For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 2 - Growing Mysterious Plants

#2. Growing Mysterious Plants

 

“What about my ability?”

 

“Are you talking about Lia’s ability?”

 

Both the surprised Count and Lia asked simultaneously. They indeed bore an uncanny resemblance. Perth nodded to the curious two.

 

“Yes, we need the ability to grow plants possessed by Lady Lia.”

 

Lia was too overwhelmed to continue speaking. She couldn’t even think to cover her gaping mouth. How long had she dreamt of this day, receiving the call of the nation! Her heart pounded fiercely as she realized her supernatural ability might be useful. However, Lia’s father, Count Penelope, appeared displeased.

 

“Lia has a more pressing matter at hand….”

 

It seemed he was about to bring up marriage again. Before the Count could speak, Lia grabbed Perth’s hand and exclaimed.

 

“Alright! If it’s something that requires my ability, I’ll do it.”

 

“Lia, do you accept whatever it is without knowing?”

 

“If it’s a request from the First Prince’s Chief Aide himself, it must be very important. Whatever it is, I’ll do my best to help.”

 

How many times had she heard that her ability was useless? Especially compared to her brothers, who all had offensive abilities, Lia’s ability was often belittled. But she believed her ability must have some use somewhere.

 

“Let’s discuss this privately.”

 

Perth brushed off Lia’s hand and straightened his coat. His attitude was reminiscent of when Lia accidentally leaned on him at the entrance of the mansion. Perhaps mindful of the Count, he didn’t openly frown like before. Feeling as though she had done something wrong, Lia felt awkward. It seemed he disliked contact with people.

 

“Don’t make decisions lightly, Lia. Can you tell us what it is?”

 

“Yes, of course. What I want to ask Lady Lia to do is to grow the Queen Mother’s plants.”

 

“The Queen Mother’s?”

 

Both Lia and the Count were surprised by the magnitude of the task. Perth calmly explained as if he had anticipated their reactions.

 

“Do you know the Queen Mother came from the Western Desert Kingdom?”

 

“Yes, wouldn’t every citizen of Psychedelia know?”

 

“She sent gifts from her homeland. They are plants that grow in the desert. She sent a total of twelve species, but the palace gardeners haven’t been able to grow them properly. Half of them have already withered. According to the Queen Mother, they are supposed to grow into large plants, but the surviving ones are not growing beyond seedlings.”

 

Lia had never seen plants that grew in the desert. She had only encountered them through books. If even the palace gardeners couldn’t grow them, it seemed like the usual methods wouldn’t work.

 

“Didn’t she provide instructions on how to grow them?”

 

“She simply said it’s a plant that grows well on its own. However, as soon as it falls into the hands of the gardeners, they all start dying one by one, so…”

 

Perth didn’t conceal his embarrassment. He wasn’t lamenting the dying plants but rather the incompetence of the palace gardeners who couldn’t even grow a single plant.

 

“So, is it because of that plant that the Chief Aide himself came all the way to seek out Lia?”

 

The meaning behind the Count’s words was clear. He questioned why someone in such a high position as the First Prince’s Chief Aide would take the time to come all the way to Count Penelope just for a mere plant.

 

“It seems that plant was one the Queen Mother adored since she was young. When the First Prince saw her grieving, he ordered the gathering of all those with plant-related abilities to the palace. Apart from Lady Lia, many other individuals with plant-related abilities will be invited to the palace. Among them, those who succeed in growing the plants will be given duties to work within the palace by the First Prince himself.”

 

“Duties!”

 

“Work within the palace?”

 

Both Lia and the Count brightened simultaneously. Lia was delighted at the chance to finally obtain a position within the palace, as it was an opportunity to fulfill her long-held dream. On the other hand, the Count was pleased at the prospect of sending Lia to the palace. 

 

Sending a noblewoman to serve as a maid to catch the eyes of the higher-ups was a common strategy among the nobles. It might even lead to a good match for Lia within the palace.

 

“What’s the deadline?”

 

“Three months.”

 

“Three months…?”

 

Once again, Lia and the Count were simultaneously lost in thought. Lia pondered whether she could grow the plants within three months. Meanwhile, the Count doubted whether Lia could impress the higher-ups within such a short period.

 

Perth also found himself contemplating while observing the two. The First Prince had ordered to bring every individual known for their plant-related abilities, especially females. Externally known for cherishing and following the Queen Mother who was not his biological mother, in truth, he was simply kind to all women regardless of status. 

 

The first task Perth undertook as his Chief Aide was sorting out complicated female relations. Lia was the only female candidate among those with plant-related abilities. If she couldn’t be brought, Perth could envision how unpleasant the First Prince’s mood might become.

 

“We will compensate you sufficiently.”

 

“No, financial matters aren’t the issue.”

 

“Then what…?”

 

Lia tensed, fearing the Count’s opposition. However, the words that came out of the Count’s mouth were completely unexpected.

 

“Can you introduce a suitable man for our Lia?”

 

“What?”

 

“Father!”

 

The Count leaned towards Perth, showing an attitude of not listening to Lia’s words. Perth felt uncomfortable with the Count’s approach and slightly shifted his body away. However, the Count paid no heed.

 

“Our Lia is eighteen, eighteen. She’s been waiting for the nation’s call, yet typically, noble girls start their duties for the country between thirteen and fifteen.”

 

“But, well…”

 

“But this child hasn’t received any news from the country until she turned eighteen. Moreover, the work you’re proposing this time is temporary, isn’t it? We don’t know if it will become permanent.”

 

“That’s true…”

 

Gradually, the Count leaned forward while Perth leaned backward. As Perth found himself cornered against the sofa’s backrest, the Count returned to his seat.

 

“She went through her coming-of-age ceremony at sixteen, and yet this girl hasn’t had any proposals. Many noble girls have their matches arranged from birth, and if not, they have engagements from a young age. If she had been engaged since childhood, she wouldn’t even be able to refuse out of sheer dislike. She’s been the same since she was young. She said she’d delay marriage to help the country with her ability. But did she ever think it would be this delayed?”

 

“Yes, yes…”

 

Now the Count was holding onto Perth, lamenting their situation. Lia blushed from head to toe in embarrassment.

 

“Father! What are you saying?”

 

“You stay quiet! Perth, surely you can understand this boiling parent’s feelings?”

 

This time, the Count tried to grab Perth’s hand. However, Perth politely withdrew his hand and awkwardly smiled in response.

 

“Well, I haven’t married yet, so…”

 

“Oh, you’re unmarried?”

 

The Count eyed Perth, contemplating intertwining Perth and Lia immediately. Perth momentarily couldn’t control his expression and grimaced. He quickly returned to his usual impassive demeanor, but Lia had already seen that expression.

 

“Father, calm down. I have no intention of marrying!”

 

“Are you going to say that nonsense about ‘if I meet the right person, I’ll marry, and if not, I’ll live alone’ again? Ridiculous! If you want to enter the palace, you must be introduced!”

 

What nonsense about marriage! Lia was indignant. But the Count ignored her and turned away. Now the decision lay with Perth. Watching the two quarrel, Perth felt quite flustered.

 

But to fulfill the First Prince’s command, he had to make a rational decision now. Perth pushed up his glasses with his finger. It was a habit of his whenever he made a decision.

 

“Well, then, I’ll arrange the introduction. I don’t know many eligible men, but… do you have any specific conditions in mind?”

 

The Count’s face lit up at Perth’s words, while Lia’s expression turned somber. Although the opinions of the parties involved were important, Perth judged that accepting the Count’s conditions at this point would facilitate matters.

 

To be honest, Perth doubted whether he had the connections to introduce someone suitable. If not, he would even consider pushing for someone like the First Prince, who didn’t mind marrying any woman. Whether the marriage the Count desired would happen or not required the king’s permission, but at least it complied with the condition of ‘introduction.’

 

The Count extended three fingers towards Perth.

 

“Are there three conditions?”

 

“No, just three unmarried men of marriageable age.”

 

“Do you have any specific preferences regarding age, status, or desired occupation?”

 

“Just someone Lia would like.”

 

It was an ambiguous condition. Perth adjusted his glasses. It was a habit of his when facing a dilemma. Lia looked surprisingly at the Count.

 

“What if the men introduced by the Chief Aide don’t suit my taste?”

 

“Then… I’ll refrain from bringing up marriage for a while. But! You will continue to see the men Mr. Perth introduces you to for a month. You must meet three candidates before you decide.” 

 

“What do you mean, for a while? Not at all!” 

 

“So you plan to remain unmarried and grow old?”

 

“If it’s not fate…!”

 

“Not that talk again!”

 

The argument continued for a while. Amidst the turmoil, Perth had to make a decision. The conditions weren’t particularly objective. Perth couldn’t know what kind of man would appeal to Lia. But it wasn’t impossible. With Perth’s ‘ability,’ he could certainly grasp Lia’s preferences.

 

“I will do it. The condition is to introduce three unmarried men, regardless of whether it leads to marriage, correct?”

 

Perth extended three fingers. The Count vigorously nodded, seemingly forgetting his composure. Lia still frowned.

 

“That’s right.”

 

“To be precise, I’d like to have a contract drawn up.”

 

“Accuracy is good. Dev!”

 

The Count immediately called for his butler. The astute butler promptly brought paper and pen. Perth skillfully drafted the contents of the contract. He was well-versed in writing documents. This kind of contract could be quickly prepared.

 

The Count nodded as he reviewed the contract Perth had written. At a glance, it seemed flawless. After completing both pages, Perth handed one to the Count and the other to Lia.

 

“Please review both and sign if there are no issues.”

 

The Count, having already reviewed the contents, signed without hesitation. Lia glanced at Perth while reading the contract. However, it was futile to read anything from Perth’s expressionless face. As someone unfamiliar with contracts, Lia couldn’t discern any issues with the document. She just felt uncomfortable with the idea of being forced to meet three men.

 

However, the Count had clearly stated that if she didn’t like any of the three, the topic of marriage wouldn’t be brought up for a while. So, if she rejected all three, it would be the end of it. Regardless of how remarkable a Chief Aide Perth might be, Lia doubted he could bring a man of her unknown taste.

 

Having made her decision, Lia signed the contract splendidly.

 

“Congratulations on your entry into the palace, Lady Lia. See you at the palace next time.”

 

After signing, Perth also neatly folded one copy and put it into his breast pocket. A faint smile played on his lips.