooded in.

‘It feels like I’ve been here before……’

Thoughts scrambled as if something came to mind. Fragments of hazy memories floated up and down repeatedly.

But there was no time for further thought. Since I found the back of the person I was looking for just in time.

“Father? You’re here.”

He turned to me with a surprised look.

Seeing his surprised face, I must have completely forgotten about the title I just used.

Eventually, I reminded him first.

“I heard you’re looking for me.”

“Hmm, yes.”

As soon as the duke answered me, he moved quickly to hide something behind.

At that moment, I could catch a glimpse of what he had hidden.

‘What? I think I saw something like a very large egg……?’

It was about the size of an ostrich egg and was oval in shape with white wings.

I was confused as to what to define the strange object.

“What did you just hide? A giant seed? Ostrich eggs? Or maybe…… A rare breed

pumpkin?”

“Don’t mind it.”

“Is that the seed you were trying to germinate for 20 years?”

“……?!”

He looked at her as if asking how did she know. Then suddenly, he seemed to understand the situation.

“Tch, did Ludwig said that? Spouting useless things……”

“Can I take a look?”

“… … Well, do whatever you want. It’s not like it’s gonna wear off just by looking at it.”

He generously showed me the seed, as if granting me something great.

I was able to take a closer look at the seed, so I looked around it.

‘There is no gap at all. It really hasn’t sprouted.’

That is to say, the duke’s efforts had been completely in vain for 20 years.

For some reason, I wanted to make fun of him, but I didn’t have the confidence so I just put up with it and swallow it back in my mouth.

“Isn’t that an Imperial plant?”

“Yes. It is a breed imported from the Holy Kingdom of Yerta. I’ve been taking care of it for a long time, but somehow, it’s still not sprouting.”

“Maybe because the seed is already too old?”

“No, that’s not it. This is a strong plant that will germinate even after a thousand years if conditions are met. And look at this.”

He lifted the seed and lit it up in the sunlight.

Thanks to it, I was able to witness something amazing.

“……!!”

I didn’t know just by looking at it, but the shell of the seed seems to have been surprisingly translucent.

In the sunlight, the inside looked like a raw egg.

Furthermore……

‘Something is wriggling inside……!!’

Inside the seed, something round that looked like a nucleus was moving.

Whatever it was, it was clear evidence that this seed was holding life.

It was questionable whether something wriggling like this could be called a seed.

“So it’s alive?”

“Yes. It didn’t germinate not because it’s old. The conditions in germination process probably aren’t met.”

“Condition…… Since it’s a plant of Yerta’s Holy Land, shouldn’t things like soil and humidity be adjusted as much as similar to Yerta?”

The duke glared as if he was just saying something like that.

“Of course I did. Soil, water, humidity, temperature, everything is in line with the Holy Kingdom. But it turns out useless to create such an environment like that.”

There are a lot of different plants in this world, and the germination method of those plants really varies from one another.

Some seeds germinate only when the humidity is high, while others rot when exposed to it.

Gardening is so demanding and arbitrary.

‘There must be some special germination conditions that can only be met in the Holy Kingdom that he have to find out.’

But if we haven’t figured out what the condition is for 20 years, then the possibility of finding it out in the future is also slim.

Therefore, there was only one piece of advice I could give to the Duke.

“Why don’t you just give up and find another hobby?”

“……Stop talking nonsense and sit over there. I didn’t call you here to talk about seeds.”

He pointed to the table and chair behind him.

I didn’t came here to talk about seeds either, so I sat down according to his words.

The man who sat across from me was embarrassed and asked all sorts of questions.

“You…… Yesterday I heard you visited Prince Ed’s room wearing only your nightgown. Is that true?”

“Um, yes. I was wearing my indoor clothes. It’s uncomfortable for me to dress up late at night.”

He immediately gave me a bewildered look.

His lips, which were twitching as if he didn’t know what to say, were barely able to make a sound.

And said,

“Yes, it’s true that I was a little indifferent to you. I couldn’t even tell you about right manners. Even so, I thought you would atleast know the basics.”

I was troubled because I don’t know what the duke is talking about.

“Are you referring to when I see His Highness in my indoor clothes? No worries. I didn’t go there naked……”

“……If you went naked yesterday, the prince would kick you out immediately, and I will ban you for going outside for a year.”

“But I am now an adult, and Ed is going to be my husband soon. I appreciate Father’s attention, however, it would be better if you don’t go too far.”

“Tch, if you had met another guy, then I wouldn’t have meddled like this. But somehow… He smells dangerous.”

The Duke stroked his spirit that appeared suddenly and continued the conversation.

“I really wanted to cease this marriage. To be honest, I feel like it’s dangerous to be involved with him.”

“Dangerous……”

While listening to him, I came up a question.

However, since it was a question that required a little courage, she opened her mouth carefully after hesitating.

“……Are you worried about me?”

“……”

“Or are you worried that His Highness Ed will take me as a hostage and threaten the family for some unreasonable demands?”

Ordinary fathers would have answered at once. Since there is nothing in the world more important than their daughter.

But he wasn’t a normal father, and his silence made it more obvious.

It took a moment of silence to get an answer from him.

“…… I am the owner of the North and the Head of the Mont family. Therefore, I have a duty to be on the lookout for anyone who may be a threat to this family. Even if it’s your fiancé.”

“……”

He spoke for a long time, but as a result, he said that the family still comes first.

‘He poured all his affection and devotion towards that seed, and now you’re saying that you’re not even a bit worried for me until the very end…’

Even though the answer was obviously expected, a feeling of sadness swelled up inside.

That must have been the reason why there was a chill in my voice without me realizing it.

“If that’s the case, I don’t think you have to worry about that anymore. If Your Highness used me to threaten the family… I assure you I’d rather kill myself first to prevent it.”

“……What?”

“You were hoping for this kind of determination, right?”

“No, I just……”

“I’ve given you the answer you want, so I’ll leave first.”

I left the greenhouse without giving him a chance to answer.

He didn’t stop me either.

It was just a conversation I expected.

‘Really…… Why did I even expect something from that person…?’

When we were talking about the seed together, for a brief moment, I felt close to him.

The process of contemplating and talking with him is a little fun…

… Because of that, I guess I had high expectations without knowing it.

Of course, that expectation turned into disappointment.

‘Is it so hard to atleast say you’re worried about me? Just live the rest of your life watering plants everyday.’

I got grumpy as I remember how he was paying attention to mere plants more than his own daughter.

Even while going to my room, I still have a heavy heart.

“……!”

Suddenly, I stopped as I just opened the door.

A handsome man was standing leaning against the window sill like a model.

It wasn’t until my fiancé looked at me and opened his mouth that I woke up.

“Lena, you’re back.”

“Your Highness? What brings you to my room…? And what’s with the bag?”

“I think we should go back to the Imperial Palace soon.”

I thought I was going to stay for a few more days, but I was told that I was leaving early, so my lips were dry for a moment.

Then, he continued talking casually.

“There are a lot of things that needs to be prepared to solve the mining problem. Marriage has already been decided so there’s no need to stay any longer.”

“Ah……”

“I think it will be all over in about two weeks. So pack your bags immediately if you want to come with me.”

“……”

It’s obviously a one-sided notice.

Like in the original, he’s the one to decide on everything and just notifies the other later on.

I was already upset because of the duke, but my nerves became sharp even to Ed.

‘Why are all the men here so selfish? They won’t even pretend to ask for my permission?’

The Duke, who argues over my marriage despite not caring for me.

And Ed, who packed his luggage without discussing it with me first.

“Then, I’ll get going.”

Having said that, he strode past me and walked towards the door.

At that moment, I bit my lips while thinking something.

‘If it was Lena in the original story, she would have replied right away. Since in front of Ed, she always behaves well.’

But I didn’t want to do that now.

My decision wasn’t just because the duke. Of course there is one more reason…

… I made a promise that I won’t be an obedient tool like the original Lena.

“Your Highness.”

“……”

He had just walked through the door and stopped. I staggered over and quickly approached him.

“I am your companion who will care about you and stay by your side. So I mean……”

Ed’s eyes widened when I grabbed his hand, which had been lying defenseless.

Staring at my determined reflection in those vivid silver-gray eyes,

I said,

“Today, I want to go with you.”