For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 48 - Cold Weather (4)

#48. Cold Weather (4)

Crunch, crunch. The sound of continuously stepping on leaves could be heard. It seemed like someone was walking along the path. Lia thought it might be their party and was about to call out. However, the footsteps that somehow reached her ears sounded light. 

Could it be a mountain animal? Lia stayed still and continued to watch the direction where the sound was coming from. Eventually, the sound drew closer.

“Who’s there?”

Before Lia could ask, the other person asked first. Fortunately, it wasn’t a beast but a human. The voice sounded younger than Lia had expected. The identity of the rustling sound turned out to be a girl who looked about five years old.

“Who are you?” 

Lia approached her cautiously. The girl didn’t seem wary of the stranger and just stood there, staring blankly. Up close, Lia noticed that her face and hands were red from the cold, indicating she had walked quite a distance. Judging by the preparations for camping, it didn’t seem like there was a village nearby. That meant this girl had come from quite far away.

“Hey, where’s your home? Isn’t it too far for you to come?” 

“I have to come far to find food.”

The girl didn’t seem bothered by the cold. Lia felt uneasy seeing her casually mention walking such a distance.

“Oh really? Did you find a lot?” 

The girl hesitated to answer, then hid the basket she was holding. Perhaps she had been afraid of adults taking away the food she had managed to gather. Lia felt a pang of sympathy.

“Okay, I won’t ask if you’re worried. Can I help you a bit?”

She needed to return to the campsite, but Lia had gathered some firewood early, so she had some time. The girl shyly nodded her head.

“I’m familiar with some edible plants. Let me choose some for you!”

Lia tried to reassure the girl with a loud voice. However, with so much snow piled up, finding edible plants wasn’t easy.

“Do you know how to find them?”

She looked at Lia doubtfully. Lia felt embarrassed at the skeptical expression. Forgetting about her freezing hands, she searched the snow more diligently.

“I found it!”

The plant Lia found, called Adonis, could be eaten entirely from its roots. It was a plant with such vitality that it could bloom even in the snow. Several roots were growing together where Lia found them.

“Are you going to pick them all?” 

“Yes.” 

“How about leaving one root? That way, it can grow again for next time. And when its flowers bloom, they’re really pretty.” 

“It blooms flowers?”

It seemed she had never seen Adonis’ flowers before. Lia smiled and pointed at the flower buds that were difficult for ordinary people to notice.

“This one is so strong that it can make flowers bloom even in the snow.”

“I’ve never seen flowers, though.”

The girl blinked sleepily and said that before even seeing the flowers bloom, she picked them all to eat. So, it was only natural that they would run out of food every year. They had to leave some for the next year. It was a pity for the plants and the girl.

“Its name is Adonis. It has tiny, beautiful flowers. …Do you want to see?”

The girl nodded her head. She knew that food was important, but she was still full of curiosity.

“Okay. I’ll make the flowers bloom for you. But let’s keep it a secret that they bloomed here.”

“Yes, I promise!”

Lia felt uplifted seeing the girl’s smile. She began to use her abilities towards one of the roots. Slowly but surely, a bud began to grow, and then, with a pop, it burst open. The adorable, yellow flower started to display its splendor.

“Wow…” 

“Isn’t it beautiful?” 

“Yes! I’ve never seen such a pretty flower born before!”

It seemed odd to use the expression “born” for someone so young, but Lia felt good just seeing the girl smile. She wanted to help for longer, but soon Kevin would come looking for her.

“Can you go home?” 

“Of course. I’m seven years old.”

Her proud demeanor was adorable again. Lia had thought she was only about five years old. No wonder she spoke so well. Without realizing it, Lia reached out and patted her head before leaving for the camping site.

“Goodbye! Let’s meet again if we get the chance!” 

“Yes, thank you! Sister!”

* * *

“Lia!” 

“Lady Lia!”

It seemed they had waited for a while. Two men, Perth and Kevin, were there with worried expressions when Lia returned to the campsite.

“Where have you been?” 

“You’ve been gone for a while. Did you gather dry branches or firewood at least?”

Both of them were worried, but their reaction was too severe. Lia made an awkward smile and explained.

“I met a child on the way back. I was a bit late because I helped her for a while.” 

“A child? There shouldn’t be any villages around here.” 

“Yes. She didn’t seem to be from around here, and it looked like she came from far away to find food. Since I know about edible plants, I just helped her find some.”

Kevin’s expression darkened at the mention of someone coming from far away to find food. It was a sign of the severe food shortage in the Hiver region. The famine was so severe that even with foraging, it couldn’t fill the bellies of ordinary people.

“So? What did you find for her?” 

“It was Adonis.” 

“Adonis? Herbs wouldn’t fill her up.” 

“That’s all there was….”

Kevin and Lia fell into brief contemplation. They were thinking about how to solve the food shortage. Perth, on the other hand, seemed to have a different kind of thought, as he remained silent.

“Lady Lia, did you use your abilities?” 

“Yes? How did you know?”

Perth had a serious expression, but there was also something uncomfortable about it.

“Did you use your abilities to make the plants grow and then make her find food just because you felt sorry for the child?” 

“Oh, no. I just made a single root bloom because she wanted to see the flowers.”

As Lia spoke, Perth let out a deep sigh and placed his hand on his forehead. It meant that a troublesome problem had arisen. However, Lia didn’t understand why using her abilities had become such a headache.

“What did I do wrong? Why are you like this?” 

“Lia, you shouldn’t use your abilities.”

Even Kevin seemed to share the same opinion. Although they usually couldn’t agree on anything, they were perfectly synchronized at times like this. Both of them seemed to be blaming her. She couldn’t understand and felt anger rising.

“Why shouldn’t I use my abilities? I can’t even harm anyone! I didn’t misuse it, I just used it a little!”

As Lia became agitated, both men were taken aback. Lia was angry that they blamed her without even explaining why.

“Lia, calm down.” 

“Lady Lia, please listen to me.”

Kevin tried to calm her down first. But Perth was different. He emphasized to her more firmly.

“From now on, the use of abilities is prohibited in the Hiver region. Do you understand?”

“What?” 

“Mr. Perth, could you calm down a bit? Just suddenly prohibiting Lia like this….”

Kevin tried to intervene, but it was futile. Perth and Lia were already quite agitated.

“Why should my ability be prohibited? I only acted out of goodwill!” 

“It’s your goodwill that’s the problem! Are you going to help everyone like that? Do you think you’re a saint? Even your abilities have limits.” 

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. I only made a single flower bloom.” 

“Okay, okay, that’s enough.”

As their voices grew louder, everyone’s attention turned to them. While it was understandable for Lia to act this way, it was unusual for Perth to lose his composure like this. Everyone was surprised.

“Perth! What are you doing?”

Alfonse’s voice calling for Perth could be heard from a distance. Lia wanted to continue the conversation, but there was no time. In the end, Perth had to turn his back and head towards Alfonse. He remained displeased until the end.

“Anyway, it’s prohibited.”

His expression and gestures were firm. But Lia was the angry one, being banned from using her abilities without any reason.

“No, why…!” 

“Lia.”

Surprisingly, it was Kevin who calmed down the angry Lia.

“This place is facing severe food shortages. People easily think that if plant abilities are used, food can be grown. But there are limits to abilities. Moreover, if people rely on the help of plant abilities, they won’t learn to survive on their own here. They’ll only think of bad ways.”

After hearing Kevin’s explanation, Lia finally understood Perth’s words. She didn’t know what might happen to her if her abilities as a plant user were exposed. Perth was worried about that point, which was why he got angry.

“He could have just said that. No need to get angry for no reason!” 

“…I don’t like to make excuses, but I think he was worried about you. When you were late, I was anxious and thought something might have happened to you. From now on, never go anywhere alone.”

Seeing Lia’s silent response, Kevin urged her for an answer. But she only muttered ‘yes’ as if forced and then left. She was upset with Perth. After she left, Kevin muttered to himself, facing her direction.

“Sorry, but I’m done helping you. Figure it out on your own.”

When Lia was late, Kevin began to pace around anxiously, searching the surroundings. It was almost mealtime. He worried that she had lost her way in the forest.

Eventually, Perth came looking for her. The expression on his face when he realized she hadn’t returned yet, after going to collect dry branches. Kevin couldn’t forget his pale expression. She hadn’t been missing for long, but he had lost his usual composure and was visibly upset.

“He seems quite sincere….”

But Kevin had no intention of doubting him. He was sincere enough to Lia. 

* * *

It took less time than expected to reach Hiver Castle. Fortunately, nothing untoward happened during the journey. It might have been due to their vigilance, but it seemed that the security was not good. 

Hiver Castle was evidence that this area had once been the capital of Psychedelia. Psychedelia, the country, had expanded its territory starting from the freezing Hiver region. The current capital was not as magnificent as before, but it was a sturdy castle where one could still feel the architectural style of ancient Psychedelia.

This area was ruled by the Hiver family, which had descended for generations. The granting of titles to the locals marked the beginning. They were slightly smaller in stature than ordinary people, but their pride was no less than anyone else’s. The current head of the Hiver family, Count Jean Hiver, was no exception.

“Welcome, Your Highness, the First Prince!”

He came out to greet them at the gate of Hiver Castle. Alfonse also got off the carriage and greeted him.

“It’s been a while, Count Hiver.”

Since the territory he ruled was far away, the Count didn’t often come to the central area. He was never interested in politics managed from the center. 

“Thank you for coming all the way here. Please come inside.”

With the Count’s words, the path to the castle gate was opened.