Chapter 78 : 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐳𝐞
✦ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟕𝟖 ✦
❝𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐳𝐞❞
⟪𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓, 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒈𝒂𝒛𝒆, 𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒔.⟫
𓆩⟡𓆪───────𖤐───────𓆩⟡𓆪
Edward’s eyes followed the direction of my fingertip, landing upon the part of the garden where the soil looked disrupted. For a fleeting second, his expression hardened.
“It’s likely a remnant of recent planting. The preparations were rushed due to the sudden ball.”
His voice, though controlled, carried a faint edge of unease.
In that moment, an image of Frederick Müller surfaced in my mind—his shadowed face, his subdued demeanor, and that curious chemical scent clinging to him.
“Ah… but really, it’s almost imperceptible unless one looks closely. I suppose I just have sharp eyes.”
I quickly added the last part. I wasn’t sure how things were run here, but my instincts warned me. If anything happened, Frederick might be blamed… and I didn’t want that.
“If anything, it sounds like you’re ready to make Mr. Müller a scapegoat.”
To my surprise, Edward’s face twisted in confusion.
“Frederick? Why would I do that? He’s my most loyal gardener. Do you truly believe I’d punish him over something so trivial?”
“…Are you certain?”
I frowned slightly.
“Do I seem like a tyrant who mistreats his people?” he asked, almost incredulously.
No… I hadn’t seen him act cruelly. But the image I had of Edward Windsor whispered otherwise.
“If that’s not the case… then I’m relieved.”
My eyes drifted again to the disturbed patch. Just as I was about to take another step toward it, Edward subtly moved, stretching his leg across the path—as if to block my approach.
“No need to examine every flaw. Do you really think I’d scold Frederick over something like this?”
“Who is this Frederick, that you defend him so passionately?”
A new voice cut in, deep and familiar.
I turned—and found Johannes approaching. His hand settled on my shoulder with a weight that wasn’t forceful, but undeniably possessive.
“Is something troubling you, Ma’am? Who is this man you’re so concerned about?”
His tone was gentle, but his eyes were like still water concealing the depth below.
It was obvious now: Johannes had come in search of me, likely after noticing I hadn’t returned with the others. And Edward… Edward had mentioned Frederick’s name too often—perhaps intentionally. Was it all to provoke this very moment?
“Yes, he’s His Highness’s gardener,” I answered. “I was merely worried I’d caused trouble for him by pointing out the garden’s condition.”
“…And why would you concern yourself with the gardener’s punishment?”
The pressure of Johannes’s hand increased ever so slightly.
This is because you told me to show Edward what we mean to each other… but still—wasn’t this too much?
I forced a smile, raising an eyebrow at him. “It was a careless remark. I believe it’s time we head back.”
Edward, who had been watching us silently, turned away—his expression unreadable.
𓆩⟡𓆪───────✦───────𓆩⟡𓆪
The first ball at Heibenstein Castle had ended in apparent triumph.
The noble guests seemed pleased, not just by the grandeur of the hall, but by the subtle, intricate plays of power and performance they had witnessed.
Old Mrs. Russell had claimed she hated everything—but she also remarked there was some benefit to be gained. She promised to visit me soon to settle her “debt,” then departed by carriage.
Johannes and I soon followed suit, climbing into our own carriage bound for Castle Evanstein.
Yet, even as we settled into the plush seats, I could feel it—that lingering tension radiating from him.
A piercing gaze bored into me.
To avoid it, I turned my face to the window, feigning interest in the darkness beyond.
But Johannes broke the silence.
“I wonder,” he said slowly, “what thought makes you worry about another man… while sitting beside your husband?”
My head snapped toward him.
“If you’re concerned about Prince Edward growing suspicious of us, don’t be. My concern for the gardener was innocent. He didn’t find it strange.”
“…How do you even know Windsor’s gardener?”
“Oh, we crossed paths earlier. Just a brief chat—”
“That doesn’t explain why you’d worry about a man you’ve just met.”
He was right.
Why did I care?
Most people wouldn’t spare a second thought. But something about Frederick Müller lingered in the mind. Maybe it was that unsettling chemical scent. It stirred up memories… of things long buried.
Fertilizer, they called it…
“Does your silence mean you agree?”
Johannes’s voice broke into my thoughts, quiet but sharp.
“No! I didn’t mean anything by it. I just… kept thinking.”
He let out a scoff of disbelief. “That’s worse. Thinking about him without reason? What was it—love at first sight?”
“Hardly! I have standards, you know. Mr. Müller isn’t my type.”
His gaze narrowed, and his next question caught me off guard.
“Then what is your type?”
Was he… joking?
But the air between us felt different. Somehow warmer. Closer.
“…Tall. Broad shoulders. Handsome, if possible. Polite.”
I was halfway through my list when I heard Johannes chuckle.
What’s so funny…?
I shot him a glare—only to realize, with horror, that I’d just described him.
My face turned crimson.
And then he asked, smoothly, “Was that a confession? Should I take it as one?”
His piercing blue eyes refused to let mine escape.
“No. What confession? That’s just… my external ideal. It doesn’t mean I have feelings for you.”
“I’ve been wondering something for a while.”
“…What is it?”
Johannes leaned in, closing the distance.
I instinctively leaned back, but the confines of the carriage left me nowhere to go.
“Why do you keep insisting that you don’t have feelings for me? Honestly… it’s starting to sting. Am I really that unbearable?”
His voice was low, unguarded.
“…Even if I did think that, how could I say it to you?”
“You probably despise me for dragging you into a marriage you never wanted.”
“That’s not it!” I said quickly. “Like I told you before—it was my decision. Please don’t say that again.”
“…You’ve changed,” he murmured. “You didn’t used to speak like this.”
I fell silent.
He had noticed.
Ever since I remembered my previous life, my personality had shifted. I couldn’t bow so easily, not when I remembered a time and place where things had been different.
Afraid he’d think me strange, I lightly pushed his shoulder.
“Either way, we’re here for business. Mixing in personal feelings would only blur everything.”
“So you mean,” he said slowly, “that we have a business relationship?”
I nodded, thankful my ears were hidden by my hair, now burning red.
He leaned back with a sigh, arms crossed. “There will probably be an article tomorrow.”
“…About what?”
“About you receiving Eden Blanc. Followed by speculation that the royal family is restoring the Shultz family’s influence… especially their right to manage financial affairs.”
“…Then the public might turn on us again.”
Johannes gave a small tilt of his chin.
“That may be. But you couldn’t have refused. Had you rejected the flower, the nobles might’ve turned their backs on you.”
I lowered my gaze. “I didn’t mean it as an excuse.”
“I wasn’t criticizing you.”
His voice was calm. And then, almost to himself, he murmured:
“I liked hearing it… the word we.”
𓆩⟡𓆪───────✦───────𓆩⟡𓆪
And just as Johannes had predicted—
The next morning, the papers burst with headlines:
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘚𝘩𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘻 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺? Eden Blanc Gift Sparks Controversy!”
“𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵? Royal Favor Despite Missing Funds?”
𓆩⟡𓆪───────✦ 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝… ✦───────𓆩⟡𓆪
aliceyriz
for the sake of—i also want romance, but dont disturb her thinking!! ouch my anger. i really feels like eating sweet potatoes when reading this novel. frustating but cant stop!😩