Chapter 24

Fisher.

Cielo admits he laughed when Alistair told him about the man. Nevertheless, Fisher is an older gentleman responsible for the regular tasks of pruning and shaping the trees, as well as replacing any damaged plants. He is a dedicated individual whose deep passion for his work stems from his love of horticulture.

“Please come in.”

It was only when he heard the head gardener’s invitation that he was brought back to the present.

Cielo skillfully navigated the room with the help of his cane. Although he had no visual impairment, he sensed the head gardener’s scrutinizing stare as she assessed him.

‘I have a feeling she is not particularly fond of me.’

He thought as he took a seat at the table in front of the head gardener. His gaze discreetly roamed the office while the head gardener extended her gratitude to the maid.

“I appreciate your effort in bringing him here, Miss Jane.”

“Anytime.”

With that, Jane exited, leaving the two individuals alone in Shaha’s office.

A deep silence enveloped the room as they exchanged brief glances, though the interaction was complicated by the fact that he was hidden behind sunglasses.

Shaha, the head gardener, interlaced her fingers and rested her chin on them, exuding an air of authority and contemplation.

“Let me be clear.”

She began, her tone calm and composed.

“I do not like you, and I doubt you will prove to be of any assistance.”

“… .”

Her words hung in the air, sharp and definitive, much like the thorns of the roses she carefully tended to.

“I want to stress that my comments are not just influenced by your background or personal experiences. They stem from my sincere concern for your disability.”

She then expresses her deep admiration for the roses and the garden, calling them an extraordinary masterpiece. In her opinion, permitting someone like him—who cannot fully appreciate their beauty due to his eye condition—to be involved would diminish the artistry. She argues that his inability to appreciate them makes him unfit for that setting.

Even though he did not take her words to heart, he could still sense her strong passion for the roses.

“I think you understand my point.”

Ultimately, what she truly wanted was for him to step back and give up his position willingly. Unable to confront Alistair, the Head Butler, about his choice to place him under her oversight, she decided to shift her attention to him instead.

Cielo hummed thoughtfully, pretending to consider the suggestion, then let out a theatrical sigh for effect, allowing the silence to stretch just a bit longer than necessary.

“…You’re right. I don’t have a particular fondle—fondness for flowers, nor do I will—wish to tend to the garden.”

Cielo admitted, his tone laced with a hint of mischief.

The head gardener nodded in agreement, looking satisfied as she adjusted her glasses.

“Thus.”

Cielo continued, a playful glint in his eye.

“If the heal—head gardener were to present me with a mansion, a large estate, and at least 100 million gold bars, I would hop—happily resign.”

He paused for a moment to let the weight of his words sink in, a smirk appearing on his face. However, he was unsure about the current currency in the Empire, which is why he referred to gold bars. A prolonged silence enveloped the room as they both remained still in their seats.

The head gardener broke the silence first, adjusting her glasses.

“Are you really sure about that?”

“I’m quite certain that a mansion filled with gold bald—bars would be far more entertaining than a patch of rotter—roses.”

The head gardener’s expression tightened slightly as she considered the absurdity of the request before her. Noticing his unwavering stance, she paused to clear her throat.

“Gold bars, you say? That’s quite a hefty sum, Cielo. Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to work in a lovely rose garden instead?”

Her reply carried a mix of humor and a serious undertone that hinted at urgency.

“This isn’t the reaction I expected…’

He had truly anticipated an explosive outburst or a barrage of harsh words. Instead, it became clear that this head gardener possessed a level of composure that exceeded his expectations.

In the end, Miss Shaha felt she had no choice but to give up her plans to dismiss him.

“Cielo, this is Fisher. You will be working as his assistant from now on.”

Miss Shaha introduces Cielo to Fisher, the gardener he will be assisting from this point forward.

To minimize further interaction with him, the head gardener quickly contacted Fisher, instructing him to come to her office through the contact mirror, and he arrived shortly after.

Fisher appears to be in his nineties, his hair completely gray from age, however, he possesses a vitality that surpasses that of any septuagenarian Cielo has encountered in his previous experiences.

The man looked at Cielo with a condescending expression but offered a friendly smile, despite the noticeable gaps where several teeth were missing.

“You seem to be doing well, my boy.”

The elderly gentleman extended his hand, anticipating a handshake, which Cielo returned.

“You must be Cielo, correct? May I ask how old you are?”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am curry—currently… 31 years old.”

Although he had spent three years in a coma, making him technically 28, Cielo preferred to present himself as thirty one to convey a sense of maturity.

“Quite youthful indeed.”

The man gave a gentle pat on Cielo’s shoulder before turning his attention to the head gardener.

“Sir Tree has already informed me about this young man. What is his purpose for being here, Miss Shaha?”

The room was charged with tension, each word exchanged like a precisely aimed arrow. He could sense the underlying currents of animosity and defensiveness. Was he not meant to be here? Who was responsible—the maid who brought him here, the head gardener who supposedly called for him, or perhaps another individual who instructed the maid to do so?

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“He is still under my care, Fisher. What is so improper about my desire to become acquainted with our new member?”

Cielo almost chuckled at the deception but chose to restrain himself, eager to see how the drama would unfold.

“The last time you interacted with a new recruit, it led to the orphaned child becoming upset and leaving the palace.”

“Are you implying that I deliberately pushed that child away?”

Miss Shaha’s voice rose, though she maintained a facade of composure, her gaze intensifying as she shot a fierce look at Fisher.

The tension was mounting. Watching the unfolding events allowed one to truly feel the deep emotions of those involved. Just as he was about to lean in, captivated by the dramatic scene, another knock interrupted the charged atmosphere. It was Alistair.

Cielo paused for a moment.

Even after having reassured him yesterday in their conversation, Alistair still chose to watch over him. It seems he anticipated this moment. Cielo’s feeling a fleeting admiration for Alistair’s perfect timing.

“Sir Tree.”

Miss Shaha acknowledged though the tension in the air remained thick.

“What is happening here?”

Alistair asked, shifting his gaze between Fisher and Miss Shaha as he assessed the situation.

The arrival of the Head Butler quickly diffused the conflict.

Alistair instructed Cielo and Fisher to head to the storage area for gardening tools, planning for Fisher to teach Cielo about their various uses. Alistair gave Cielo a week to get acquainted with the tools, preparing him for a permanent role.

“I’m sorry you had to see that, my boy.”

Fisher expressed his regret as he neared the table displaying an array of gardening tools.

“That child has become quite significant to me, but she encountered difficulties in her learning. Shaha was not pleased and chose to discuss the issue with her. Afterward, the child went to the church.”

It is clear that Fisher truly cares for the child. However, he views the head gardener as someone who is relatively easy to manage. She quickly agreed to a request that went beyond her abilities.

‘Still, I believe the key difference between us is that the other person is a child, while I am an adult.’

Cielo’s expression grew more intense as he remembered how easy it was to manipulate children.

The elderly man took a deep breath and smiled.

“…What’s this one for?”

Cielo asked as he picked up one of the tools, wanting to diverge the topic.

Fisher smiled broadly, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.

“Ah, the trowel! It truly is a gardener’s best friend. It’s perfect for digging small holes, moving seedlings, and even pulling out weeds. Let me show you how to use it properly.”

As Fisher demonstrated the technique, Cielo watched intently, absorbing every detail.

***

Avoiding the knights turned out to be quite easy.

The simplicity of this task stemmed from the knights’ usual presence in the training grounds, where they engaged in training and sparring. Unlike the guards and soldiers, knights enjoy a privileged status and do not patrol the Haunted Palace. Their responsibilities are primarily limited to investigations assigned by Konstantinos or military deployments, and even in those cases, they seldom serve on the front lines.

‘Honestly, they are a waste of space.’

Such behavior is to be expected, as every knight is either of noble lineage, wealthy, or has significant connections. With no fear of encountering the knights, Cielo opted to focus his efforts on locating the main library to gather further information.

Easier said than done. Finding the main library seems to be quite a daunting task.

Even though the library is a public space accessible to everyone, the staff eyed him with suspicion or even animosity whenever he asked for directions.

Unlike the West Wing, where the doors are secured with special locks that only authorized personnel could access, attempting to open any door within the palace would only raise doubts about his intentions among the staff.

As a result, he found himself feeling discontented while pushing a cart filled with gardening tools. The weight of the implements seemed to reflect the burden in his heart, making it difficult for him to shake off the surrounding frustration.

In contrast, Fisher strolled ahead at a leisurely pace, enjoying the beauty of the red roses.

Eventually, he was able to calm his nerves as he wandered through the garden, successfully regulating his breathing. Like Fisher, he allowed his gaze to wander over the vibrant floral landscape.

The fragrant air, filled with the scent of blooming flowers, began to soothe his restless thoughts. This garden became a refuge, a place where the noise of the palace faded away, offering him a momentary escape from the library and its demands.

This is his first trip to the rose garden since he arrived at the palace two days ago. The garden stretches wide from west to east, with the bright red roses creating a striking contrast against the white facade of the palace, often referred to as the Haunted Palace.

What’s the story behind the name “Haunted?” He still hasn’t received an answer as there was no one to ask.

Suddenly, a voice breaks through his reverie.

“Have you finally found some peace?”

Fisher’s question caught him off guard, as he realized the older man had noticed his troubled expression.

“…You noticed?”

Cielo hesitated, a wave of embarrassment washing over him for disclosing such a personal part of himself to the older man. He had thought he was successfully hiding his inner turmoil, but it seemed as obvious as the morning dew glistening on the rose petals.

Fisher chuckled as he stopped at a spot where the leaves were beginning to lose their color. This seemed to be their first point of interest.

The elderly gentleman examined the leaves while speaking with him.

“Yes, my young friend. That’s exactly why I invited you on this tour—to help you find some peace. The garden has an incredibly calming effect, wouldn’t you agree?”

It was only after Fisher made this observation that Cielo realized the old man had indeed been guiding him, even though their destination was just a few meters from the garden’s main entrance.

“I suppose so.”

Although he didn’t have a strong liking for flowers, their presence brought him a sense of tranquility.

Fisher let out a gentle laugh as he glanced in his direction.

“I can see that you’re intrigued by why the palace is called the “Haunted” palace, despite its charm. Would you like me to explain?”

Cielo paused for a moment to think before letting out a soft sigh.

“I have a feeding—feeling the prince named the palace, and I must say, his choice is rather… lacking.”

He was about to use the word “shitty,” but he remembered to be careful with his language and quickly changed his wording.

The elderly gentleman let out a hearty laugh as he pulled a small chair from the cart and set it down. He took a seat and gestured for Cielo to join him, which he did without hesitation.

Getting into such a low position was quite challenging, but he was fortunate to be wearing a jumpsuit.

Fisher continued to chuckle as he spoke.

“His Imperial Highness once remarked that the combination of red and white gives the palace a strange and unsettling atmosphere, which is how it got its name.”

“If he fond—finds the roses unsettling, why doesn’t he just remove them?”

Cielo conveyed his annoyance with an eye roll.

It’s clear that the gentleman has the means to either restock all the flowers in the garden or repaint the palace in a different color.

The gardener fell quiet, but a peculiar smile appeared on his face.

Could it be that he misspoke? Does Fisher have a special liking for roses? If so, he might have unintentionally upset the elderly gentleman by implying that the prince should remove the roses.

“Given my partial bland—blindness and somewhat unclear vision, could I extend my existence—assistance, even if it’s limited? I feel quite uncomfortable just standing here while you require my help.”

He stumbled over his words in response.

“…Haha, very well, my boy.”

Fisher directed him to dispose of all the leaves he had cut into the trash bag. While they were tidying up, Fisher suddenly interjected.

“This is rather tedious, wouldn’t you say? Perhaps you could ask me some questions, and I would be glad to respond.”

Cielo hesitated but recognized that this could be his only chance to ask about the library.

“Do you know where the library is? I heard it’s public so… I was hopping—hoping to go visit it sometime.”

He asked with eager anticipation, hoping that Fisher would give him the answer he was looking for.

“It appears that no one has filled you in.”

Fisher began, his tone laced with irritation.

“This is quite common. People frequently opt to withhold information from the public, which accounts for their silence in response to your persistent questions.”

“I’m not surprised by this.”

They look down on him because of his lower status, and his efforts to read and write probably annoy them.

“Nonetheless.”

Fisher continued, his expression softening.

“I will provide you with the necessary details.”

“Thank you so much for your help, Fisher!”

Cielo exclaimed, feeling a wave of relief.