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

Chapter 26: The Withered Tree Lady and the Future Stepmother

While Robert’s heart was not at peace during that time, the guests who arrived at the Plant Baron’s residence were Lord (Romand) and his child.

Lord’s father was the second son of the baron family but had eloped with a childhood friend who worked as a servant. After his father passed away from the epidemic, he came to the baron’s household to seek refuge with his maternal grandfather.

Yes, he returned to the father who was a drunken disgrace and had been abusive towards his daughter. Well, it was more like Lord’s mother came back to take care of him rather than relying on him.

During that time, Lord’s grandfather had weakened significantly, but he diligently carried out his duties as a veterinarian. He didn’t say anything to his returning daughter, but perhaps as an act of repentance, he was very kind to his grandchild. He never raised his hand against the grandchild.

It seemed that with the return of his daughter and grandchild, he finally regained his humanity. He abruptly stopped drinking and lived a peaceful life. However, one day, after successfully delivering a calf from a difficult birth, he passed away with a satisfied expression on his face.

Romand had lost his father, grandmother, and both grandfathers in a short period of time.

In the midst of their grieving, the servants and their children in the baron’s household continued to bully and harass Lord and his child.

To think they would tempt and elope with the young master of the estate, only to return after his death—how audacious and shameless they were.

Furthermore, they faced mistreatment from their newly appointed uncle and cousins who had become barons themselves.

Of course, the baroness treated Lord and his child kindly, just as she did with Robert and the others, desperately trying to shield them. However, ultimately, the servants followed the attitude of their master.

Robert couldn’t stand idly by while Lord was being bullied by the servants’ children. It was because he saw himself in a similar situation.

Being born to commoner servants despite having the bloodline of the baron family, being labeled as a fatherless child, scorned and oppressed—it resembled his own experience.

Moreover, knowing that Romand was his blood-related nephew, Robert naturally felt the urge to protect him, and he couldn’t help but feel sorry for Lord.

With reddish-brown hair, green eyes, and freckles scattered across his face, coupled with his chubby figure, Lord was like a lovable pet—a character meant to be toyed with.

“Why did such a son come from such incredibly attractive parents?” That’s what people who knew Lord’s parents would often say.

Nevertheless, Lord’s lineage was never doubted by anyone.

It was because the combination of colors he possessed was unique to the Plant Baron family.

That aspect alone made Robert envious of Lord. Not only in terms of appearance, but Lord had a different coloration from the Plant Baron family with his blond hair and blue eyes.

Then, when Lord revealed that he possessed the “Green Thumb,” Robert couldn’t help but feel jealous. He knew that the “Green Thumb” was an ability that occasionally appeared among the Plant Baron family.

After all, it was because individuals with this ability occasionally emerged that the Baron family had been able to sustain their agricultural livelihood for so long.

Regardless of his appearance, Robert couldn’t help but feel frustrated, thinking about how much more he could contribute to the Baron family if he had that ability as well.

Indeed, it was during the most desperate time for the Plant Baron family that Lord unleashed the power of the “Green Thumb.”

The Baron, Robert’s half-brother who was significantly older, fell victim to fraud, causing the farmland to deteriorate. Not only were the crops in jeopardy, but even livestock was at risk, leading to a massive debt.

To make matters worse, the Baron’s eldest son and heir (Robert’s older nephew) abandoned the Plant Baron family and married into another noble family.

It was precisely during this critical moment of adversity that Robert was determined to do his best and rise to the occasion.

However, it was an unfamiliar girl and his nephew, Lord, who came to the rescue of the Plant Baron family, despite their dire circumstances.

It all started with the incident where Lord and his mother rescued a destitute mother and child, which became the catalyst for the Baron family’s recovery.

The girl they helped happened to possess the power of the “Green Thumb” and purified a portion of the farmland’s soil.

Furthermore, she managed to bloom the rarely seen “Lady’s Tears” flower, which was then presented to the neighboring Earl, securing an extension on the debt repayment period.

Despite such immense gratitude, the foolish Baron expelled the girl and her mother. Later, upon realizing the girl’s power, he regretted his actions.

It was only after the girl had disappeared that Robert learned of her existence.

At that time, the small hut where Lord and the girl lived stood on the edge of a vast pasture, quite far from the residential quarters where Robert resided as a servant. Additionally, Robert was occupied with securing feed for the livestock, which prevented him from meeting Lord for a while. Consequently, he remained unaware of the girl’s presence.

During those few months of separation, Lord had undergone a significant transformation.

The endearing and dependent aura that evoked one’s protective instincts had vanished. He now stood on his own two feet and seemed driven to protect someone. He had begun training rigorously.

It was around that time when Lord’s power of the “Green Thumb” manifested.

Perhaps the dormant power that Lord had possessed all along finally awakened upon coming into contact with the girl’s abilities.

Lord gradually purified the lands of the Plant Baron family with the power of the “Green Thumb.”

Furthermore, whenever he planted seeds and touched them, astonishingly, within two or three days, all the seeds sprouted. This was remarkable considering that normally it takes a considerable amount of time for seeds to germinate, and the germination rate itself is not typically very high.

Thanks to Lord, the cost of seedlings also decreased significantly. Moreover, the vegetables and flowers grew at a remarkably fast pace, allowing for a shortened period until they could be shipped.

As a result, the farm’s operational efficiency increased, leading to higher harvest yields.

After two years had passed, the farm turned a profit and the debt gradually became manageable.

Upon learning of Lord’s power of the “Green Thumb,” the Baron swiftly changed his attitude toward his nephew, despite his previous mistreatment.

Believing that as long as this nephew was present, the Plant Baron family would be secure, the Baron attempted to designate Lord as his successor. However, this plan was thwarted.

To adopt Lord as his heir, the approval of the spouse was essential, but the Baroness refused to grant it.

“Do you not want to choose someone who does not carry your blood as the successor?

But I suppose there’s no other choice. After all, your own son heartlessly abandoned the Plant family and left.”

Upon hearing her husband’s words, the Baroness furrowed her brow.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it. No matter how much I tried to warn our son, you always indulged him with ‘it’s fine, it’s fine.’ As a result, he has become the kind of person who runs away at the first sign of trouble.

Not only in appearance but also in his flaws, he is just like his father. It’s truly fortunate that such a son did not become the successor.

If he were to inherit, all the hard work Lord and the servants put into rebuilding this estate would go to waste once again.”

The husband was left speechless by his usually submissive wife’s cutting words. However, he desperately tried to maintain his composure as he inquired further.

“Then if Lord is not suitable, who do you intend to choose as the successor?”

“Oh? I never said that Lord is unsuitable. On the contrary, if he can become the successor, it would be splendid.

But I am saying it is outrageous to burden a twelve-year-old child with such heavy responsibilities. The future of that child should be decided by the child themselves.

I will enroll that child in the prestigious academy in the capital. However, regrettably, we cannot afford to pay the tuition fees. Therefore, we have no choice but to rely on the scholarship program available to commoners.

That’s why I said we won’t pursue adoption. Un-der-stood?”

“What if that child agrees to adoption after graduation?”

“That would be up to the child.”

“Well, what if that child refuses?”

“Then we have no choice but to ask someone other than that child.”

“Well, no. It’s inconceivable that someone unrelated by blood would inherit a declining baronial family in this remote region!”

“That’s why, in order for someone to consider accepting the inheritance, you should work on rebuilding it.

If you can revive this baronial family to the level when you inherited it, someone who desires adoption will surely come forward.”

“But… I don’t possess such abilities!”

“In that case, please transfer the authority to oversee this Plant Baronial Family and estate… Transfer it to me.

If you do that, I will work together with Lord, Robert, and others to manage this place.”

“You don’t have to transfer anything. You can simply assist me as my advisor!”

The Baron’s face turned red with anger. Then, after heaving a deep sigh, the Baroness calmly spoke.

“You have absolutely no social credibility anymore. I can’t even use your name. In fact, young Lord, who is still a child, has much more credibility in society. That’s why I have to act as Lord’s guardian. Do you understand?”

The extension of the loan repayment deadline, the purification of the farm and pasture land, and the development of new agricultural products were all done by Lord, with Robert and the Baroness assisting him. The public is already aware of this.

“I understand. In that case, I’ll entrust this place to you and Robert when Lord is no longer here.”

“You’ll entrust it to us? Certainly, I will oversee the management, but it will be you who actually carries out the tasks. Don’t misunderstand. I won’t be able to give instructions and have it done as easily as before.”

“Wait a moment. Why don’t we have Robert take care of it instead of me?”

“Robert is also planned to study in the capital, so that won’t work.”

“Why should we make even the servant Robert study? I already raised that fatherless child out of goodwill. There’s no need to go that far!”

“Robert will also receive a scholarship to pursue his studies, so please don’t act all high and mighty, saying you’ll let him go. And don’t say you raised him out of goodwill. Don’t talk nonsense. Robert is your brother. He didn’t have to pretend to be a servant. The same goes for Lord. If Lord declines, I intend to ask Robert to be the successor. That’s why I want him to learn about management.”

“What did you say?”

The Baron’s eyes widened.

“I’m appalled. Didn’t you realize? While their appearances may not be similar, their physique and voice are exactly like your father’s and yours…”

The Baroness cast a contemptuous gaze at her husband.