Two months had passed since Mareena discovered that she was pregnant.

Upon being informed of her pregnancy, Baron Silas Zion came to the mansion with some new vegetables.

Whenever he concentrated on his hobby, Silas would forget his surroundings. As such, he was known for being self-paced, eccentric, and inelegant.

Entrusting the management of the territory to his eldest son and steward, he himself spent his time visiting the fields of his people and giving advice. He also researched plants and grew various flowers as a hobby.

Even though his free-spiritedness made him unfit as a feudal lord, strangely enough, he was admired by both his family and his people.

“Lord Silas, it’s been a while.”

“Long time no see.”

After being urged by Mareena to sit on the sofa, Silas took out some vegetables from his bag and laid them on out on the table with great care.

“This is the modified vegetable.”

“I see.”

Despite resembling a cabbage, its leaves were thin and yellow, just like lemons.

“You may eat it as it is. As it doesn’t have a strong taste, even children can eat it.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“However, the leaves are vulnerable to heat. Outside of summer, it can be harvested twice a year.”

“I see.”

Mareena placed a leaf into her mouth.

“It’s crunchy… and also a little sweet. I wonder if it contains more fiber?”

Mareena commented to herself.

Silas had also brought a new variety of potato and a juicy, watermelon-like, vegetable. He asked for Mareena’s inputs in areas of concern, but Mareena was generally satisfied as it was.

Potatoes—in particular, could satiate the stomach. As such, she felt that further improvement was necessary to turn them into preserved food in the event of a food shortage, such as the previous disaster. She also thought of increasing the potato harvest, invent new a dish, and a new product lineup.

The reason why she could openly express her opinions was because she knew how hard Silas worked.

On her own, she doubted she could make much progress, but with Silas’ help, the door of opportunities seemed to have opened.

“Actually…”

Silas timidly presented a small vase containing a flower.

“Is this…?”

The flower had yellow petals with purple tips.

“It’s called Sylphy.”

“Sylphy? I’ve heard of it. Supposedly, it’s an ancient flower that can no longer be found in this era.”

“That’s right.”

“Then, is this…?”

“Yes.”

“…This is my first time seeing it.”

“Actually, me too.”

“Is that so?”

“After pouring into gazillion pieces of literature, I finally found a Sylphy. However, it just so happens that the flower bloomed when I was growing another plant.”

Siles opened the old book he brought and showed Mareena the description of the flower.

“—Soil from Mt. Ilica?”

“Yes.”

“Does that mean the soil you brought back was mixed with Sylphy’s seeds?”

“I think so?”

“In other words, there may be Sylphy flowers on the Mt. Ilica?”

“It’s quite possible.”

Mount Ilica was a verdant mountain that stretched into the South of the Westmont territory. However, save for hunters, no one stepped foot in that forest as the minerals were scarce. What was more, the gentle uphill road became steep partway through, so even the hunters refrained from climbing any further.

To think that Silas would brave a savage mountain that even hunters wouldn’t think of, just to bring back some soil for the sake of his hobby, and then discover a Sylphy…

“…This is a great discovery.”

“It is.”

Silas, who was usually humble, puffed his chest.

If they could cultivate and reproduce Sylphy, it could be used to prduce spices, perfumes, and even medicines.

…No, with further research, they might even discover more benefits.

A flower that was thought to be extinct due to over-harvesting by their predecessors might be blooming in the Westmont territory…

…Even Mareena was thrilled by that.

“Judging from the characteristics written in the book, it’s definitely the same flower. Not only that, I also asked an expert. Be careful to not let this flower wither.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

“That’s good to hear.”

If they could somehow take the seeds from that flower, it could be cultivated.

“Since it was discovered by Lord Silas, ownership belongs to you.”

“No, because it was found in the Westmont territory, there’s no doubt that it belongs to Lady Mareena.”

“It’d be presumptuous of me, who hasn’t done anything, to claim ownership of such a precious flower.”

“No, it’s alright, I only want to study flowers.”

Silas seemed to be serious.

“Fufu, you’ve convinced me.”

If he had opted to keep the flower a secret, it’d belong to no one but him. However, Silas honestly reported everything to Mareena. At the very least, he could’ve claimed that it grew in his territory, but he didn’t do that either.

“I’m glad you’re my partner.”

“Me, too. If not for Lady Mareena, I wouldn’t have been able to gaze upon such a precious flower.”

“Fufu, it’s all thanks to your efforts. You’re going to be busy from now on.”

“Yes, I believe so. On a side note, is Cameron doing well?”

“…”

If possible, she didn’t want to hear that name at the moment, because it dampened her mood—

—Especially not from Silas, Cameron’s father.

One of these days, she’d explain everything to him, but she’d rather not say much at that point.

“Lady Mareena?”

“…”

Oblivious to everything, Silas was genuinely concerned about his daughter. Ever since she had fallen ill, Mareena had been unable to visit Zion’s territory, while Silas himself also refrained from coming. As such, not once had he seen Cameron. Even though the distance wasn’t that far away, his wanting to know how she was doing was natural as he was her parent.

Despite her anxiety, Mareena began to speak with a heavy tone.

As Silas listened to everything she had to say, he didn’t say a word. He merely clenched his fist and looked downcast. At some point, tears began to fall across the back of his hands, but he didn’t say a word.

After Mareena had finished talking, he finally spoke.

“…That fool.”

The silence that settled between the two was heavy, so much so that if there were other participants in that room, they’d surely have excused themselves.

“I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry…”

As Silas knelt on the ground, he began to press his forehead on the ground and apologized in a shaky voice.

“For raising her to be such an ingrateful daughter, I’m the one to blame—! I’m sorry, I’ll be sure to apologize, I—”

“—Lord Silas.”

“…I’m truly sorry—”

“—Lord Silas, please raise your head.”

“I can’t. I mustn’t. I’m not even allowed to breath the same air as you.”

“Fufu, you’re exaggerating.”

“For her to make an attempt on your life…”

“Lord Silas, please listen.”

“…”

Mareena spoke in a particularly calm tone.

“I’ll never forgive Mason nor Cameron.”

“I understand.”

“However, only them. I will spare you for you had no involvement in this.”

“No, that’s not true—”

“—But it is. I’m indebted to you. You’ve proven your sincerity to me. Therefore, you’re not guilty.”

“But, but I still haven’t repaid you. After all the support you’ve given us, even at an expense. Despite that, you still supported me.”

“It wasn’t as bad as you think.”

“Even so, I must be punished as well.”

“It’s truly alright. Last year, we had a good harvest, so I was able to support you. Since the people of the fief were also saving themselves, there wasn’t much confusion. Not only that, they also willingly cooperated with the restoration duty, so it is fine.”

“…”

Silas cried in silence.

“I’ll eventually hold Mason and Cameron accountable. While I won’t punish you, don’t expect that you’ll be left unscathed.”

“I’m prepared.”

“At the same time, I won’t say anything if you choose to support Cameron. I won’t think of it as a betrayal. Do what you should as a parent.”

“Lady Mareena, thank you.”

Afterwards, the two discussed the future. The pain in Silas’ eyes caused Mareena’s chest to constrict.

Mareena sighed, regretting the fact that she had divulged everything to him.

Then, without seeing Cameron, Silas left the mansion.

“I don’t know what I will do if I see her.”

Those words made Mareena feel even more guilty.

---

***T/N: I don’t really get the few comments that accuse her of trying to get pregnant just to spite/ get revenge on the cheating husband ._. I mean, didn’t she outright state the reason why she’d like to get pregnant in chapter 2 or 3? She’d like to pass her blue eyes. At the same time, I also think that she’s desperate to have someone to unconditionally love because the best friend and husband she has loved thus far betrayed her in the worst way possible. But in no way she ever did it to one up the cheating husband…

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