MLWR 16

Chapter : 16

“By any chance, do you know about Potea?”

Julia, who had first lifted a cup from the tray and politely offered it to Marianne, tilted her head slightly. After thinking for a moment, her eyes brightened as though she had just recalled something.

“…If you mean Potea, is that… the fruit that’s said to grow underground?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Calling it fruit was a very restrained way to put it. Normally it was called things like the curse of monsters, a devil’s apple, and so on.

As Marianne took the cup, Julia leaned in and whispered, her voice quieter than before.

“I’ve heard of it. There are rumors that monsters grow it to lure humans, but… people say that’s nothing but nonsense.”

Even as she dismissed the stories, fear, distrust, and displeasure flickered faintly in her eyes. She clearly did not believe the tales—but the idea of anything grown on monster-infested land struck her as ominous.

If this was the reaction of a noble like Julia, the commoners who made up most of the territory must feel an even greater aversion.

“Besides the rumors… I remember hearing that it tastes good, is easy to cultivate even in cold climates, and could be a major famine relief crop in the North—if only the seeds were obtainable.”

At least the perception wasn’t completely negative—that was a relief. When Marianne nodded, Julia hesitated.

“But…”

She trailed off, and Marianne smiled, already guessing what she was about to say.

Yes, there was a bigger problem than public perception. For now.

“The problem is that it grows outside the Northern Walls.”

“Yes. …Outside the walls is extremely dangerous. Perhaps not as bad as during the war era, but with monsters lurking everywhere, even skilled knights can’t stay long.”

“Thank you.”

Ending the conversation, Marianne stole a glance at Cedric. Was he dreaming? His face looked a shade darker than before, but he continued to sleep soundly.

From what Julia said earlier, he may not have slept at all last night—so it was a relief that he was finally resting deeply.

Marianne let out a small breath and raised the cup. The soup had cooled to a pleasant warmth while they talked, and it soothed her stomach.

“That was good.”

“Yes. I’ll leave this dish on the table. The others are foods that won’t cool too much—fruit, cookies, things like that.”

Gathering the empty cup, Julia walked carefully, making almost no sound. Then she lifted a cloth-covered plate from the tray.

“Thank you. Tell Chloe thank you as well, Julia. And… could you tell Sir Miel to come see me after dinner?”

“Of course.”

She nodded, placed the plate at the farthest end from Cedric, bowed, and slipped out.

Marianne listened to her steps fade, then turned toward the window on tiptoe so as not to wake Cedric. Pulling the curtain aside just a handspan, she saw snowflakes silently drifting down.

One by one, they fell and left damp traces before melting away.

Not enough to build up yet.

Restoring the curtain, Marianne returned to Cedric’s side. She straightened the shawl tucked around him, then sat in a nearby chair.

Listening to his soft breathing, she gathered her thoughts again.

Before the blizzard hits… I need to convince Sir Miel. Then secure the Potea, build a greenhouse, cultivate as much as possible, distribute it to the people…

“Mm…”

Her train of thought snapped. Startled, Marianne looked at Cedric—only to realize belatedly it was sleep-talking.

He kept his eyes tightly shut, lips twitching.

He looked adorable—and worried—brow furrowed as though dreaming something unpleasant. Marianne smiled faintly.

“Cedric.”

She stretched out her hand and gently pressed her fingers to smooth the wrinkle between his brows, speaking in a whisper too soft for him to hear.

“It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll stay right beside you. I’ll help you.”

So you can meet a better future. So you’ll be ready when the heroine finally comes for you.

“Good evening, Sir Miel.”

Marianne sat beneath a bright lantern, greeting him and sipping her warm tea.

To her relief, Cedric had woken only after sundown—just long enough to eat a little dinner before drifting off again.

So Marianne entrusted him to Amelie, who had just returned from managing the cleaning, and met Miel in another room.

“…Your Highness.”

Miel bowed stiffly, his tone and expression equally rigid. He then stepped back two paces and waited for her to speak.

Hmm. She thought his favorability had risen a little—was she mistaken?

Marianne looked at him a moment, feeling as if she’d gone back to their first meeting, then opened her mouth.

“You may sit.”

“No, thank you. My patrol begins soon. And I could never sit facing Your Highness.”

“If you insist.”

At least his eyes no longer held that open contempt—not a complete regression. Marianne set down her cup and got to the point.

“I have a request.”

“Please speak.”

“I want you to guide me to the Northern Walls.”

“…?”

His brows arched sharply. He looked as though she had spoken wrongly—or he had misheard.

So Marianne tapped the rim of her cup lightly and said it again.

“I’d like you to take me to the walls.”

Miel’s eyelid twitched, and he bit down on his lower lip. After a pause, he finally answered.

“…Forgive me, Your Highness, but as a foreign visitor, you may not fully understand what the Northern Wall truly is.”

He tried to soften it—very un-knightlike—but the underlying meaning was clear: If you know nothing, stay put in the mansion.

Marianne let out a short laugh.

“No, I know. I know there are monsters roaming beyond the walls—outside the North.”

Miel frowned. Someone aware of that fact should not be making such a request—that expression he barely held back.

He cleared his throat and continued in a graver tone.

“Since Your Highness already knows, I will spare the explanation. But currently, the walls are… not properly maintained. It is impossible to guess what dangers may lurk there. Therefore, I cannot escort you. Please reconsider.”

It was a reasonable argument. Only two knights remained at the estate, and at present, Miel was alone—just patrolling the grounds was already too much.

And with no budget until now, even the North’s sole barrier could not be repaired despite its decay.

Miel’s expression was bleak as he admitted the shame.

“I understand your point, Sir Miel.”

Marianne nodded. But she also had a reason she had to go. Something essential to obtaining Potea seeds was waiting at the wall.

She did not back down.

“But Sir Miel—I’m not asking to go beyond it. I only want to see the wall itself and return. As you said, it isn’t being maintained, so its condition must be checked.”

Miel bit his lip again. Silence settled, heavy and uncomfortable, as he stared at her.

The lantern caught his blue eyes, glinting like steel—yet no words came to persuade this fearless princess.

In the end, he yielded—but not completely.

“…Very well. However, I cannot fully protect you alone. Allow me to take you only after the knights from Hill Territory arrive.”

“Fine.”

Marianne agreed easily. It was obvious he intended to enlist their help to convince her otherwise—but that was a battle none of them could win.

Whether they tried to frighten her or politely pressure her, Marianne would prevail.

Long live the noble hierarchy.

She savored once again the relief of having possessed the body of a princess, then dismissed him.

“Thank you for understanding, Sir Miel. You may go.”

“…Yes.”

He opened and closed his mouth several times, unwilling to leave things there, but in the end, could not speak and withdrew.

He means well, and I’m grateful for that…

Marianne scratched her cheek.

But if she explained her entire plan now, she would only get Is she insane? stares.

Or worse—be suspected of being a spy sent by the emperor.

So explanations could wait until they were standing at the wall.

Feeling lighter after clearing that hurdle, Marianne rose to extinguish the lamp—

Knock, knock.

Someone rapped sharply at the door—hurried, forceful. Marianne wondered if Miel had come back for round two.

“Your Highness—it’s Julia.”

“Julia?”

But it was Julia. As Marianne answered, the door swung open. Julia, paler than usual, bowed her head.

“I apologize for opening the door without permission. B-but, Your Highness—may you please come at once to the young lord?”