Chapter 88. Hypothetical Method

“So how exactly are we going to do that? Tricking the plants, I mean?” Miller asked as the carriage rattled slightly along the snowy path.

Sitting next to him, Francesca replied, her hands wrapped warmly around his arm. “Seeds remain dormant in their off-seasons and will refuse to sprout even if the basic conditions are met. They require a process called cold stratification before they will germinate. Essentially, they need a sustained period of cold, followed by a gradual shift to warmth, to trigger that germination.”

“Hmm...” Miller fell deep into thought, looking out the glass window as the carriage rode toward Melony Lake. Watching the heavy snow falling outside, he nodded in understanding. “Like a false winter? We make them think that the season has arrived and already passed?”

Francesca was amazed at how fast he grasped the concept. “That is the perfect way to put it! In the past experiment, they simply planted seeds in a heavily heated room during the winter, so the seeds just went into shock and stayed dormant. The temperature change needs to be gradual and subtle to trick the seed into believing that spring has arrived, and then summer.”

“But on a much faster timeline... is that the idea?” Miller asked, nodding his head. “But what about the daylight length you mentioned earlier?”

“Plants convert light into energy rather than relying solely on temperature. It makes perfect sense that daylight length plays a massive factor in their growth cycle. Plants need a specific balance of daytime and nighttime light, alongside careful temperature and moisture differentials,” Francesca explained just as the carriage smoothly rolled to a stop.

“So, we are here to test that out.” Miller smiled, holding her gently as he helped her step down from the carriage before handing her the cane. Supporting her weight, the two of them walked together toward the wooden boardwalk and looked out at the misty water. “The water of Melony Lake remains warm even during the winter freeze thanks to the volcanic vents underneath it... right?”

Francesca nodded. “You called the gardeners and Moringa farmers like I asked? We will dig a small channel into one of the lakeside caves so the warm volcanic water can flow directly inside. It will heat the seedbeds slowly and naturally... We will test it out there.”

“What about the light?” Miller asked.

Francesca smiled brightly. “We will use glowing paint! Since the natural days in winter are far too short, the paint will simulate extended daylight, while the volcanic water handles the slow temperature changes within the cave.”

“Of course, this is all still purely hypothetical. Kenny will be here with the farmers soon, so we can discuss the logistics with them and see what comes of it.” Miller nodded, looking out at the serene beauty of the misty Melony Lake.

Suddenly, vivid memories of their very first kiss on this exact boardwalk flashed into his mind, bringing a fond, quiet smile to his lips.

“Why are you making that face? What are you thinking about?” Francesca asked, looking up at him suspiciously. The soft midday light reflected beautifully off her silver hair, making her delicate features shine even brighter in the mist.

Miller just smirked. In one swift, fluid motion, he pulled her in and captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. He held her waist firmly to support her balance.

After a few lingering seconds, they finally parted.

“That... that is what was on my mind,” he whispered, both his and Francesca’s faces flushed a brilliant, burning red

A Cave, Melony Lake, Ironwood Viscounty

“Hmm... in my opinion, it is certainly worth a try,” one of the veteran Moringa farmers nodded thoughtfully.

After hearing Francesca’s detailed proposal, the other local gardeners murmured in agreement, though one hesitantly raised a hand. “But, Your Ladyship, there are still a few glaring flaws. There is a high risk of the plant simply lacking the energy required to grow, since we are forcing it out of its natural season.”

“I agree with your concern, but I believe we can supplement that energy deficit by preparing a far more nutritious soil base,” another gardener countered.

“That is exactly my line of thought as well,” Francesca replied with an encouraging nod. “If we layer the seedbeds with specialized, high yield manure to maximize our chances, it might take a few failed attempts to find the perfect ratio... but I truly think there is a real chance of success.”

“But what about the humidity inside the cave...?” “No, we could try adjusting the water flow here...” “If we do this... or perhaps that...”

The cavern quickly filled with overlapping voices. Francesca, the farmers, and the gardeners fell into a deep, passionate brainstorming session, rapidly troubleshooting optimal solutions for every single aspect of cultivating the stubborn Moringa plant during the Winter Freeze.

Meanwhile, Miller stood quietly near the entrance of the misty cave, observing the lively group alongside Kenny.

“Even if this actually works, Moringa is a luxury item,” Kenny commented, crossing his arms against the chill. “Selling a luxury good in the North during the peak of the Winter Freeze is going to be incredibly difficult.”

Miller just smiled, his crimson eyes fixed warmly on his wife as she commanded the room. “Why are you already worrying about the market before we have even grown a single plant? It will work out. Try to be a bit optimistic, Kenny.”

A stunned silence hung in the air for a few seconds.

Kenny blinked, looking at his liege in sheer disbelief. “...Optimistic? Is it really you saying that, My Lord? Her Ladyship truly is bringing out your inner joy, it seems,” Kenny teased, a fond, knowing smile breaking across his face as he watched the discussion scene unfold.

“Enough. Give me that.” Miller tried to force his face into a stern, authoritative scowl, but failed miserably thanks to the bright, blushing red color spreading to the very tips of his ears.

He quickly snatched the sealed document out of Kenny’s hand to change the subject. “Are these the results from the blood sample Francesca sent to test her soul's condition?”

“Yes, the report just arrived directly from the Northern Central Church,” Kenny nodded, his expression turning serious.

Miller then reached into his heavy winter coat, pulled out a securely sealed paper envelope, and handed it over to his aide. “Ah... send this directly to His Highness the Third Prince. It is a letter inviting him up to Ironwood for a New Year’s banquet.”

“Understood. I will dispatch it with our fastest messenger bird immediately,” Kenny nodded, tucking the vital political invitation away securely just as the heated agricultural debate deeper inside the cave began wrapping up.