A little further into the vast botanical garden attached to the grounds of Elrand Magic Academy, there is a garden of wild magic plants.

Plants grow naturally by the lake and are delicately protected in greenhouses; colourful plants are planted everywhere. 

What makes them different from normal plants is that the colour of the flowers softly changes as they breathe or they faintly emit light.

Some flowers open when chanted to or spoken to, or the leaves sway gently.

Magical plants, each with its own personality, have a mysterious presence, with some even having sparkling scales called magic powder.

Of course, our ducal mansion's garden also has magic plants, but it's nothing compared to here. As expected of the Magic Academy. After all, they also have a research institute.

Let's see.

This is good for the potion, right? I found the matching magic plant while comparing it with the memo of the magic plant that Patrick recommended when I looked at the Magic Encyclopedia earlier.

"Please feel free to pick," is written on the sign, and I borrow a little from the magic plants I find and put them in the basket.

"Ah, Lady Richeli. If that's the case, it's here. And this, too. This is it."

While peeking at my memo, Luna Maria kindly picked it up and put it in my basket.

While skilfully picking her share, she also helps me by looking for mine.

"Thank you."

"No. It's fun with so many wonderful magic plants."

Luna Maria narrows her eyes at the scent of flowers gently wafting in the garden, sways her soft-looking flax-coloured hair in the wind, and smiles pleasantly.

Luna Maria is very kind and gentle. Yet I was jealous of her because of Zinon, which is truly embarrassing. I'm sorry.

Luna Maria, as expected of the heroine of an otome game. Everyone in her natural state completely accepts her, and not only Luciano but also Patrick seems to be attracted to Luna Maria.

She said her house was on the brink of ruin, but I wonder if it's really hard and never free from anxiety. Maybe the environment has changed due to living alone in the dormitory, and she can't sleep because of anxiety.

When I thought about it, I was taken aback. I remembered the scene where she was vague about Prince Axel's invitation to the evening party. 

Perhaps she doesn't have a dress or shoes for the party? 

When I suddenly looked up, I noticed that Luna Maria's eyes, checking the basket's contents, were vacant.

"Luna Maria...?" 

Her face seems a bit red. 

Ah. 

Could it be...

Feeling something was off, I approached Luna Maria and gently touched the back of her slender hand.

"Lady Richeli?"

Luna Maria looks at me in surprise, her eyes wide. Her mint-green eyes are slightly clouded and vacant. 

Her hand is hot.

"Luna Maria, do you have a fever? Do you feel unwell?"

Luna Maria frowned in trouble at my question.

***

"Here, Luna Maria. Open your mouth."

"No, I can eat by myself."

"It's okay, here, ah-"

"...Ah-...?"

While confused, I pour a spoonful of porridge into Luna Maria's mouth as she says, "Ah-."

The student dormitory of Elrand Magic Academy.

Luna Maria's private room is a bit dim, with a simple design like a servant's temporary residence, a bit narrow and too frugal no matter how you look at it.

Are the other rooms like this too?

The bed seems a bit old-fashioned, and every time Luna Maria moves, it creaks a little.

The bedding is clean and fluffy, though.

"It's sweet and very delicious."

Luna Maria looks at me and smiles.

"When I'm not feeling well, I often eat this too. It's easy to digest and makes you feel better quickly."

"Yes. I'm really sorry for having the doctor examine me and even getting medicine. Thank you."

"It's okay. More importantly, why were you silent when you had a fever?"

"I'm sorry. I was happy to be able to talk and get along with everyone... I didn't want to worry you. Besides, I heard that I could make a magic potion, so I thought drinking that would surely make me better."

"Luna Maria..."

She's such a brave girl. I can't help but stare at Luna Maria in front of me.

She's still a noble lady even if her family is on the brink of ruin. Normally, if she's not feeling well, there should be a maid who would rush to take care of her.

Today, her smile disappeared suddenly, and I felt something was wrong, but maybe it was because she was not feeling well. Maybe she was struggling alone, even though it was hard.

Luna Maria's face is finally relaxing and blooming softly in front of me.

She's cute.

She's really cute. I would also fall in love with such a brave and cute girl.

Surely, the target characters would want to protect her, too. Definitely.

"Are you hungry? Drink this, too. It's grated and squeezed apple."

When I brought another spoonful of porridge to Luna Maria's lips, she obediently ate it. She also drank the grated apple juice.

"Did you, Lady Richeli, make this porridge? And this apple juice? It's delicious."

"It's not much of a meal, but no one was free in the kitchen."

"I see. I've never cooked before... Two years ago, when my family was on the brink of ruin, I gave my maids and servants all their free time, and my mother started doing housework... I helped her. Fortunately, I thought housework was more fun than I thought, but I'm worst at cooking; I always fail."

Luna Maria smiled mischievously.

"Your family is having a hard time, isn't it? You're worried?"

As I asked, adjusting the blanket on Luna Maria's chest as she lay down after eating, she nodded faintly.

"My father and mother arranged for me to attend this magic academy for my sake. I feel guilty, thinking they must have struggled, even though they didn't show it."

Luna Maria choked up as she spoke, and tears spilled from her mint-green eyes as if she couldn't bear it any longer.

I wiped her tears with the back of my finger. I wrung a towel soaked in an ice bucket and put it on Luna Maria's forehead.