Chapter 307 – Dogs and Cats (2)

Marronnier whimpered atop the bookshelf, struggling to reach with her flower-clad feet.

“Ugh. Why can’t I reach it…!”

Being short had its disadvantages in life—whether in seducing men or in retrieving a book from a tall bookshelf. She couldn’t help but wonder how things would be if she had slightly longer legs.

Just as she pondered this, a shadow loomed overhead. A mountain of ample breasts came to rest upon Marronnier’s head.

“…”

She was overwhelmed by their size.

Marronnier experienced the same sense of awe she felt when she had first come face-to-face with the Louvre Pyramid.

“Here.”

Sansuyu handed her a book. Marronnier automatically took it with both hands, her eyes drawn to it.

Despite the passage of time since its printing, the book was in perfect condition.

Marronnier, who tapped the cover to shake off the dust, wiped away the sweat and smiled.

[The Mindset for Creating a Companion.] First edition.

1800s. A guidebook to courtship and marriage, covering the art of desirable love, created by Aleponia, the world’s most enchanting enchantress, known for bewitching men—Sorbus Alnifolia.

This dreamlike tome, regarded as a legend amongst French women, saw only a few copies survive when the printing house burned to the ground, and its publication was indefinitely postponed due to Aleponia’s change of heart.

– This book cannot be published. Women would wield men to their liking. No one should read this book.

With only two copies rumored to exist in the world, even these were kept securely in Eden.

“What book is it?”

At Sansuyu’s inquiry, Marronnier awkwardly smiled and stepped back.

“Um, it’s a magic book!”
“Really?”

Magic is magic. The spell to seduce men.

Several books nestled in Sansuyu’s arms, two volumes held preciously with both arms, pressed against her chest.

“The book…?”

Marronnier showed interest, but Sansuyu remained silent, her face displaying its characteristic lack of emotion. He knew a little Korean, so reading the titles wasn’t too difficult.

[Liking. Love. Confession.]
[How to Prepare for a Breakup.]

‘A breakup?’

The concepts between the two books were vastly different. For a moment, Marronnier was thrown into confusion, wondering if he had learned Korean incorrectly. Was Sansuyu preparing for a breakup? With whom? Lee Si-heon? The relationship between the two was special.

‘There’s no way. I must have misunderstood the meaning.’

It was a common thing to happen. He had confused the meanings of words more than once or twice, as a single word could have multiple interpretations.

With doubts lingering in his mind, Marronnier swallowed his dry saliva but didn’t dare to open his mouth about the contents of the books.

“Well, enjoy your time.”

Sansuyu caressed her book with a puzzled expression. It felt softer than yesterday, but being with arsenic, an uneasy sensation nestled itself somewhere in Marronnier’s heart as she observed.

Sansuyu’s back slouched as she moved away.

‘For now.’

She, too, had her own concerns.
Marronnier returned to her laboratory and unfolded a massive tome.
The book’s preface greeted her.

– First and foremost, you must understand love. Do you love that person?

Marronnier, who meticulously read each letter and even the shapes of the font, pursed her lips.

“…Love.”

Her unconsciously outstretched hand came to rest on her chest.

The more she thought about it, the more her heart pounded.
Her cheeks reddened, the sweat in her hands showed no signs of evaporating, and the area around her navel grew warm.
Her mouth went dry, and she found herself worrying about the man, believing she must help him.

Marronnier skimmed past the embarrassing lines in the beginning and unfolded the pages to the very back.

[Chapter 12. One in a Million: How to Detach Affection from a Loved One.]

“I don’t love that person.”

Recently, she had come to feel the gravity of the situation.
She realized that when she got even slightly closer to him, she couldn’t help but act coy, like a cat.

If those were her own emotions, she might have understood, but Lee Si-heon had said it wasn’t the case.

-You may want to believe that you still love that person. But sometimes, it might feel like a lie.

Her emotions were unmistakably love.
The innocent maiden who knew nothing of love came to understand it painfully.
She secretly reddened her eyes at the despair of unattainable love.

-Does your heart still race when you see that person?

“Yes.”

-However, if untimely questions continue to haunt you, it’s time to reconsider.

Marronnier grew aware of her emotions as she became one with the book.

A sensation as if her body was no longer her own. The yearning to hold that person within her daily life. Yet, what if all these vivid bodily responses were nothing but lies?

-You have to choose. Whether to endure lies that seem like the truth, or otherwise.

You must discern the truth.

-Is that person worth loving?

Marronnier’s gaze remained fixed on the book. In the midst of this, the door opened and Sephirot entered, but Marronnier could not hear Sephirot’s words.

It was Blanche now, not Marronnier. The young sapling that had embarked on a tainted love was now plunged into torment.

‘…I am.’

A phrase she had cried out the previous day reverberated in her head.

That day when she had nestled in the man’s embrace, flirting fervently, shaking her head like a cat, and swaying her hips as she wept. That night. On that table.

The pristine white cream seeped into the morsel of bread still lingering in my mouth. That man’s whipped cream, an artistry in its sticky consistency that moistened his thighs.

– What would you think if I said I don’t care about my current state?
– What do you mean?
– What if I told you that it’s alright to live a life brainwashed?

The words he spoke to himself were as sweet as they were deceptive, and utterly enthralling.

Life in Marronnier was far from ideal.

Disproportionate talent and expectations compared to one’s character and capacity. My name gradually fading away, and my parents becoming increasingly strict.
Lab researchers starting to ingratiate themselves with childhood friends who had drifted apart. A world filled to the brim with repugnance, unlike the dreams I had as a child.

Politics. Strife.
The proclamation of justice and freedom.

Criticisms raining down unless one stood on the absolute line. Even the slightest reluctance to alter one’s attitude would result in bruises on one’s calves.
Having overcome a sorrowful childhood and eventually emerging as a national figure, all that awaited was a filthy reality.

And a nation teetering on the edge of a total system collapse.
A few individuals drawn to the Flower. Did they think I was unaware?

It certainly wasn’t her excessive ambition that left her unsatisfied with the Eiffel Tower at her feet and Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral by her side.
All she had desired was an ordinary life accompanied by a humble melody.

But such a life was already in tatters.
Unable to love, bound by the chains of magic.

She is a courtesan.
A courtesan who exists for France.

The same is true for every sovereign tree in this world.
Kim Soo-yeon is a courtesan of Korea. Saku, a courtesan of Japan. A.B, a gigolo of Germany.
They are merely guided by the ethics of the common people and their homeland’s pride.
In reality, we are ordinary individuals with just a touch of talent.

‘Perhaps…’

It might be better to be entwined with that man rather than living like this.
She had genuinely thought so.

To her, Lee Si-heon was an escape, a fateful connection.

Not of noble birth. A sordid encounter.
She knew that the only time she could escape her duties was when she was with him.

– Prepare for the parting.

Thus, she had given signs.
If he had mentioned it just once, she would have moved on.

This is my true emotion,
A sudden surge of passion and affection, but the comfort felt in that moment was genuine.

With him, I find stability.
It was the first time this had happened since she began preparing to become a national symbol.

A sense of ease she hadn’t experienced even while singing.
Is it wrong to love someone who can evoke such feelings?
It’s not strange to fall for them.

– Blanche.
– Pull yourself together.

It was always him who applied the brakes on her heart.

‘Why now?’

Marronnier clenched his teeth.

‘You were so persistent when I rejected you.’

Ever since the first time it happened, Kongdak tried to fulfill his duty while desperately ignoring the feelings in his chest. It was that person who took advantage of the brief opening to enter.

Making me fall for them, and now they’re crossing the line?

‘…How cruel.’

At this point, it seemed as though he could understand the few humans who had fallen victim to the cult. With emotions cornered like this, he felt as if he would sway like a reed at the slightest word from someone.

In that moment, someone pulled on Marronnier’s collar.

“Prospective sage!”

It was Sephirot, who had been watching Marronnier’s struggles all this time. Blanche hastily adjusted her expression, forcing a smile.

“Se, Sephirot?”
“Are you troubled?”

Sephirot asked, her white hair swaying.

Though she appeared young, she had lived for hundreds of years. Her accumulated knowledge surpassed that of any other being in this world.

“Tell Sephi.”

No one else can provide an answer to one’s own feelings.
Unconsciously, the gathered Marronniers swallowed their saliva.

“…No.”

After some consideration, Blanche rejected Sephirot’s offer.

These are her own feelings, and it is her responsibility to address them. Blanche smiled with resolve, scratching her cheek, and chose not to confide her concerns in Sephirot.

“Really?”
“Yes.”

Sephirot puffed up her cheeks, seemingly disappointed.

“Blanche will be alright.”

Sephirot predicted her future with a curt remark. Blanche truly hoped so. She grinned and gradually began to sort out her feelings.

* * * * * * * *

There were subtle changes among the three of us, including myself.

Marronnier had grown somewhat colder, and Cornus no longer made requests of me.

Perhaps my words that day had a greater impact on the two of them than I had anticipated.

Even in times of estrangement, there are duties to fulfill.
Once this matter is resolved, it will be time to prepare for Flower’s assault.

[Master~ Master~ I am your spirit, indeed~♪]

I observe the wood sparrows fluttering around me, chirping joyously.

“You must be pleased with your carefree existence.”
[Carefree, you say? I am incredibly busy, you know?]

Eleonor alights upon my shoulder and playfully prods my cheek.

“Oh, really? And what is it that keeps you so occupied?”
[Thoughts of you, Master~ And dreams of being caressed by you~]
[…Eleonor is receiving an education befitting a woman destined to lead a nation, Master.]
[Lucy. Who asked for your input?]

Unable to bear it any longer, Lucy interjects, eliciting a fierce response from Eleonor.
I stifle a chuckle and continue to stride forward.

It seems that Eleonor’s affectionate antics have only increased since she left Lucy behind that day, choosing to send herself to the spirit realm first.

“Now is the time for urgent action.”

The reason I participated in the Forest Keeper selection was to fulfill the requests of Cheondo and Byul. Among these, Cheondo’s request has already been achieved. I have made an impression on numerous national trees and established close connections with some of them. These days, there are very few Koreans who don’t know my name.

What remains is Byul’s request: to confront Flower.

“Though I don’t necessarily approve of the World Tree’s actions…”

Nonetheless, this was also an opportunity that could benefit me in the grand scheme of things.

For now, the World Tree has yet to punish me. Conversely, Flower is making moves to either kill or capture me.

The fact that there are signs of internal conflict within Flower… I had no doubt that this assault would reveal much to me.

The sage was also showing movement on this matter. He informed Sansuyu and Marronnier that Flower would soon arrive.

Before long, we three would be gathered in one place to engage in a serious discussion. Rather than teaching me magic, they would request my assistance in this matter. I found myself somewhat in agreement with the sage who could not bear to witness the death of innocents.

‘Of course, there’s something to be done before that.’

I stepped into the church.

At that very moment, a green spell soared in from a distance and lodged itself above my head.

*Bang!*

The lethal wood magic had enough power to kill. Naturally, before I could even react, the wooden barrier sprung up as a protective shield.

[…….]

Silently, the hornbeam tree gazed upon the scene. Sistus’s lifeless body still lay before her.

[You, you sly minx!]
[Enough, Your Highness.]

I gently spread my magical energy, halting the movements of the two birds. It had been merely a few days, and I hadn’t anticipated subduing a tree in such a short time.

In the end, I had no choice but to resort to that method.

Reaching over the belt.

The hornbeam tree, which had been deprived of water and nutrients, spoke with a feeble voice.

[If it weren’t for you. I could have saved more humans. Alas. Sistus…]
“Are you still on about that?”

The hornbeam tree spoke as if it despised me. With a gesture, I immediately sent the spirit away.
Now it was just the two of us.

The knot remained damp.
As I tried to reach out to that place, the trembling hornbeam tree pleaded with me.

[…Please, let me go now…]
“I have to let you go.”

It was a task I truly loathed.
But if there was no other way…
It was time to cross the line.

I lowered my pants.