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

Chapter 69 Julia’s Second Confession

Julia realized how ignorant she had been about spirits and spirit users when she was talking to her father at the royal castle’s soirée. Despite considering her spirit a close and precious friend, she hadn’t known her name until recently, which made her feel deeply embarrassed.

Through Ramey’s guidance on shielding, Julia finally understood why Spati had only been able to protect her and not others.

Julia hadn’t called Spati by name when asking for help and hadn’t specified who or what needed assistance. Therefore, Spati couldn’t understand Julia’s wishes and only intervened during life-threatening situations.

From then on, Julia started listening to Spati first. Although Spati’s speech was still somewhat fragmented, she tried her best to communicate. Spati said:

“Julia, I’m glad you can be with Romand now. I wanted to tell Pakiran your location… But I thought I couldn’t reach Pakiran, so I couldn’t convey it properly. But I couldn’t leave your side because I was worried. Pakiran also couldn’t leave Romand’s side.”

Pakiran was Romand’s spirit and Spati’s partner. Knowing that Spati couldn’t meet her partner because of her made Julia feel terrible.

“I like listening to Julia’s stories. But I’m not good at speaking.”

“Spati was considerate, saying such things for my sake,” Julia thought. “But why did I only talk about myself and never tried to listen to her? Spati stayed by my side to protect me all this time. While I feel guilty, I also appreciate Spati’s feelings. I guess I’m more selfish than I thought.”

Julia thought this to herself.

As she began living with Ramey and learning various things about spirits from her, Julia started to have a new vision. She wished to meet and deepen her connections with many spirit users and their spirits. Ideally, she hoped to hold regular gatherings and eventually invite the families of the spirit users as well.

“It’s strange that the families supporting the spirit users don’t know or aren’t told about their loved ones’ abilities. Husbands, wives, and partners should want to help each other, sharing everything important. It must be hard to feel like a trusted partner when things are kept hidden from you, like what happened with my late mother,” Julia thought. She shared these thoughts with Ramey:

“Spirits naturally interact with spirits of different kinds. So, if we, the spirit users, interact with many other spirit users, we could get to know their spirits too, potentially even those across borders. Since becoming friends with you, Ramey, a ‘Yellow Spirit User,’ my world has expanded. I want to broaden it even more. If we understand each other better, it will reduce prejudice and misunderstandings, leading to peace.”

Ramey nodded in agreement.

“That’s a wonderful idea. My spirit, Confir, is also very happy to be friends with Spati. Until now, he only had direct interaction with the spirits of the Fermeel family.”

“That’s true. Most spirit users hide their abilities. Besides, there don’t seem to be many ‘Yellow Spirit Users’ in this country.”

“Yes, but it’s impressive that you came up with such an idea.”

“You know, my father is extremely busy managing the special forces and dealing with trade, constantly traveling around the world. That’s why my mother and I rarely saw him. But recently, I finally understood. We’ve been able to live peacefully because of him.

“Force alone cannot protect a nation or its people. My father said that knowing each other is essential to maintaining peace. That’s why he worked in trade, to preserve that peace. So, I want to follow in his footsteps a little bit,” Julia said with a smile.

✽✽✽

Since that night at the royal ball, Julia had not seen Romand. Even though they had been apart until the day they met again and had only seen each other once a week after their engagement, she thought she should be used to being apart from him by now.

Julia also realized just how difficult it must have been for Romand to carve out that weekly time to see her. So, she understood that she shouldn’t complain or be selfish about not being able to see him.

Besides, she was used to being alone. Now, she was living with Ruffie, Viola, the butler Hyde, the maid Sharie, and her new friend Ramey. Her days were lively, fun, and busy—something she had never experienced before, or so she tried to convince herself.

However, no matter how much she tried to make herself believe that, she couldn’t help but feel lonely and sad about not being able to see Romand. It felt as if there was a hole in her heart.

In the mornings, Julia received education from Hyde to become the wife of Baron Plant. In the evenings, when Ramey returned from school, Julia gave her lessons in lady-like behavior and learned about spirit usage and magic from her. During the day, she helped Viola with the flower shop in the market, cleaned the mansion, or spent time in the kitchen making sweets.

Despite her busy days, Julia often went out to the garden to look at the flowers in the flowerbeds. Even though it was winter, the flowerbeds at Baron Plant’s mansion were never without flowers. To Julia, plants were like a source of life, providing peace and strength to her heart. The beautiful roses of the Green Wood Kingdom’s top rose garden (excluding the Woodcliff family) should have had an immeasurable healing power.

However, at that moment, even if Julia’s eyes were looking at the roses, she wasn’t truly seeing them. Through the roses, she was imagining the face of her beloved fiancé, the Flower Baron.

“Romand-sama, I want to see you, I want to see you. I want to hear your voice. I want to see your face.”

《Julia, do you want to see Romand?》

“Yes, I do.”

《Do you want to hear his voice?》

“I do.”

《Why?》

“I’m worried about him. I wonder if he’s tired, if he’s getting enough rest, if he’s eating properly, if he’s not injured. And… I feel lonely not being able to see him.”

《Hmm. Okay, wait a moment.》

Spati said that, and about five minutes later, a voice called Julia’s name from the bright red rose in front of her.

“Julia, Julia, are you in the garden?”

“Romand-sama? Is that you, Romand-sama?”

“Yes, it’s me. I’m at your house, at the Woodcliff estate’s rose garden. I came here for a site inspection related to that incident. I was curious about the state of the rose garden and came to check on it. Then Pakiran told me that you wanted to talk to me and that you were worried about me.”

“Really, Pakiran-sama did? Spati-sama must have conveyed my feelings to Pakiran-sama.”

“Your feelings?”

“Yes.”

“…..”

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, I heard that you were feeling lonely because you couldn’t see me.”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m worried about your well-being and, at the same time, I feel lonely and sad that I can’t see you. I’m sorry for being selfish. I know you have an important role to fulfill.”

“You’re lonely because you can’t see me?”

“I am. Of course I am. I can’t see the person I love so dearly, and I don’t know when I’ll be able to see you again. I understand my mother’s feelings all too well now.”

“Julia, I love you…”

“I love you too, Romand-sama…”

In front of the bright red rose, they exchanged words of love. It might have been the first time since they confirmed their feelings for each other in the baron’s estate greenhouse.