“Wow… There are tons of incredibly rare plants here!”
I’d flown straight to the Southton shopping district and found a gardening shop—a massive greenhouse resembling a grand botanical garden.
Crouching outside, I admired the rows of plants while Theo napped in a nearby carriage. Grandpa had gone in to buy seeds at my request.
“Goodness! Lord Blaine Wintervalt! What brings you to the Southton shopping district…?”
“Mintmel.”
“Pardon?”
The Southton district catered mainly to the southern Summerrain Ducal household, making Grandpa’s visit unusual enough to draw stares.
“Vint… Vintermel?”
“……”
Grandpa was oddly terrible at plant names… yet he could recite embroidery patterns flawlessly.
“Anyway, I’m here for that herb kids love these days.”
“Ah, young ones don’t care for herbs nowadays. But I assume you mean Mintmary Herb. This way, sir.”
“Hmm.”
“We also carry premium fertilizer developed with the Mage Tower. Would you like to see it?”
“If it’s quick.”
I’d decided to wait outside to avoid awkward questions about my identity. With so many southerners around, loose tongues could trouble Dad.
Huh. So many plants I’ve never seen.
I peered through my gold-rimmed magnifying glass (NEW!) at a white flower. The entrance’s long awning dripped with hanging plants, creating a lush canopy.
The Florin Counts run a horticulture business in the south, right? They supplied ornamental plants and landscaping flora for palaces and nobles. Not surprising—the south’s climate was perfect for cultivation.
“Grandpa’s taking forever… It’s just one seed packet.”
Did he blow all his money at the toy store earlier? Maybe it was time to raid my own savings. As I stood—
Thud-roll.
Something small and red—the size of my fingernail—bumped my foot.
“Huh? A berry?”
It must’ve rolled here from the dim alley beside the shop. At the alley’s mouth stood a tree laden with identical berries.
Did you drop this for me?
Peering inside, I spotted a small door likely leading to the shop’s storage. The place was huge enough for a back entrance.
“But why me, tree…?”
As I reached toward it—
Whoosh!
A sudden gust.
CRASH!
My head snapped toward the sound.
That’s where I’d been standing!
A shattered flowerpot lay in pieces. My heart plummeted—it must’ve fallen from a loose ceiling hook.
Did the tree just save me?
I gulped and turned to leave when—
“Kid.”
A hand clamped my shoulder.
“Dangerous to wander close.”
The towering man wore a hooded robe, collar pulled over his nose. His ringed finger extended my dropped magnifying glass.
“Th-thank y—”
Our eyes met.
Green irises mirroring mine.
The ground seemed to vanish beneath me.
Fingernails dug into palms. My heart hammered as a shrill ring flooded my ears.
“Kid? What’s wrong?”
I staggered back, legs jelly.
Scared… Why?
“Kid!”
I tripped, landing hard. Shards bit my fingertips.
“You’re cut!” The man lunged forward. “Let me help—”
“NO!”
A breeze rippled through. Tattered robes brushed my cheek as a boy stepped between us.
Prince Jelly?
His hooded face remained blank as he shielded me. “Do you need something from my friend?”
The coachman sprinted over. “Ririn!”
Suddenly, I was airborne.
“Grandpa…!” His face was pale as he cradled me. “Who frightened you?”
“The pot broke…”
His steady pats calmed my racing heart. What was that terror? He didn’t even shout…
“Lord Blaine!”
Shop staff and Count Florin rushed out. The hooded man bowed—a low-ranking Mage Tower resident.
Ah. His mana overwhelmed me. Mages’ energy sometimes affects others, and my powers had surged since the parade. Or maybe the crash had spooked me.
“Apologies! I tried helping, but…”
Count Florin cut him off. “Leave. You’ve done enough harm.”
After scolding the staff (“A Wintervalt child should’ve been welcomed inside!”), he dismissed the mage.
I exhaled. Unintentional chaos. Have I been skipping meals while gardening?
“Grandpa, I’m okay now.”
As the crowd dispersed, I noticed the boy retreating, hood pulled low.
“Put me down…”
Grandpa gripped my hand, prying it open.
“…You’re hurt.”
