Marronnier Farm Nearby the Imperial Palace - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: A Fragrant Cup Of Coffee And A Wild Strawberry Pie

Hazel Mayfield had no interest in politics.

It might not be something to boast about.

But she viewed that fact very positively. In other words, it’s like this: when she passes by someone in a high position and greets them, she will glance at their face. If she greets them twice, she will remember their name. If she greets them three times, she will start to keep an eye on when that person will be around with a keen interest.

With that being the case, Hazel, who is the epitome of an ordinary citizen, can live without any interest in the affairs of the nation, and that means the country is running well. So, isn’t that enough?

Hazel’s wish was to continue living without caring about “those above.”

However, that wish was shattered on a spring day when Hazel was 19 years old. She stared blankly at the name ‘Mayfield,’ which was stuck on the magnificent palace grounds of the empire.

Everyone knew that the young and ambitious Emperor, Rhamstein IX, was undertaking extensive renovations of the capital. And of course, the first place he would touch would be his palace.

The old palace that Hazel visited with her grandfather was built centuries ago. It was worn out, uncomfortable, and above all, cramped. It did not befit the grandeur of the vast Empire of Britannia in any way.

That’s why the Emperor bought up the surrounding lands of the existing palace. Both the high nobility and common people willingly sold their houses at the request of the Emperor, who was like the sky above them. There was only one person who didn’t cooperate.

It was the reckless gambler, Archibald Sebastian Mayfield, the Baron.

“Ah, Grandfather…” 

Hazel lowered her pale face and said, 

“This is unbelievable. We can’t fight against the Emperor. We must surrender peacefully, like the bandits beneath the city walls. It’s wiser that way.”

She mumbled, startled by her thoughts. Before she knew it, she found herself standing in front of the small side gate of the temporary wall. Not only that, but her right hand had unconsciously reached for the latch.

Hazel tried to quickly pull her hand back, but it didn’t move. Instead, her eyes were drawn involuntarily to the ground inside the gap.

Someone whispered.

Hazel, can you see it? That’s the land. The land that belongs to you, your only piece of land in this world.

Hazel, as if entranced, pushed the gate open and entered inside. The place was covered with overgrown weeds, and on a heap of stubborn grass, there stood a small house. Just as Grandfather had said, it was small but spacious enough for one person to live comfortably. And…

Hazel looked down below. She saw soil through the thick grass, and her heart pounded with excitement.

“Don’t be surprised. You belong to me.”

She murmured like an incantation and placed her hand on the ground. She gently dug into the dry surface with her fingertips.

A refreshing sensation reached her. The soil was rich in nutrients. Moreover, it had been allowed to rest without cultivating crops for a long time. It seemed as if it was begging her to plant something.

“Oh!”

Hazel lost her composure immediately.

-As long as my name is on the land deed, no one can take this land away from me!

She had sworn it with her mouth, hadn’t she? Country folks don’t make oaths lightly because of the risk of curses. Once spoken, they must be kept without fail.

Through her blurred eyes, she saw the old sign of the house. At that moment, a strong impulse seized her.

Hazel opened her travel bag and took out a chalk made of lime. Just as she had dreamt countless times at night, she wrote on the signboard:

‘Marronnier Farm.’

An indescribable emotion surged within her. The vibrant Southern farm surrounded by the Marronnier Forest came vividly to her mind. She felt as though she could see the genuine faces of Uncle Karl, Aunt Martha, Emily, Belle, and Noel right in front of her.

Finally, she had her farm. Of course, the neighboring presence might be intimidating, but let’s switch the perspective! Hazel took out her favorite cards.

Trembling, she asked herself: Should she do nothing and be scared, or should she start the farm she had been dreaming of for 11 years?

The choice was evident. Even if someone as powerful as the Emperor tried to force her out, it would be difficult to displace the legitimate owner of this land. And even if they did succeed, she had nothing to worry about. Hazel’s two feet had already taken root in this land, and by the time they could force her out, she would already be dead and gone!

She comforted herself with this extreme thought, feeling relieved of her worries. What remained at that moment was… the newly built house and the new land.

Her heart swelled with joy once again.

“Let’s get started!” 

Hazel rushed into the house. The door let out a creaking scream. The interior was in serious condition. The dust had piled up everywhere, and the walls were cracked, exposing the bricks. Countless people must have rummaged through the place, leaving the floor in a messy state.

However, as she had dreamt, there was a large window in the bedroom. The kitchen had a big and sturdy wood stove. There were some fire starters and a little firewood left, so with just a bit of cleaning, it could be used right away. When she opened the cupboard, she found pots, pans, and utensils. 

Hazel felt a surge of determination and excitement. With a bit of effort, she could turn this neglected place into the thriving farm she had always envisioned.

“It seems like a house where a family lived.”

Hazel excitedly observed. Ideas for how to transform this place into a charming farm flooded her mind as she eagerly opened the treasure box.

There were still a couple of hours until sunset. Hazel first put on her straw hat and gathered precious farming tools and seeds into a basket. She then stepped out into the afternoon sunlight and looked around the swaying sea of weeds.

Amidst the weeds, she discovered familiar stems. It was a lush growth of potato vines with abundant green leaves. Potatoes thrived here, basking in the plentiful sunlight. She would soon be able to harvest delicious spring potatoes. This unexpected gift filled Hazel with joy.

In the backyard near the kitchen, celery, chicory, and various other vegetables and herbs flourished. Rosemary, peppermint, sage, and more, all commonly planted by housewives, were visible. Lavender buds were forming and just imagining the purple blooms made her feel content.

Hazel planted the seeds she took out from the treasure box right beside it. The vibrant foxglove, full of vitality, will have its leaves ready to be picked in just a fortnight. Apart from that, she planted all the useful herbs for the farm, like anise, basil, lemongrass, and wyvern’s claw, and so on. Now, the rest are just weeds. They can be pushed away easily.

Hazel sat down with a hoe in her hand. Farmers usually think of weeds as something very annoying. But Hazel found it fun too. Somehow, ever since she was young, even when she just touched them, the whole roots would come out easily.

“The term ‘weed’ isn’t correct. Surely, you guys must have some use. We just haven’t found out yet. But right now, we need to plant the vegetables….”

Hazel chatted with the weeds, lost in time as she weeded the garden. She immersed herself so deeply that she didn’t even notice it was happening.

Outside the small house with the attached vegetable garden, beyond the temporary walls, a majestic royal garden from the palace stretched out. Some people were approaching. They were officials adorned with golden belts and dressed in black uniforms, along with the palace guards.

* * *

Young courtier, Cecil, was a talented individual who had excelled in the selection exam. She had anticipated that there would be a lot of work within the palace walls, and indeed, there was.

Under the command of the respected palace officials, she had to oversee a myriad of tasks, including managing all kinds of royal ceremonies and financial matters, taking care of the imperial family’s clothing and meals, health management, book purchases and library management, arts, carriages, and horses, as well as the management of the imperial treasures, and so much more.

Running around tirelessly, it wasn’t unusual for her to feel exhausted like a soaked cotton ball by the afternoon. However, today was different. Cecil’s footsteps felt light, almost as if she was flying. The palace guards following her were experiencing the same sensation.

“That troublesome property, No. 79, is finally finished!”

“You’re right. It was such a thorn in the eye every time we passed through the grand garden. Now we can easily push it all away!”

“It would have been great if it had been like this from the beginning. It’s just among us, but even among the rich, there are significant differences, don’t you think? If I were the Emperor, such a small shack would have been dealt with long ago.”

“Indeed. To think we were ordered to fill the deadline to the brim, how imposing. Anyway, it’s finally over today.”

Chattering away, they unexpectedly stumbled upon a sight. The side gate of the temporary wall, which had been isolating the yet-to-be-purchased property No. 79, was wide open.

“What? Did someone sneak in and smoke a cigarette again?”

Cecil rushed over and flung the gate open wide.

Having a walled-off space within the palace grounds was problematic even without considering aesthetic reasons. Palace guards and servants used the area to secretly drink, smoke, or engage in clandestine affairs. There were even instances when some nobles attempted to bribe their way to a monopoly on alcohol within the palace, only to be caught and punished.

Expecting such misbehavior, Cecil and the guards were prepared for something unusual when they arrived. However, what they encountered was beyond their wildest expectations.

In the middle of property No. 79, there sat a young lady with a straw hat and deep brown hair. She was gracefully pulling weeds with one hand, expertly and swiftly. The ground before her quickly cleared, and the pile of weeds grew like a mountain.

Cecil was taken aback. 

“What are you doing here?”

Caught off guard by the unfamiliar voice, Hazel looked up. Before her stood a young noblewoman with a commanding presence. Behind her, the palace guards gathered in a chattering crowd.

It was the moment she had been anticipating. But Hazel remained composed.

“I’m weeding.”

“Pardon?” 

“Before planting crops, you first need to remove the weeds. It’s a fundamental step in farming.”

She explained kindly.

Ah, I see.

Cecil, the courtier, nodded in understanding but was also taken aback. 

“Farming? Are you telling me you’re going to farm right here, right now?”

“Yes.”

“Goodness! What am I doing right now? I didn’t even realize I’m having a conversation with a lunatic. Everyone, please, come and take her away.”

Hazel stood up abruptly. 

“You can’t take me away. Do you know who I am?”

“No matter what you say, there’s no one scary enough to be taken seriously. Even if you claim to be the illegitimate daughter of the Gold Dragon, does that matter here? This is His Majesty, the Emperor’s garden.”

“I’m not the Gold Dragon’s illegitimate daughter, of course. However, there is one person whom His Majesty cannot expel. Mayfield.”

Everyone was taken aback. Cecil asked in astonishment. 

“The person we have been tirelessly searching for, the owner of this land whom we couldn’t find by any means… Are you saying you’re Archibald Sebastian Mayfield?”

“He is my grandfather. He entrusted this land to me.”

She rushed inside and returned with a bag containing documents. 

“Here are the land deeds, and this is a document certifying my grandfather’s gift of the land to me. This is an identification proving that I am his granddaughter and his sole heir.”

Cecil looked through the documents one by one. After that, she couldn’t close her mouth. It was as expected.

“How is it? Are you sure?” 

“Well, yes, but…” 

Cecil was greatly taken aback by the astonishing situation. 

It was real! The real landowner had appeared! 

She looked at Hazel with her neatly combed hair disheveled. 

“Miss Mayfield, please forgive the rudeness. I didn’t expect the landowner to show up on this last day. The imperial palace of Britannia wants to acquire this land. The surrounding lands were purchased at an average of 480 gold per plot. However, if you wish, Miss Mayfield, we are willing to pay up to a maximum of 600 gold, whatever the budget allows.” 

“……”

Hazel tightly sealed her lips. The small and humble farm, the herb garden beside the kitchen, the soil under her feet, the sunlight, the wind… Everything was already engraved in her heart with a brilliant radiance. Hazel deeply loved this small farm.

She could never give it up, no matter how colossal and fearsome the opponent might be. 

“No matter how much you offer, I won’t sell. This is my farm.”

Hazel said, driving the spade into the ground as she spoke.

Cecil hesitated. The appearance of a petite young woman with a straw hat looked like a massive mountain to her, a typical bureaucrat who dealt only with paperwork, sensing the difference in strength.

This is not someone she can deal with.

Cecil turned around and ran, and the palace guards followed in a rush. As Hazel watched the fluttering silk uniforms and the dust clouds behind them, she felt a storm brewing.

But even if a typhoon were to sweep over…

She turned her gaze back to the land.

She will do what she has to do.

Hazel picked up her hoe and sat down again, starting to pull out the weeds steadily.

* * *

The main hall of the Britannia Empire’s Imperial Palace is known as the ‘Hall of Gold.’ Under the vividly painted ceiling depicting the grand scenes of the nation’s founding myth, a solemn atmosphere pervaded the arena supported by brilliant golden columns.

The conference hall had a three-tiered structure. Firstly, there were numerous officials seated in rows. Beyond them, at the elevated platform, were the four commanders of the Knight Orders, who served as the proxies for various regions, and the Emperor’s advisory council. Lastly, on the resplendent throne of the empire, Emperor Rhamstein IX of Britannia, Iskanda, sat. He was known as the ‘Grand Cavalier,’ the empire’s sole god of war.

Sometimes, even when excellent genes were combined, the result could be a failure. However, in his case, it was a successful harmony of intense and masculine charm inherited from generations of the royal family, along with the enchanting beauty of the empress, who was famous for her unparalleled grace.

Moreover, his personality was unyielding, a stark contrast to the indulgent and carefree former Emperor. At times, he seemed overly formal, and there were fears of disfavor, but such traits in the new Emperor provided a refreshing stimulation to the palace.

Most of the palace women were fervently in love with the young emperor, who had just turned 22. Only a few could sense the thorny path ahead and gave up early. They were wise. The crimson eyes of Emperor Rhamstein IX had never shown any affection for any woman; they were fixed only on the reports before him.

Indeed, the reign of Rhamstein IX was an era in history when women envied the reports the most.

After carefully reviewing the final pages of the report, the emperor spoke, 

“Yes, it seems the relief for the poor in the Balhash region has been well handled.”

“Hail to the Emperor.”

“Next, what about the intermediate report on the development of the new weapon using rays?”

An aged bureaucrat came forward politely and presented the document.

A solemn atmosphere where no one dared to make a sound.

In the midst of it all, the emperor suddenly lifted his head.

“What’s going on?”

Everyone turned around following the Emperor’s gaze. There, the pale-faced courtier, Cecil, stood hesitatingly. She didn’t expect the national council meeting to still be ongoing. Without realizing it, she grabbed a guard and exclaimed, ‘It’s still happening? I need to see the Emperor urgently!’

Surprisingly, the Emperor heard her words with keen hearing. 

“What’s the matter?”

“Um… Well…” 

Cecil felt it again. Escaping the Emperor’s watchful eyes and ears in this palace was truly difficult. It was wiser to confess quickly. Thus, with a sigh of helplessness, she stepped forward and spoke.

“Your Majesty, the truth is… as part of the victory celebration project, while expanding the palace, a new residence was built, and right next to it, a grand garden was planned, correct? In the middle of that garden construction site, there was a designated land plot, which was supposed to be incorporated into the state’s territory after the deadline, today…”

“Plot 79, is it?” 

“Yes, Your Majesty. The thing is, the supposed owner of that land has just appeared. She claims she wants to cultivate crops there.”

“What did you say?” 

Upon hearing this absurd news that struck the solemn meeting hall, numerous noble officials began to murmur angrily.

“She was supposed to consider it an honor and surrender the land!”

“Cultivating crops amid Your Majesty’s gardens? Such a crazy idea, I’ve never heard of such a thing!”

“This is not just arrogance, but a truly despicable act. It is a bad practice called ‘penny-pinching’ that is rampant among speculators.”

“What is that?”

“It’s when a landowner refuses to sell a portion of the land included in large-scale construction plans, such as roads or housing complexes, until the very end. Since they can’t proceed without that particular land, they are forced to raise the price and call for bids. Then, they profit immensely from it.”

“Ha! Does such a method exist? It’s outrageously shameless.”

The nobles continued to make a fuss, but the Emperor looked at them coldly.

“You all act as if you don’t know, despite having tried it yourselves. Especially the Minister of Finance, pretending not to know more than anyone else. I suspect you’ve done it several times.”

The face of the Minister of Finance turned red.

“Your Majesty, I…”

“To take advantage of someone’s urgent situation and make a profit, that’s punishable in itself, let alone within the palace!”

The Emperor’s face hardened.

To think someone would want to cultivate crops in the middle of the palace grounds. It was such an absurd idea that he couldn’t even imagine it in his wildest dreams. Like everyone else, he naturally assumed it was just the speculator’s false excuse.

“Penny-pinching! Until now, I might not have known, but in the era I govern, such a bad practice must be eradicated! That was an incredibly foolish act. The person will receive no reward. As punishment for greed, they will be stripped of everything and driven out to serve as an example!”

Cecil was taken aback.

“Your Majesty, um, well… the landowner is a woman. She’s just a young girl who hasn’t even reached twenty years old.”

The Emperor was taken aback. The palace secretary quickly asked, 

“Shall I erase that statement from the minutes?”

“…No. That cannot be done.”

He looked back at Cecil.

“Is she a young woman?”

“Yes, and according to the documents, she comes from a noble family.”

The Minister and officials were astonished.

“So that swindler is claiming to be a noblewoman from Britannia?”

Tutting sounds were heard around the room as the high-ranking nobles couldn’t believe it. They turned to Cecil with faces of disbelief.

“If she’s a noble, which family does she belong to?”

“She goes by the name Mayfield.”

“That’s a surname I’ve never heard of before.”

“From her appearance, she seemed no different from the common folk. Most likely a fallen noble.”

“Even if she has fallen, she should still have some pride! How can a noblewoman of the Empire behave like this?”

“Enough! Enough!”

The Emperor raised his hand to silence the commotion.

“Isn’t this exactly what that person wants? To attract attention and be at the center of the controversy. Therefore, I issue a decree! From this moment on, everyone in the palace shall completely disregard Plot 79 and the despicable speculator. Such a person never existed in the first place!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Everyone replied in unison.

The four Grand Knights, who formed the Imperial Council, observed this short commotion from their seats at the high table.

Lorendel Blenheim of the High Elf lineage had a disdainful expression, furrowing his white face. Luis Gayardo, a high-ranking noble among the Vampires, found it amusing, smiling broadly. Siegwald Sachsenspiegel of the Warbear lineage remained as silent as ever, keeping his lips firmly sealed. Cayenne Runvard of the Golden Catseye lineage quickly lost interest and absentmindedly rolled his golden cat-like eyes elsewhere.

Next to them, there was a substitute sitting. Neatly brushed silver hair. Eyes that seemed to cut like a blade through glasses. He was none other than Count Albert, the iron-willed minister in charge of all affairs within the palace.

The palace minister glared at Cecil with a displeased expression. As soon as the cabinet meeting ended, he immediately went to scold the newcomer bureaucrat.

“Shameful! What is this supposed to be?”

“I have no excuse, but the landowner is truly no joke. Due to the royal decree, I cannot speak openly, but…”

“Noisy! Can’t even handle such a small matter!”

After giving Cecil a cold look, the palace minister went to the emperor.

“Allowing a swindler to intrude right next to Your Majesty’s chamber, causing such a commotion. As the palace minister, I cannot lift my head in shame. I will take responsibility and resolve this promptly.”

“I understand. Indeed, these newcomers still lack experience. If the palace minister himself takes charge…”

At that moment, the noble lady behind him gestured discreetly. The palace minister had a sudden thought.

“Oh, Your Majesty. There is a more important matter than such trivialities.”

“What is it?”

“The upcoming ‘Flower Dance’ ball. Which lady will you choose as your partner for the ball?”

“Athena.”

Sure enough, without any hesitation, the emperor called out his cousin’s name again. The palace minister felt as if his disguised illness might relapse.

“Your Majesty, this cannot happen again. Please choose someone other than the Duchess this time.”

“That’s not possible. Would you have them misunderstand my intentions?”

“Then how about this? Even if it’s a lie, couldn’t we create some pink smoke in this dreary palace? Just pretend to show some interest in someone, anyone! If you don’t want me to suffer from the endless nagging of countless noblewomen who are eager to present their daughters or nieces to you, then…”

“Enough of this nonsense.”

“Your Majesty, as the Chief of the Inner Court, you should experience love as well. Please show some interest in these lovely ladies of the palace…”

“The only lady I should be interested in is the future Empress of Britannia.”

The Emperor cut in decisively.

The palace minister’s head was throbbing. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand, but rather that he understood all too well, and that was the problem.

He had been in the palace for 30 years now, carefully observing the side of the previous emperors. He knew full well the hardships the gracious and virtuous Empress had endured amidst the machinations of the court. He knew the struggles the young Crown Prince had faced.

Therefore, it is understandable that he displays such a strict attitude with the determination not to become someone like his father. However, this issue involves the fate of the empire. What can be done about it?

“Don’t waste your time on unnecessary things, focus on what you should be doing.”

The Emperor turned swiftly. Behind the fluttering cloak, the face that must have been naturally arrogant since birth seemed to vanish. The face that many women in the palace must have endlessly imagined, with a sigh, was flawlessly smooth without a single blemish. Despite having gone through numerous battles, no one had ever been able to leave even a trace of it.

The palace minister somehow found it amusing. Ever since the baby Crown Prince was swaddled in silk, he had dedicated his unwavering loyalty and served with utmost sincerity. But at this moment, he felt a strong urge to pinch those conceited cheeks just once.

If only some miracle would happen to His Majesty…

The palace minister felt another wave of headache. It seemed as though all the ailments the doctor had mentioned were coming back to haunt him. Oh, how desperate that moment was. If only he could take a sip, just one sip…

“Ugh…”

He walked with a deeply furrowed brow. The palace attendants murmured behind him.

“It’s a big problem now.”

“That swindler lady, she may face utter destruction.”

“He’s not the type to go easy on women. After ‘that day,’ he became even more ruthless.”

In the palace corridor, as the sun set outside the window, they watched the retreating figure of the stern palace minister.

“A storm is brewing.”

* * *

At that moment, Hazel was completely engrossed in something. It was weeding the garden.

Plucking the weeds was so satisfying that she didn’t notice time passing by. It was only when it got dark, and she could no longer see her hands in front of her that she finally stopped.

“Oh.”

Hazel was surprised to realize that the sun had set. Looking around, she saw that she had cleared a considerable amount of weeds. Although she hadn’t finished the entire task, she had made good use of the time before sunset.

That was a good thing…

But why hadn’t anyone disturbed her?

Hazel tilted her head in confusion.

She couldn’t understand what had happened. The official had hurried away earlier, but why was it still so quiet?

After a moment of hesitation, Hazel put her worries aside once again.

“No need to be concerned. Nobody is coming in right now.”

Today was the first day. To eat a warm soup and go to sleep, she had to clean up the inside as quickly as possible.

Hazel spun around. The work outside was done, and now it was time for the household chores.

With a creaking sound, she pushed the squeaky door open and stepped inside, only to be met with a scene that could only be described as chaotic. Piles of tasks were waiting for her. However, oddly enough, it brought her joy.

“Alright! Where should I start?”

Hazel energetically exclaimed and looked around.

…There was nothing to see.

That’s right. She needed to light the fire first.

Rummaging through the kitchen’s odds and ends, she found an old lamp with a half-burnt candle inside. Since it was difficult to find matches in the jumble of belongings, she used a bushel to ignite the flame.

Hazel liked bright light, so she collected candle stubs from here and there and lit them all up. The warm light illuminated the house, along with the dust that had settled from her bustling around.

“Hufgh!”

Hazel coughed and went outside again. She gathered the weeds and tied them to a stick, creating a makeshift broom. Folding a clean cloth in half, she covered her mouth and tied it at the back of her head. Then she began sweeping.

Cleaning was her area of expertise.

The dust that had piled up and stubbornly clung to surfaces disappeared after vigorous cleaning. Most of the furniture was in disrepair and had to be placed outside, but the dining table was still usable. One chair also managed to survive.

Through her wholehearted efforts in mopping, the furniture regained its original wooden color, no longer ashy. The wood-burning oven also transformed, gleaming brightly.

By that point, even the energetic Hazel felt tired.

“Let’s take a break.”

There was clean water, whether it was rainwater or someone had left it there.

Hazel lit the wood-burning oven and boiled the water. She opened a treasure box and took out a cherished rabbit-patterned tea set. Tonight, she felt like having a soothing cup of rosehip tea to unwind.

It was the moment she was about to enjoy the biscuits generously topped with butter when suddenly, a bang sound echoed. Soon after, she heard approaching footsteps. Hazel’s eyes widened as she held the biscuit in her mouth.

Someone is coming. Who could it be?

Reflexively, she started to stand up but then had a sudden realization.

Why is she getting nervous? This is her own home, after all.

Hazel sat back down and confidently gazed toward the direction of the door.

“Welcome.”

With a creak, the door opened.

The visitor was a middle-aged official. His silver hair, glistening under the lamp’s light, was neatly brushed back, and he wore a monocle. His robe, adorned with golden decorations, gleamed with the insignia.

Hazel quickly caught on to the situation.

“You must be the superior of the official who came earlier. Anyway…”

Hazel attempted to explain her rightful claim to the house, but the man didn’t even look her way. It seemed as if he completely ignored her presence. That wasn’t all; he strode in, glanced at the signboard, and then blurted out, 

“A farm? Such useless nonsense!”

Hazel doubted her ears.

What did she just hear?

Feeling a sense of deep insult, she faced the high-ranking official head-on.

She remained like that for a moment, then was taken aback.

He was the first person she had ever seen looking so exhausted. Moreover, he seemed crestfallen, undoubtedly skipping dinner just like her.

Hazel quickly forgot her initial irritation. Not all visitors to the farm were friendly. For example, tax collectors and officials visited from time to time, and Aunt Martha always warmly received them.

“I see. So, you are the first guest to Marronnier Farm in a while.”

Hazel stood up abruptly, hurriedly taking out another rabbit teacup, accidentally dropping something in the process. It was the bag of coffee beans she’d been given when she quit her job as a tutor three years ago. The high-ranking official jumped back as if the bag might touch his feet.

“Oh, sorry.”

Hazel quickly picked up the coffee beans. She put a bag of rosehip tea leaves in the new teacup and poured the boiling water to make a fresh cup of tea. She also took out more biscuits.

“I was in the middle of having tea. Let’s eat first and then talk.”

However, he didn’t even pretend to acknowledge her. These biscuits were a treat she had saved for the days when her work at the bank was unbearably tough. Moreover, she had even given up the only chair in the house. Yet, he just walked by with an indifferent expression.

Hazel felt shocked.

It wasn’t a mistaken impression. He was indeed treating her like she was invisible.

* * *

Albert, the Count who stormed in like a storm, was taken aback. She was described as a young girl who wasn’t even twenty years old, and she truly was a petite, brown-haired maiden.

What energy she displayed on such a subject! She had already weeded the vegetable garden, hung a signboard saying “Marronnier Farm,” and even tidied up the house.

“Goodness! Is she that determined to stay?”

Fuming with anger, he muttered to himself, and she immediately responded.

“Of course. It’s my home, after all. You know that nobody can chase me away.”

The palace minister was taken aback, feeling both angry and frustrated.

She has no idea what trouble she’s causing. These young people nowadays seem to have no brains. He couldn’t hold back any longer. Someone had to reprimand this audacious swindler girl.

But there lies the problem with the Imperial Decree.

The minister quickly looked around. A straw hat was hanging on the wall above the table. Turning in circles, he pokes towards it, 

“Your master is truly audacious.”

Hazel was puzzled.

“Why are you talking to it?”

“Your master doesn’t understand the seriousness of the situation! She has separate ambitions, trying to strike it rich using the palace’s affairs. Does she dare to defy the emperor? She doesn’t even fear His Majesty. Huh? Isn’t that right?”

“You completely misunderstood. I have no intention of selling this land. It just so happens to be next to the emperor’s palace, and I was surprised myself…”

“Haha! She’s acting stubbornly! His Majesty has already seen through her audacious scheme and issued a decree. No one should talk to your master or make a fuss about the matter. It’s a social execution.”

“But it’s not a real execution, right? So it’s fine. It won’t affect my farming.”

“Still, your master keeps blabbering about farming and nonsense. Tell her it’s better to wake up from her delusion soon. Tomorrow, at the crack of dawn, she will be kicked out.”

“I have legitimate ownership of this land!”

“Fine! We’ll handle it according to the law!”

He shouted.

“Does she know that ownership is not everything? Within the palace, there are separate regulations. Your master is ignorant of being an acting substitute within the palace. I have been here for so long that I remember even the forgotten regulations. I can come up with dozens of reasons why this building should be demolished and the land seized. Shall we start with the palace hygiene regulations?”

The palace minister glanced sharply around and took out a portable writing instrument to make notes.

Uh?

Hazel was taken aback. It wasn’t just a threat; this person was serious.

She has to stop him!

In a rush, she grabbed the nearby curtain and frantically shook it.

A cloud of dust billowed up, pure white.

“Hufgh! Hufgh!”

The palace minister stepped back, coughing loudly.

“I guess I can’t tell your master to stop right away! I have dust allergies, you see!”

“I had a feeling. Clean caretakers like yourself usually do. Or perhaps, do dust allergies create clean caretakers?”

“Enough!”

Finally, the palace minister raised a white flag.

Despite coming in with great bravado to drive her out, he couldn’t investigate anything within the harmful dust cloud. Besides, his precious glasses had become all blurry.

It’s fine. This is just a temporary setback. It’s just a final show of defiance.

“Prepare yourself to be expelled tomorrow!”

Coughing, he left the place.

Hazel finally stopped her hands. The thickly rising dust gradually settled down.

What should she do?

Why on earth? Why would they misunderstand Hazel as a swindler? In the past, some customs officers came to Martin’s farm with such misunderstandings, but they quickly cleared up the misunderstanding and left with a smile after receiving warm hospitality from Aunt Martha.

If only it could be resolved that easily.

Hazel looked at the dining table.

On the table lay the overturned teacup and biscuits, rejected and untouched. Hazel felt a desire to cry. The palace minister was too formidable. He seemed even more ruthless than all the customs officers who had visited Martin’s farm combined.

Was he even human?

Since he entered the house, he had never shown any emotions. No, wait. Hazel suddenly lifted her head. There was one time he did show some reaction. When she accidentally dropped the coffee bag.

Wait a moment.

Hazel perked up. She hadn’t thought deeply about it earlier because the situation was so chaotic. But why did the palace minister react so strongly to that incident?

In reality, Hazel was also surprised. Coffee was expensive, and it would be a waste if it spilled. However, the palace minister was not poor. Just one of the gold buttons on his clothes could probably buy dozens of cups of coffee. So it wasn’t about the cost.

Then why did he react like he saw a snake?

Could it be a coffee phobia?

Does such a thing even exist?

In the natural world, there were various reactions of living creatures to different things they consumed. Since she was young, Hazel had been fascinated by it. Any curiosity related to that subject was irresistible to her; even her grandfather’s attempts to dissuade her couldn’t stop her from seeking the truth.

Hazel quickly stood up and hurriedly followed the departing palace minister. There must be some secret here!

The palace minister hadn’t gone far yet. His back was visible beyond the temporary wall, and he was busy dusting himself off as if he were annoyed.

“What a tiring day!”

After dusting off, he straightened his posture and continued walking. The palace officials chattering ahead noticed him. They panicked and accidentally spilled the coffee they were holding onto the floor.

Hazel almost gasped.

No! The expensive coffee!

The rich aroma of coffee spread through the night air. The palace officials were flustered, waving their hands around. The palace minister expressed annoyance toward them.

“Stop doing this!”

Hazel realized it. The palace minister’s complexion and attitude… It all became clear in her mind. In that instant, forgetting about the surveillance, she dashed out.

“Palace minister!”

She shouted.

The palace minister was taken aback and stopped in his tracks. That voice was undoubtedly hers. The audacious landowner lady.

But why did she come chasing after him?

“You are prohibited from having coffee, right? So no matter how much you want, you can’t drink it.” 

Hazel stated, and he was surprised once again. He involuntarily stiffened his shoulders.

Hazel noticed his reaction.

Got it. She hit the mark.

“Alright! Just as you said, you must come tomorrow! You didn’t even touch the treats I prepared today. As the landowner, I feel offended! This time, you absolutely cannot refuse!”

After making her declaration, Hazel swiftly withdrew. The palace minister couldn’t resist and turned around. He caught a glimpse of the lady’s figure disappearing like an arrow beyond the pathways of the royal garden.

He remained silently contemplative with a frown on his face.

“What’s up with that girl?”

Hazel quickly returned to the backyard. There, she found what she needed and filled a basket with carefully chosen items. While washing and drying the best selection, she pondered.

She also needed something to accompany the treats.

The biscuits from the treasure box were luxurious treats given her circumstances. However, as she reconsidered, she felt a tinge of remorse.

She should have prepared with more care and sincerity.

She had flour and sugar. While not farm butter, she did have some decent-quality butter. The only problem was the main ingredients. Hazel set out once again.

With the imperial decree, the palace guards said nothing as the young woman in the straw hat and basket was walking through the royal garden. Even the gazes of nobles she accidentally encountered simply slid past without any attention.

That was quite convenient. Hazel could explore the grand royal garden without any worries. And finally, she found what she needed. In a secluded corner of the maze garden, wild berries were thriving.

They said it was okay to pick them as long as it wasn’t inside the iron-fenced area, the greenhouse, or the private gardens of the nobility. The fallen and trampled ones were cleaner than those found elsewhere. An old gardener had informed tourists about this during her childhood visits to the palace with her grandfather.

How fortunate!

Hazel approached the wild berries with delight. However, at that moment…

“…I don’t know. To catch a star, you have to look up at the sky.”

A group of ladies appeared in elegant dresses amid the darkness. They happened to be seated on a bench in front of the berry bushes, gossiping away.

“In the end, he’s going to the ball with Duchess Arpege, right? I envy her so much.”

“What’s there to envy? The fact that Duchess Arpege can be by His Majesty’s side is because His Majesty is completely unaware of his cousin’s true feelings. If he were to discover her wholehearted devotion, he would immediately reject her.”

Hazel tried to keep quiet and not let herself be noticed. The ladies’ conversation was unexpected, and she didn’t want to intrude on their private matters.

“But if things continue as they are, Duchess Arpege will undoubtedly capture His Majesty’s heart, right? She is clever enough not to reveal her true intentions, and besides… She’s so stunningly beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone born with such beauty. If only I could live with such a face for just one day.”

“Me too. If only for one day, I could be Athena Arpege, holding His Majesty’s hand and walking by his side.”

“That’s not my wish. I hope His Majesty was not an emperor but just an ordinary knight. No, even better, if he were just a poor man.”

“Ah! Pitiful Miss Langford! You’re so passionately infatuated. Please, don’t let anyone notice. If you wish to keep seeing His Majesty, even from afar, you must be cautious.”

The ladies sighed and giggled as they continued their chatter. Hazel remained hidden in the darkness, not because she feared being noticed or because eavesdropping on palace gossip was a newfound hobby.

There was only one reason: if she startled them, the wild berries would scatter and get trampled.

That was it. In Hazel’s mind, there was only farming. The ladies chattered for quite some time before finally leaving.

Hazel quickly came out and picked the wild berries. It was an untouched spot, and the plump and juicy fruits were plentiful. After filling her basket, she looked down at it with satisfaction.

This should do it.

She returned, stepping on the dewy grass, and started her work in earnest. Trimming, roasting, grinding, kneading, baking, and more… She busily moved back and forth, completely absorbed in her task, and before she knew it, the first light of dawn softly brightened the sky.

* * *

In the faint light of dawn, the palace minister was tossing and turning. 

-This time, you absolutely cannot refuse!

 The words of the audacious fallen noblewoman, who had occupied the garden near the imperial chamber and dared to shout such a claim, kept ringing in his head.

What on earth is she saying?

He turned over and over before finally getting up. After all, he needed to wake up early today. Before the morning routine began, he had to drive out that troublesome speculator. Then, he would report to His Majesty that the matter had been “cleanly resolved.”

The palace minister hurriedly made preparations and set out to the estate. In front of the main palace, guards were performing a changing of the guard ceremony. As he passed by, he discreetly spoke to the captain of the guard.

“Before taking a break, come with me to the site of the grand garden construction. We need to carry out the demolition work.”

“Understood.”

With quick steps, he followed the sparkling walkway dampened by the morning dew and entered a small piece of land surrounded by temporary walls.

The old house was quiet.

Perfect. Even without waking the intruder, just one glance around would likely reveal dozens of violations.

As he pushed open the creaky door and entered, the palace minister froze in his tracks.

“Welcome.” 

Hazel, who was sitting at the table, jumped up with excitement. Though she seemed to have stayed up all night with dark circles under her eyes, her expression was full of life.

“Didn’t I tell you last night? You won’t be able to refuse this time!” 

She said while introducing the refreshments on the table.

It was coffee.

A rich coffee was poured into a white teacup, emitting warm steam. The whole house was filled with a deep aroma.

The palace minister couldn’t resist anymore and surrendered to the temptation.

“Oh, no! You know I can’t drink coffee!”

In response, Hazel narrowed her eyes and said, 

“Just try it. This one is different.”

“……”

His sensitive sense of smell had already noticed the difference. This coffee was somehow different from the usual coffee. He couldn’t exactly pinpoint what was different, but… it didn’t seem harmful.

The palace minister carefully held the warm coffee cup instead. When was the last time he had drunk coffee? The rich aroma of coffee was so delightful it brought tears to his eyes. Count Albert savored the aroma to the fullest before taking a sip.

And he was pleasantly surprised.

“What is this?” 

Hazel replied, 

“It’s coffee made by common folks.”

“Coffee made by common folks?”

“It’s made from chicory.”

With shining eyes, Hazel continued speaking, while the palace minister stared at her with a bewildered expression.

“Chicory. If it’s chicory….” 

The name was undoubtedly familiar. He fished out that proper noun from the dusty corner of his mind, where infrequently used miscellaneous knowledge resided.

‘Chicory: A weed that grows anywhere in colonies.’

But they made this coffee from that? Unbelievable! He couldn’t trust it, so he tasted it again. It was rich, yet smooth and flavorful. Both his nose and tongue concluded without a doubt that it was genuine coffee. It seemed too good to be true.

“How is this even possible?”

“If you roast chicory roots and grind them into powder, you can use it as a substitute for coffee. The taste is very similar. Of course, there are differences, but I know how to roast them just right to get a coffee-like flavor.”

“Is that so…”

He was amazed at what he was hearing, and he froze in his tracks. What is he doing right now? He realized he had become so captivated by the coffee that he had disobeyed the Emperor’s orders. He had engaged in conversation with a girl who had fallen under the decree. The palace minister was gripped with panic and turned pale.

At that moment, the girl casually pointed to the table in front of her. There was a straw hat placed there. It was as if it had been deliberately prepared beforehand, just so that he could have a conversation not with her but with the hat. A considerate gesture, perhaps?

Ah, yes. Look at him. 

It was as if he had been transported somewhere other than the palace grounds. In no time, he found himself sitting on a chair. With a warm cup held tightly in both hands, he savored every sip of the delicious coffee.

“Now I feel alive!”

He exclaimed with admiration. 

“I’ve been craving this taste and aroma so much! Yes, I’m addicted to coffee. Even though the palace felt like a battlefield, one cup of coffee would instantly boost my spirits. That’s why I used to drink an average of eighteen cups a day.”

“Wow! That must be quite a habit.”

“Yes, that’s right. Eventually, I started suffering from dizziness and nausea, and my heart would pound, making it hard to sleep at night. The doctor warned me that if I didn’t quit coffee immediately, I might suddenly collapse and die. From that day on, my misfortune began. It was so tormenting to abruptly cut off the coffee that I had been consuming every day. Do you know what was even harder to endure? Whenever people saw me, they would act all self-righteous, lecturing me to stop drinking coffee and throwing it away. I can’t begin to describe how hurtful it was!”

The palace minister sighed toward the straw hat.

“To be honest, it was so tough that I secretly took a few sips now and then. But every time, my insides felt uneasy. My stomach twisted, and my heart pounded. But this coffee is different… No matter how much I drink, it soothes my stomach!”

“That’s right.”

Hazel smiled and nodded. 

“Chicory is a beneficial vegetable for the body. Chicory root aids digestion and strengthens the stomach. As I mentioned earlier, chicory coffee is the coffee of common people. It was discovered by poor folks who couldn’t afford expensive coffee. But now that we know it’s good for our health, isn’t it nature’s gift? Even seemingly useless weeds can have their purpose somewhere, right?”

Upon hearing this, the palace minister finally realized something. 

“Oh, I see! That’s what it was! Now I understand.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, roasting and grinding the roots into a powder must have been quite a lot of work. You stayed up all night just to let me know this fact and put in such effort to give me an awakening. You wanted to show me that farming isn’t entirely useless. It woke me up to my senses!”

“What?” 

This time, Hazel looked puzzled.

“No, that’s not the reason.”

“Isn’t it?” 

The palace minister looked at Hazel with a puzzled expression.

“Then why on earth did you go to such lengths?”

“Well, of course, I was hurt by the remark that farming is utterly useless, but I quickly forgot about it.” 

Hazel replied. 

“The reason I stayed up all night making chicory coffee is that you’re a guest at Marronnier’s farm. You’re the first guest. So, I wanted to treat you to something you’d like.”

Then she smiled brightly. 

“It’s not just a meal. It doesn’t make sense. I’m doing it simply because I enjoy it. I love farming so much. Just the day before yesterday, I was getting scolded by the supervisor and being told off for messing up my tasks! I’m really happy!”

The palace minister stared blankly at the young lady in front of him, lost for words. 

“You know, now that I think about it, I was too careless yesterday. It’s embarrassing as the owner of the farm.”

Hazel turned around cheerfully. On the kitchen counter next to the wood oven was a large wild strawberry pie. When she tasted it, it was not too hot, and the sweet taste of the wild strawberries and the savory flavor of the pie crust was perfectly balanced, having been properly cooled.

As she placed this appetizing pie on the dining table, Hazel felt more confident and dignified than even the queen herself.

“It will go very well with the coffee. Please give it a try.”

Hazel said, offering the thoughtfully prepared food. There’s no greater joy than watching someone else enjoy the food you made with care.

The young lady widened her big eyes with excitement, which startled the palace minister. He didn’t enjoy sweets. Should he pretend to like it a bit? With some hesitation, he cut a small piece and put it in his mouth, only to be surprised again.

“It’s not too sweet, right? No, no. It has a mild sweetness, and it feels light and natural. Did you not use any artificial sweeteners?”

“That’s right. The sweet and juicy flavor of wild strawberries is so rich that we don’t need sugar. Do you know where I got these ripe wild strawberries? Right here, in the Emperor’s Royal Garden.”

“Is that so?”

“I’ll let you know. If you’re wondering where it is…” 

As they happily chatted, he ended up eating almost half of the large pie, and he had already consumed three cups of chicory coffee.

“Have one more cup!”

“No, it’s enough. I’m too full.” 

He replied, patting his stomach. Wrinkles on his forehead relaxed, and his pale complexion regained some color.

Hazel nodded in agreement.

“Alright. Now you seem ready to talk.”

“Huh? Wasn’t what we’ve been doing already talking?” 

“It’s a really important conversation. Please listen carefully. I thought you would understand if we talked it through step by step. I want to explain how I have a rightful claim to this land. First of all, I’m not trying to sell this land at a high price. I genuinely want to cultivate it and do real farming.”

“…I see.”

“What?”

“I must have had a big misunderstanding.”

The palace minister, Albert, felt incredibly embarrassed. He remembered his ignorant behavior last night when he came to this house uninvited and criticized the situation. And now, in this ridiculous situation, he couldn’t even look straight into the eyes of the pure-hearted Mayfield, filled with genuine kindness, while they had to talk in front of a straw hat.

“I’ll take my leave then.”

“Excuse me? Already? Just a moment!”

Hazel reached out her hand hurriedly, placing the basket filled with the roasted chicory coffee powder she had worked on all night and the large bushel of strawberry pie wrapped in paper bags into the arms of the palace minister.

The palace minister came out absentmindedly. The chief guard was waiting with his subordinates. The elderly servant called out with a dazed expression, as Hazel just brushed past them.

“Your Grace? Your Grace! Count Albert?” 

“Why?”

“Why? You called for us. It’s about the dismantling work.”

“Ah.”

The palace minister extended his hand.

“Dismissed.”

“Excuse me?”

The chief guard looked at his back with a puzzled expression. 

“Your Grace!” 

He called out again, but the palace minister, who held the basket tightly, was already lost in deep thought and didn’t hear anything.

* * *

The courtier, Cecil, cautiously observed the officer’s reactions. She was prepared for the worst regarding plot 79, but to her surprise, the respected palace minister arrived at work with a sparkling and radiant face, as if reminiscing about the days when he used to enjoy his coffee to the fullest.

Could it be possible that he managed to resolve the issue? But that seemed unlikely. If he had consumed the coffee, he wouldn’t be in such good condition. He would have been experiencing discomfort and agitation.

Then, why was he in such good condition?

Suddenly, a terrifying thought crossed Cecil’s mind. The shimmering halo phenomenon is a phenomenon that occurs just before someone embarks on an irreversible path. Oh no.

Cecil shuddered. Despite being a fearsome superior, she genuinely respected the palace minister. Anyone in the palace would feel the same way. So, please…

“…Perfect.”

A sudden voice made Cecil jump.

“Yes?”

“It’s perfect. The best.”

“Oh, um, you wouldn’t be talking about my report, would you?”

“Of course not. I’m talking about this pie.”

Only then did Cecil notice a small plate on the palace minister’s desk. The tiger-like superior was savoring it as if it were incredibly delicious, taking small bites.

“What kind of pie is it? I’ve never seen this type before.”

“It’s a wild strawberry pie. Didn’t you know? There are plenty of wild strawberry bushes in His Majesty’s grand garden.”

“No, I had no idea.”

“Neither did I. Hm… Well, it seems they’ve been all over the palace..”

“Wild strawberry pie, you say?”

“What nonsense! What do you mean, a funny man? Didn’t I just say there are plenty of wild strawberries? How clueless can you be! You’re utterly useless…!”

The palace minister stopped himself midway through his habitual speech.

“I’ve decided not to use those words anymore.”

Cecil’s eyes narrowed.

But the surprising events didn’t end there.

After canceling all urgent tasks, the palace minister took out the thick book “Palace Code” which spanned thousands of pages.

“Why do you need to memorize everything in there?”

“Just checking something.”

After a while, the palace minister finally found a certain passage and nodded to himself.

“As I thought. Just as I suspected.”

Then, he smiled subtly.

“It seems a new wind is blowing through the palace….”

* * *

The wind blew, causing the broom placed outside to topple over with a thud. Hazel got up from sewing the bedsheet and went to open the door. As she opened it, something bumped into her.

It was the basket she had handed to the palace minister. When she lifted it, she heard a rustling sound from inside. Curious, she opened it.

Inside, there were two thick envelopes with a note that read, ‘For the Straw Hat. From palace minister, Count Lysander Albert.’

“He’s surprisingly funny.”

She proceeded to tear open the envelopes.

In the handwritten letter that spanned several pages, the palace minister first inquired about the well-being of the straw hat with genuine concern. He wanted to know if any straws were coming loose or if any bugs were causing trouble.

Then, he proceeded to apologize courteously for the incident that occurred yesterday evening. He had endured a day without taking even a sip of coffee and had become overly irritable dealing with a superior who wouldn’t listen to his advice and stubbornly stuck to their own opinion.

“Oh, I understand. Completely.”

Hazel sympathized, recalling the mischievous supervisor at the Roselle Municipal Bank. She could deeply empathize with the situation.

And then, she moved on to the next page.

In the letter, there was an old story being narrated to the straw hat. As Hazel read on with growing interest, her eyes widened. Eventually, unable to contain her excitement, she abruptly stood up. Not even realizing that the only chair in the room had fallen to the ground, she hastily rushed outside.

* * *

The palace office employee, Marianne, looked out the window and was taken aback. 

“Oh my! Oh my!”

There was a lady with deep brown hair, wearing a straw hat, walking towards them. It was her first encounter with her, but she could recognize her immediately due to the official instructions that had been circulated.

“What should I do?”

“What can you do? Just ignore her as per the orders. Even if she talks to you, pretend not to hear a thing.”

The palace office employees had mentally prepared themselves, but when Hazel entered and slammed the document on the table, everyone flinched.

Hazel said, 

“You should see this. I may be transparent, but this document certainly isn’t.”

That was true. The employees hesitated and examined the document. Then, they were taken aback.

‘Application for opening a salon in the palace.’

The document stated so.

“Within the palace, in principle, there can be no personal territory, except for one exception. That exception is the salons of noblewomen. It was an excellent law established by Emperor Rhamstein II, who actively embraced new culture by leading fashionable salons. Although many have forgotten over the years, the law still holds its solemn authority within the palace. So, no one can expel me by force. If there are any disagreements, you can address them to this straw hat.”

No one replied.

Hazel felt delighted.

Thank you, palace minister.

After expressing her gratitude in her heart, she returned home. Under the large plaque that read ‘Marronnier Farm,’ she wrote with a small piece of chalk, ‘Salon.’

Hazel Mayfield was very satisfied.