Chapter 1

It was the morning of my wedding. The day I would welcome a man I had never seen before as my husband.

Do you think I'm good for nothing?

My muttering voice resonated in the palace garden. Early winter in the North was bleak. It was hard to find green in a garden without proper care. The dry bark was gray. A low saturated gloomy landscape, just like me. I was standing by a thorny vine. I put a finger on the vine and spoke to it.

If the marriage alliance is successfully concluded this time, I'll have done some use as a Princess.

Even if it was a sold-out marriage, I had no right to refuse.

'It's your duty.'

My brother Diaquit's voice lingered in my ears. I was to be sold for the political benefit of the kingdom. To be married to a man I had never met. It was my duty.

Just then, the voice of the plant echoed in my head.

Usphere. If you get married, will you really leave this place? Will I ever see you again?

The whisper of the sweet plant was transmitted through my soul. The plants in the garden were the only ones I trusted and depended on.

Catatel's awakeners were born with magic related to earth and plants. The awakener of this generation was me. The power given to me was to peek into the plant's memories and talk to them.

Like the previous awakeners, I couldn't use magic such as splitting the earth, causing earthquakes, or creating earthen shields. Power that could neither attack nor defend. My homeland, located at the far north end, was particularly frequented by monsters. It was thanks to magic that kept the royal families safe for centuries in a harsh environment.

Only one child per generation of royalty is born with the blessing of the Silver Forest, a child who can use powerful magic. They were called the'Awakeners '.

The Awakeners, as the shield of the kingdom, had firmly defended this land. However, for some reason, no awakeners were born in the family for nearly a hundred years. While there were concerns over whether the protection of the forest had ceased. After a long wait, when I was ten years old, I awakened the magic. The kingdom that was hopeless while protecting the earth without an awakener was delighted.

However, as expectations were high, so were the disappointments. When it turned out that I had no power to protect the kingdom, arrows of accusations of all sorts flew to me.

'Half witted, half awakened, lacking princess.' People chattered. It was not that I wanted to be born like this. I couldn't even go into battle, so l just stayed in my room. Gradually I was isolated from the royal palace. The only friends I had left were plants.

Now I was not so lonely or sad. I got used to this kind of isolation. But that didn't mean that I expected a marriage would proceed without any consultation with me. Diaquit, who was acting as regent on behalf of our father, spoke confidently.

Even if I let you know, what difference would it make? We have no veto anyway. You should marry the first emperor without question.

I thought about my brother's cold voice, and then spoke to the thorns again.

Have you heard people talk about this marriage?

I have. There are maids who come to manage the garden from time to time. I heard what they were saying.

I want you to show me that memory.

Are you going to be okay?The plant's voice trembled slightly.

Of course.

Probably they were talking badly about me, but l was no longer hurt by those words. I got used to it. I closed my eyes and let the memory of the plant's soul flow into my mind. Soon a blurry scene unfolded.Two maids stood in the corner of the garden, talking.