Watching out of envy? 029
Evelyn de Leopold's brow furrowed even deeper.
The source of her self-esteem was her brother, the perfect exemplar of imperial royalty. Her brother was always cool-headed, flawless, and unshakable. That's why she'd worked tirelessly to emulate him, building a sturdy foundation of imperial pride within herself.
But lately, Louis's condition was off.
Brother couldn't possibly be like this. He's always been perfect and cool-headed... why?
Neither possibility sat right with her. Her perfect world was already driving her mad with that foreign contaminant named Kasian del Parne. If even her brother started acting strangely, she wouldn't be able to endure it.
Unable to hold back any longer, Evelyn spoke up.
"Brother."
"……."
No response.
"Brother?"
"……Huh? Oh, yes. Evelyn."
Louis startled, turning his head. His expression was dazed, like someone waking from a dream.
"Sorry about that. I was lost in thought for a moment. Did you call me?"
"……Yes. I've been calling you for a while."
Evelyn shot back, her words laced with hurt and suspicion.
"What on earth were you thinking about so deeply? Did something happen at the border? Or is there a problem with the imperial finances?"
"No, nothing like that. Just……."
Louis trailed off, his gaze drifting back to the window. His eyes sank into deep pools.
"Just wrestling with something I can't quite grasp."
"Something you can't grasp?"
"Yes. It's right there, like I could hold it in my hand, but it slips away like smoke."
What the hell is that supposed to mean? Evelyn felt like she was going insane from frustration. But Louis only gave a bitter smile and turned back to the window.
Evelyn was confused. What did he mean by something he couldn't grasp?
It feels like I could hold it, but it vanishes like smoke... That's not like Brother at all. Such sentimental drivel.
The Louis de Leopold she knew was a thorough rationalist. He despised uncalculated emotions and replaced uncertain futures with ironclad plans. And now here he was, gazing out the window and playing the poet.
Evelyn felt an instinctive unease at the realization that her brother's perfect rationality was wearing thin. She couldn't let this continue. Brushing aside her hesitation, she threw a straight fastball.
"Brother."
"I'm listening. Speak."
"Lately, there's been a rumor circulating that your engagement to Lady Elisia might be broken off. Are you aware?"
Thud. The carriage jolted over a shallow bump. Louis's gaze slowly turned to Evelyn.
"I know."
Such a flat affirmation. Evelyn swallowed dryly.
Rumors of discord among lower nobles were commonplace. But whispers of a broken engagement between the imperial family and a ducal house signaled a crack in a massive political alliance—it was no laughing matter, even as a joke. Even if untrue, a single rumor could sow chaos.
Normally, he'd be raging to root out the source. Yet...
"You know such rumors can spiral out of control, so why haven't you taken any measures?"
Evelyn swallowed the phrase the imperial authority being fodder for gossip before it could escape her lips.
"I know exactly what you're worried about, Evelyn."
Louis placed his clasped hands on his knee and flashed his usual gentle smile.
"I'll meet with Lady Elisia soon to quash the rumors. It'll be an official occasion, so don't worry."
"……Really?"
"When have I ever lied to you?"
Louis's response was smooth. Too smooth, almost hollow. Still, Evelyn felt relief—at least, she forced herself to.
Her brother had to be perfect.
One question burned in her throat like a thorn.
...Do you know the rumor accelerated because of that scandal about Lady Elisia showing interest in that barbarian?
She couldn't ask. In the end, she clamped her mouth shut.
I'll hold back. Brother... he'll handle it just fine. That barbarian couldn't possibly affect him even a little.
Herbology Basics practical class.
Sunlight poured through the glass ceiling, warming the greenhouse. The air was a perfect mix of soil, grass, and sweat.
In the midst of it all, I was in a trance.
Squelch!Whoosh!
The clean, satisfying sound of the plow cutting through the earth. I'd already tilled the field, broken up the clods. Technically, there was no need to clear a greenhouse plot, but I was flipping the already-plowed soil again.
"Haa... this is the stuff. Soil smell—pure bliss."
I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my forearm and took a deep breath. The earthy energy filled my lungs to the brim. This was my drug.
A time to escape the aggro from every student and professor in the academy, young or old, male or female—a dialogue between just my body and the land. Turning the soil to let it breathe, spreading nutrients evenly. This was true healing.
This is why I farm.
If only for one thing.
If not for Elisia von Rosenberg propping her chin beside me, beaming as she watched.
"...What's so funny about watching me work?"
I stuck the plow in the ground and straightened up.
"You think I'm a zoo monkey? Gonna toss me a banana?"
"Well, thanks to you, I get to relax. It's fun just watching."
Elisia tapped her fan against her chin. Lies. Her eyes screamed I wanna do it too. That wasn't a relaxed gaze—it was the look of a kid at a parade.
If she were a bit younger, she might've thrown herself down yelling I wanna do it too!!!
Maybe.
"Don't lie."
I pulled off my gloves and dusted them.
"I can see you dying to grab the plow. Your hands are fidgeting—I know you."
"……Ah."
Elisia glanced at her hands and grinned sheepishly.
"Busted?"
"Way too obvious."
"Then... how about letting me help a little? I'd like to fulfill my partner duties."
She reached for the plow handle with expectant eyes. I yanked it back quick.
"No thanks."
"Pardon?"
"I'll do it all myself."
"……."
Elisia's eyes went wide. Like this prime entertainment? No sharing.
"Why ask if you knew I wouldn't buy it?"
"I didn't think you'd lie so shamelessly. Mud play for a lady? What if you dirty that uniform dress?"
"So I just have to sit here and watch you work, huh."
Elisia muttered, pouting but clearly amused.
"Why?"
Couldn't she slack off, slack off, or slack off and be happy?
Still, she wasn't just idly spectating. Sure, she was eyeing me like a monkey, but it felt like deep observation of a monkey's farming techniques. That glint in her eye was sharp as hell. In Korea, she'd have heard you're one smart cookie since childhood. That spark, that intensity.
I paused my plowing and turned.
Elisia was still chin-propped, eyes tracking my hands.
"...Lady Elisia."
"Yes, Kasian."
"Do you even know what I was doing last week and today?"
Just a bored test. No noble lady would grasp soil work basics. At best, dig and cover.
But Elisia tapped her fan on her chin thoughtfully, then dropped a bombshell.
"Hmm... From what I can infer, finely tilling and turning the soil. I don't know why exactly, but based on what you said last class, the answer's clear, right?"
"What I said?"
"Soil depletion. How the land dies and turns to rock."
She pointed at the soft, crumbled earth under my feet.
"Breaking up hard ground and mixing top and bottom layers—sunlight, air, and moisture-infused soil blending harmoniously to revitalize the land's energy... That's my guess."
"……."
Chills ran down my spine.
Holy shit. Spot on.
Technically the principles of subsoiling and deep tillage, and she nailed it by eye? A duke's daughter who's never farmed a day?
"Am I right?"
Elisia's eyes sparkled. Yelling Correct! Full marks! felt like defeat. I turned away casually.
"No idea if it's right. I'm no professor—just a lowly freshman winging it."
"Pfft!"
Elisia covered her mouth with her fan, shoulders shaking. Real laughter this time.
"You're terrible at lying. Your face says How'd she know?"
"...It doesn't."
I grumbled, scanning around. Our group aside, the rest was pure chaos.
"Ow! My foot!"
"Don't splash dirt! It's in my eyes!"
Crash! Thud! Losing balance mid-shovel was routine; tripping over plows, bumping into crossed paths. Struggling over one smooth greenhouse floor was a sight.
Elisia's gaze swept the other groups, then back to me.
"Definitely easier thanks to you. I'd have been quite the spectacle in that mess."
"So just sit pretty and watch. Don't butt in and get hurt."
"Worried about me?"
"Nah. Scared the ducal house'll bill me for medical fees. My family's stingy—won't cover it."
"Liar."
She giggled. ...It was true? Why assume it's a lie? Insisting would just make me pitier. Sigh.
My eyes drifted to other groups. A few outliers doing better than last week—probably quick learners who'd crammed from servants at home. But still sloppy as hell.
"Huff, huff... Milady, hold on... water, please..."
"Oh dear, look at you sweating! Here's my handkerchief!"
Their lady partners avoided the mud but were frazzled tending sweaty guys—wiping brows, fetching water, cheering You got this! Pure youth drama. Made my blood boil outta nowhere. Stuck with a near-married-woman vibe, no chance at that fluff.
Fuckin' whatever.
Elisia followed my gaze, staring at the scene before slyly asking,
"Watching out of envy?"
"No. Absolutely not. Never."
I recoiled in horror.
"Stay back. No wiping my sweat. I'll handle my own."
"Pfft. Too bad. If you were jealous, I could've helped."
Elisia teasingly waved her handkerchief.