Spring in My Grasp - Chapter 74

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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(74) How’s Your Vegetable Garden?

I was well aware of how people viewed the severance between House Glister and House Hartwood. Regardless of whatever secrets and internal strife existed within a family, one’s house was the very root of a nobleman’s identity. To sever that connection—it must have seemed like the heavens themselves were shaking to them.
“Alexis simply had no choice in the matter.”
I spoke while surveying the women gathered around me.
“You see—”
My lips parted. Every noblewoman in the room held her breath, listening intently to my account.
***
Some time later.
“How could such a thing be!”
After hearing the entire story, Edel made no effort to conceal her contempt.
“To commit such vile acts!”
When I reached the part about Audrey sending cookies laced with infertility poison, Laila and Florence grew equally agitated.
“I’ve seen her face occasionally at parties, but we weren’t close enough for me to know her well. Yet she truly is a despicable woman!”
“How could a Countess commit crimes that only criminals from the Lower District would perpetrate!”
And when I spoke of how House Glister and House Hartwood had persecuted the couple, everyone sighed heavily.
“Baron Valerion certainly possesses remarkable resolve.”
Edel remarked.
“When a family proves itself inferior to others, it is right to sever ties with them.”
Though the method was somewhat extreme.
“His Majesty must have had good reason to permit it.”
“We didn’t know the full circumstances ourselves….”
Florence spoke with evident regret.
“There was some misunderstanding on our part as well.”
“It’s quite all right.”
I answered with a smile.
“You couldn’t have known.”
The noblewomen all took a considerable liking to me for my gracious, unburdened demeanor.
“Well then, we’ve finished our tea and have been sitting for quite some time. Shall I show you my greenhouse?”
Edel spoke, seeking to shift the mood.
“That would be wonderful!”
Florence exclaimed.
“The Marchioness’s greenhouse is truly enchanting—being inside it feels like stepping into another world entirely.”
Edel gave a low laugh.
“I’ve recently acquired several new plants imported from foreign lands. I’m sure you’ll find them quite worth admiring.”
That’s right, she mentioned gardening was her hobby, I thought.
‘Though I myself know only how to tend a simple vegetable garden.’
I knew nothing of such rare and exotic plants.
‘Still, watering and sunlight should work much the same way.’
Florence and Laila seemed eager, as though they had seen Edel’s greenhouse before. Soon, I followed them toward the greenhouse as well.
Edel’s greenhouse lay hidden deep within the castle. We passed through the orderly, open expanse of the Central Garden, then down corridors where few ventured, until at last an arched structure of glass revealed itself.
The glass panes were positioned at angles that captured light most efficiently, while the delicate framework held the structure with unwavering strength.
An attendant who had been waiting opened the door. As it swung wide, warm, dense air drifted slowly outward. The interior was another world entirely.
Thin curtains draped over the glass and layers of foliage filtered the light, casting the space in soft, subtle shades of green. The air within was humid, and with each breath, different fragrances layered upon one another.
“Oh my….”
I too could not help but marvel. Florence and Laila, already entranced, cupped their hands and inhaled deeply as they admired the plants.
Sweet floral perfume, the rich scent of sap, the fresh green smell of wet earth and tender leaves—all mingled together to form the breath of a living space.
Near the entrance, low potted plants were arranged at regular intervals. Their leaves were unusually thin and translucent, gleaming like golden threads when caught by sunlight. Beside them stood a plant with deep violet leaves, its surface adorned with delicate silver patterns that seemed to flow across it.
‘How truly wondrous and beautiful.’
I walked slowly through the greenhouse, admiring the plants. As I ventured deeper, I found climbing vines that twisted and intertwined in the air, their ends adorned with transparent flowers that hung like dewdrops.
Beside them floated a plant with thin, membranous leaves instead of ordinary foliage. Each ripple caused the surface to shift gently in color—from pale blue to green, then to gold—like a living jewel.
‘Hmm….’
As I reached the center, the space opened wider still. Here stood the larger plants. A thick-stemmed tree occupied the greenhouse’s heart, its leaves barely visible, but small flowers bloomed at the tip of each branch. Though not large, each flower was transparent as glass, sparkling when touched by light. The greenhouse was profoundly quiet—so quiet that the sound of dripping water and rustling leaves were distinctly audible.
Within that silence, Edel moved with natural grace. Her movements harmonized perfectly with this space. It was indeed a place wondrous enough to earn its reputation as the most beautiful greenhouse in the Kingdom. And Edel herself, who had so carefully created it, seemed equally suited to this sanctuary.
‘Hmm….’
As I walked, my gaze drifted naturally from place to place. But then, it stopped.
In one corner of the greenhouse, I noticed a spot where sunlight lingered a little longer than elsewhere.
There sat a few small pots with young plants, and beside them, an empty space where nothing had yet been planted.
“….”
My gaze remained fixed on that spot. And very slowly, I drew in a breath. The humid air and unfamiliar fragrance seeped deep into my lungs.
‘Hmm….’
Edel approached me.
“What are your impressions?”
Though she asked this, Edel continued to observe my reaction closely. Other noblewomen had seen her greenhouse before. But this Countess of Valerion was experiencing it for the first time. She was curious about my thoughts.
Yet suddenly, I had stopped in one spot and drawn in a breath.
Following my gaze, she saw only an empty space with bare soil, nothing planted there. Unable to contain her curiosity, she approached and spoke.
“It’s wonderful.”
I said.
“Truly magnificent.”
Yet my thoughts seemed to lie elsewhere. The greenhouse was Edel’s pride.
‘Perhaps she doesn’t care much for plants.’
Such a thought crossed her mind, but I had examined the greenhouse far too intently for that to be true. Moreover, my lips curved ever so slightly upward—a sign that the greenhouse pleased me.
“If there is anything here that particularly captures your heart, I would be honored to gift it to you as thanks for accepting my invitation.”
Each plant here was worth a fortune. Laila and Florence gasped with envy, their eyes fixed on me. They too had received several plants as gifts from Edel over time. To gift a plant she had personally cultivated was the greatest expression of affection Edel could offer.
“No, please. The skill with which you nurture them is Edel’s own gift. These plants would surely prefer to grow under your care rather than mine.”
I declined that extraordinary offer with an easy smile. And….
“However….”
But? Edel waited for the rest of her words.
“There’s empty space here too—why not try cultivating a vegetable garden?”
Rowan pointed to the vacant area with her hand.
‘A vegetable garden?’
Edel blinked at the unexpected suggestion.
“A vegetable garden?”
“Yes, a vegetable garden.”
Rowan said.
“You’ve maintained this so beautifully—you’re a genius, Edel. Even if I died and came back to life, I could never care for things like this.”
At such lavish praise, Edel caught her breath for a moment. Then, after a pause, she regained her composure and responded with a smile.
“I’m glad it pleases you, Rowan.”
Rowan continued as she surveyed the greenhouse thoroughly.
“I finally understand why your greenhouse is so renowned. Even the Royal Palace Garden couldn’t be this beautiful. I honestly thought I’d stepped into another world entirely.”
She had stepped into another world, in a manner of speaking.
“That’s precisely why it troubles me so.”
At her next words, Edel tilted her head in confusion.
“If you devoted even a tenth—no, a hundredth—of that talent to a vegetable garden, imagine how delicious the food you could grow would be!”
Food? Edel doubted her own ears. Rowan continued.
“You don’t need to force anything. There’s already empty space here anyway—why not plant seeds and create a vegetable garden? You truly won’t regret it!”
Rowan said.
“Try cultivating edible plants!”
“By edible plants, do you mean….”
Edel steadied her breath and spoke.
“Are you referring to edible flowers?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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