9. The Duke’s Request

After I promised Lord Glen that I wouldn’t make any bad seeds, there was a period of time where nothing happened. We kept having our morning mana pool-growing tea parties, but since we’d gone through most of the already-named sweets, the head chef had started making brand-new types. And as I ate and gave my thoughts on each sweet, I was taught table manners.

Lately, after we’d eaten, I’d been learning cultural things like the founding of the kingdom and what products were harvested where. Sometimes Ele would appear, and tell us about the first Origin Spirit Tree before it was burned, as well as the spirit world that was on the other side of our world. And of course, I never forgot to give Kitten Ele a good petting.

In the afternoon was my Skill research. I would make the seeds Lord Tris would ask for. They’d range from rare medicinal plants and hard to acquire spices, to improved versions of crops that were cultivated in Chronowize. Lately, thanks to my growing mana pool, I’d been able to make up to twenty seeds a day.

What else... Oh! I’ve been able to eat more! Which meant that I was finally filling out... Probably. You could still see my ribs poking up a bit, but they were less visible than before, I think.

On our day off, I went into town for the first time in my life, and went shopping. I learned how to use money, too. I bought decorative buttons for both Gina and Martha as thanks for all they did for me, and they were really happy. I’d also started learning how to dance. Because I’d been practicing curtseying every day, I hadn’t been messing up and kneeling on the floor as much.

And while my happy days without having to fear whippings continued, an attractive older man with graying hair and a gaunt-faced man came to see me.

“A pleasure to meet you, miss. My name is Rodrick Bazrack, younger brother of the former king and current Duke Bazrack. This is Monroe, an authority on pharmacology,” the Duke introduced himself, and gestured to Lord Monroe behind him with his chin.

Lord Monroe himself hesitantly gave me a little bow. Lord Tris, who had brought them along, quickly moved to stand by Lord Glen and me, whispering to us so softly that I could barely hear, “The Duke came to see the Chief with a letter of introduction from the King.”

Hearing that, Lord Glen moved between Duke Bazrack and I. By “miss,” he must mean me. I was nervous, having never spoken to someone this important before.

“My name is Chelsea, daughter of Baron Eucharis,” I said, trying my best not to shake as I curtsied.

But then, the Duke gave me an intense look. Maybe I messed up on my greeting... As I started to feel faint from the stress and nervousness, his intense look morphed into a terribly upset, nearly crying one.

“Please... Please save my granddaughter!” he howled, suddenly bowing deeply before me.

Someone as high-ranked as a Duke, and the younger brother of the former king, is bowing to me!? I was so shocked, I looked to both Lord Glen and Lord Tris for help.

Taking a step back to stand by my side, Lord Glen rubbed my back. “Please, stop bowing. It’s troubling Chelsea,” he said to the Duke, who stood up again. “Let’s hear what you need, first.”

Thanks to him, we got through the introductions to hear their purpose for being here. But unfortunately, we only had one three-seater sofa in my lab, so we had to move to the parlor within the Research Institute. Inside, I sat on one sofa between Lord Glen and Lord Tris, while Duke Bazrack and Lord Monroe each sat on single sofas. Even from here, we could still see the Spirit Tree outside.

After the maids served us tea and left, Duke Bazrack began speaking, “My granddaughter is sick, and we’ve been told she only has three months left.”

I was taken aback to hear such a serious story from him, but Lord Glen didn’t even bat an eye. If the Duke was the former king’s brother, then his granddaughter was of royal blood too. Lord Tris looked like his soul might have left his body.

“One of the ingredients of the medicine that could cure her are some very hard to acquire flower petals. We’ve searched high and low, but the forecast looks grim. His Majesty, my nephew, told me about you, Miss Chelsea, and...” Duke Bazrack trailed off sorrowfully, looking straight at me. “I’ve heard that you can create any seed you wish for with your Skill, and that not only have all your seeds budded, but they’ve grown much quicker than normal as well. I beg of you, please, make a seed of the flower we need!”

I had no idea how to respond, so I looked to Lord Glen beside me.

“Chelsea isn’t used to meetings like this, so I’ll answer for her,” he told them, having noticed my gaze. He gave me his usual soft smile as he did. “At the moment, she needs to know about the seed before she can create it. Do you have any materials on it?”

Nodding, the Duke looked towards Lord Monroe, the pharmacology expert. The haggard man nervously pulled a few papers from his bag, setting them on the table. “Here are the documents detailing the flower seed.”

On the papers were illustrations of the seed and sprout from various angles, how it grew, the leaves and stalk, and the flower in various circumstances—along with lots of notes. The plant was strange in that the flower only bloomed once a year, on the night of a full moon in the middle of winter, and that there was absolutely nothing medicinal about any other part of the plant. The only usable part of the flower were its vibrant petals. But since they couldn’t be used if they were dried, they were very hard to get.

As I looked over the documents, I saw a note labeling it as “poisonous.” I felt my heart thump. I’d just promised Lord Glen, so I wouldn’t be able to make any “poisonous” seeds.

“As you can see, the flower petals can be both poisonous or medicinal... In order for the Lady’s illness to be healed, they are absolutely necessary. As well...they can also cause loss of vision, and may paralyze parts of the body,” Lord Monroe explained, facing downward.

“Side effects, huh...” muttered Lord Glen.

“I’m well aware that she could go blind or be paralyzed, but if her life can be saved, I’d like her to take the medicine. You are our only hope, Miss Chelsea! Please, make a fast-growing seed for my granddaughter!” Duke Bazrack cried, bowing once again. After that, he kept bowing, never raising his head.

A poison that could cause loss of vision, but was also medicinal... Would that be a bad seed, or a good seed?

While I worried about whether or not I should make the seed, Lord Tris whispered in a voice too low for the Duke to hear, “I don’t want you to make any poisonous seeds...”

Glancing over to him, I saw that his usual smile had been replaced with a serious expression. ...He must be worried. Looking over to Lord Glen, he gave me a nod. It seemed that he was agreeing with Lord Tris, but I didn’t think the Duke would leave until I agreed. What should I do...?

As I worried about how to respond, I could see the Spirit Tree glitter outside, and Ele appeared in his kitten form beside my feet.

«I’ve been listening... Why are you worrying?» he asked from the floor by my feet, lifting his little paws in a demand to be picked up. «With your Skill, you could make the flower seed easily, correct?»

I shook my head before lifting him onto my lap.

«So you are worrying about whether you want to make the seed or not. How hard-headed. Your Skill allows you to create whatever seed you wish for. If it’s poisonous, why not just wish to create one with no poison?»

I blinked at his words. My Skill is to create any seed I wished for.

“That’s right... I can just wish for a seed with no poison...” I whispered, only to feel Lord Glen and Lord Tris’ eyes on me.

“That’s a great idea. You’ll have to look closely at the documents to make sure there are no other side effects that could pop up,” Lord Glen said, nodding.

“Then, you could wish for a seed without those side effects!” cried Lord Tris excitedly.

I nodded. “I’ll make the seed for you.”

Hearing my response, Duke Bazrack slowly straightened himself out. “Thank you so much...” he said, giving me another bow.

After that, we looked over the documentation again, and discussed what kind of seed to make.

“It looks like there’s nothing poisonous or medicinal in the seed itself, or the leaves or stem.”

“Then that means keeping the seed in the same candy-like shape as the original.” Nodding at Lord Glen’s words, Lord Tris started drawing the seed on a new piece of paper.

“The stalk is grass-like, and the leaves are about as big as my palm...” I said, and he drew the stalk and leaves as well. “Next is the flower.”

Lord Monroe suddenly spoke up, “If I may, why not increase the number of petals, as well?”

“Why?”

“If we have extra petals, on the chance there is an accident such as a mistake in the compounding, we would still be able to create the medicine.”

He was right. The petals were only one ingredient in the medicine.

“Let’s make it with lots of petals, just like a double blossom rose,” I suggested, thinking back to something I’d seen in the rose garden.

With that said, we wrote down all the details on the medicinal petals, making sure to write how it wasn’t poisonous, as well.

“Okay, our blueprint is finished,” Lord Tris said as he set down his pen.

I looked over the blueprint for the new flower seed over and over again, before nodding. “I’ll make a non-poisonous seed — [Seed Creation].”

A bright red, candy-like seed plopped down on top of the blueprint.

“Oooohhh!” both the Duke and Lord Monroe cried out in surprise as it appeared.

Lord Glen looked closely at the new seed before shaking his head. “I’ve appraised it, but it’s neither medicinal or poisonous. You might have wished too hard to get rid of the poison...”

I had been wishing extra hard for that. “I-I’ll try again — [Seed Creation]!”

Another candy-like red seed rolled onto the blueprint, but Lord Glen shook his head. I started reading the blueprint over again and again, and tried a few more tries, only to get more useless seeds.

“That’s strange. You’re supposed to be able to make any seed you wish for. Ah... Maybe it’s because you’re specifying ‘a non-poisonous seed’?” Lord Tris frowned.

I thought back to when he’d first taught me to cast my Skill after verbally saying what I wanted. Which means that what I should be saying is...

“I’ll make the seed exactly as specified in Lord Tris’ blueprint — [Seed Creation]!”

This time when I cast it, a blue candy-like seed dropped down. I quickly looked to Lord Glen, who nodded.

“My appraisal says it has no side effects... And no poison.”

“Thank goodness!” I said, happily clasping my hands together. Everyone in the room celebrated.

Lord Glen pulled out a small box from somewhere, carefully placed the blue seed inside, then handed it to Duke Bazrack.

“Thank you... I won’t forget what you’ve done for me,” the Duke smiled before leaving the parlor with Lord Monroe.

＋＋＋

A few days later...

“Ah, that’s right. I was told to tell you something,” said Lord Glen suddenly while we were making seeds in the afternoon. “Duke Bazrack’s granddaughter was healed with no complications like going blind or being paralyzed thanks to you, Chelsea.”

“Really? That’s great...”

Lord Glen had told me that he’d appraised that I’d made a poisonless seed, but I’d been so worried I might have somehow messed up. It was relieving to hear that everything went alright.

“How wonderful!” Lord Tris cheered, raising both of his hands in the air.

Seemingly having heard us, the Spirit Tree sparkled, and Ele appeared. «Fufufu! It was thanks to my help! You may worship me, now!»

Seeing him stand proudly in his kitten form was so cute.

“It was thanks to you, Ele! Thank you!” I said with a smile, only for him to suddenly crouch down and cover his face with his paws. “What’s wrong?”

“He’s probably just embarrassed,” laughed Lord Glen.

“Really!?” Hearing that, Lord Tris started carefully observing the spirit. When he noticed, Ele tried to charge at him, but he was easily caught.

«I-I am a Spirit! Worship me!»

His voice was strained, so he must have really been embarrassed. But Ele, Lord Tris can’t hear you when you’re in kitten form... I watched them while I silently whispered that.