I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 155
The Breath of the Fairy.
‘The Breath of the Fairy’ was considered the finest variety among the lilies of Segolinde.
The sweet fragrance it emits when it fully blooms is so extraordinary that it feels otherworldly. This flower was specially bred by the royal gardener at the request of the King, to celebrate the birth of Princess Mirabel.
The petals of this flower are as pure white as snow, flawless and beautiful, and the fragrance is truly magical, like a fairy’s breath.
This flower, a pride of Segolinde, is never exported abroad. The cultivation methods for it are considered highly confidential, a closely guarded royal secret.
Thus, the only way to truly encounter ‘The Breath of the Fairy’ was to visit Segolinde.
The people of Arcangelo, obsessed with lily cultivation, eagerly sought to import ‘The Breath of the Fairy.’ A single bulb of this flower could fetch ten times the price of an ordinary lily bulb.
However, all their efforts were in vain.
The royal family of Segolinde would never grant permission for the export of ‘The Breath of the Fairy.’
The current queen wished to keep the gift her late husband had given to their daughter as something unique to Segolinde.
Princess Mirabel, who had received the gift, felt the same way.
Thus, for the people of Segolinde, ‘The Breath of the Fairy’ was not just a flower.
It was a cherished royal heirloom, a symbol of Segolinde’s pride.
While there were occasional gifts of flower blooms to foreign leaders for diplomatic reasons, the bulbs themselves were never shared.
Durante was after this very thing.
If he could acquire a bulb of ‘The Breath of the Fairy,’ his current financial troubles would be instantly resolved.
“I have a very tempting proposal for you, Princess.”
Staring into Durante’s greed-filled eyes, Mirabel smiled coldly.
She was initially startled when the words ‘The Breath of the Fairy’ came from his mouth, but soon she easily understood his ulterior motive.
‘He’s always been this way.’
With a chilling expression, Mirabel withdrew her interest in him and spoke coolly.
“If you’re going to make an offer, you shouldn’t have come with your knights. It feels like you’re trying to intimidate me.”
“That’s a misunderstanding. It’s just that I had a delicate matter to discuss…”
“Why the secrecy? You have ears everywhere in the palace, considering you knew I was here in the temple.”
Mirabel sneered with a hint of sarcasm in her words. While many had approached her with intentions to acquire ‘The Breath of the Fairy,’ none had made her feel so repulsed.
No matter the sum of money, she would never part with ‘The Breath of the Fairy’ to him.
“You seem to have misjudged my intentions, Princess.”
Durante, flustered by Mirabel’s rebuke, spoke hurriedly.
“I’ve been waiting eagerly to meet you, and in my haste, I may have committed a breach of etiquette. I simply wanted to meet you as soon as possible, so please, don’t take offense.”
“What proposal do you have?”
Are you perhaps interested in the Adalberto estate? It’s the most fertile land in the Empire. It doesn’t have to be the Adalberto estate. I can offer any land within the Empire that you wish, as long as the Princess wishes to place your banner there.”
“Anyone would think you’re the Emperor himself, Count.”
Mirabel crossed her arms and stared at Durante. He took her words as a compliment and smiled widely.
“It’s because I understand the value of ‘The Breath of the Fairy.’”
“I brought a single bloom, but it must be placed on the Emperor’s grave during the funeral. I cannot give it to you, Count.”
“No, what I want is the bulb.”
“The bulb?”
Mirabel frowned at Durante’s words.
The bulb. In the lily market, the value of the bulb far exceeds that of the flower itself.
Until recently, the prices of the flowers and bulbs were similar, but now, with the lily market inflating, the gap between the two has grown impossibly wide.
In a typical situation, selling a bulb could fetch enough to buy a small estate. Durante’s offer of land was an overindulgence.
But that was only the case for normal varieties. For ‘The Breath of the Fairy,’ things were different.
No one had ever taken a bulb from this flower. Even if the Emperor himself requested it, it would have been refused.
And yet, here was Count Durante, trying to fulfill his own desires. It was absurd.
Especially from him, of all people.
The man who had belittled Armilla, slapped her, and hurled insults at her.
‘How dare he ask for my father’s gift?’
Mirabel silently suppressed the growing discomfort deep within her heart.
Shouting in anger would only make her appear foolish. It would be better to cut off the conversation here and avoid any further involvement with Durante.
Taking a slow breath, Mirabel finally spoke.
“That’s impossible, Count. The bulb of ‘The Breath of the Fairy’ is not something I can trade for anything. I don’t even want to place my banner in the Empire.”
“If you don’t need land, how about gold? Since the flower was created in honor of your birth, I’ll commission a golden statue of you, one that looks just like you.”
At Durante’s suggestion, Mirabel’s eyes narrowed.
‘Something’s off.’
She thought Durante’s insistence on obtaining ‘The Breath of the Fairy’ bulb was due to its rarity. But this was becoming excessive.
His suggestion was more than just persistent; it felt desperate.
Mirabel knew that Durante’s organization held a monopoly on lily sales within the Empire.
If that were the case, he shouldn’t be desperate for a bulb. So why was he going to such lengths to obtain it?
“Why are you so desperate to acquire the bulb when you already have the financial means?”
“Th-that is…”
Durante rolled his eyes nervously in response to Mirabel’s sharp question.
His wealth was a facade. Without more lilies, his fortune would collapse like a sandcastle.
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