Chapter 17: The Green Miracle

Hawk, hearing Carl’s report, headed straight to the stables and rode out on his beloved horse, Sherry.

“Indeed, it’s green.”

“Yes!

When my men first reported it, I thought they were joking, but seeing it myself—it’s real!”

Carl, guiding him, looked equally baffled.

Rosaider’s vast lands were mostly barren wasteland, unfit for crops.

Yet before Hawk’s eyes stretched a lush, grassy field.

“When did this happen?

Two months ago, during my last inspection, there was no change.”

“I’m not sure of the exact timing, but probably in the last week or two.”

“A week or two?

What caused this?”

“No idea, but… it must be a gift from the omniscient god, celebrating our victory and your marriage!

Maybe someone with the ‘Green Hand’ blessing appeared in the territory!”

Carl’s face brightened as he spun his theory.

Hawk listened with skepticism.

‘Green Hand, huh…’

It wasn’t impossible.

But Divine Blessings were rare, requiring registration with the local consulate.

No report of a Green Hand holder had reached Hawk, the Count of Rosaider.

There had to be another reason.

‘Sudden greenery… It’s hard to believe fertilizer was spread across such a vast area.

There’s no reason to fertilize land not used for crops.’

It didn’t seem like a prank either.

By elimination, a Divine Blessing seemed the only explanation, but no Green Hand holder was in Rosaider.

Then, Hawk had a realization.

“Could it be the soil?”

“What’s that?”

Carl looked at him, puzzled.

“Nothing.

I’m heading back to the mansion.

Instruct the clerks to urgently investigate if grains or vegetables can grow here.”

“Yes, understood.”

Carl nodded firmly.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Hawk rode back to the mansion alone.

Upon returning, he stabled Sherry and went to Fine’s room, but she wasn’t there.

‘Where is she?’

On her desk, documents were scattered, and a notebook was filled with scribbled notes.

From them, Hawk realized Fine was compiling information on Rosaider’s tax revenue, healthcare, education, and industrial structure.

‘All this in such a short time?

Impressive.’

He recalled Fine’s vow on their wedding day to devote herself to Rosaider.

She was clearly keeping her promise.

“I’ll go find her.”

Fine never left the mansion grounds unannounced.

During meals, she often mentioned visiting the library or taking walks, so Hawk guessed she was at one of those.

‘If this phenomenon is her doing—’

He considered.

The Shot Marquis and Diner Dukedom were among the country’s richest regions, but history showed they weren’t always notable.

Unlike Rosaider’s wasteland, they were average lands.

Their rapid prosperity began about a decade ago.

If Fine’s Divine Blessing was responsible, the timing aligned.

“She’s becoming indispensable.”

Fine seemed to keep him at arm’s length, hesitant to get close, pulling back even when she approached.

‘The tougher the prey, the more it fuels my drive.’

Thinking of her, Hawk’s lips curled into a smile.

No matter how cleverly she tried to escape, he had no intention of letting her go.

*

Meanwhile, Fine was strolling the mansion grounds.

“Look, my lady!

They’re growing strong.

They might even bud!”

Anna pointed excitedly at the path’s edge.

Two weeks ago, Fine had Val improve the mansion’s soil and asked Anna to have the staff plant flower seedlings.

Those seedlings had taken root, their leaves lush and green.

“Are these pansies?”

“Yes.

Since it’s autumn, we chose flowers that bloom in winter.”

“You’re so thoughtful, Anna.

Thank you.”

“No, I should thank you.

You’ve brought us such joy.”

Anna’s beaming smile warmed Fine’s heart.

In the capital, no one had celebrated her like this, making her feel a strange tickle inside.

“Shall we walk around the grounds?

You planted more elsewhere, right?”

“Yes.

I asked the gardeners to plant various kinds.”

Anna nodded cheerfully.

The Rosaider estate was vast, with a riding arena, shooting range, and large training ground.

A leisurely lap could easily take an hour.

With such space, there were plenty of spots for flowers.

As Fine and Anna admired roadside wildflowers near the mansion’s rear, bold male voices echoed from ahead.