Into the Rose Garden Novel - Chapter 15.3 Can’t escape

Dear Mr. Bendyke,

At this beautiful time of fresh greenery, I express my deepest gratitude for your hard work on behalf of our count’s family. I, who am enjoying comfort thanks to your sacrifice, feel deep sorrow at the deplorable fact that I cannot even offer you a fragrant cup of tea. Yet, how can I face you when I must again rely on your precious efforts? Nevertheless, I ask for your understanding of my position, as I cannot disregard the long-standing tradition of the count’s family.

In the coming early summer, hosting a night garden party in the count’s proud rose garden is a precious opportunity to fulfill the duty of carrying on the artistic heritage etched in the lineage passed down by my ancestors, as well as to provide beautiful memories to countless people, and I trust you will certainly agree.

I commend your passion, which spares no effort even on busy holidays. May you always be filled with peace.

Count Teiwind, Aeroc

Setting aside the sentences that seemed deliberately written to infuriate someone from the very beginning, the word that caught his burning dark eyes was undoubtedly ‘countless people.’ How many people did ‘countless people’ mean by the count’s standards? Surely he wasn’t planning to build an opera house in the mansion. A chilling suspicion made his hands tremble.

Then the overlapping back page fell down. On it were Aeroc’s estimated expenses and purposes. Kloff quickly scanned it, then silently stood up and put on his coat. He crumpled the letter and shoved it into his pocket, then left the office with an expression that his secretary dared not speak to.

Inside the carriage speeding towards the count’s estate, he pulled out the crumpled paper again. The cost was astronomical, as if a royal orchestra and world-renowned maestros had been invited all at once. Currently, the count’s family had declared austerity measures, dealing with unsound assets, and excessive spending was strictly forbidden until investment returns stabilized. He had clearly emphasized this several times. But this wasn’t just excessive spending; it was maniacal spending.

Kloff, whose anger was boiling over, urged the carriage, which was already speeding as if its wheels would fall off, to go faster. As soon as the carriage, which arrived twice as fast as usual, entered the count’s drive-in, he leaped out. And seeing the butler who had rushed out at the sound of the carriage, Kloff immediately shouted.

“Where is he!”

“What is the matter?”

The butler raised his monocle and asked in a stiff tone, and Kloff, even more enraged after a pause, thrust the paper with the estimated costs in front of his eyes.

“These are the costs related to this night garden party, I see. Hmm, it’s more modest than usual, but…”

“Is this modest? That’s outrageous. Anyway, it’s more than five times the limit I set. I need to see the count immediately. Or your salary will be cut starting next month.”

“My salary is given by the Count, and has nothing to do with Mr. Bendyke. However, I will guide you. The Count instructed me to do so.”

The elderly butler did not bat an eye and gave a cold reply, even in front of the sturdy alpha who looked about to explode. He nodded and turned to guide the guest, his back ramrod straight without a hint of disarray. Kloff expected to go to the study or the drawing-room, but he was puzzled when the butler headed in a different direction than usual.

“Where are we going?”

“To the music room. The Count is selecting the repertoire with the maestro and renowned musicians for the night garden party. Oh, if I may be so bold, please remember that they are the maestro and renowned musicians.”

Kloff fully understood the meaning the butler emphasized, but instead of replying, he merely frowned deeper at the word ‘maestro.’

In the count’s music room, which was the size of a small theater, many people were holding instruments and trying to harmonize their playing, so a loud cacophony could be heard from the entrance. It was so chaotic that one wouldn’t know if people were coming and going unless they paid close attention. And the butler only guided Kloff to the music room; he didn’t announce his arrival separately. It seemed like retaliation for ignoring his question earlier. That stubborn old man.

No one in the music room, chaotic with various musicians and instruments, paid attention to Kloff. No, to be precise, two clarinetists who appeared to be omegas glanced at him but then ignored him. It seemed to be because he wasn’t holding an instrument.

Aeroc stood in the center of the music room, which was lavishly decorated with murals whose age was impossible to ascertain. He was talking to a middle-aged alpha man holding a violin, not having noticed Kloff.

He usually put on a fake smile when he saw Kloff, but seeing him laughing so heartily with that alpha made Kloff’s stomach churn. Someone else had to work on a holiday and rush here, unable to meet their lover.

“Aeroc. You truly are a genius. This night’s concert will be beautiful.”

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

“I just come when I’m called.”

The alpha even lightly patted Aeroc’s shoulder.

He usually acted prim and proper, brushing off even a single leaf that fell from the sky.

Kloff grumbled inwardly, but strangely, he couldn’t approach. The count, smiling so brightly, felt somehow unfamiliar and at the same time, like someone he shouldn’t disturb. He, who only knew that instruments played simultaneously in a symphony, was clearly an intruder. He lingered for a bit, then decided to wait outside the music room. But the clarinetist who had noticed him earlier intervened unnecessarily.

“Who are you?”

The omega’s voice was loud enough for Aeroc, who was chatting merrily over there, to turn around. Suddenly, the attention of the music room was drawn to him, so Kloff had no choice but to turn around and nod a greeting.

The smile vanished from the count’s face, which had been laughing just moments before, and his usual fake smile appeared. He felt unwelcome, even though he hadn’t intended to disturb them, and his mood wasn’t good. His expression hardened further, already annoyed by the cost issue. The middle-aged alpha, who had also been looking at him, flinched and took a step back from the count.

Aeroc, with a faint smile, greeted the alpha and then walked towards Kloff. Perhaps a little displeased by the interruption, his smile seemed deeper than usual.

The gazes of the people in the suddenly quiet music room followed the golden-haired alpha, who walked as lightly as if treading on clouds. As so many people, enough to form an orchestra, looked at him, Kloff felt his skin tingle unnecessarily. But Aeroc, at the center of it all, seemed unfazed.

Since they couldn’t argue here, Kloff silently left the music room, and Aeroc followed him. As soon as they reached a small terrace not far from the music room, the count’s stiff voice came from behind.

“Did you receive what I sent?”

“I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t seen it, would I?”

A retort so cold it felt excessive even to himself burst out. He turned around to see deeper blue eyes gazing at him. His gaze was always piercing, but today it was particularly intense. His summer-sky eyes gleamed as if holding water. A slightly sweeter scent than usual wafted from his perfume with the gentle breeze.

His already bad mood plummeted instantly. It bothered him that Aeroc might have a lover, even though there was nothing strange about it. The green-dressed omega woman came to mind, and he unnecessarily tightened his grip. To hide it, he clasped his hands behind his back and looked down at Aeroc with cold eyes.

“Do you remember what was written at the end of the contract?”

“If the above terms are violated, the contract shall be immediately terminated.”

He hadn’t actually asked if he remembered, merely opened the conversation, but Aeroc answered immediately, leaving Kloff momentarily speechless before he quickly collected himself.

“It’s surprising that you remember.”

“Such short documents are mostly memorized after one reading. I wish you wouldn’t treat people like idiots just because you graduated top of your class from the Capital University.”

A short document? It was absurd to say he had memorized the contract, which filled seven pages of standard paper in standard print, after just one reading.

“The first sentence of chapter 2?”

“Duties of the investment agent. Article 1, of the contractor, wait. Are you testing me now?”

“Precisely.”

Kloff nodded like a governess checking homework, looking at the count who was frowning, showing a rare sign of displeasure. In truth, he didn’t precisely remember the first sentence of chapter 2 either. But the other person wouldn’t know that. Kloff was quite surprised to see Aeroc getting angry, suspecting that he was being tested.

Surely he’s not a genius. He seemed to be just looking at that book before. There’s no way he could have read that book so quickly…

Even while doubting, Kloff belatedly realized that Aeroc had genuinely read the book then. Was it not that he wanted to appear knowledgeable to impress him, but simply that he was smart and speed-read? What on earth was this man?

Since the maestro and musicians had already been invited, canceling the concert now wouldn’t prevent financial losses. He was usually laid-back, but he was quick-footed only when it came to things like this.

“You know you’ve exceeded the upper limit I set, right?”

“I contacted you. I sent a polite, formal letter.”

“I said consult, not notify!”

The dissatisfaction that had been building up finally erupted. He had been annoying for a whole week, and not only that, he threw this bomb and then didn’t even care if someone came, instead flirting with another alpha. Moreover, with how smart he was, why didn’t he think that the letter would make him furious and rush over? As Kloff growled and stepped closer, Aeroc, flustered, took two steps back. In an instant, he was trapped between the closed terrace glass door and Kloff. As Kloff got closer, a slightly sweet scent mingled with the cool perfume.

“Alright, back off a bit.”

Seeing Aeroc try to slip past him with his characteristic faint smile, Kloff involuntarily grabbed his arm. His blue eyes widened as never before. Embarrassment, difficulty, and fear seeped in. The corners of Aeroc’s mouth, forced into a smile, trembled slightly. At that moment, Kloff’s heart twinged. He knew well that when he got angry, he looked quite threatening. He just hadn’t thought this haughty count would be afraid. The arm in his hand was trembling slightly.

“Let go.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

At the trembling voice, Kloff snapped to attention, released his hand, and stepped back. Aeroc cradled the arm he had been holding and said softly, “Next time, I’ll consult you beforehand,” then stepped back a few paces. His intention to avoid him was clear. Somehow, his heart grew colder. He had only grabbed his arm, but the way he acted as if he had been assaulted was deeply displeasing. However, the other party was too serious to voice that complaint here.

“I’m sorry, but I’d like you to leave for today. I’m not feeling well.”

“Understood.”

He didn’t look sick at all, but he was slightly pale and wouldn’t look at him properly, so Kloff, feeling awkward, just agreed. As he opened the terrace glass door to go inside, Aeroc muttered softly, as if to be heard, “What an ignorant miser with no musical sense. And resorting to violence.”

Just as he was about to retort, feeling unfairly treated for hearing such words, Aeroc went inside through the door Kloff had opened. His hurried steps made him look like a herbivore desperately fleeing a beast, so Kloff couldn’t stop him.

After returning from the count’s estate, his mood was completely ruined that afternoon. He kept getting annoyed, and something was blocking his concentration. He made several grammatical errors he usually wouldn’t, and after staring blankly with his pen nib pressed to the paper, causing ink to bleed and ruin several important documents, Kloff finally told his secretary and left the office early.

It was quite a long walk to his house in the suburbs, but he decided to walk for a change of scenery and some exercise. When taking the carriage, it went around the main road, passing through common residential areas and shopping districts along the river, but when walking, he couldn’t take such a long detour. He had to go through an alley between the shops and pass through a somewhat dark slum. Everyone who knew he took that route frowned and advised him to take a carriage. But Kloff didn’t care much.

Having been born and raised in the quiet and secluded forest region of the north, nestled at the foot of rugged mountains, he sometimes found city life too stifling and would walk for long periods, no matter the path. The shortcut home through the back alley he was now entering was a suitable distance for walking. Occasionally, the troublemakers who picked fights were a problem, but on a day like today, he almost wished someone would pick a fight.

Kloff tightened his grip on the heavy cane he always used when walking home and soon disappeared into the darkness of the alley leading downwards.

By the time he arrived home, he was physically tired, but at least his mental fatigue had lessened somewhat. As he opened the door and entered, Martha, the maid he had recently hired, greeted him with a slightly surprised look.

“You’re home early.”

She took the coat, hat, and cane Kloff handed her.

“Did you meet another rabid dog? There’s blood on your cane.”

“Oh, right.”

“I should report it to the city hall.”

“I already reported it. I’ll go to bed early today, so Martha, please rest. I’m fine for dinner.”

Kloff said that to the middle-aged omega woman who spoke worriedly and went upstairs. He loosened his tie and took off his vest from the stairs. As soon as he entered his room, he unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt collar and tossed off his shoes. Then he collapsed onto the bed.

He roughly knew why he was in a bad mood. First, it was physical dissatisfaction, and second, it was guilt for not being able to give his lover mental fidelity. He couldn’t understand why he had to be so tormented by that alpha. When he hadn’t met him, and had forgotten about him, his life was peaceful, but as soon as he intervened, everything went wrong.

It’s all frustration. That perfume must be some kind of body scent mixed with a philanderer’s perfume. And he looks so much like Raphiel, and he’s a bit more mature than him, so I’m getting confused. It’s all because my marriage is delayed. Yes, that’s right. So stop thinking useless thoughts and propose quickly.

Kloff sprang up from the bed and rummaged through his jacket pocket, which he had thrown over there, pulling out a ring box. He lay back down on the bed, looking at the ring made of platinum and sapphire, and eventually fell asleep without even properly taking off his clothes.

In his dream, he held a very delicate omega with blonde hair and blue eyes. His belly was slightly swollen, as if pregnant. Each time the angry alpha’s penis pierced his inner wall, the omega let out a small cry, further inciting the act. When he, furiously thrusting from behind, reached his climax and ejaculated into the already pregnant body again, the omega gasped and collapsed. For some unknown reason, he was very angry, and he roughly grabbed the omega’s thin arm, which felt like it would break with just a little force, and made him lie flat on his back. He seemed to have thought the baby was being pressed.

He, watching the scene like a third party, was curious about the omega’s face and turned his gaze there. The omega, who had turned over, was so badly beaten that his face was unrecognizable. The bruises covering his body, revealed between the parted clothes, were not evidence of lovemaking, but of violence.

Through his unkempt blonde hair, unusually gleaming blue eyes looked at him.