The Duke of Beardsley’s garden is so vast that it makes one dizzy. And it is not only vast. Each section of the grounds is elaborately designed to delight the eyes of visitors.
A maze of hedges, rose arches, and elaborate statues. Seasonal flowers were neatly planted around a large fountain.
My favorite place among them is by the pond.
In a large pond that one would not expect to find in a private home, the water lilies are in full bloom, which have recently reached their best.
A magnificent arbor stands on the central island, connected to the shore by an arched bridge, from which the view is nothing short of spectacular.
Ever since I was shown around on the first day of my stay, I had been waiting for the water lilies to bloom.
In other words, it’s the long-awaited view and time, but there’s no time to enjoy …….
“Chelsea, you loved chocolate, didn’t you?”
“Yes…….”
“This chocolate cake is the pride of our chef. Try it.”
“Thank you……..”
It is not about the competent butler ……, but Solomon-sama, who takes the cake from the tea stand and serves it to me in a rewarding manner.
There were no servants by his side because Solomon-sama had sent him downstairs, and he was the one who made the tea for us.
“Go ahead.”
I was impressed by his ability to do anything he wanted to do.
But is there really a direct link between sophisticated behavior and the taste of tea?
Naturally, serving wasn’t included in the studies for the heir to the Duke’s family.
I decided to be patient, even if I was reluctant, and fearfully put my mouth on it.
“……!”
The aroma of fresh, young leaves softly wafts through the nose. I wonder if spring-picked black tea is the only tea available at this time of the year.
There was no hint of miscellaneous flavors, only a slight sweetness that flowed down my throat.
“Delicious.”
I blurted it out.
Then Solomon-sama’s eyes turned slightly red and he smiled happily.
“I’m glad. It was worth learning from my grandfather.”
“?!”
My eyes meet those of the smiling Solomon-sama, and I hurriedly look away.
I saw him shrivel up instantly out of the corner of my eye.
(Oh I’m sorry ……. But I just don’t know what face to face.)
After a day of shut-in, the next day.
I come out of my room prepared, but I can’t see Solomon-sama’s face properly. He has been like this all morning, I repeatedly bringing him down.
“Are you still angry after all…?”
“No, that’s not it…”
Solomon-sama sincerely apologized to me for the incident at the evening party.
It was beyond my tolerance, but Solomon had his reasons. I decided to let it go and act as if nothing had happened.
When I look at Solomon-sama, many things from that time run through my mind.
The rough breathing and the heat of his body. The strength of the arms around my waist, the muscular breastplate, and the feel of lips crawling on my neck. I can’t keep my composure, because I can hear the sound of ixing mucus came back to me.
(How shameless of me……!)
“Have you started to hate me?”
“It’s not true!”
I looked up as if played with a huff.
Reflexive denial does not clear Solomon-sama’s expression.
(I was so focused on myself that I didn’t think about Solomon-sama’s feelings.)
He won’t even look me in the eye and doesn’t say a word.
If you are constantly treated like that, it’s only natural that you would misunderstand.
It’s too late now to say that I didn’t mean to make you look like that.
“Then you thought it was disgusting ……?”
Finally, I even made him say some words he wasn’t supposed to say.
“I don’t think so! Not at all, not one bit of this!”
He gets up from his chair and shouted.
Solomon-sama rolled his eyes at my sheer desperation. His long lashes twinkled a few times. His voice sounded surprised as he muttered, “I don’t think ……”.
Solomon-sama stares at me and hesitantly opens his mouth.
“Well, can I ask why you won’t make eye contact with me?
“…….”
I was at a loss for words. As I stood up, my gaze wandered from place to place.
In front of his chest, he repeatedly clasps his hands together and interlaces his fingers in a meaningless manner.
Even when the silence lasts a dozen seconds, Solomon-sama doesn’t rush me. He silently waits for me to speak. And that, on the contrary, added to the uncomfortable feeling.
“I’m …… embarrassed.”
I was convinced that I could not escape, but I kept my eyes averted and muttered to myself.
“I couldn’t look at …… Solomon-sama’s face without being reminded of that night.”
I can tell by the heat that my face is turning red on its own.
I cried in my heart, wondering what kind of torture this must be.
In order to hide my embarrassment, I quickly replied, “That’s all,” and sat down in a chair.
“…… awareness, you did it for me.”
Solomon exclaimed in a voice that sounded astonished.
I was looking away, but I was curious to see what his face looked like as he spoke, so I glanced over at him.
“?!”
Solomon-sama laughed like a prodigal.
His usual smile is beautiful, but today he is exceptionally divine.
“I’m glad.”
He says, as if chewing on happiness.
My heart was pounding as he smiled as if he could give me his whole heart.
(Something might be wrong with me.)
Doki Doki Doki, my heart is making a sound like it is about to break.
I drank a cup of tea to quench my thirst, but I couldn’t taste it at all. It tasted so good just a moment ago.
Solomon-sama, perhaps not noticing my suspicious behavior, smiled and shared some sweets with me in a good mood.
I can’t even remember which one is what flavor, even though that one and this one are both luxury items that the Count’s family will never be able to afford to eat.
Trying to somehow regain my composure, I broached the topic with Solomon-sama.
“I was wondering, was there a mage there yesterday?”
“Oh, yeah. I talked about my condition.”
I listened intently because it was actually what I wanted to hear.
This is an important issue for Solomon-sama’s daily life from now on.
Perhaps because my attention was diverted, my heartbeat began to subside.
“How did it go? Did you figure out what caused it and what to do about it?”
“Hmmm …… well, yeah…”
It is an unusually brusque way for Solomon-sama to speak.
I tilt my head in confusion.
“Is there something wrong with the way you’re talking to me?”
(I thought it had something to do with me, but was I mistaken?)
Only in the past month, the probability is high that I will be by your side when the color change occurs to Solomon-sama.
I had read that it was so frequent that it was not unrelated. Then I thought there might be a solution or something I could help with, but it seems I was mistaken.
“It’s more of a hindrance. …….”
Solomon-sama makes eye contact with me.
I flinched at the straight gaze that seemed to look into the depths of my heart.
Then he relaxes his expression as he letting out a sigh.
He smiled at me with his cheekbones and soft eyes.
“If Chelsea likes me, I’ll tell you.”
I am confused by his words.
“Can’t I help you now?”
“I don’t think so. But I’m selfish and I don’t want to be left alone.”
“??”
What do you mean by “only one or the other”?
Questions came to mind, but I had a feeling that even if I questioned Solomon-sama, he would not answer me.
I want to help Solomon-sama, but I am itchy that I can’t.
That said, I cannot give him a half-hearted answer to his sincere love for me.
(I wonder what love is like?)
I asked myself again the question I had asked myself at That evening party.
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