Into The Rose Garden

“I mean it. It’s nice of you to remember someone like me and let me see you again.”

“It’s unfair for you to give such a sincere response to our banter. You’ve been acting really strange today. Why are you suddenly being so docile? If you want something, say it. Don’t scare me like this.”

Still, Aero remained cautious, wondering if Bendyke was hiding something. Despite that, Bendyke didn’t express an exaggerated upset expression and simply continued to smile.

“One minute you’re happy with my compliments, the next you don’t. You’re quite the fickle one.”

“I just don’t like what comes out of your damn mouth. I don’t like how you’re suddenly so obedient to my words.”

Bendyke chuckled again.

“Really, human memories are impossible to believe. You have such an interesting and cute personality.”

“I’ve been curious for a while. When did you see me that you pretend to know me so well?”

“I told you before.”

“Don’t even get me started on your dreams. I can’t stand being treated like a kid. Just tell me a different lie.”

“Another lie, then.”

After a moment’s silence, he stared at Aeroc. The animosity was gone, but in its place was a sullenness. There were hints of pain and sadness. The arrogant and rude facade had been abruptly discarded, and Bendyke was now a completely different person from the one Aeroc remembered.

“I don’t want to talk about it much because it’s a painful memory. I’m just trying not to screw everything up when I’m given a second chance.”

“Then I shall apologise for the rough treatment when I kicked you out of the estate. However, the cause of that incident wasn’t me. I didn’t know you at the time, I swear.”

“I know.”

“If that’s the case, I want you to know that I sympathize with the hardships you had to go through because of that.”

“Do you know what kind of hell I’ve been through?”

When Bendyke said that, Aeroc was at a loss for words. A young alpha male with no roots in the capital must have suffered a fair amount of humiliation and disrespect until he found his feet and established himself in society. The grand party at the Rose Garden was meant to give such a young man a chance, but to be so publicly humiliated and kicked out of it, the difficulties Bendyke went through must have been substantial.

“While I don’t know the full extent of it, I understand to some point.”

“Really?”

Bendyke questioned in a surprised tone. There was an inexplicable fervor in his gaze. It was an eager look, full of great expectations.Aeroc immediately regretted his light-hearted reply.

“I shall appoint you as my lifetime financial manager. I’ll double, no, triple the salary.”

Aeroc offered quite the handsome reward to Bendyke for saving his life and for his previous humiliation. However, it seemed to be different from what Bendyke had expected. He made an awkward smile and leaned his back on the chair. It was a comfortable posture, but at the same time, it carried a deep sense of disappointment.

“Of course, I will provide teatime like today anytime you want.”

And just in case, Aeroc added a very personal reward. Just when Aeroc was about to add that Bendyke was welcome to use the Violet room whenever he needed it, a dry voice responded.

“You really know nothing.”

It was a bitter tone. Behind the masculine mask, a hint of sadness and pain flickered for a moment before disappearing behind an expression that was almost expressionless. The mask had returned. The change was so dramatic that Aeroc felt as if he had truly forgotten something. However, Aeroc had never experienced a life event of such magnitude that he would suffer from amnesia, and if he had, if he had a history with Bendyke, there was no way Hugo or Viscount Derbyshire would be quiet about it. Somehow, some way, Aeroc had to find out about this matter.

“If there’s something I’m forgetting, I hope you can explain it to me.”

That was the best answer Aeroc could offer him. Bendyke, with a pained look in his eyes, gazed at him and slowly shook his head.

“No. It’s better that you don’t know.”

“Why, because you don’t want to screw things up for a second time?”

Suddenly, Aeroc remembered what he said when they were in the bottom place. Hearing that, Bendyke’s eyes widened, as if genuinely surprised. He half rose up, looking like he was going to rush toward Aeroc at any moment.

“Do you really…… not remember anything, or are you just pretending to not remember?”

“Remember what?”

“If you actually remember it…….”

“If I remember it?”

Aeroc’s wide eyes stared at Bendyke, startled. Very slowly, the other man sat back down in his seat.

“…You wouldn’t be talking to me.”

The words, spoken so quietly, sounded more like Bendyke was muttering to himself than an answer. He shut his mouth and slipped into his own world. He cast his gloom, pained gaze into the distance again. At the end, there was a rose garden where rosebuds were blooming and, beyond that, a neglected cabin.

“Aren’t you reading a book today?”

In the awkward silence, just as Aeroc pondered how to fill the gap, Bendyke spoke first.

“I don’t feel like reading when I’m dealing with a damned man.”

“That’s too bad. How about playing the violin then?”

Aeroc only answered playfully. However, a regretful and cold voice responded.

“How did you know I play the violin as a hobby? Did you do a background check on me?”

“Aristocrats always know how to play an instrument or two. Piano or violin. I took a random guess.”

Though Bendyke provided a plausible excuse once again, the suspicion Aeroc once felt didn’t dissipate. In retrospect, it wasn’t the first time Aeroc had been suspicious. From the first encounter when Bendyke pretended to know him like a swindler and was expelled, to the days they spent together, everything seemed dubious.

“Is it Viscount Derbyshire? Or Madam Westport?”

Aeroc asked, naming his two most talkative common acquaintances. The other shrugged as if he had not the slightest idea. The way he shrugged it off, without any exaggerated response – no change of expression and no awkward laughter – confirming Aeroc’s growing certainty.

“You’re really a foul guy.”

“You always knew that.”

“You left out the ‘more than before’ part.”

As Aeroc candidly revealed his displeasure, Bendyke continued to stroke his lips with his hand, always wearing that unpleasant smile. However, his eyes still looked painfully sad. Pain tainted with sadness. Not the most fitting emotion for a soldier. Aeroc didn’t dare to face it any longer. So, using the excuse of fetching the violin, he left.

The music hall where his violin was kept was a long way from the terrace. On the way back, his embarrassment wore off and he regained his composure. Bendyke, still sitting on the terrace, continued to gaze at the rose garden without a hint of movement.

“Do you have a requested piece?”

When Aeroc asked, the corner of Bendyke’s mouth twitched upwards and he slightly shook his head. For a brief moment, his complexion noticeably paled. It seemed like he needed some rest, but Aeroc missed the chance to ask due to Bendyke’s response.

“Anything, whatever.”

“I feel like I’ve become a cheap pub musician.”

Aeroc slung his violin over his shoulder and thought for a moment. There was no need to play anything difficult. This man’s ears must have heard nothing but the sound of money jingling. But Aeroc hated easy pieces. The moderate pieces were mostly lyrical. It wasn’t very appropriate to play for an alpha male, but in retrospect, it wouldn’t hurt to play for today’s guest. After all, he had built a certain level of camaraderie with this person.

Slowly, Aeroc plucked the strings and began to move the bow. What began as a delicate, smooth tune quickly entered the realm of deep emotion after a gentle bend. It was one of Aeroc’s favourite pieces, and one that made him dream romantically of one day giving a soirée in the rose garden, and dedicating it to the lovers who would be there. It was a shame to play it in the middle of the day, especially to such an arrogant man. But whatever it was, it was appropriate as a consolation for the pain and sorrow that the man carrying deepest secrets seemed to be feeling. And a moment’s respite for the pale-faced wounded man.

Taking the opportunity, he played a continuous series of his favorite songs. Each one was a soft song with fine melodies, as they were meant for a soiree. The performance continued without any conversation until Aeroc concluded it upon discovering the other had fallen asleep..

“Are you really asleep?”

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