“Eliza, what is this plant called? It looks pretty.” Said Marinus as he admired the white flower before him.

“Why do you ask? So, you can send it to Theanore? You have no shame, Marinus.” Eliza huffed and walked away to the waiting carriage. It has been a month now that Marinus has been living in castle Orlock, and he sent gifts to Theanore every day.

Since he used his mana to do so, no one could stop him. Before they had separated, Marinus had gotten his bank account at the Mirstone bank and Theanore had given him half the money in their joint one.

That had made Eliza’s father delighted, Marinus was rich at 100 million gold coins and worthy of the title of duke. He even improved the lives in the nearby village: Eagle’s rest.

Eliza admired her husband for this. He had builder ants shipped from the apple grotto and had made the villagers a housing building for those that didn’t have a roof over their heads.

Then, his eyes had set on the lake. Overnight the lake became filled with all kinds of fish the likes of which Eliza had never seen. Then, Marinus had asked duke Orlock for permission for the villagers to fish in the lake for free. He had footed the bill of 500 thousand gold coins for the permit.

It went without saying that the villagers adored him and that the rest of the settlements of the duchy hoped he will improve their lives too. But Eliza was ignored. It hurt her that the one who was supposed to be her best friend forever thought constantly of another.

She heard footsteps behind her. It was her father.

“Liz, what did that merman do now?” Asked duke Nariel Orlock.

“He wants to gift more things to Theanore. And I can’t even be mad at her. She is just a baby.” Said Eliza, and she sat down in the snow.

“Ask yourself, what did Theanore do to earn Marinus’ adoration? Perhaps you can do the same?” Asked duke Orlock. He placed a hand over Eliza’s shoulder. If her mother was among the living, perhaps she could give her daughter a better advice. But, alas, she was not.

“I don’t know. She is pretty, for a baby. And kind. She calls me Lizzy. It is hard to be mad at her.” Said Eliza, and the admittance burned in her throat.

“Perhaps get to know the duke better then? Help him in his charity work. I will provide the funds.” Said Nariel. Most of the work was done with mana, so he doubted that the children would spend too much.

“Truly, father? Princess Theanore supports free education. Perhaps I shall do the same? A new school for every village.” Said Eliza, and she stood up. “I’ll go tell Marinus. He’ll be happy to have the schools build by his ants.”

Nariel Orlock looked after his daughter. It wasn’t fair, she had been used to separate two children. It wasn’t fair that she was ignored now. He just hoped that his dear Alisa would forgive him for letting it happen.

Eliza found Marinus stuffing the white wild flowers in an envelope and frowned. Of course, they were for Theanore. Who else? She nearly turned back when she thought how disappointed everyone will be if she didn’t have the schools build. This was not for her. This was for her people.

She approached Marinus and tapped him on the shoulder. He pulled out a flower crown and placed it on her hair.

“I was going to suggest we make one for Thea together, but you would have gotten mad.” He said, and then he smiled. “You look pretty, Lizzy.”

“Liz.” Said Eliza, eyebrows furrowed. “My family calls me Liz. Only the Princess gets to call me Lizzy.”

“Liz, then. Or maybe Eli?” Asked Marinus with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Just Liz.” Said Eliza stubbornly. She righted the crown in her hair. Marinus had made it for her, while Theanore got badly cut flowers in an envelope. It was…what was she thinking? It wasn’t fair at all. Theanore was just a baby and as much as a victim of circumstance as the rest of them.

“Put those back where you found them. We will make her a crown.” Said Eliza, and she began picking flowers, much better than Marinus ever could.

“You don’t need to force yourself.” Said Marinus. Eliza sighed and pulled a flower from the envelope.

“You can’t send her this. This is a butcher’s work, and she is a nymph. What if she can feel the flower’s pain or something?” Asked Eliza and Marinus dumped the content of the envelope on the ground.

“I never thought about it that way. We have made many flower crowns and Thea never cried over the cut flowers.” Said Marinus. Eliza imagined the two of them making crowns and laughing, and tried to be happy for them. But there was a pang of jealousy in her chest.

“More work, less talking.” Said Eliza, and she began to weave the crown.

“Aye, aye Liz.” Said Marinus. They both shared a laugh. When they were done, they weaved a mana crystal in the center of the crown and wrote a small note for Theanore. It read:

Dear Theanore von Eomis, Princess of the Dawn Empire.

Thea, we made you a crown fit for a princess. Liz said to pour magic in it every day to keep the flowers fresh. Liz also says to tell Cassius she wishes him all the happiness in the world. I want to tell you I miss you. Thank you for letting me have your rag doll.

From your friends,

Marinus and Eliza Orlock.

They tied the note with a silk band and send it. Then, Eliza decided to get her project started.

“Marinus, I would like you to build a school in every village of the duchy. I will find the teachers and pay for the other staff members. Can you do this favor for me?” Asked Eliza.

“Only if you promise to be happy.” Said Marinus. Eliza hugged him. There were times when she thought that he didn’t think before speaking. Then he said something nice like this, and she felt hope for their joined future.