The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 181

Roles like distributing baked goods or flowers to residents, which were done by ancient nymphs, also came to mind as possibilities, but he quickly discarded them. This was because Evelyn was a nymph of human origin, and even if they couldn’t openly show it, those who still resented her might use it as an excuse to cause unnecessary trouble, claiming “there were foreign objects in the pastries you gave” or “a poisonous spider sat on the flowers.”

It’s absurd. An elf wouldn’t possibly be terrified of mere insects… but having read Ruba’s testimony in the previous verdict, it’s not entirely impossible.

However, in Iel’s judgment, this particular task was impossible to tamper with or maliciously interfere with. If it was about tending to the flowerbeds along the path where the World Tree’s thick branches extended, no one would dare lay a hand on them. That is, if the blood flowing in their veins was truly elven.

If someone were to meddle even with the task given to this nymph, they wouldn’t just be expelled from the castle; they would deserve to be driven out of Jupiter entirely. Perhaps they might even witness the rare sight of the World Tree extending its roots and flinging someone outside the castle once more.

Evelyn, who had been looking inside the basket, swallowed hard as her gaze shifted to Iel’s stern expression. She had always only felt gratitude toward the World Tree, and it was a relief to finally be able to do something.

She replied clearly and distinctly, “If you entrust it to me, I will do my best.”

“While you’re doing this, you can refuse any offers from other residents asking for it or offering to do it for you. If you’re in trouble, just use my name. Of course…”

“…Yes?”

“If His Majesty the King tells you to stop, I can’t take priority, so you should leave it at that.” He should have added that, but somehow, Iel’s throat felt constricted, and he couldn’t.

Recently, he had done nothing regarding the widespread rumors circulating in the castle.

His new choice was to remain silent, neither helping nor hindering nor denying the public opinion that favored Polyxene. When even a knight dared to question him about the truth of the matter, Iel physically silenced them with intense training. Thus, at least the knights did not chatter. Except for one person, who had recently developed a habit of scrutinizing others.

It wasn’t a rumor spread primarily by Polyxene; it was merely the talkative residents getting excited over long-awaited good news. That fact comforted him, as he had resolved not to indulge his vain cousin’s ambition…

However, he sensed that these rumors would implicitly become a source of fear for the nymph before him. How could he not know that if things went awry, she would clearly be relegated to a life of even greater scrutiny than now?

Every day, she faced His Majesty the King and held his hand, and of course, there were indeed circumstances that necessitated it. Moreover, when he left the castle, the two even traveled quite a distance together, didn’t they? To those unaware of the inner workings, they might seem like a loving couple, but all the residents of the castle knew, didn’t they? That the King and this nymph were bound by unavoidable circumstances.

Now that I think about it, it is strange. The prediction was three days, but even after five days, I didn’t hear that this nymph had fallen severely ill. Well, I suppose that just means His Majesty is energetic as the guardian of the World Tree.

Iel, who had started with suspicion and ended with firm trust, readily said, “If you find you really can’t do it, it’s alright to stop.”

“I’ll try. I’ll make sure to write it down on the calendar so I don’t forget the schedule.”

“Yes, you can start today. You can just drop them off on your way.”

“Yes…!”

A faint, yet noticeable, glimmer of enthusiasm appeared on the nymph’s face, which had been dejected throughout their meeting. Iel was pleased, wondering if she was happy because it was work for the World Tree.

Leaving Iel’s mansion, Evelyn looked around, inspecting something. Then she spread all five fingers, counted something, went right up to the Hall of Glory, came back, and tilted her head while counting on her fingers again. Tucked under her arm, the basket containing the fertilizer stones Iel had given her dangled.

Iel, who had been quietly trailing her, felt frustrated enough to click his tongue.

‘Why does she keep going back and forth when she could just drop them off one by one on her way?’

Tilting her head this way and that, the nymph muttered to herself, loud enough for him to hear, “Hmm, that’s strange. He said there were twenty-two, but why are three missing?”

Was she counting the number of flowerbeds? Well, that was a good thing to do. Iel nodded instinctively, considering the nymph to be a little slow but good-natured. Work should be done accurately, even if slowly.

Eventually, the nymph turned around and meticulously counted the flowerbeds one by one with her finger, then finally smiled brightly when the numbers matched. He clearly saw the sunlight glinting in the pleasing dimples that formed on her cheeks.

‘Hmm….’