Do Flowers Bloom in the Fallen Land?

“It was apparent that she had liked Baron for a long time,” Domina commented as her eyes glanced at the blushing daughter of Tellon, “Olivia here was willing to step up.”

Seira did her best not to scoff at the old woman’s remark.

‘You are playing really well, huh?’

Her remaining respect for the elder noblewoman seemed to have crumbled to dust. The back of her head was even tingling as much as it had been the day Emperor Laud betrayed her.

“Let me ask you a question,” Seira spoke through clenched teeth.

“Speak.”

“Does your grandson know of your proposal to me?”

“Nothing has been said yet. But I don’t think there’s any reason to refuse the marriage to the Tellons because the will of the senate is also important,” the old woman said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Domina paused and stared at Seira as she emphasized on one last thing, “It is what is best for the family.”

“Ah, I see.”

Seira tried her best not to sneer. Even when she didn’t like the person in front of her, there was still a certain amount of respect that one should at least pretend to give towards the other.

She wasn’t just anyone – she was the Duchess of Askan! She was educated and raised with high morals and with such, proper decorum was upheld even in upsetting situations.

“Then, your excellency…” Seira’s eyes curled softly, “Why don’t you talk to your grandson first? If he agrees, I will also consider today’s proposal.”

Of course, she planned to disregard the proposal after thinking about it for merely one second.

Without knowing Seira’s intentions, Domina’s face brightened.

“Delightful!” she exclaimed. “It’s too bad though. If only Askan were alive, it would have been a good relationship.”

‘If that was the case, my father would’ve cut off Jeff in an instant,’ Seira scoffed inwardly.

Meeting Domina in person, she couldn’t understand Nathan’s choice in the past. He would’ve judged better to have his daughter marry Viseltium, who owned the entire empire, than Jeff who was severely interfered with by the senate.

Seira forced a fake smile on her face and then rose from her seat.

“Then, I wish you peace until the day I see you again,” she bid the old woman good-bye.

“Yes. Have a safe trip, too.”

Olivia followed Seira, who was heading out of the drawing room as she prayed for Domina’s downfall.

“Thank you for taking it positively, even though it may have hurt your feelings,” she spoke softly.

Seira never took Domina’s words in a positive manner, but she nodded at Olivia’s remark nevertheless. As a matter of fact, she was greatly offended.

“If I become Jeff’s mistress, can I call you sister?”

“No,” came Seira’s cold and sharp reply.

She didn’t even miss a beat after Olivia asked.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was too presumptuous.”

Seira glanced at Olivia who was merely being friendly. The light brown-haired girl in the yellow dress looked pretty and frail as an Omega.

“You seem to like Baron a lot, aren’t you uncomfortable with me?”

“Ah…”

Olivia, whose eyes steered away for a while, soon looked at Seira and answered.

“I’ll be his companion in the end. The condition of this marriage is to make a bilateral imprint by the time the children come of age,” she said with a blush on her cheeks.

Olivia’s eyes turned towards Seira’s purples and she could see the determination behind her meek appearance, “That strong and wonderful man will love and desire only me until the day he dies, so why should I be jealous?”

‘She’s not normal either,’ Seira thought as she almost rolled her eyes.

Her tongue was pressed hard on the inside of her cheeks, and she waved a dismissing hand to indicate Olivia need not follow her anymore. She left the detached house alone, and fortunately, no annoying weak omega was following her.

“Seira.”

Baron stood straight from leaning on the annex entrance and quickly approached her as if he’d been waiting for her to come out the whole time.

“Did your conversation with grandmother go well?” he asked, concern evident in his eyes.

“…”

Seira stared at his face for a long time. It was quite funny and pitiful to see him worry so much when he didn’t even know anything.

‘Your grandmother wants me to make a baby with you and sell it to Jeff at a high price. And you know what? That woman earlier, that would be your future companion. Didn’t you know?’

Seira could only speak those words inside her mind.

Originally, she didn’t regret much about Jeff, aside from what happened with Domina. Whether it was Viseltium or Jeff, it was honestly too much for her. Even if they say she has nothing to protect, the truth was there was still something precious left behind.

However, that should just be what they know of her. Seira was determined that they wouldn’t get anything they thought was easy.

Because she’ll never hand it over.

Not long after, Seira opened her mouth and asked, “Baron, can I borrow your carriage?”

“Are you leaving already? Please stay a few more days,” he pleaded.

“I think that’s going to be a bit hard on my side. I need to urgently acquire something.”

Baron’s face turned serious and said, “Tell me what it is. I’ll get it for you.”

Seira leaned forward and whispered inconspicuously, “A birth control tea.”

“… what?” Baron’s eyes widened.

“I promised I’d think about it for now because I didn’t have the heart to refuse, but I don’t think I can do it,” she sighed, “I can’t sell children under such circumstances.”

“What the hell do you mean? Selling kids?”

“Hear it directly from your grandmother. It’s awkward if it came from me.”

Seira wiped her face with the palm of her hand. The fatigue that she felt right now was surreal.

“Anyway, Baron… let’s pretend that nothing happened last night or what we talked about in the arsenal.”

Honestly, at the moment, Seira actually looked forward to it. She thought it might work out just well.

It was all an illusion, of course. Baron Jeff couldn’t be a strong companion to share her burdens, nor a solid shield that could protect the rest of Askan.

‘It was ridiculous.’

Baron’s expression was horribly distorted as he stared intently at her with a weak smile. It was only then did he realize what she was talking about.

“Wait… don’t go just yet,” he said, “Wait for me.”

Seira clenched her teeth as she stood and watched Baron’s back as he entered the annex, and then completely vanished after turning around the corner.

She hoped there would be a pleasant and fruitful conversation that would take place between grandmother and grandson.