Flower in the Trap - Chapter 15

The place Linaelina had mentioned turned out to be a modest wooden bungalow. Though simple in design, it gave off a sense of sturdiness and quiet reliability.

As the door opened, a young man appeared inside, already waiting. The moment he saw Linaelina, a soft light sparked in his eyes.

“Princess Linaelina, I’ve been waiting for quite some time,” he said, his voice calm and gentle. For a brief moment, he failed to notice Kaellian standing just behind her.

Kaellian’s expression grew cold. His sharp gaze swept over the man, laced with unmistakable hostility and displeasure.

The young man stiffened slightly under Kaellian’s gaze. The moment their eyes met, a flicker of something unreadable passed through his expression, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Your Highness, this gentleman is…?” he asked politely.

Linaelina replied with the explanation she had prepared in advance. “He’s a guest of the royal palace. I brought him out to see what life is like for the people of Sovaine.”

The young man didn’t press further. Offering Kaellian a slight bow, he then turned his attention back to Linaelina.

“Your Highness, it’s the season for harvesting passion fruit. Would you like to have a look?”

Linaelina’s eyes brightened, and she answered at once. “Yes! I know the way. I’ll head there myself.” With that, she walked off, her steps quick and eager, like an impatient child.

The young man’s gaze followed her, a gentle smile softening his face.

Kaellian observed the entire exchange in silence, then finally stepped forward. His voice was even, but cool. “No matter how fallen her status may be, she’s still a princess.”

The young man froze for a moment, caught off guard by the remark. But Kaellian had already turned away, uninterested in hearing any explanation. He didn’t spare the man a second glance as he strode off to catch up with Linaelina.

Though still a bit displeased, Kaellian couldn’t help but be drawn in by the sight that awaited him when he reached the orchard.

Nestled among the lush green vines were clusters of plump passion fruits, hanging heavily from their branches. And that was only one part of the orchard. Nearby, a small garden bloomed with a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Linaelina stood beside a hunched yet lively old man, who was enthusiastically explaining which fruits were ready to harvest.

At one point, he took a passion fruit Linaelina had picked, tapped it against his head, and with a crisp pop, the shell cracked open.

Linaelina’s eyes lit up in amazement. She immediately tried to copy him but couldn’t crack the fruit no matter how hard she tried, prompting a round of laughter from the people nearby.

Kaellian let out a quiet chuckle and stepped forward, stopping her just as she looked ready to use her own head as a chopping board.

Taking the fruit gently from her hand, he applied a bit of pressure with the base of his thumb. The shell split open with ease. He handed the halved fruit back to her.

She accepted it, looking up at him with wide eyes full of admiration. That single look lifted his mood in an instant.

Noticing how closely the two interacted, the people nearby exchanged curious glances. Linaelina once again introduced Kaellian as a “guest from the palace,” and, sensing her intent, the others tactfully refrained from asking further.

To ease the momentary awkwardness, the old man led them to a nearby shed and began explaining the process of cultivating fruit trees, from seedlings to harvest. His storytelling was lively and laced with humor.

Kaellian had initially nodded along out of courtesy, but before long, he found himself genuinely engrossed. To his surprise, the old farmer’s knowledge extended well beyond agriculture. He spoke with clarity about soil composition, shifting water resources, and even broader agricultural policies.

Tanova was a land poor in natural resources, and its most pressing issue had long been water scarcity—its supply largely controlled by a neighboring country. In the northwest stood a towering mountain, the source of a major river system. From this mountain, two streams branched off, one flowing eastward into Tanova, the other into the neighboring nation.

Years ago, the neighboring country had repeatedly attempted to divert more of the water into its own territory through terrain modification and dam construction. These actions had triggered severe droughts, crop failures, and widespread water shortages downstream in Tanova, sparking a series of border conflicts between the two nations.

Though Sovaine had been spared such hardships, the old man still shared his experiences in dealing with dry seasons and managing water for farming. Kaellian listened in silence, a quiet unease rising within him like ripples across still water.

Before long, a few dark-skinned, broad-shouldered farmers returned from the fields and joined the conversation. They spoke passionately of soil compatibility for different crops, irrigation methods, and pest control, as if discussing military strategies. Kaellian had no background in farming, but found himself slowly pulled in, asking questions, listening attentively, and completely losing track of time.

It wasn’t until the sun began to set that Kaellian realized how late it had gotten. He finally made his way back to their lodgings.

Linaelina had already returned, washed up, and was now seated by the second-floor window, enjoying the evening breeze. When she caught sight of his silhouette in the distance, she came downstairs to greet him.

“How is it? Not bad, right?” she asked as she opened the door for him, her voice laced with anticipation.

Kaellian stepped closer and paused, quietly studying her for a moment before giving a small nod. “Yes… it was quite the rare experience.”

Linaelina’s lashes fluttered gently, and her eyes seemed to shimmer with light as a smile spread across her face. It was a moment of rare brightness, one Kaellian hadn’t expected to ever see from her.

For a second, he stood there, dazed. His heart skipped a beat.