Into The Rose Garden

“Do you think that the Count had a heartbreak or something?”

Klopp almost blurted out the champagne he was drinking.

“W-What do you mean?”

“Otherwise, how could he play such a performance?”

“No way. There’s no way the Count would experience something like that. He’s so arrogant that I don’t think he could love someone enough to feel that way.”

At that, Rayfiel’s eyes narrowed at Klopp, as if he had been opposed to.

“Everyone is capable of love. I’m sure the Count has someone he loves. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to play such a melody. I know you’re not into music, Sir Klopp, but still, you shouldn’t talk about someone like that.”

“Is that so?”

He was surprised to see Rayfiel, who always obediently listened to others, was expressing anger and defending someone. In astonishment, he easily agreed to him. As he did so, Rayfiel, who had been lecturing while wagging his finger, suddenly felt embarrassed and lowered his finger, saying, “I got a bit carried away.” and apologized.

“No need to apologize. It was true that I was in the wrong.”

“If you say that again…”

The blond omega raised his head and was about to say something while looking at Klopp, but he immediately shut his mouth. Following his gaze, Klopp turned his head and understood the reason. The sorrowful expression that had captivated people’s attention just a moment ago had disappeared, replaced by the usual artificial smile as Aelock approached them.

“Hello, Rayfiel.”

“Hello, Count.”

Klopp thought Aelock would at least look his way, but he only greeted Rayfiel. Rayfiel was at a loss for words and clasped his hands together, like an overjoyed girl meeting her idol.

“How was my performance? Did you like it?”

“It was incredibly beautiful. It felt like a heavenly melody.”

“You’re flattering me. I’m not that skilled.”

“Oh no, even though I don’t have much experience, your performance was truly moving. Thank you for inviting me here today.”

Rayfiel showered him with praise. It was genuine admiration, not flattery, but as Klopp listened, finding him cute, somewhat amusing, and a little embarrassing, he let out a fake cough. Then Aelock, as if he hadn’t noticed Klopp’s presence until now, looked at him with a slightly surprised expression, like he was seeing him for the first time. His fair face was adorned with a deeper smile than before.

“And how did you feel hearing my play? Do you agree with your lover’s words?”

“I may not have a deep understanding of music to be qualified to judge, but even to my untrained ears, it was an excellent performance. It would be enough to sell yourself as a performer. At an expensive price that compensates for today’s loss.”

Upon hearing those words, both Rayfiel and Aelock furrowed their brows and stared at Klopp intently. Looking at them up close, although they were clearly different in size and atmosphere, but they were both blond and blue-eyed, which made it somewhat overwhelming.

“A penny-pincher who only cares about money.”

“I would normally take your side, but you went too far just now.”

“…”

He was at a loss for words.

After a brief greeting, Aelock soon went to greet the other guests as the host of the concert. The people who had been waiting eagerly welcomed him with bright expressions. Watching him, Klopp pondered how he could sell him at an exorbitant price to compensate for the excess expenses. Perhaps it would be good to focus on theater orchestras notorious for severe exploitation and poor finances, which would teach him the importance of labor and the need to save money. He would understand more about expenses after he has eaten some soggy bread there. Meanwhile, Rayfiel grabbed his sleeve.

“There don’t seem to be many people around.”

Now that he looked, there were quite a few empty seats scattered around the tables. The concert had just begun, so it was unlikely that they had already left. It was probably because it was an emotionally overwhelming concert, and alpha-omega pairs, who had paired up early, had slipped away into the quiet darkness around them. Klopp had a hunch why Rayfiel said that. He slipped a hand around Rayfiel’s waist and escorted him out of the crowded garden.

“You two seem to hit off well.”

With a hint of laughter in Rayfiel’s words, Klopp responded with a displeased expression, “At which part?”

“You’ve been talking so comfortably with the Count. I’ve never seen anyone talk to him so casually.”

“Don’t you two have great conversations together too?”

“That’s not the case. Recently, I’ve been receiving frequent invitations, but the Count is a man of many secrets.”

“Hm, really?”

Earlier, Aelock referred to Klopp as Rayfiel’s lover. He acted as if he knew everything, even with the seating arrangement. Gossip among the aristocrats spread quickly, and there had been indirect mentions of their relationship, so it’s possible that people knew about them. However, it was strange for Aelock to be so considerate. Considering their usual bickerings, it would have been more normal for Aelock to play a mischievous prank or make a snide remark. But today, Aelock didn’t say anything at all. The seating arrangement for only Klopp and Rayfiel, the terribly sad music, and the mournful expression on his face were all unexpected.

-Do you think that the Count had a heartbreak or something?

Rayfiel’s words from earlier suddenly came to mind. Then, Klopp looked down at the pretty Omega walking beside him. A chill ran down his spine. It can’t be true, right, Aelock?

For some reason, he felt extremely anxious, to the point of being deeply restless. He had a strong sense that something troublesome would happen if he didn’t propose to Rayfiel immediately.

Feeling desperate, Klopp tried his best to find a suitable place. Near the estate house, where numerous servants were busy attending to dozens of guests, was not an ideal location. Moreover, Rayfiel wanted to be in the rose garden.

There might have been a suitable spot in a dimly lit area where the lamplight didn’t reach, but for some reason, every nook and cranny was occupied by people unnoticeably. Occasionally, even embarrassing sounds could be heard in the dark shadows due to the wind. Klopp quickly moved away, blocking Rayfiel’s ears with both hands and avoiding those spots. Damn them all. Why are they causing a commotion and mating in someone else’s house?

“There doesn’t seem to be anyone over there.”

Klopp followed where Rayfiel pointed. And there, two shimmering silver eyes were gleaming in the darkness, lurking like a wolf in search of prey.

“This place is just like a wolf den. Let’s go back.”

Klopp grabbed Rayfiel and led him away. After a while, when he was starting to get irritated, he finally found a small empty space. It had a dimly lit lamp that cast an indirect glow, and next to it, a beautiful arch of climbing roses adorned the area. It was a very lovely spot, with a faint scent of roses adding to its perfection. After setting Rayfiel, who looked like he belonged there, under the arch of roses, then, with a slightly trembling chest, Klopp let go of Rayfiel’s hand that he had been holding, while brushing away the nervousness.

“Rayfiel Westport.”

Calling his full name in a soft and muffled voice, Klopp saw Rayfiel raise his hands together to his chest in a visibly tense manner, then he dropped them and answered shyly.

“Yes, Klopp Bandyke.”

His blonde hair shimmered in the full moon. Rayfiel couldn’t even raise his head and kept his gaze slightly lowered, his fingertips trembling slightly, and the sight of them made Klopp’s already pounding heart race even harder. Perhaps, the heart in that small chest was feeling the same way too.

He should kneel down and propose immediately, but when it came down to it, it wasn’t an easy task. Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of self-doubt and inexplicable guilt engulfed him. He even felt terrified. He felt burdened by the responsibility of turning someone else’s precious child into his own. But he couldn’t back down here. He would only make himself look ridiculous and, above all, he would hurt Rayfiel.

The shimmering blue eyes looking in this direction were not solely due to the faint lighting. Klopp smiled at the person looking at him and took out a box from his pocket. Upon seeing the velvet box, Rayfiel let out a small gasp of surprise. At the same time, Klopp took a deep breath and knelt down on one knee in front of the person he would spend his lifetime with. And then, when he opened the ring box.

Suddenly, there was a rustling sound from the corner, followed by two people hastily locking lips and stumbling toward them. They were completely absorbed in each other and paid no attention to this side. Klopp, who had just knelt down, couldn’t avoid the oncoming individuals. The intruders ended up tripping over him in a grand fashion. Klopp found himself underneath the two of them. As a result, the ring box he was holding flew somewhere in the commotion.

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