Chapter 16: Ambitions and Revelations

“I guarantee the land where Fine is will flourish because of me!”

“Hehe, thanks, Val.”

Fine giggled.

“Oh, Val, Rosaider’s mostly wasteland.

Can you make it fertile like the Diner Dukedom?”

“How big is it?”

“About twice the size of the Diner Dukedom.”

“Twice, huh?

It’ll take a bit, but for me, it’s a piece of cake!

Leave it to me!”

“Thank you, Val.

I’m counting on you.”

Smiling brightly, Fine waved as Val vanished into the earth.

‘It took two months for the Diner Dukedom, so maybe double that?’

Even if it took six months, it was October now—plenty of time for spring planting.

‘Now, back to the walk—’

Fine turned around.

“Sorry, Anna.

I must’ve startled you, muttering to myself like that.”

Fine lowered her brows.

Her Divine Blessing, “hearing the earth’s voice,” was actually the ability to converse with gnomes, earth spirits.

Since ordinary people couldn’t see or hear them, Fine’s conversations looked like soliloquies.

“Creepy?

Not at all!

Your blessing is amazing!

We should tell the master—he’ll be thrilled!”

Anna’s face lit up, clasping her hands.

Fine froze.

“No, don’t!”

“Why not?”

Anna tilted her head, puzzled.

“Sorry, I just… don’t want to talk about it.”

Fine looked away.

Memories of her former fiancé flooded back.

When engaged to Banaji, Fine used her blessing to enrich the soil and locate buried ore, eager to aid her future home.

With Val’s help, the Diner Dukedom became a top agricultural producer and amassed wealth from gold mines.

But Banaji offered neither thanks nor praise.

‘Think this is your doing?

What a greedy, arrogant woman.’

The contempt in his words was something Fine would never forget.

Worse, he claimed the Duk Ascertain the land’s fertility came from Reina’s “Green Hand” blessing, not Fine’s.

‘Reina’s “Green Hand” helps plants grow, but it’s weaker—only speeding up certain seedlings or healing sick trees.

My blessing was more useful.’

If Anna told Hawk about her blessing, he might, like Banaji, think she was boastfully claiming credit.

Fine had a heart.

Having her efforts dismissed hurt.

She didn’t want to invite that pain again.

“I understand.

But it’s a shame.

It’s a chance for you to be recognized.”

“Yeah, exactly!

My Fine deserves more praise!”

Val chimed in, delighted by Anna’s enthusiasm.

“It’s fine.

I don’t mind.”

“My lady is so modest.

No wedding, no fancy dresses, no jewels—”

“Oh, I’m greedier than you think.

I’ll seize what I want.”

“What do you want?”

Anna asked curiously.

“Oh, yes.”

Fine laughed softly.

Someday, she wanted to share a happy life with someone who loved only her.

A peaceful future—that was her desire.

Her ex-fiancé, Banaji, despised her, and her current husband, Hawk, had a lover.

‘Two years will pass quickly.’

After two years, she’d seek a divorce and freedom.

For now, she’d do all she could.

*

Two weeks after Fine used Val’s power to improve the soil, Hawk was in the study, frowning at a letter.

“From the Diner Dukedom?

What do they want now?”

It was brazen for her ex-fiancé’s family to contact her new home.

‘Since I’m married, it’s unlikely they want to reconcile.

A congratulatory letter seems doubtful too.’

Wondering about the contents, he heard hurried footsteps.

“Hawk, it’s urgent!”

Carl burst in, breathless, sweat on his brow.

“What’s wrong?”

Hawk’s voice was low.

Carl’s panic suggested something serious.

‘Another invasion at the border?’

The worst possibility crossed Hawk’s mind, and he stood.

“I was inspecting the surrounding areas, and the land…”

“What happened?”

Hawk swallowed hard, bracing for news.

“The land’s suddenly green!”

Carl shouted.

“…Huh?”

Hawk’s voice came out flat, deflated.