Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 526: Planting Season

"Turnips," Elowen said immediately. "They're great in stew, and pickled ones are amazing too."

Cassian nodded. "Then we'll plant turnips."

Excitement lit up her face as she grabbed his hand and pulled him along the yard, pointing here and there as if mapping out her own little kingdom.

"This spot gets the most sun, so we'll use it for turnips. That corner's a bit shaded, maybe cabbage there. And over there, the soil looks softer. I want taro, can we plant some? Oh, and along the edge, we should grow some green onions. Easy to grab when cooking."

The more she spoke, the more animated she became, a faint flush rising to her cheeks.

Cassian listened with a soft smile. "Whatever you want. We'll plant whatever you like."

The next day, all the seeds she had ordered arrived at the manor.

Bran wandered over, rubbing his hands together with a grin. "Leave the fieldwork to me. Though honestly, it's been years since I've done any of this. I might need a minute to remember how to till properly."

Cassian glanced at him. "Go handle your own duties. This is my land. Whatever grows here is for my wife. What does it have to do with you? If you're that eager, go get married and start your own garden."

Bran blinked. "...Right."

He scratched the back of his head, suddenly at a loss for words.

Cassian ignored him, removing his outer coat and rolling up his sleeves, revealing strong, defined arms.

He picked up the hoe leaning against the wall, weighed it briefly in his hand, then stepped onto the open patch of soil.

With a clean, practiced motion, he drove the blade into the earth, turning over the first stretch of soil.

At the Ministry of Rites, Dominic had already recovered from his injuries and returned to duty.

After the meeting paused for a short break, he took a sip of coffee, then glanced casually toward Alaric, who sat above, eyes closed as he rubbed his temples.

"As it happens," Dominic said lightly, "on my way here this morning, I heard that Lady of Grace and Virtue purchased quite a variety of vegetable seeds."

Alaric's eyes snapped open.

Growing her own food?

On her birthday, Hale Manor had been nothing short of extravagant, the entire city lit up in celebration.

So that had all been for show?

Spent everything just to keep up appearances, and now they're cutting corners?

A cold satisfaction stirred within him.

The frustration he had been carrying from preparing for the court qualification trials finally found an outlet.

In his previous life, Elowen had married him, becoming Crown Princess.

He hadn't treated her well. He had been distant, indifferent, even allowed others to slight her.

But he had never denied her luxury, status, or dignity.

And now? She turned her back on him. Chose Cassian instead.

And ended up growing vegetables in her own yard?

Ella... this is the life you chose.

You'll regret it. Sooner or later, you'll understand who can actually give you the life you deserve.

Alaric exhaled slowly, leaning back into his chair, finally feeling a trace of ease as he closed his eyes.

After the short break, the meeting resumed.

The discussion turned to selecting officials to oversee this year's court qualification trials.

Alaric listened as the ministers presented past practices and recommended candidates, his expression unreadable.

Only when the Minister of Rites submitted a preliminary list did he finally lift his gaze, scanning it briefly.

"For the internal inspection at the Imperial Examination Hall this year," he said, "add Dominic's name."

Dominic, seated below, immediately stood and bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your trust. I will carry out my duties with the utmost diligence."

The Minister of Rites, an older man with a lean face, frowned slightly and stepped forward.

"Your Highness," he said carefully, "Dominic is certainly capable. However, the responsibility of overseeing the trials is significant. It concerns the selection of talent for the realm. He is still young and lacks experience in this role. Perhaps it would be safer to follow established practice this year and—"

"Established practice?" Alaric turned his head slightly. "And what practice would that be?"

The minister chose his words cautiously. "In previous years, when the Duke of Duskmoor was present in the capital, this role was often handled by him—"

"The Duke of Duskmoor?" Alaric cut in with a cold laugh. "Have you forgotten where you are? There is no Duke of Duskmoor anymore."

The minister's face paled.

Alaric's voice turned icy. "Cassian committed grave offenses. The evidence was clear. His title was stripped by imperial decree. From what Dominic just mentioned, he's even resorted to growing his own food now just to get by."