Into the Rose Garden Novel - Chapter 14.1 The fate flows

Viscount Derbyshire was a burly alpha aristocrat in his early 60s, a prominent figure with as much renown among the nobility as Teiwind. He had an open-hearted personality, was somewhat fond of meddling, and possessed a keen sense for investment, having more than doubled the fortune inherited from his ancestors.

Kloff’s first employer, he was very fond of the young investor whom he firmly believed he had discovered. Knowing that the marriageable Kloff was single, his characteristic meddling tendency kicked in, and he tried to connect him with a suitable omega by any means. A few times, under the pretext of business discussions, he invited Kloff to his home, making him awkwardly drink tea with unfamiliar omegas.

“Viscount, please. Stop arranging sudden matchmaking meetings. Just refusing them ruins my reputation. Besides, I’m not ready to settle down yet. This is my prime time for work.”

“You can only settle down once you find someone. As soon as the right person appears, you’ll settle down quickly. Why do we work? It’s all to build a family. Just trust me. You’ll be thanking me profusely later.”

No matter how much he pleaded, Viscount Derbyshire was unyielding. Kloff secretly sighed, watching the Viscount laugh heartily.

Then, the Viscount had to attend a distant relative’s wedding. An aristocratic wedding was akin to a giant matchmaking fair. As soon as Kloff heard the news, he tried to quickly arrange an appointment with another client, but somehow, the Viscount knew and practically kidnapped the feigning-busy Kloff, putting him in a carriage and taking him to a noble’s wedding whose face and even name he didn’t know.

“Even without a strong backing, you’re the son of an excellent noble house, so a noble spouse would be best. You’re highly capable and handsome enough to be outstanding in every way, so marrying into a suitable family that doesn’t have an alpha heir would be perfect for you. I guarantee it. You might even inherit a title!”

Even when Kloff said he wasn’t interested in a title, the Viscount retorted, “Why aren’t you interested in a title? It’s not good to be too modest, young Kloff of Bendyke.” He then swaggered among the guests as if he were about to sell Kloff off on the spot. As Viscount Derbyshire introduced him, now a handsome single alpha after shedding some of his country bumpkin ways, countless omegas showed interest.

“Hello, Lord Bendyke.”

“It’s Kloff.”

He was already exhausted from the first moment he was introduced to an unfamiliar omega, but he smiled politely and greeted them. It was more important to get acquainted with their influential parents than the omegas themselves, so he had to quietly shut up and do his best. Viscount Derbyshire, interpreting this as not entirely disinterested, dragged Kloff around, introducing him to an uncountable number of omegas. In the process, some people interested in Kloff’s abilities as an investor also appeared, leading to some good business connections. Today’s sacrifice was well worth it.

Before the day was over, Kloff was introduced to the omega son of an acquaintance who was a relative of a relative of Viscount Derbyshire’s relative’s friend, or something like that.

His name was Raphiel Westport, and he bore a striking resemblance to someone Kloff knew. He had the same blond hair and blue eyes as that ill-tempered, arrogant count, and very similar features, but Raphiel’s personality was entirely different. He was polite and cautious, choosing his words carefully. His eyes weren’t arrogant; they were pure and warm.

Kloff instantly liked him. Raphiel didn’t seem to dislike Kloff either. If he was going to be with someone similar, a naive and kind omega was much better than an ill-tempered alpha. Moreover, Raphiel’s scent was gentle, and even as a man, his somewhat petite omega body, coupled with his neat, simple yet endearing attire, made him look very lovely. Yes, if he was going to date a blond, blue-eyed person, an omega like this was much better for emotional stability and a healthy future.

Viscount Derbyshire, who seemed to have a sixth sense for Kloff’s slight interest in Raphiel, unlike his coldness towards other omegas, subtly herded the other people away. As they were suddenly left alone, Kloff felt awkward.

Even if you’re pushing for it, isn’t this too much, old man!

“The Viscount is getting ahead of himself again. He’s a bit impatient. I apologize.”

Raphiel just smiled faintly. It was a genuine smile, utterly unlike that annoying count’s.

“I heard the Viscount is very fond of Lord Bendyke.”

“It’s Kloff.”

“Please call me Raphiel.”

Since they were left alone, they slowly walked through the beautiful garden decorated for the wedding, chatting about various things, starting with the weather. It didn’t take much conversation for Kloff to realize Raphiel was a good omega. He was cultured and, above all, lacked the arrogance typical of nobles. Seeing him smile purely, without any pretense, Kloff felt his heart melt without realizing it.

“Lord Kloff, you somehow don’t feel like a stranger. I feel strangely familiar with you.”

“I think so too. It feels like we’ve known each other for a long time.”

“Really? Perhaps we met in a past life?”

Kloff returned the pretty smile that crinkled Raphiel’s eyes. But inwardly, he winced. He knew well that the familiarity Raphiel felt was not a romantic past-life connection, but rather that insufferably arrogant count he had met in the rose garden.

It wasn’t a passionate love, exactly. But there was definitely an attraction between them. Kloff seriously continued his meetings with Raphiel. Although it was somewhat early, for an alpha and omega of marriageable age to date for so long meant, by all accounts, that they were destined for marriage.

Those around them were also satisfied, saying the two looked very good together. Viscount Derbyshire, in particular, was making a fuss as if they would marry any moment. Kloff, however, felt burdened by too much gossip, so he didn’t go around boasting about their relationship. Even the Westport family, who didn’t know Kloff thoroughly yet, seemed to prefer keeping their private lives quiet until an official engagement.

However, the two grew closer, reaching a stage where they held hands, shared light hugs, and kissed. In college, Kloff had slept with many omegas, swept up in the atmosphere where students, like unbridled colts, would go to bed as soon as their eyes met, enjoying a limited period of rebellion free from parental supervision. But with Raphiel, he didn’t want to do that. It wasn’t that he lacked sexual desire; rather, because it was a truly serious relationship, he was being cautious.

Raphiel also maintained a serious attitude. Considering Kloff’s situation, where he couldn’t yet afford to hire many servants, Raphiel practiced housework himself. From Kloff’s perspective, he didn’t think Raphiel needed to do housework, but having grown up as an omega in a noble family, Raphiel seemed to naturally regard household management as his duty. He even insisted that his skills weren’t bad. Kloff would laugh sometimes when he saw Raphiel with a band-aid on his finger.

“Don’t laugh. That big fish is so hard to handle.”

“You don’t necessarily need to practice fish dishes, do you?”

“The Bendyke family has salmon dishes on special holidays, so I need to learn it too.”

Raphiel avoided his gaze, covering his bandaged finger with his other hand. His round ears were flushed, which was incredibly cute. On the one hand, seeing him injure his finger like that, someone who had probably never done anything more strenuous than washing a handkerchief his entire life, made Kloff feel so tender and sorry for him that he resolved to earn money quickly and build a proper family. He decided that once he could buy a bigger house and hire a cook, he would propose.

While working diligently, Raphiel was always present in Kloff’s imagination of a harmonious family. He felt that if he married him, they could live harmoniously forever. It might be too calm, perhaps even a little boring, but such a peaceful family was exactly what Kloff desired most. He detested cold glances and accusations exchanged between family members.

He had never seen or experienced such things, but after dreaming of a family, he already worried about something happening to his family. He was sometimes seized by a strange fear, as if he might do something, or as if sudden misfortunes would strike one after another, leading him to have nightmares he couldn’t remember and wake up in the middle of the night.

Perhaps he was still pressured by not having fully established himself. His uncharacteristic worries were surely due to growing up in a boring, quiet rural family.

He threw himself into work to establish his foundation. He cut down on sleep and focused on managing the assets of various nobles to generate profit. The more he worked, the faster his skills became known, and more nobles sought him out. As a result, his fortune steadily grew, and if things continued smoothly without major issues, he felt he could propose to Raphiel as early as next year.