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Chapter 1
Prologue
Lyris looked sharply at the World Tree.
She checked the condition of the soil and roots, observed the color of the leaves and any damage, and examined whether there were any pests that could harm the tree.
“Hm.”
“……”
The people watching her slowly filled with trust.
As expected of a botanical expert specially invited by the Imperial Palace.
Not just anyone—she was someone the Duke of Akshad, the strongest knight in the Empire, personally traveled to the edge of the continent to bring.
No, it wasn’t just that.
The way the duke treated her was so careful and respectful that it almost looked like he was treating a lady he secretly loved, not just an expert.
The hero known for having no blood or tears… in love?
Impossible—but it showed just how nervous he was.
“……”
“Lady Lyris, is there a problem?”
People looked at Lyris again.
She was so focused that she didn’t even notice others nearby, staring only at the World Tree with a stiff expression.
‘As expected of an expert!’
They admired her again.
Not realizing her face just looked rotten.
* * *
[Give me water.]
“I just gave you some.”
This damn World Tree’s attitude was unbearable.
Lyris suppressed her urge to burn this talking tree into firewood and whispered quietly so others wouldn’t hear.
The reply was ridiculous.
[Was that even enough? Give me more.]
“……”
Maybe what she carried all night wasn’t water but pesticide.
That must be why this “cute firewood” had completely lost its mind.
Lyris wrapped her arm around a branch and whispered:
“If you’re that thirsty, I’ll bring plumbing all the way here. It’ll be a big project, but the Imperial Palace can handle it quickly.”
[You dare suggest tap water to me?]
“No, I mean, there’s a limit to how much a person can carry—”
[Fine. I’ll wither. I’ll drop all my leaves. Let’s go extinct.]
The offended World Tree acted immediately.
The tips of its leaves began to burn and fall off rapidly.
“W-wait, the World Tree?!”
“This is a bad omen! The continent—no, the world will be destroyed!”
“Aaaah!!”
Lyris screamed, looking between the falling leaves and the panicking people.
At this rate, she’d really be executed!
“I’ll bring rainwater!”
[What about tap water?]
“How could I dare give tap water to such a noble and great World Tree? Impossible, of course.”
[That’s right.]
“Of course.”
[I’m thirsty. Hurry.]
The tree instantly returned to its lush green state.
‘…Damn it.’
Lyris clenched her lips in frustration.
A small vein popped under her chin.
But others misunderstood her expression.
“As expected of an expert! Reviving dying leaves instantly!”
“She must be preserved in the Imperial Palace forever…”
Terrifying words.
The officials left, saying they must report this phenomenon.
Lyris rubbed her arms in disgust and ran toward the storage holding rainwater.
The land where the World Tree stood was a sacred place where the primordial god opened its eyes. Entry was strictly forbidden.
Even direct imperial family members needed the emperor’s permission.
Servants? No chance.
‘Meaning I have to do all the hard labor myself.’
She picked up two golden buckets.
They were incredibly heavy—but carrying them one by one wasn’t allowed.
Because—
[Did you know?]
‘What?’
[Humans have two hands so they can offer me two buckets of rainwater at once.]
Meaning: carry two at a time.
‘Sob…’
My precious back…
Disc surgery costs 1,800 gold… how much will I have to spend after this job?
Just as she struggled to stand with the filled buckets—
A large shadow fell over her.
“Lyris.”
“…Ah.”
“I asked you to leave this kind of work to me.”
A large, calloused hand gently touched hers.
Startled, she looked up.
A man nearly two meters tall.
Broad shoulders, sharp like a beast, perfectly trained muscles.
A body forged to the extreme.
“You are already weak. If you collapse again, I…”
“That won’t happen! I’m really fine!”
“Do you feel burdened asking me for help?”
“No, it’s just…”
Because that cute firewood will wither immediately if I don’t bring water now.
There’s no time to ask anyone else.
While Lyris struggled to explain, the man—Duke Akshad—smiled sadly.
“I’m afraid.”
“…What?”
“I want to be someone you can rely on. But I don’t think I am. I feel like you’ll leave me someday.”
“……”
“Am I mistaken?”
His golden eyes looked moist.
Like a large, gentle dog seeking affection.
If it were another woman, she might have grabbed his hand and run straight to a wedding.
But unfortunately—
It was Lyris.
And she had a deep grudge against him.
‘Tch. He’s too perceptive.’
To Lyris, Edrian La Akshad was—
The man who dragged her from far away and made her the World Tree’s servant.
The one who made the emperor and empress trust her completely.
And most importantly—
‘My husband in the original story.’
This Is Not Why I Got a Doctorate
Lyris La Noella.
The youngest daughter of the Noella Ducal House.
In the novel “Promise of the World Tree,” she married the heroine’s younger brother, was falsely accused of withering the World Tree, and was executed.
But now, outside the original story, she lives as a respected horticulture expert in the southern continent.
‘That’s me.’
It was late morning.
Lyris woke up and went down to her lab wearing only a thin nightgown and robe.
No one criticized her appearance.
This wasn’t the capital or her family estate.
She was the owner of the only horticulture research lab in the southern Empire.
“Good morning, Doctor.”
Her maid, Jenia, followed her.
“What’s today’s schedule?”
“Baron Chelsea succeeded in germinating the improved variety you sent. He wishes to visit and thank you.”
“No need. Handle it yourself.”
Meeting people was exhausting.
Only work meetings were unavoidable.
‘Everything is perfect. I’m satisfied.’
Lyris recalled her past.
The original Lyris wasn’t loved in her family because her mother died giving birth to her.
But she didn’t accept that.
At age twelve, she left home and entered the academy.
A doctorate gave legal independence—even as a minor.
‘Are you sure? This department is for commoners…’
‘Register me as written.’
She chose horticulture.
It was the least popular field—perfect to avoid politics.
She studied obsessively and completed bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate in 6 years.
A miracle for someone who hated leaving bed.
‘I’m free now! I’ll live quietly doing gardening.’
At 18, she moved south with her land and degree.
While the main characters fought over the throne, it didn’t concern her.
She built a research lab and started her hobby.
Then one day—
‘Lady, I heard you are skilled with plants…’
‘Wrong person.’
‘A precious tree from the former emperor is dying…’
‘The exit is to the right.’
‘What about this payment?’
‘Welcome, customer.’
That’s how it started.
She fixed noble plants as a side job.
Most problems were simple:
Too much water. Too much fertilizer. Too much sunlight. Wrong pots.
Simple fixes.
But nobles were amazed.
‘Plants need moderate neglect—but people don’t know that.’
Work increased.
There were few horticulture experts with doctorates.
Most stayed as professors.
Eventually, she took on work seriously.
It strengthened her independence from her family.
“And Count Olga requested a meeting this afternoon.”
“What now?”
“New southern crops keep withering.”
“Again… fine.”
After checking plants, Lyris sat down.
Jenia served coffee.
“And these are your letters.”
She opened the one from the academy.
Usually safe requests.
But—
[Looking for a Royal Palace Gardener.]
“…?”
[Details confidential. Disclosure = execution of entire family.
Huge reward guaranteed.
Awaiting reply.]
Coffee dripped from Lyris’s chin.
