Into The Rose Garden

While Klopp was sipping two cups of black tea, Aelock continued to engage in conversations with people, wearing a faint smile. The cup of tea in his hand had barely been touched and was cooling down.

The people standing right in front of the young count may not have noticed, but as Klopp continued to watch him in this direction, he could clearly sense it. Every now and then, he met his blue eyes. Each time that happened, Aelock would give a charming smile. In contrast, Klopp’s mood grew even more somber. He had been puzzled and unable to understand his feelings since earlier. At first, he wondered if he was jealous of the handsome aristocrat with his wealth and status.

Until now, Klopp had never shown much interest in others. He never felt inferior because he believed in his own abilities, regardless of his lack of wealth or status.

Just to test it out, he approached a relatively unremarkable-looking alpha who seemed wealthy and struck up a conversation. The person had shown an initial interest but quickly lost interest and threw a mocking smile at Klopp. However, Klopp didn’t feel any jealousy nor inferiority. Instead, he found himself sneering at the person who had nothing to boast about except their own family. Of course, he didn’t show it outwardly.

But it was different with the count. He was extremely displeased at the fact that Aelock was smiling amongst those people. An omega, who seemed like they could go into heat any moment, subtly stroked Aelock’s arm.

The teacup in Klopp’s hand trembled as he watched the Alpha who had been flirting with Aelock since earlier casually tap him on the shoulder. He gripped the handle tightly before the exquisitely patterned teacup could spill. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel angry as he watched the count didn’t immediately brush off their hands, only skillfully avoiding with his body. This feeling was certainly not something one should have for someone who they met for the first time. Something felt off.

His original plan to seize an opportunity here had disappeared somewhere. The whole time, Klopp wore a dissatisfied expression, full of unfulfilled frustration. It continued throughout the tea party. Restless, Klopp constantly followed Aelock with his eyes, while the easygoing count, whether aware of his feelings or not, smiled at him whenever their eyes met.

Finally, tired of dealing with people, Aelock gracefully parted the swarm of ants and sneaked his way toward Klopp. It seemed as if it happened unintentionally, but in the first place, there was no reason for him, who was the center of the social gathering, to come to this far corner. Only when Aelock was fairly close did he suddenly exchange glances with Klopp, as if he hadn’t known he was here, and greeted him again.

“Everyone is desperate.”

With a faint smile, the count approached him, while mocking the people who he had just been polite with. Although he had exchanged pleasantries with Klopp, they weren’t close enough to exchange such remarks. It was such an arrogant act from Aelock. Already irritated, Klopp gave him a quick glance and then turned to the other side, responding coldly.

“You must smell delicious to them.”

It was a grossly offensive remark, which even had Klopp surprised himself for saying that. Aelock seemed greatly shocked to be called a lecherous guy who exudes a strong scent.

Such a rude remark from a stranger would normally have made them flare up with anger. Of course, the count himself had uttered words that he shouldn’t say to a stranger, but Klopp’s remarks were on a completely different level.

Especially if they were a noble and respected aristocrat like Aelock, who was the subject of people’s adoration and flattery, the aristocrat would immediately kick the impudent speaker out of the estate. Or perhaps Aelock might slap him with that seemingly gentle hand. Klopp even wished for a fight and to be driven away. He didn’t think there was much to be gained in this place, but he couldn’t find the will to leave on his own.

However, Aelock only slightly furrowed his brow and raised the corner of his mouth a little. He must not know how to get angry as he was too much of an aristocrat, Klopp thought. But that thought was shattered immediately. Handing the now-cooled teacup to a passing butler, Aelock spoke calmly but a little quickly.

“It’s better than not being able to catch a single bug when you’re chasing for food.”

His calm and measured voice trembled slightly, but that made it sound even more arrogant. This, too, was extremely insulting, no less than Klopp’s blunt words. It was as if Aelock was sneering at him. You’re such a pathetic little bastard, there’s nothing worthy to look at. Aelock even looked Klopp up and down.

The count had smiled at him earlier, but now he was visibly angry, glaring at Klopp. Klopp didn’t back down. Although he had initiated it himself, he couldn’t help feeling extremely uncomfortable being insulted. At the same time, he found it somewhat amusing that the count, who usually wore a mask-like smile to others, was glaring at him with such vivid eyes. No, I should correct myself and say it was quite satisfying.

The two began hurling insults at each other whenever they bumped into each other, whether in the garden or inside the estate. Of course, this only happened when they were alone. When other people were present in the vicinity, Klopp would keep his mouth shut, but he wouldn’t transform into a noble aristocrat like Aelock, donning a subtle smile. It bothered him terribly, and he wanted to rip that mask off somehow.

The sight of Aelock in the garden, laughing hysterically with all those bugs, made Klopp’s stomach turn, so he decided to take a look at the Count estate’s library. When he asked whether it was fine for him to explore the library, the silver-haired butler was happy to show him around.

As renowned as its reputation, the count’s study was filled with books of exquisite quality. Most of them were humanities and philosophy books, and each one was worth a fortune. There were several books that seemed tempting to pick up and read immediately, but knowing that he would be leaving soon and not wanting to leave any regrets, Klopp refrained. Instead, he enjoyed the artwork hanging in the study.

Honestly, when it came to art, Klopp’s knowledge was not deep. To be more precise, he was still inexperienced in the fields of expensive music, art, and the arts that required a substantial amount of money to acquire relevant knowledge. These were essential to interact with the upper class, and his lack in that area even caused concern to his professors.

Yet, even in Klopp’s unknowledgeable eyes, he could see that the paintings hanging in the study were of a high caliber. Among the towering bookshelves that reached the ceiling, numerous large and small paintings were displayed. Among them, there were quite a few famous works of famous masters that even untrained eyes would recognize.

However, what caught Klopp’s eye as he explored the room was a landscape painting depicting a rural scene in early summer. With its intense color harmony, using white and bright yellow to represent dazzling light, the painting evoked a sense of tranquility as if he was looking at the scenery of his hometown.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed the artist’s signature and the year written in the corner, and it seemed that it was painted less than a year ago. It obviously looked like the work of a rookie. It seemed somewhat lacking to be hung alongside other collections, but Klopp thought that it might be a part of the ‘Tea Party in the Rose Garden’.

The quiet study’s door was suddenly flung open.

“Aelock, think about it. It’s going to be amazing.”

When he turned around, he saw Aelock and an alpha standing at the door, engaged in an argument. The slightly larger Alpha, with grease running down his face, pushed his sticky gaze onto the count. He even ran a thick hand surreptitiously down the other man’s arm. It was obvious that the other alpha had explicit sexual intentions, but Klopp was surprised at the fact that it was so openly displayed rather than concealed.

Is he insane? Despite having a somewhat fair and smooth face, there was no doubt that the count was an Alpha. But the other person continued to act obscenely and touch the count with his dirty hands.

The problem was Aelock. He merely twisted his body slightly to evade, without showing much resistance, as if he was acting naive or enjoying it. If it had been Klopp, he would have easily snapped the other’s wrist. He would be shouting profanities and kicking. However, Aelock didn’t do that. He even showed a subtle smile. Like he was enjoying it.

Klopp could only express his feelings as severely disgusted. He couldn’t understand why he had to witness such a repulsive sight of Alphas engaging in something disgusting, not even a simple romantic relationship. But even if he tried not to, he couldn’t help but see and hear everything with his own eyes and ears.

“I’m still not interested. If I ever change my mind, I’ll be sure to let you know. Right now, there’s a book I must find. If you’ll excuse me.”

After politely rejecting the other person, Aelock entered the study. The scowling Alpha gave him a wry smile that indicated he had little interest in the study and then left. Aelock closed the door, turned around, and with a rather displeased expression, then walked with a slightly forceful stride, before spotting Klopp. He seemed surprised and froze just like before.

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