The book stood behind RolandYour Highness, silently watching him as he wrote. Autumn sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow that enveloped her entire being.
"Ah, besides the gains and losses in electronics, what else is there... I'm waiting online, and it's getting urgent." Prince would scribble a few lines on the paper, then lean forward in deep thought, muttering incomprehensible gibberish. At first, Shujuan was concerned about his physical condition, but soon realized this was just Your Highness's usual way of recalling his "knowledge".
But today's symptoms are worse than ever.
Alas, I can't help him... Shu Juan sighed softly. Among all the witches, Anna was probably the only one who could assist him in this matter. She had memorized every page Your Highness had written earlier—though it was only memory. This knowledge was far more profound than the mathematical and natural principles she had studied before. Reading it once could leave anyone dizzy, which was no wonder Your Highness was so perplexed.
"Maybe we should stop here today?" Shuluan couldn't help but say.
Roland tossed the pen aside as if in resignation, leaning back in his chair to let out a sigh. "I envy you for your photographic memory. If I had it, exams wouldn't be a concern. I'd have been admitted to a prestigious university long ago, reaching the pinnacle of my career." She brushed off his half-baked ramblings, "Your Highness needs exams even in the palace?" "Exactly. Otherwise, how would we distinguish which Prince is more outstanding?" he muttered.
"Truth be told, not everything needs to be remembered," Shujuan said with a smile. "For instance, it's often wiser to forget painful experiences and heartbreak." During her time in Haifeng County, her impoverished status subjected her to countless humiliations and beatings. To this day, she vividly recalls the specific areas struck, the perpetrators' twisted expressions as they vented their rage, and the excruciating pain of each blow. Her life only began to improve after being sheltered by the old captain with the broken leg. In reality, slums like hers saw daily deaths from internal conflicts and violence—no fewer than those from freezing or starvation.
For years, she despised herself, haunted by the vividness of every suffering. The clarity of those memories caused her to relive the unbearable past in nightmares at midnight. It wasn't until adulthood that she awakened the branch ability' The Book of Magic Power,' realizing her extraordinary memory stemmed from her witchhood.
Roland must have guessed what I was thinking too, and he gave me a sheepish smile. 'You're absolutely right,' he said. A warm feeling suddenly washed over Shuluan.
Few would care about the Witch's thoughts, let alone when the other party is a prestigious royal Noble.
"It's all right, those days are behind you, Your Highness." Roland Wimbledon was unlike any Noble he had ever met... or rather, unlike anyone he had ever encountered. A man of erudition who devoted himself to teaching others, a nobleman who never turned away those he welcomed, a man who reveled in the admiration of all and could have acted with impunity—yet he chose not to. Instead, he made sure to consider the other's feelings.
A remote and impoverished town underwent a dramatic transformation within a year, and the witches finally attained the long-sought peace and freedom—all thanks to Roland Your Highness. Had she not experienced it firsthand, she would never have believed such a ruler could exist.
Now, Shujuan realizes her perspective is gradually shifting. Though she once opposed Your Highness marrying a Witch, she now believes that whoever he chooses to wed will ascend the throne of Graycastle. His foundation won't be the conventional, power-hungry Nobles, but the people who support him in securing a better life.
She had a vague sense that this force would be stronger than any force before.
"Ah, alright," Roland rubbed his head suddenly. "This is the final page." "Record it tomorrow?" "No, just hand it over to him, along with a physics textbook—enough for him to study for ages." Your Highness pulled out a new sheet of paper and scribbled a few bold words. "After all, it's an' Ancient Times' book, so missing half a volume is perfectly normal, right?" Shu Juan took the paper and saw the title written on it—*Intermediate Chemistry (Fragment)*.
...
After completing her memory work, she left the office and was about to head to the town hall when the gorgeous scenery of the back garden caught her eye.
With the castle walls expanded, the backyard had grown to the size of a town square. Within a week, it was filled with a variety of plants. Undoubtedly, this was the work of Ye Zi.
The book wound its way through the olive grove, winding deeper into the garden. After passing a row of lush sugarcane fields, she spotted leaves resting by the small pond.
Unlike her usual braided hairstyle, she let her emerald-green hair flow freely over her shoulders. Her snow-white feet danced lightly in the water, while she held handfuls of crushed wheat grains, tossing them to the schools of fish that swam by. Whenever a fish would linger to nibble her toes, Ye Zi couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Are your feet better?" Shu Juan sat down beside her.
"Ah, Book Scroll," she blinked and nodded with a smile. "Yes, Miss Nanava restored it to its original state, so we can finally avoid toe pain in winter." "Are all the plants in the garden your improved varieties?" "Well," the leaf pointed cheerfully, "that's the grape greenhouse over there, and this is the orchard with crops. I also had Your Highness deliver a batch of compost to test the absorption of new crops. Additionally, dozens of bird nests were built in the orchard area, where all the honey-breasted flying messengers now sleep." Book Scroll tenderly stroked her long hair. "I thought you'd be the first evolved Witch in the Cooperative Society. After all, when you were in the Desolate Mountains, your abilities were already on par with Hakkara's." "Your Highness said evolution stems from understanding one's own abilities. Plant cells do seem incredible, but I've long believed they should form a unified whole. Look, a bundle of grass can coalesce into a flexible vine. If they were different, how could they integrate?" Book Scroll opened her mouth, unsure whether to comfort her or acknowledge her words. Ultimately, she said, "Even without evolution, your abilities could accomplish much for Your Highness." "It feels so close to me," Yezi said, shaking her head as a radiant light flickered in her eyes. "Animals are life, plants are life, even the parts that make them up are life... Birds need trees to build nests, and their droppings nourish the trees. A forest can provide everything it needs, while also expanding through the nourishment of all living things." She paused. "Looking at this garden, I feel I've found my way forward."