Into The Rose Garden

The afternoon after the incident, Aeroc went to visit the injured man and met the stern, scary housekeeper again.

“The master is sleeping now.”

“Is his recovery bad or…….”

“His injuries are recovering well. He just hasn’t overcome his physical fatigue.”

The housekeeper , who answered while standing in the doorway without inviting him into the house, looked Aeroc up and down with a cold gaze.

“Shall I tell him who you are?”

“Aeroc Teiwind.”

Aeroc pulled a business card from his inner jacket pocket. He pulled out a white card, which he rarely gave to anyone, and held it out to her. He wasn’t usually one to overstate his credentials to commoners, but she was a rude housekeeper similar to her employer, Aeroc wanted to make sure she knew who he was. Accepting the card, which was made of the finest paper available on the continent, the housekeeper flipped it back and forth and then spoke in a low voice.

“You must be the famous Count.”

“I thought you didn’t know, ma’am.”

Given her decidedly delinquent attitude, Aeroc naturally assumed she wouldn’t know him. Frowning and responding sullenly, the housekeeper added, “Of course. It’s the name the master always talks about.”

“My name is Martha, and anyway, my eccentric master is not in a position to see the Count at the moment, so you can come another time, I’ll tell him you’ve been here.”

Aeroc waved urgently as she tried to unilaterally close the door. At Martha’s eyes that seemed to ask if he needed anything more, Aeroc didn’t say anything. Instead, he signaled towards the Teiwind carriage owned waiting on the roadside.

“Bring it.”

The employee who accompanied him returned with a large basket. Decorated with flowers from the estate’s own garden, it contained herbal teas known for their soothing properties, as well as jam made from last year’s rose blossoms. Aeroc would have preferred to decorate it with roses, but they weren’t in season yet.

“I didn’t come empty-handed for this visit.”

“Thank you.”

Impressed by the basket, Martha flashed a humane smile. Either way, both her owner and the housekeeper were really stingy.

“I’d offer you tea, but I’m still taking care…….”

“Never mind, I’ll come again next time.”

Aeroc touched his silk hat briefly and bid the housekeeper farewell.

Aeroc was worried to hear that Bendyke was sleeping the entire time not because he was injured, but because he was exhausted. The effects of overdosing on sedatives were obvious.

“Just what is that drug?”

Aeroc had seen him take them before. He assumed it was just a simple headache pill. But judging from the doctor’s horrified expression and the housekeeper’s sensitive demeanor, it was more than just a headache.

What’s even stranger was that Bendyke only took the prescribed amount and tried to take a walk to calm his nerves. Let alone a walk in such a dirty and complex street, why would he need a sword? If he had the thought to arm himself in such a bizarre way, he must have known that the bottom place below was the worst place to take a walk to calm down. Aeroc wondered what the walk meant to him.

“I have a lot to ask.”

His financial advisor was overly secretive.

“Our first meeting was strange too.”

From the very beginning, Bendyke’s unexpected actions were the starting point for his guarded and wary attitude toward him. He didn’t just pounce on Aeroc, he also asked Aeroc why he pretended not to know him. Aeroc, who frequently attended high-level theater performances, prided himself on his ability to distinguish between sincerity and acting. This was not the childish theatrics that dramatists try to pull off in order to attract attention. The gaze was profoundly serious, his expression and demeanor genuine.

The attitude shown upon their next meeting was no different. While Aeroc had somewhat roughly driven him away for personal protection during their first encounter, who would typically harbor such malicious obsession? There had been a few people who had done strange things to Aeroc in his life, but none of them had held a grudge. No good could come of incurring the Count of Teiwind’s hatred. Most of them had apologized for their rudeness with a comical lack of grace upon reunion.

Bendyke, on the other hand, was remarkably calm and aloof for a man who had made such a foolish outburst. He looked at Aeroc with a piercing stare that was anything but friendly. It was an attitude of caution, as if he saw Aeroc as a considerably dangerous man. It was hostile.

“I have no idea what kind of mental illness he’s suffering from.”

The carriage quickly sped through the city center towards the direction of the estate. Beyond the rattling windows, the path to the bottom place flashed by. Whatever he was doing there, it certainly wasn’t a good thing.

Kloff Bendyke.

The repercussions thrown into Aeroc’s peaceful life were growing, and now it was impossible to ignore. Whatever secret Bendyke was hiding, it was time to find out.

* * *

A few days later, as if nothing had happened, a report on Aeroc’s asset management arrived. Inside, there was always a note with the date and time. And this time, it was right away this afternoon. Aeroc knew this would be the case, it seemed like Bendyke treated the dismissal notice inexistent after going through the events at the bottom place.

“He’s too full of himself.”

Aeroc checked the note and tucked it into a drawer in his study. He summoned Hugo to inform him of the guest. The well-dressed elderly gentleman looked up at his master and, in a rare attitude, spoke first.

“Is there something that pleases you, sir?”

“Hmm? Why do you ask?”

“You seemed depressed lately, but now you’re smiling.”

If Hugo, known for his courteous yet restrained demeanor, went to the extent of making such a remark, it undoubtedly meant he had chuckled heartily without restraint. Feeling embarrassed, Aeroc covered his mouth with his hand.

“Did I look foolish?”

“Not at all. I think you look great.”

Hugo said no more. But the corners of his mouth, peeking out from beneath his well-trimmed mustache, drew a gentle arc. The only time he’d ever worn that expression was when Aeroc was being childish. Aeroc had rarely seen it since he’d grown up.

“It’s the financial manager. He’s a shady man. His cocky attitude is that of a court jester.”

Aeroc found himself talking a lot, even though he wasn’t really hiding anything.

“You trusted him with this important position, didn’t you?”

“I trust his abilities. He’s not a lowly crook who would cheat me out of money, and that’s a guarantee not only from me, but from Derbyshire, Westport, and Wolflake as well.”

At the mention of Wolflake, Hugo cocked his head slightly in surprise. Aeroc shrugged.

“I’m surprised too. I think I know what those two share in common.”

Aeroc didn’t want to elaborate on what had happened in the bottom place. Hugo knew only too well how to nag the young count gracefully, if necessary, until he surrendered and swore never to do it again. Aeroc didn’t want to add any unnecessary burden to the old butler who had enough to worry about as it was.

After Aeroc informed the date and time of Bendyke’s arrival, Hugo nodded. Even after delivering the information, Hugo didn’t leave immediately. When asked why, an unexpected response came.

“May I say something before I leave?”

“Of course. If there’s anyone in the world to whom I don’t mind whatever they say, it’s you, Hugo.”

It was a sincere and unfiltered expression. Aeroc adjusted his posture to listen attentively, and in response, the stern eyes of the butler softened.

“It’s nothing special. I just wanted to mention that lately, Master’s lively demeanor has been a pleasure to witness.”

“Ah.”

It was something Hugo could easily say, yet it felt quite sudden. Aeroc wasn’t sure how to react.

“I thought you said I looked depressed earlier.”

“Well, depression is a feeling one can have when alive.”

“Have I been looking dead so far?”

Aeroc wasn’t arguing, he was genuinely curious. Hugo didn’t miss Aeroc’s meaning.

“Rather than that, you seemed very bored. You’ve always acted the same way, even when meeting acquaintances and visiting close relatives. But recently, you express anger and even crack jokes. Suddenly, you impulsively go out. You’ve become more youthful.”

“You mean I’ve been that pathetic?”

Aeroc asked in surprise, and Hugo apologized, saying, “That’s not what I meant. I apologize.”

“It’s all because of that guy, Bendyke.”

“It seems so.”

Standing up, Aeroc paced around a bit. Then, he abruptly asked Hugo,

“What do you think of him?”

“I think he’s a young man with some pretty good qualities, considering his lack of fundamentals. He’s got a great physique, intelligence, and eyes. Despite being somewhat rude and arrogant, young alphas who are aware of their charm often tend to be like that. I believe he’ll improve even more as he ages.”

Though it might sound sour at first, it was ultimately a quite generous assessment.

“Do you think it’s right to have a relationship with him?”

“May I ask what kind of association?”

“What?”

Ironically, this time, Aeroc was the one who didn’t understand the question.

“Is it a business relationship as an employee to solve financial issues, a social relationship as part of the social circle, or an intimate relationship?”

Aeroc’s face burned red as the answer came back. Hugo seemed unfazed, as if he expected such a reaction. This only embarrassed Aeroc further.

“You knew?”

“Of course I did. It’s your affair after all, young master.”

“May I ask how you knew?”

“I’ve been personally taking care of the cleaning up after you use the Violet room.”

Aeroc felt like hiding in a rat hole. He didn’t dare raise his face. After his affectionate mother died at a young age, his father, who was already strict, became more sensitive and harsh. His father often scolded Aeroc for being unworthy of being the heir as he was upset and missed his mother. It was Hugo who would come to Aeroc’s aid whenever he was hiding under his mother’s favorite rose tree, ignoring the thorns that pricked him. The large hands in white gloves would gently comfort the sad boy’s heart along with his sore back. Being caught in a situation like this was akin to getting caught by his parents in a messed-up bed. It was so embarrassing that he felt like jumping out of the window.

“Why didn’t you stop me?”

“Did you want me to?”

Aeroc was stunned by the calm counter-question. When Aeroc was unable to respond, Hugo spoke up.

“As you know, I have watched over you since the moment you were born. I dare not take the place of your late father and mother, but my affection for you is genuine, young master.”

“I know that.”

“Thank you. Now, as I’ve been so presumptuous, I’m going to be a little more rude.”

Having said that, Hugo continued without waiting for Aeroc’s response.

“I would have expected you to welcome a lovely Omega from an aristocratic family, but no matter how beautiful she is, no matter how many fine qualities she possesses, you seem indifferent when facing a potential mate. It’s because, to you, no one is as beautiful or exceptional as you are. I understand this better than anyone since I serve you. But that man is unique. His first appearance was quite striking.”

“I thought he was completely insane.”

“I felt the same. Even now, I can’t be completely at ease. But one thing is certain. He keeps you alive.”

Hugo’s words, spoken in a calm tone, resonated with Aeroc like thunder. There was no falsehood in Hugo’s words. The experienced butler was the only person who knew Aeroc better than Aeroc knew himself. Finally, Aeroc could understand what Hugo had been trying to convey with the lengthy preamble. Gently brushing the still warm cheek that hadn’t cooled yet, Aeroc cautiously asked,

“Would it be good for me to get along with him?”

“That is a matter for you to decide, young master.”

“But Hugo’s opinion is very important to me.”

“I only wish you well, young master, as always.”

“And for me to not be too strict like an old man; act foolishly like someone of my age.”

As Aeroc playfully added, Hugo denied, “I never said such a thing.” Instead, Aeroc approached him and gave him a quick hug before releasing him.

“Thank you, Hugo, I’m very glad you told me this.”

“You’re welcome. Despite my overly intrusive comments, I am grateful for your lenient disposition.”

As Hugo returned to his stern expression and was about to leave the room, Aeroc suddenly remembered something.

“Have you perhaps told Bendyke what kind of books I like to read?”

“No, I have never done so.”

“Oh, alright. I see.”

After Hugo left, Aeroc felt a strange rush of excitement. It was both embarrassing and somehow pleasing that Hugo knew, yet it also brought a sense of worry. The whirlwind of strange emotions made it impossible for him to stay still. He wandered around the room, idly touching decorations and glancing at the pictures on the wall. He absentmindedly tapped the curtains and leaned out the window to breathe in the fresh air. Opening and closing book covers without reading them, he spent a considerable time looking at the notes from Bendyke in the drawer before putting it back. The deeply humiliating and vaguely gratifying experience of having someone discover his secret affair continued to shake Aeroc. Struggling to control these unfamiliar and conflicting emotions—neither anger nor amusement—he had one clear decision.

“If I’m going to do anything, I’m going to have to do it somewhere other than the estate.”

Aeroc vowed never to use the Violet room again.

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