The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady.

Julia, the daughter of the Earl of Woodcliff, had a complex upbringing. Despite her noble lineage, she was born to a commoner and later adopted two years ago. Blessed with her father's captivating appearance, intellect, and unique talents, Julia blossomed into an exceptionally gifted and brilliant young girl. However, her extraordinary qualities fueled envy within her father's lawful wife and her legitimate siblings, born to her stepmother, resulting in their icy indifference towards her. Enduring meager meals and toiling tirelessly like a servant throughout the day, except for the designated study hours set by her father, Julia's slender figure bore witness to her arduous struggles. Consequently, her own family scornfully labeled her the "Withered Tree girl," while the household servants referred to her as the "Withered Tree Lady." Amidst this harsh reality, Julia's life took an unexpected turn when she received a marriage proposal from a baron, albeit of lower social status than an earl. Caught between her yearning for freedom and the pressure imposed by her sisters, who opposed marriage to a noble of lower rank, Julia found herself standing at a crossroads. The decision she had to make would shape her future and alter the course of her life in profound ways. (Fan translation)