Let’s Block the Ruined Route in Advance

Dear Mother Superior,

 

It’s spring again. I’ve been busy planting a new flowering plant in the greenhouse. It’s a tricky plant to grow.

 

Cordelia’s getting so strong. You saw her last summer. She’s growing so fast, she’ll reach your neck in no time. She’s got some really nice muscles.

 

They call Cordelia and Lucian “the two wings of the Duke.”

 

By the time they get to the Academy, they’ll both be stronger than anyone their age, and I’m both proud of them and fascinated by how hard they’ve worked.

 

Duchess Theresia is still the same. No, she’s a little bit worse. They say that my greenhouse has slowed down the progression of the disease, but I don’t know how much longer I can slow it down, which is a little bit scary.

 

And then this past weekend, we had…

 

Eileen folded the letter neatly and placed it in an envelope, adding a handma

de pressed flower and a seal stamp. A breeze from the half-open window ruffled her hair.

 

Unlike three years ago, her light brown locks were long enough to reach her waist. Thoughtful orange eyes sparkled from beneath bangs that covered her eyebrows.

 

Eileen had grown her hair out since she’d arrived at the Duke’s, having hated her long, unruly hair in the orphanage. She hadn’t felt like cutting it since Theresia had tied it up one day and told her how pretty it was.

 “Eileen, let’s have tea together!” “You idiot, you should knock first!” 

Lucian and a pouting Cordelia entered her room.

 

They had been practicing swordsmanship all day and had grown taller through the years.

 

Eileen muttered to herself that they were all as tall as old trees, making her average height look tiny.

 “I made you some cold tea, just in case.” “It’s Eileen!” 

Still, it’s best for children to grow up strong, and Eileen didn’t feel bad. In the original, Cordelia had pale skin from not seeing enough light, long hair that reached her waist, and a frail-looking frame from not eating well.

 

Now, however, she was taller than anyone could ever call her short, and her entire body was covered in toned, strong-looking muscles.

 

Her platinum hair, cut short below her ears to keep it out of the way of her workouts, was a bit of a waste, but it went well with her wheat-colored skin, tanned just right on the training grounds. 

 

The more she looked unlike the original, the more Eileen was relieved.

 “Well, then. It’s the least I can do for both wings of our ducal family.” “Oh, really, stop calling us that nickname. It makes it sound like I’m a couple with him!” “Yeah, it’s disgusting.” “What?!” 

Two peacock wings.

 

That’s what people called Lucian and Cordelia.

 

At thirteen and twelve, respectively, the children grew in splendor with each passing season. 

 

Lucian could already train Aurors with skill, and Cordelia added elemental power to her swordplay, bringing new life to the world of swordplay with each passing day.

 

Their rapid growth had caused the Duke’s people to flirt with the idea of them as a couple, but the two real-life siblings were too busy being disgusted by the idea to care.

 “If that’s the case, shouldn’t Eileen be the best of the bunch? We’re just wings, and she’s a fairy.” “Yeah, she’s awesome.” “Phew!” 

Eileen took a sip of her tea and blew it out.

 

Yes, she was called the Duke’s Fairy, if only for the wings they would add to the power of the Duke of Gaudium.

 “Ouch!” 

Blushing at the unwanted title, Eileen barely managed to open her curled fingers again.

 

The reason she was called the Duke’s Fairy was because of her exotic greenhouse, which was powered by an elemental. The Duke’s greenhouse had grown larger and more beautiful over the past three years as she trained under Orgen’s tutelage to hone her control.

 

Ever since the greenhouses were discovered to have the ability to delay the Duchess’s illness, the Duke has been supportive, and the single greenhouse has grown to five.

 

Three of them are located outside the Duke’s residence and are open to the public, although the idea of a botanical garden was originally conceived as a way to make use of the unwanted plants that had been blown away.

 “I never thought botanical gardens would become so popular…” 

Since there was no botanical garden in the world, he thought it would be a good business idea, and it was a hit.

 

They started charging admission, and as their reputation grew, they built a cafe inside to sell drinks. Eileen’s ideas attracted vassals and young entrepreneurs who smelled money, and the business grew.

 

When the Duke asked her to name the botanical garden, she half-jokingly suggested that it be called the Star Box, since it had been created by her spirit, Star, and from that day on, the Star Box plaque was displayed in every botanical garden.

 “If I’d known this was going to happen, I would have named it Star!” 

Eileen’s conscience pricked as she remembered a green cafe, and her regret was her own secret.

 

“The Duke’s greenhouse was built by a fairy.”

 

It was not yet public knowledge that Eileen was the center of the business, for she was too young, but everyone with eyes and ears knew the story.

 

However, under pressure from the Duke, she was unable to tell them the truth directly, and so the fairy tale was passed around as an amusing tale.

 “Eileen, are you listening?” 

Lucian grumbled, his mood sour.

 “I was listening. You said Duchess Theresia told you to go to the Regia Festival.” “Yes. What do you think?” “I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s okay to go this time of year. I’m a little reluctant to leave the manor.” 

She didn’t say what time, but both Cordelia and Lucian knew what she meant.

 

Theresia, the Duke of Gaudium’s hostess, was already in poor health and now lived in a greenhouse. She had become too weak to be sustained by the life force of a young spirit.

 

The doctors agreed that it was a miracle that she had survived so long, but there was still one reality she wanted to defy.

 

One voice broke through the chorus of voiceless children.

 “Why don’t you just go to the festival?” 

Orgen poked his head over the windowsill. He casually walked through the window into the third floor room and sat down on the windowsill.

 “Sir! The stairs are not for decoration.” “You know how hard stairs are when you’re old. My joints are screaming. Screaming~” *Chew* 

Star, chewing on the hem of Eileen’s skirt, waved to Orgen. Orgen, who waved modestly, opened his mouth.

 “Go to the festival. Theresia, she said so herself, and she wants you to have fun.” “But Duchess Theresia, she’s always at the villa, and she might be lonely without us.” 

Orgen jerked his jaw and scratched his cheek.

 “But then she might blame herself if you miss out on things you could enjoy at your age because you’re so worried about her.” “……” 

Orgen sighed heavily, taking in the frayed atmosphere with a seasoned eye.

 “You old fools! I’ve lived it, and it’s good for your mental health to have a little fun now and then.” “You should have a moderate dose every day… Evil!” 

Cordelia’s eyes watered from the slap. Orgen chuckled at the sight.

 “If you care, get her something fun. I’m sure Theresia would enjoy it much more. We can spend some quality time together without all the bloodshed.” “Then…” 

Orgen left the room, watching as the children cautiously discussed the festivities. Eileen’s eyes followed his strangely heavy footsteps for a moment before turning away.

 

Once out of the room, Orgen bit into his first New Year’s treat in a long time. He had fulfilled his role, stopping first at Theresia and then at the children. A puff of smoke filled the air with a hint of despondency.

 “It’s not good to live so long.” 

Another. Faced with the prospect of sending his young apprentice away, Orgen walked weakly down the stairs.

 

The Festival of Regia.

 

A four-day festival held every two years, centered around a local temple, in honor of Regia, a warrior who sacrificed herself against the Demon King during a cataclysmic event in the Overlap more than two hundred years ago.

 

The year before, Eileen hadn’t been able to attend because it was one of the hardest times for her to control her emotions, but it was also one of the most anticipated times for most kids.

 “It’s supposed to be hot today, so do you want me to tie you up a little higher?” “Okay.” 

Theresia gently stroked Eileen’s hair with her tapered wrists. Silently enjoying the softness of her hair, Eileen struggled to speak.

 “…When you’re better, Duchess Theresia, I’ll be sure to come with you to the next festival.” “…….” 

Theresia smiled as she tied a ribbon into the child’s hair.

 “Eileen, I wanted to have many children, Lucian was difficult because of my weakness, but I longed for a bustling family.” 

Eileen nodded wordlessly.

 “Especially if I had a daughter, I wanted to be able to touch her hair like this, tie a pretty bow and say Dorandoran with her.” 

Theresia finished with her hair and hugged Eileen from behind.

 “That’s why I was so happy when I met you and Cordelia. It was the first time in my life that I felt like I had someone on my side.” 

Theresia whispered as she kissed the top of her head.

 “Have fun.” 

Eileen smiled and nodded, trying to hide her distorted face. She could feel Theresia’s eyes on her back as she left the greenhouse, but she didn’t look back.

 “Why didn’t she answer when I asked her to come with me?” 

Oslo had done a good job of organizing the children’s outings. He ordered five sets of clothes for each child, all stylish, easy to wear, and trendy, and packed a seven-tiered lunch box in case the street food was too much for them.

 

The Duke sent four elite Knights Templar to guard the children, along with three maids and servants to keep them close. Everyone did their best to make sure the children were safe and able to enjoy the festivities.

 

It was truly inspiring.

 

Eileen nodded as she looked at the robust preparations for the outing.

 

She assured herself that as long as Cordelia and Lucian were in good hands, they would be able to enjoy the festivities without incident.

 “I’m sure we’ll be fine, right?” 

Had she known those words would be a flag, Eileen would not have said a word until the party was over.

 

It had been half an hour since their exciting carriage ride.

 “…Who are you?” 

Eileen had been kidnapped by a man in a bunny hat.

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