Do Flowers Bloom in the Fallen Land?

Louis lifted the wine glass and lightly moistened his lips as he smiled at Seira, “I can’t pretend I don’t notice if you look at me like that.”

“Oh… I apologize if I offended you. I didn’t notice I had looked that hard,” she blushed, “it must be because you’re handsome.”

Louis’ eyes widened at Seira’s words.

“Do you like my face?”

“Well…”

Seira, who had pondered for a while, nodded, “I think so.”

His face was quite similar to her taste. Not only the appearance and physique that resembled someone she liked, but also the gentle way of speaking and graceful gestures.

“That’s a relief,” he sighed.

Seira seemed to be confused, “Hmm? What’s a relief?”

“I think I can talk in a positive way.”

She put down her fork next to the dessert plate and leaned her back on the chair. She could now see that he was getting to the main point why he invited her to dinner.

The attendants and maids who stood by went out without a sound with just a slight glance from Louis. Only the two of them were now left alone at the spacious restaurant.

Louis opened his mouth as he put his wine glass down on the table, “I want you to be my lover, Duchess Ascan.”

“…what?”

It seemed like the first time she ever heard of someone asking her to be his lover. She often saw innocent young people confess and give flowers, and the sons of cheeky noble families who hand out proposals as if they were friends.

‘Or is he asking me to give birth to a descendant?’

Perhaps that’s why she was curious rather than angry at his sudden suggestion.

“I don’t think this is something you’d call a love at first sight kind of proposal?”

“I’m talking about a formal relationship. Of course, I can’t deny that I fell in love at first sight.”

Seira was taken aback – surely that wasn’t the case at all. Ignoring what he she asked again out of courtesy, “You want me to pretend to be your lover in public, right?”

“Yes.”

Seira reached for the table and grabbed her wine glass.

“I’ll ask you why later. What can I get by accepting the Duke’s offer?”

In fact, Louis’ proposal for her to pose as his lover was the most essential thing for Seira now. Franto could also be a strong shielf from Calrad, with whom he couldn’t openly threaten. It could’ve been seen as a better option than Jeff, who was related by blood.

Seira didn’t want to raise her hopes with what Louis could offer. If it’s just a condition that wouldn’t be much like a pushover…

“If you accept my offer, I will help revive the Ascan estate. Light speed.”

“…!”

Seira’s mouth dropped to the ground. She was confident she wouldn’t be swayed by most things, but this time around she couldn’t help it.

‘Let’s calm down. If you set your expectations too high, you’ll be disappointed.’

Seira blinked several times before finally emptying the glass in her hand in one big gulp. For a few seconds, she was amazed by the flavor, so the thought of how expensive and good alcohol flashed through her mind.

“It’s not a bad suggestion, but aren’t you sure that the deal is something fair and you are satisfied with?” she asked him.

“Of course. First of all, I’d like you to be my partner at the imperial banquet in two days time. I’ll bring the Duchess back to where you want to be. Let’s talk about our contract again after that.”

It was a very tempting offer that Seira didn’t want to answer right away.

“Why do you have to do this?”

She had to know his intentions first. The more out of balance the contract, the more likely it is to be a trap.

“I can’t tell you why now,” he added as if he had read her mind, “It’s like a family affair. But I can assure you it is doable. It’s definitely not something that could harm the Duchess.”

“Are you sure?”

“On Franto’s honor,” he added as Seira was lost in thought. “I’ll tell you one more thing because you hesitate. Aren’t you curious about how His Majesty will react if you and I attend this banquet as partners?”

Louis’ eyes turned into thin slits as he asked Seira that last sentence.

Seira noted Franto’s cunningness was slowly showing after hiding it for a while now and commented, “…you don’t like His Majesty. Is that why you handed me a handkerchief?”

“You wouldn’t believe me anyways if I said it wasn’t a planned approach,” he chuckled.

“I don’t care either way. If the Duke is a calculating person, I’d rather be comfortable with knowing that fact.”

Louis nodded at her answer.

“I knew you’d say that.”

Seira stared at his smiling face. What’s behind that glamorous appearance? Is it a green snake or greed as black and endless as the pits?

“Okay, I’ll be your partner at this banquet. The place I’m going to ask for is Dews’ estate. It’s the closest to the center of Ascan’s territory, but if you don’t know the exact location, I’ll give you a guide.”

“I think I know where. Worry not.”

“Yes, of course.”

Seira’s eyes calmed down in a moment of silence. A sudden transaction on both sides took only one step at a time, but the repercussions could be formidable.