Chapter 32

In Elliana’s eyes, a single seed looked like a gold coin. Julius and Isaac were also taken aback, but even if they planted a hundred Lolo’s seeds, the chances of them sprouting were about fifty percent.

Moreover, there’s a saying that we only live once. So if you’re going to do something, do it big.

“Hehe, time flies so quickly. I guess I’ll be going now.”

Annoyingly, just as they were about to start working in earnest, Julius slipped away.

“Gwanpa, you coward…”

The two children rolled up their sleeves and began planting the seeds.

How much time has passed?

While Isaac, whose hands were surprisingly dexterous, planted twenty Lolo’s seeds, Elliana planted only one.

She dug the earth with a small hoe, planted a few seeds at a time, and patted them diligently with her little hands.

It was quite enjoyable to move her body and work up a sweat after such a long time.

In her new life, she had always been the recipient of someone’s care, so there were few opportunities for her to feel the satisfaction of doing something with her own hands.

Memories of Theo and the cabin came to mind.

Elliana brushed the small palms covered in dirt.

“I’ve planted them all.”

Elliana said to Isaac, looking at him.

“Yes, now we’ll water them, lady.”

Then it was Isaac’s job to water them with a watering can.

Splash!

As the water was sprinkled, the soil became moist. Was it an illusion that the soil, which looked dry and cracked earlier, became soft and seemingly full of nutrients?

Finally, Elliana carried the little sun floating above her head and jumped around the field so that the sunlight could reach the entire field where the Lolo’s seeds were planted.

‘I hope they grow quickly.’

As Elliana hoped, rays of yellow sunlight spread out in all directions.

Thus, two hours passed quickly until the work was finished. Sweat beads had formed on the foreheads of the two children without them realizing it.

Elliana also felt strangely happy, feeling the satisfaction of labor that she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

“We finished the work smoothly. It would be good to come again later.”

“Yes.”

Elliana squatted down and gazed at the finished field for a long time. Ladybugs, soaked in water and nutrients, crawled over the soil.

Although it was not visible to the two, the power of the sun touched various parts of the field, making it faintly shine.

“Should we go back now?”

At Isaac’s call, Elliana looked down at him. She wouldn’t have been able to finish the task alone.

She felt that she would be indebted to Isaac in the future. Although he was still a young boy, if he ate well and grew up well, he would be able to work even better.

“We have to eat well after work.”

“Do you know what the most tasty food is?”

“What do you mean?” Elliana asked as Isaac smiled and replied, squinting his eyes.

“Breakfast after finishing cleaning the temple floor!”

It was a very specific situation. But what Elliana wanted was food that was inherently delectable to eat. After cleaning the wide temple floor, even stones would be delicious.

“What did you eat?”

“Freshly baked whole wheat bread and a hot potato stew! It’s really good!”

However, those menu items alone did not make Elliana’s heart flutter.

How can one discuss deliciousness without meat?

Come to think of it, she heard that the priests of the Riott do not eat meat. However, meat is essential for growing children.

Elliana vowed to feed this young child meat. That way, he will grow up to be a useful worker—no, he will grow up healthy.

Elliana smiled and asked, “Isaac, can you eat meat?”

“Yes, I can eat it.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Isaac answered cautiously, and Elliana smiled broadly.

Her eyes folded beautifully as she smiled, and it made even the onlookers smile.

“If you’re happy with it, that’s okay.”

Her plump cheeks were as pink as peaches, even softer than freshly baked bread.

Isaac had the urge to poke Elliana’s cheek once, but he held back.

Meanwhile, Elliana recalled the time when she worked as a maid in the palace.

At that time, the maids received the most luxurious treatment, but Elliana’s meals were not like that.

She ate tasteless porridge without any ingredients, dried corn, and stale bread. Meat was only eaten occasionally when there was a banquet.

She blamed the maid, who was in charge of the meals.

Elliana learned firsthand that discriminating through food was the worst thing to do. That was why she was so obsessed with what he ate.

Lost in her thoughts, Elliana momentarily bent her knees, and Isaac brushed off the dirt on her beautiful dress and small woolen boots.

“There’s dirt on your beautiful dress and shoes. It’s a pity.”

“It’s not a pity.”

“…?”

Elliana, who slightly shook her small head, spoke slowly.

“It’s okay. Seeds grow, fwowers bloom, and trees grow in soil. Even worms live in the soil.”

“Oh, I see. You’re right, lady.”

Isaac scratched his head.

“…I’m thankful for your kindness. Isaac, you’re nice.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Shall we go to the Dandelion Palace now? Let’s go and have a meal quickly.”

Elliana replied with a “yes” and started walking.

“Let’s go together, lady.”

“Yes.”

The two children walked hand in hand towards the Dandelion Palace. The High Priest caught a glimpse of them through the window and smiled.

* * *

They had arrived at the Dandelion Palace before they knew it.

The temple was quite chilly, but as she entered the Dandelion Palace, it felt warm, reminiscent of when she lived in the eastern region.

“Come to think of it, it always feels unusually warm near the palace. Why is that?”

“It might be because of the fwowers? Oh, look, a bwutterfly!”

Elliana spotted a butterfly and approached it eagerly. In the Dandelion Palace, various flowers, including pink dandelions, white hyacinths, blue irises, and yellow daffodils, bloomed beautifully.

“I usually cwame to see the flowers and play with the bwutterflies. I’ll share the sunlight before we leave.”

Elliana concentrated, diverting her strength into her heart, and conjured the sun. The sun seemed to shrink a little, perhaps because she had used a lot of its power earlier.

Isaac marveled at Elliana as she evenly distributed the sunlight.

“You’re truly kind, lady.”

At that moment, Sarah and Noelle, her two maids, hurriedly approached. Especially Sarah; as soon as she saw Elliana, she gave her a kiss and hugged her tightly.

“Oh, my lady! Welcome back! Ah, you’re so adorable.”

“Ywes, I planted seeds. It was fun.”

“It looks like you’ve taken care of the garden. Well done.”

“You took good care of our lady today. Thank you, little priest.”

Noelle guessed, and when Sarah expressed her gratitude to Isaac, he shyly bowed his head.

Then he approached Elliana.

“I had so much fun today too. Let’s meet again next time, lady.”

But Elliana, with her sparkling eyes, grabbed Isaac’s sleeve.

“Just a moment. Don’t go. Let’s eat together.”

“……Oh.”

“Gwanpa ran away. Isaac helped me. Let’s eat together.”

“Oh, I just did what I had to do!”

“I want to feed the pewson I’m grateful for.”

Elliana extended her chubby hand toward Isaac. Her black eyes blinked softly.

“Come inside, let’s go. Okay?”

“…are you inviting me to the meal, by any chance?”

“Ywes, will you come?”

“Of course, it would be my honor.”

“I’m thankful. You should eat well at youw age.”

“T-Thank you. No one has ever taken care of me like this before.”

“Well, I want you to be my pewson.”

“……Yours?”

“I’m being gweedy.”