Translator: Nox

Chapter 6

#006. The Meaning of Flowers

The man stepped onto the narrow path and entered the Garden of the Four Seasons. As if showing that it was his first time there, the man looked around, then spotted someone and quickly ran over. In the direction the man was headed, there was a brown-haired man wearing a unique Knight uniform. The dangling decorations and extravagant lace on the uniform looked like something out of a play, but the man embraced the brown-haired man as if to show that he was indeed his Knight. Olivia, who was watching the scene, had a faint smile appear and disappear on her lips.

“Sally, let’s go now.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Olivia walked back the way she came. Sally, seemingly impressed by the man's appearance, chattered on about him.

“Come to think of it, that man didn’t even reveal his name. Even though he said he was giving you a precious gift, Miss.”

“We’ll probably never meet again anyway. What does it matter?”

“Still, you never know. What if you happen to meet him again and he brings a truly precious gift?”

As the bright sunlight shone down, Olivia's silver hair sparkled beautifully. Anyone who inadvertently turned to look at whose hair was shining so brightly blinked in disbelief as they stared at her. The more they looked, the more they were captivated by her strange aura, her dazzlingly beautiful white face, and the silver hair and green eyes that were characteristic of House Madeleine…! The eyes of those who recognized Olivia widened. Olivia walked gracefully. The gazes that poured down on her were varied. Cold stares that pricked like needles, curious glances, or…

“……Is that young lady ‘the’ Madeleine?”

“Yeah. She reeks of something wicked from the way she looks, doesn’t she?”

Dirty looks that scanned her up and down. Sally, who a few years ago would have been flustered and shouted "How dare you!" at those around her, now followed Olivia with a composed attitude. She seemed to have adapted. A noble Madeleine, the Crown Prince's fiancée who was promised the position of Crown Princess Consort, and at the same time, someone who had been the subject of gossip for years. That was her. Olivia Madelaine. Olivia looked at the sunlight pouring down. She thought she should go to the bookstore next time. . . . The Madeleine family's carriage slowly departed. The people who had been glancing at the carriage and adding their own comments until the very end naturally dispersed. In the Garden of the Four Seasons alley, which had returned to its lively everyday life, two men stood still. Winster Calter, wearing a lace uniform, roughly swept back his brown hair and looked down at his clothes. Lace on a Knight's uniform! It was ridiculous. Winster looked at the man next to him with resentful eyes. But instead of pointing out his insolent gaze as usual, his superior was only staring at the carriage that was disappearing like a dot. Seeing that expression, Winster was shocked, forgetting his complaints about the Knight's uniform. Good heavens. If he wasn't mistaken, the expression on his superior's face was longing. Longing on the face of Edwin Vikander Lowell, the Grand Duke, the ruthless Monarch of the North, the victor of the battlefield who had led every war he participated in to victory! He had been with him on the battlefield for over five years, but he had never seen the Grand Duke make such a face. For a man so ruthless that he was called a demon of slaughter to have such a wistful expression. And towards the daughter of Duke Madeleine, the head of the Emperor faction whom he hated so much. A chill ran down his spine. Winster cautiously said.

“Your Highness, do you know someone from House Madeleine personally?”

The Grand Duke said nothing. Winster racked his brain. It had already been ten years since the Grand Duke had been fighting on the battlefield because of that damn Emperor. There was no way he would have any contact with the Madeleine, who had grown up pampered in the capital. Unless it was through Jade Madeleine, the second son of Madeleine and the deputy commander on the battlefield. Winster shook his head. It was a ridiculous thought. Winster knew very well about Jade Madeleine, who ignored retreat orders and charged forward recklessly. There was no way he would introduce his younger sister to the Grand Duke, whom he clashed with every time. It wasn't as if the deputy commander had gotten his position for nothing; he was quite capable, but his fiery temper was something that no one but the Grand Duke could quell. If he hadn't been a member of the Imperial Palace royal guard, he would have been kicked out long ago. Winster gritted his teeth. In the meantime, the Grand Duke pressed down on his Robe and turned slightly towards Winster. The white, sharp jawline was briefly visible under the Robe.

“……Winster.”

The man's low, elegant voice fell. Winster involuntarily straightened his posture at the imposing voice that seemed to press down on him.

“Yes.”

“……I don’t want to go to the Imperial Palace.”

“Pardon?”

“Even if I go, all they’ll do is tell me to give them the credit, or make oaths, or some other nonsense. Why doesn’t the Emperor just die alrea—”

“Y-Your Highness!!!”

As the man complained in his handsome voice, Winster was horrified and involuntarily shouted. Some passersby glanced at Winster at the loud noise. But what was important to Winster was not the gazes of others. His heart was pounding so hard that it felt like it would burst out of his chest. Good heavens, to say such things about the Emperor in a place with so many people, unless it was a place full of Vikander's people. Regardless, the Grand Duke said in a low voice without wavering.

“That’s rude, Winster. To interrupt your master and shout loud enough for other people to stare. Bethany would scold you if she saw this.”

The Grand Duke shook his head. Winster felt wronged.

“You’re the one who should be more considerate of me, Your Highness. This isn’t the camp or the Grand Duke’s estate. The butler might be fine because he’s not a normal person, but I’m a very, or, di, nary person.”

“Ordinary person? Even when you’re drunk?”

At those words, Winster flinched. He remembered how he had taken the lead in cursing the Emperor whenever he drank.

“It’s not just me, the cook does it too.”

Hmph. The Grand Duke snorted. Winster quickly changed his stance.

“……Come to think of it, I can see why you wouldn’t want to go.”

“It’s not as bad as it used to be, though.”

“Of course. We’re all prepared now, aren’t we? How strong has the Grand Duke’s family become? If we only get back the White Crystal Mine of the late Grand Duchess, everything you wish for will be done.”

Winster said with a firm face. The Grand Duke's smiling face flashed under the Robe. As Winster, who was facing him, recalled the Grand Duke's family that had prospered after difficult days and was moved, the Grand Duke once again fixed his eyes on the place where the carriage had disappeared. Anticipation spread over his red eyes. As if promising the day they would meet again. * * *

“Have you arrived, Miss?”

“Yes. Did anything happen while I was gone?”

At Olivia's words, the butler said as if he had been waiting.

“Yes. A little while ago, flowers and a card arrived from the Imperial Palace. As always, I have placed them in your room, Miss.”

“Thank you.”

Leopold sent a bouquet of flowers on days when he broke his promise, but this was the first time he had sent them on the same day. Was it because she had shown him that she was with Maria Etel earlier?

“Did Crown Prince send you flowers again today? Is that why you wanted to come home early because of the flowers, Miss!”

Sally smiled brightly and ran up the stairs, opening the door. As she entered the room, it was as the butler had said. There was a bouquet of flowers on the table. Unlike the usual extravagant bouquets, these were small purple flowers.

“Those flowers are…”

Sally pretended to know. Olivia nodded as if she was right. They were the same flowers she had received from the Knight who was the correspondent in the mailbox a year ago. How could the same flowers have come like this? Olivia picked up the bouquet. Inside the bouquet was the card that had been coming with it for the past few weeks. What words would be written today? It would be an explanation of the situation that had happened today, as always. Trying to suppress her expectations, Olivia's eyes widened as she opened the card. - I hope the Madeleine knows the Language of flowers of this flower. I'll write it down together in case you don't know. The Language of flowers of this flower is 'The end of my heart is towards you.' I look forward to next Monday. The words written on the card sounded just like Leopold's tone. It was the first time. It was Leopold's card, trying to soothe her heart instead of explaining the situation he couldn't get out of. As she read the card several times, the hard lump in her heart melted away like snow. The corners of her lips kept rising and her eyes curved like crescent moons.

Sally said teasingly.

“What did he send you today that made your face bloom, Miss?”

The face in the mirror that she glanced at was really flushed. Olivia smiled.

“His Highness told me the Language of flowers.”

“The Language of flowers? Isn’t the Language of flowers ‘I send you my victory’?”

Sally recalled her memories, stammering. Olivia had once read her the Language of flowers written in the Knight's letter. Olivia smiled instead of answering. It seemed that there was a different Language of flowers for this purple flower than what she originally knew. The Language of flowers that Leopold had told her, 'The end of my heart is towards you,' was also incredibly touching. Yes. The Leopold she knew was this kind of person. The kind man who had saved her from trouble even in those young days. The man who still cared enough to look up the Language of flowers and send her flowers for her sake, who must have been hurt. Olivia brought her nose to the bouquet. A subtle floral scent rose. Feeling her heart softening, Olivia attributed reasons to Leopold's actions that had made her feel pathetic. That Leopold was breaking his promise with her now, and that he was with Maria Etel instead, was all because of circumstances. Because he was angry that he had to break up with his lover. Or because of her disgrace of being called half-blooded, he couldn't help but not love her yet. When all these situations were cleared up, Leopold would love her. Because he was still trying his best to do so. Olivia comforted herself and opened the desk drawer. Six cards were visible inside the drawer. Olivia placed the new card on top of them. As she looked at the neatly stacked cards, she was reminded of the unfulfilled promises, but Olivia tried to ignore them. Pressing down on the loneliness that could not be soothed by the bouquet and card, she looked down at the bouquet again. Past promises are not important. What's important is the heart that cares for me like this. Someday everything will be alright. If she does her best, someday Leopold will really look at her. Olivia smiled and gently touched the flowers. Sally, who was watching the scene with a pleased expression, said.

“Oh, Miss. Dinner is ready. Are you going to check it right away?”

* * * Only three people usually sat at the Madeleine Dukedom's dinner table. Conrad, Olivia, and Esella. Esella, who was eating her salad with a pouty face, finally put down her fork.

“Brother, I’m really done. Finished!”

“You haven’t even eaten half of it yet?”

Conrad gestured to Esella's plate. Esella quickly pretended to eat the garnish on the untouched steak and said.

“I really ate it all! You’re only supposed to eat this much when you’re preparing for your Debutante.”

“……Jade sent a letter in the morning, don’t you want to see it?”

Esella's eyes widened at Conrad's words, which were like a final warning. Conrad smiled and gestured to Esella's plate. Esella hurriedly started cutting and eating the salmon steak that she had barely touched.

“Brother, the steak tastes especially delicious today. So, you’ll give me the letter, right?”

Conrad chuckled affectionately at Esella's clumsy act and nodded. As soon as she received confirmation, Esella glared at Conrad in an endearing way.

“Really, Brother. We’ve been waiting so long for news from Jade. Right, Olivia?”

Olivia nodded almost involuntarily at the sudden remark. Conrad frowned. It was only later that she realized her mistake, but it couldn't be helped. It had been a long time since they had heard from Jade. Jade Madeleine, the Vice Commander of the 3rd royal guard of the Imperial Palace. Jade, an excellent Knight, had volunteered for the war against Heferti a year and a half ago and had not been seen since leaving for the southern border. Other Knights were being promoted and returning on leave, but Jade only sent news through occasional letters. Would there be a letter for her this time? Olivia steadied her trembling heart and spoke.

“Um, Brother. Could I go to receive the letter too?”

“...Well. Was there a letter you were expecting to receive separately?”

“Pardon?”

Olivia felt like she had to hold her breath at the pointed remark. Conrad narrowed his eyes as if he were joking. But the pupils within his thinly folded eyes were cold.

“Looks like it’s not this time, unfortunately. There wasn’t a letter for you.”

“...He must be very busy.”

Olivia replied casually. She shrugged at Esella as if it were nothing. Conrad's eyebrow shot up sharply, but this much was fine. Because Esella, who had been rolling her eyes awkwardly in the awkward atmosphere, was starting to get noticeably angry.

“Ugh! Really, Jade. When he comes, I’m going to give him a piece of my mind. Unless he really hurt his arm or leg, there will be no forgiveness. Everyone. Got it?”

Of course, no one answered. Esella quickly changed the subject.

“Oh, Olivia! Tell us about your Debutante. Your Debutante preparations were perfect!”

A perfect Debutante. The words rolling off her tongue felt foreign. Olivia scoffed inwardly. The word 'mess' was more fitting for her Debutante.