Ravena slowly turned the tomato in her hand, examining its even red color and smooth skin.
"This is an extraordinary tomato," she said at last.
She turned to Mae.
"Mae, where did you buy this?"
Mae smiled faintly.
"I didn't buy it."
Ravena's eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Then… did you grow it yourself?"
Mae shook her head gently.
"No. It's from Young Master Voss's tomato field," she answered briefly. "He gave it to me."
Ravena fell silent.
"…Young Master Voss?" she murmured, clearly surprised.
Her gaze dropped back to the tomato in her hand. Her jaw tightened slightly.
"How could someone so—" She paused, then continued in a cold tone. "—someone like him obtain seeds of this quality?"
Mae simply gave a small shrug.
"I don't know. I really don't."
Ravena stepped closer and unconsciously grabbed Mae's shoulder.
"Mae," she said seriously, "do you realize this? Tomatoes like these could become a high-value asset for the Central Cathedral."
