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

Chapter 54 The decision of Julia and her mothers

“I see, Margaret left that house to protect Julia. Now I can finally understand.”

Lady Liana, after hearing Julia’s story, nodded with a satisfied expression.

“Understand? What do you mean?”

Jade, her husband, asked with a confused expression. In response to her husband’s puzzled look, Liana looked exasperated and then turned her gaze to Hardis.

“Margaret is not a weak woman who would quietly withdraw from a situation like the former Countess Woodcliff. Besides, even if it seemed like an unimaginable environment from an outsider’s perspective, Margaret would never have run away from that house. Because she truly loved Hardis-san.

Even in the extreme conditions that seemed like those of an abandoned mistress, she was growing plants, making clothes, doing handicrafts, and interacting with neighbors, appearing reasonably happy. Besides, she had a daughter who looked just like Hardis-san by her side.

So when I heard that Margaret and Julia were gone, I immediately suspected foul play. I couldn’t believe she would leave on her own. Initially, I didn’t even know about the note.

But later, when I heard that the house was surrounded by protective shields, and there were more than enough precautions in place, I was surprised. I had repeatedly told Hardis-san that it would be better to have guards for the sake of the mother and child’s safety, but he ignored my advice, which frustrated me.

However, I never thought that they were already being protected by spirit magic, even without our concerns.”

“However, even though the protective shield hasn’t been lifted, the fact that they disappeared means she left that house and town of her own accord, doesn’t it?

I’ve been puzzled and wondering about the reason why she left since I realized that. But now, I finally understand.”

Turning a face of continued disbelief towards his wife, Jade, who still couldn’t quite accept it, received an openly disappointed look from her.

“Why is it that men often don’t understand a mother’s feelings? There may be exceptions, but for a woman with maternal instincts, even if she loves her husband dearly, when faced with choosing between the two, she prioritizes the happiness of her child.

Margaret chose the future happiness of Julia over the life with her husband. Perhaps she feared that if Julia were assigned a role as the ‘Green Spirit User’ by the country, she might end up like Hardis-san… unable to have a normal family life, devoid of freedom, and working tirelessly for a lifetime. What mother would want that for her daughter?”

At this moment, Romand saw the image of Lady Liana overlapping with that of his own mother.

In his childhood, yes, when Julia had pleaded with the spirits and revived that desolate farmland, his mother had hurriedly instructed Julia and her daughter to leave the Plant family’s estate.

At that time, Romand misunderstood that his mother was trying to drive Julia and her daughter away, feeling shocked and angry. How could she do that when they seemed to get along so well with Aunt Margaret, and everything appeared to be so joyful?

However, after Julia and her mother left, it was through his uncle’s words that Romand finally understood the meaning behind his mother’s actions. And he thought:

“Even though it was a short time, my mother and Aunt Margaret really got along well. Like sisters. They must have talked about things that they couldn’t tell anyone else, especially since both of them had experienced running away from home.”

While he never directly heard it, Romand’s mother probably knew from the beginning that Julia was the ‘Green Spirit User.’ Therefore, she likely advised her to leave the estate early to avoid being exploited by their uncle.

“Even if we’re poor, no matter how tough it gets, a mother can endure anything for the sake of her child.”

His mother always said that, and even when faced with harassment from their uncle and heartless servants on the estate, she never considered leaving. Unlike Margaret, who had neither qualifications nor education, Romand’s mother probably thought she couldn’t protect her son anywhere else.

Leaving and staying—seemingly opposites, but both were decisions and actions made by mothers who prioritized their children. Romand realized this only now.

At that time, he thought his mother was lacking in spirit for not leaving the estate. He harbored a slight resentment, believing that her decision led him to carry the burden of bad debts. However, it was all for his sake.

With a bitter smile, Romand acknowledged that he was indeed experiencing the reality of the saying “parents’ hearts are inscrutable,” realizing the depth of his mother’s sacrifices.

✽

“I couldn’t protect my daughter, Julia. Margaret must have thought I couldn’t make her happy…”

Hardis muttered in astonishment. He felt deeply miserable, knowing he was perceived as a man incapable of protecting even his own daughter by his wife.

“Was it really like that? You barely saw your daughter for a handful of days. With such limited time, there’s no way you could protect her. Even if you used spirit magic to shield her from physical danger, that’s just the physical aspect, right? And while you did send letters regularly, it seemed more like a one-sided expression of your feelings.

Perhaps you should have confided in Margaret about the ‘Green Spirit User’ story. After all, the ‘Green Circle Oath’ doesn’t apply to you, right? Besides, even if Julia were a ‘Green Spirit User,’ if you had reassured Margaret that you would protect her, things might have been different.”

“Even if I am in a position where I don’t have to take an oath, as the head involved in the country’s defense, I can’t casually disclose information related to the country’s secrets, even to my trusted wife! It concerns matters of national security.

Those who haven’t experienced the hardships of pledging loyalty to the country should refrain from interfering unnecessarily! It’s because Hardis and the others sacrifice their sleep to protect us that we can live peacefully! Watch your words!”

Jade, who had been quiet for a long time, reprimanded his wife. While he could understand his wife siding with her dear friend Margaret, from a societal perspective, it wasn’t such a simple matter.

If Hardis and his team were to abandon their duties, the greenery of the country would disappear rapidly, crops wouldn’t grow as they used to, and not only the common people but also the royalty and nobility would suffer from hunger. Moreover, the country would become vulnerable to invasion from other nations.

Upon Jade’s words, even the composed Liana turned pale. The already chilly air in the room seemed to drop even further in temperature.

Julia felt perplexed, knowing that their family affairs had strained the relationship between her beloved Lord Rudolf and Lady Liana.

Desperate to somehow defuse the situation, but clueless on what to do, she fumbled. At that moment, Ruffie spoke up.

“So, the leaders of this country are at fault. The royals, high-ranking nobles, and officials. If we’re pointing fingers, isn’t it more appropriate to blame them?”

It was a valid argument, but everyone exchanged glances, and no one said anything. After all, both Hardis and Jade were part of those high-ranking officials and nobility.

Moreover, criticizing the royalty in the royal castle might not be wise, even if they were covered by protective shields.

“The Duke and Duchess each expressed their opinions from their own perspectives. But I don’t think either of them is wrong. Humans, no matter how noble, can’t see everything from a bird’s-eye view.

Until Robert pointed it out to me, I never thought the young lady’s meals were that bad. Of course, I regretted it deeply once it was pointed out. But, in a way, it couldn’t be helped.

In the slums where I grew up, such meals were normal. Baron and Robert were originally commoners, claimed to be poor, but having a fixed place to sleep, basic food to eat—even if it was thanks to a scholarship—it was considered affluent from the perspective of the lower class.

Oh, I’m not being sarcastic at all, you two. I’m glad you noticed, and I’m grateful. If you hadn’t, the young lady would have remained a withered noblewoman.

That’s it. The important thing is to ‘realize,’ I think.”

“Is ‘realization’ synonymous with ‘knowing’?”

When Julia asked Ruffie this, he shook his head.

“No, it’s different. Just gaining knowledge or information is of no use. Let’s take a simple example: suppose an announcement is made from the authorities that winter will come early this year. Most people, upon hearing this, will think, ‘Ah, winter is coming early this year.’

However, some individuals, upon hearing this information, will think further. If winter is coming early, maybe they should sow vegetable seeds earlier than usual, or perhaps they should buy more firewood early, anticipating a price increase. Recognizing information relevant to oneself among a variety of information is what we call ‘realization.’ Having or lacking this realization makes a significant difference in life.”

“Is Ruffie’s special care for me more than just a job also related to this ‘realization’?”

“Yes, indeed. I realized that I consider you as a real sister, and because of that ‘realization,’ I’ve been able to stay by your side, refusing alcohol for almost three years and working tirelessly without breaks.”

Hearing Ruffie’s sincere and kind words, Julia smiled happily.

That’s right. Ruffie has been able to protect Julia all this time because he realized that watching over her was more than just a job.

If it weren’t for that, he would have quit long ago, no matter how high the pay. Of course, if Julia had realized that his working hours were illegal, she could have filed a complaint against the employer, improving not only Ruffie’s situation but also Julia’s environment.

Unfortunately, Ruffie’s workplace before being employed by Count Woodcliff was the worst and cruelly ruthless knight order.

Because of that, the idea of questioning orders or expressing dissent was entirely foreign to him, as the doctrine drilled into him was that commands from above were unquestionable.

“What you are currently gaining, and what is burdening you in return… If you consider that as normal, you won’t notice anything, and you won’t gain anything. In other words, there will be no progress or improvement from that standpoint.”

Ruffie calmly stated this.