Into The Rose Garden

It was no wonder that the Count was so eager to sign the thick contract that Klopp had presented to him after only a few days of absence. Klopp quickly grasped the hand holding the luxurious handmade fountain pen. The count looked at Klopp in surprise.

“How the hell are you so sure of me that you would blindly sign without even reading it?”

“I’m sure you wrote it well. After all, you’ve boasted several times that you’re the best in the industry.”

“That’s just my words. But you should verify it yourself. Read it!”

“Alright then, so let go of my hand. It hurts.”

Apparently, he was so agitated that he had put too much strength into his grip. The count’s hand was slightly smaller and a lot smoother than Klopp’s hand. When he released it, the count murmured in a low voice, “Your brute force is unnecessarily strong.” Klopp glared at him until his eyes hurt, but the count bowed his head and didn’t see it as he was busy examining the contract. The delicate papers were quickly turned over. Is he really reading it properly?

“Read it aloud. So I can confirm that you really read it all.”

“I’m past the age of having a tutor.”

“So prove to me that you’re really reading it.”

Klopp was close to shouting at him, so Aelock began reading the contract out loud with annoyance. He wasn’t reading in a loud voice, but in the study where there were only the two of them, it was clear and sound. Maybe it was because he had sung cultured songs before, Aelock elegantly recited the contract, filled with rigid vocabulary, as if it were a romantic poem.

While reciting the lengthy content, Klopp unknowingly got absorbed in it, as if he were listening to a beautiful aria. Even though he had written it himself, he couldn’t grasp the content at all. His cup of tea was untouched, and he gazed intently at the count, who had his beautiful golden eyelashes slightly lowered as he continued reading the contract.

“Is this fee sufficient? I think it’s lower than the previous agent.”

Oh, damn it. In the midst of experiencing a rare personal moment of being immersed in the world of artistic sensibility, with those words, Klopp was forcefully pulled back into reality, almost swearing. Half of it was directed at that pathetic Count and the other half at the previous agent who had been dismissed by the Count. As repeatedly mentioned, Klopp, who was recognized as the best in the industry, naturally demanded a fee that matched his reputation, which was three times higher than usual for this contract that required him to handle various troublesome tasks. And yet, it was lower than that of his previous agent.

That cunning little swindler. What was his name again? I think I wrote it down somewhere. If I see him again, I’ll get rid of him and make sure he never scams anyone again.

Klopp imagined how he would deal with that rotten scoundrel. While he was having wicked thoughts, Aelock, with a faint smile that involuntarily appeared on his face, signed with his graceful handwriting. Before he closed his fountain pen, Klopp handed him another copy and pointed to the places where he needed to sign again.

“There are two copies, so sign both.”

“Contracts can be quite bothersome.”

Complaining about how bothersome it was to sign just three times, the Count completed his signature and without even considering taking the copy of the documents, he abruptly got up and made an excuse about having ‘urgent matters’ to attend before leaving.

Not having enough energy to be surprised or angry anymore, Klopp personally took the copy and put it in the desk drawer in Aelock’s study. He put the key on a silver tray carried by the waiting butler.

“Where is Aelock?”

“Count Teiwind is at the Music Hall. Shall I guide you there?”

Klopp looked at the butler who put an exaggerated staccato intonation when mentioning ‘Count Teiwind’.

“Nevermind.”

That damned aristocrat with his leisure time.

He had a strong premonition that this would become very troublesome in the future. In just a short time, the intuitive expertise he had as an investor had not proven to be off the mark.

A week hadn’t even passed, and Klopp was already cursing himself for entering into this day’s contract.

What Klopp asked of Aelock was not a difficult task. It was something that even a young child could do. It was simply a matter of consulting him whenever he wanted to spend exceeding a certain amount. He thought he had given generous guidelines. Yet, he was bothered by numerous calls from the office throughout the day.

“The Count wanted to inquire if he could purchase a series of paintings by a talented young artist.”

“The Count expressed his desire to make a donation at this charity party. The amount is approximately this much.”

“The Count wants to know if he can purchase a rare first edition that will be auctioned. He also asked if you could attend the auction instead.”

“The Count wishes to participate in this pottery exhibition…”

“The Count wants to celebrate the Duke’s birthday…”

“The Count…”

Just a week had passed, and the Count’s footman had visited his office for the 53rd time. He was still processing the receipt for the substantial amount of money Aelock had used in his previous visit, now, even just hearing those footsteps alone, it made Klopp’s temples throb. The moment that person entered, Klopp almost snapped his pen holder in half.

“What is it this time? What is the Count up to now?”

“Please read this.”

The well-mannered Foothman handed Klopp a high-quality handmade envelope and performed a bow before quickly leaving. Klopp couldn’t even react.

Until now, there had been brief notes and messages, but it was the first time he received an official letter. The envelope, made of luxurious paper, had a handwriting as distinctive as the owner’s face, and it read <To Sir Bandyke>. He wondered if there was something important written inside. As he nervously opened the letter, his pen holder almost slipped from his hand.

Dear Sir Bandyke,

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your tireless efforts in serving this Count, especially during this vibrant season of lush greenery. While I, who am enjoying comfort thanks to your sacrifices, feel profound sadness for not even being able to offer you a fragrant cup of tea. Yet, in seeking support from your esteemed presence, how can I raise my head? However, I hope you understand my position, as I cannot disregard the enduring tradition of our esteemed Count’s lineage.

With the approaching early summer, in the rose garden which the Count is proud of, I’m organizing a soirée. This soirée presents a precious opportunity to carry on the artistic heritage inscribed in our aristocratic lineage and provide beautiful memories to countless individuals. Therefore, I firmly believe that you will consent.

I commend your passion, which knows no bounds even on busy holidays. May you always be filled with harmony.

Count Teiwind, Aelock

Putting aside the sentences that seemed to be written intentionally to provoke anger, the words that caught his attention in his burning, intense gaze were undoubtedly “countless individuals.” What exactly does the Count mean by “countless individuals” according to his standards? He can’t be planning to build opera seats in his house. Klopp’s hands trembled with cold suspicion.

Just then, a folded page slipped and fell beneath. It listed Aelock’s rough estimate of the expenses of the event. Glancing at it quickly, Klopp wordlessly stood up and put on his coat. Crumpling the letter and stuffing it into his pocket, he left the office with a look that left the secretary speechless.

Inside the carriage racing toward the Count’s estate, Klopp took out the crumpled paper once again. The immense cost was such that one might think the Count had invited a royal orchestra and a world-renowned maestro to play at once. Currently, the Count had declared austerity measures and strictly prohibited any overspending until his investment returns entered a stable phase. He had definitely reminded him of that several times. However, this wasn’t just excessive spending; it was lunatic consumption.

Klopp urged the rushing carriage to go even faster, even if the wheels were already about to come off. He pressed for more speed than usual. As the carriage arrived at the Count’s driveway sooner than expected, Klopp leaped out as soon as it entered the drive. And upon seeing the butler rushing out in response to the sound of the carriage, Klopp immediately shouted.

“Where is he?!”

“What is the matter, sir?”

The butler raised his one-eyes glasses and asked in a stern tone. After a pause, Klopp dangled a piece of paper with the estimated expenses in front of him.

“So it’s related to the expenses for the soirée. Hmm, it’s relatively more modest than usual.”

“Were these expenses reduced? That’s impressive. Anyway, it exceeds the amount that I laid out by more than five times. I need to meet the Count immediately. Otherwise, your salary will be reduced starting from next month.”

“My salary is determined by the Count, hence it doesn’t concern Sir Bandyke. However, allow me to guide you. The Count has given those instructions.”

Facing a rampageous alpha who seemed about to explode at any moment, the butler calmly presented his composed response without batting an eye. He turned his head and led the guest with an upright posture. Klopp felt suspicious of the place that they were heading as it was in a different direction from the study or the meeting room.

“Where are we going?”

“To the music hall. The Maestro and renowned musicians are selecting the repertoire for the soirée. With all due respect, please be mindful that the Maestro and renowned musicians are there.”

Klopp understood the meaning the butler emphasized, but he merely furrowed his brow at the mention of the ‘Maestro’.

As they approached the doors, loud dissonant sounds resonated from the Count estate’s music hall which was the size of a small theater, as if many people were playing instruments and trying to synchronize their performances. Without paying attention, one wouldn’t even be able to tell if there were people entering or leaving the place. The butler only guided Klopp to the music hall, he didn’t announce Klopp’s presence to the people in the room. It seemed like retaliation for disregarding his previous question. That rude oldie.

No one paid attention to Klopp in the music hall full of musicians and instruments. No, to put it more precisely, there were two clarinet players, who looked like Omegas, glimpsed this way but soon ignored him. It seemed because there was no instrument in his hand.

Amidst the chaotic music hall adorned with murals from indeterminable time periods, Aelock stood in the center. Unaware of Klopp’s presence, he was in conversation with a middle-aged alpha holding a violin.

Usually, when Klopp saw him, he would only put on a smile full of pretense, but now, Aelock was laughing so brightly and making sounds as if he was truly enjoying his time with the other person. The view made Klopp’s insides churn. A person couldn’t even meet his lover on holidays and came here running while at work.

“Aelock, you’re truly a genius. This musical soirée will be incredibly beautiful.”

“It’s all thanks to the Maestro’s participation.”

“You’ve invited me, so of course I should participate.”

The alpha even lightly tapped Aelock’s shoulder with his hand.

Aelock, who usually would meticulously brush away even a fallen leaf from the sky.

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