Into the Rose Garden Novel - Chapter 27.4 - Side story 2 : My Noble Resistance Against Taichi, the Rude, Illegal Occupier - By Lennox Elhime Bendiwind

Upon entering the house, Lord, who had shaken hands respectfully with him, took off his jacket and began to help carry the picnic set Martha had prepared. Martha only accompanied us to the villa. She liked to pack lunchboxes and other items, then relax inside the house for the rest of the time. The picnic spot wasn’t far from the villa. The weather was also very clear, and everyone felt stuffy in the carriage, so we decided to walk.
Jester was carried by either Mother or Uncle Raphiel, and the two adult Alphas each carried a heavy picnic basket. I was in charge of the mats. Suu and Eurea, who were the oldest by birth, only had to walk lightly because they were Omegas. Even though I was a brilliant Alpha, I was still too burdened to carry two mats, so I handed one to the twins. It was half-dragging, though.
“Wow, it’s always a beautiful place.”
Uncle Raphiel just handed Jester to Mother and looked around at the scenery. This was the site of a very old, ruined castle. Now covered in fresh grass, it formed gentle hills, making the climb a bit difficult, but once you reached the highest point, you could see our villa, scattered brick buildings, forests, and roads in the distance, offering a good view. I also liked climbing up here. Because I felt like I was flying when I spread my arms and closed my eyes, as if I were tall and a cool breeze blew.
“Lennox, what are you doing there? Bring the mats.”
“Yes, Father.”
Just as I was cultivating my sensibility, he, who always interfered, interrupted again. But I smiled indifferently and carried the mats.
We quickly spread out the mats, and the picnic baskets were opened. Martha’s skill was amazing; nothing was missing from those baskets.
“That’s why it was heavy.”
“This is heavy?”
“…”
Hoo, today the Demon King struck first. Whatever else, he was known for his stamina. He could work all day with almost no sleep and never get sick, even having enough strength left to torment Mother at night. Compared to him, Lord looked a bit frail. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s weak. It just means a moose and a wolf are different weight classes.
Time passed as we walked, and we started to feel hungry. Regardless of how it was at home, when we went on a picnic, everything was up to him and Lord. The two of them began to take out plates, cups, and other food and drinks, setting them on the mats.
“What is this?”
“Sandwiches. No need to unwrap them. It’s better if everyone just holds and eats them.”
“Corkscrew?”
“It’s in there. Why don’t you find the fork and knife first?”
“Don’t order me around, civil servant.”
“Then try to be useful, unemployed.”
Leaving the fight between the moose and the wolf behind, Mother and Uncle Raphiel took Jester for a walk, and Eurea dragged Suu, who kept trying to come this way, to see a rabbit over there. I was going down the other side of the hill, and the twins, who had been following me, reacted to the mention of a rabbit and then ran off in that direction.
Thank you, Eurea. May you rest in peace.
“Kyaa! Don’t kill the rabbit!”
“Mom, I caught a rabbit!”
Blonde Silas stood up, holding a ball of fur. For that rabbit to be caught by those rascals, it must have already given up on life for some reason. Curious about what kind of life it had lived to come to such a decision, I quickly went over there.
Silas wanted to hold the rabbit by himself, and beside him, Atlas was nagging to hold it too. Behind them, Eurea was angrily telling them to let it go quickly, and Suu looked like he was about to cry, not knowing what to do. I, too, was a little curious about the foolish rabbit caught by Silas, so I looked at it closely.
Meanwhile, Suu kept whimpering, “Let the rabbit go. Its family will be waiting,” but the twins, descendants of violent carnivores, seemed to have no intention of doing so. They tightly gripped the captured creature, pulling its ears, hands, and feet. The rabbit even let out a squeak.
“Brother, my rabbit.”
Silas proudly held it out. I sighed, looking at Eurea, who was angrily saying, “Let it go!” from the side, and Suu, who was now genuinely about to cry. If Suu cried here, it would be troublesome again. I sighed deeply and said,
“That’s not a rabbit.”
“Huh? It’s not a rabbit?”
“That’s a mouse.”
“What?”
“A mouse. The land here is so vast that mice grow that big.”
“Ugh! No way!”
The blonde Alpha brat held out the rabbit to his dark-haired twin brother, and the latter, who had just been nagging to hold it himself, recoiled in disgust. Silas was flustered and eventually held it out to me. Then both of them ran off, yelling, “Ugh, I hate mice! They’re dirty!” I took the rabbit, walked a few steps, and then threw it into the grass. The startled rabbit flustered and then ran away.
“Was that really a mouse?”
Eurea, turning pale, asked belatedly, and I was about to lie and say yes, but then I saw Suu and changed my mind. It would be really troublesome if he fainted.
“I lied. That was a rabbit.”
“Oh, good.”
Suu wiped away his tears with the back of his hand and smiled. Even though he was an Omega, he was weaker and cried more easily than Eurea, who was a year younger. His eyes, nose, and mouth were all exact replicas of Uncle Raphiel’s, only his hair was black. Honestly, he was cute, but Eurea was cute too, so no matter how I thought about it, he was nothing more than a nuisance.
“Lennox, Eurea, bring Suu and the twins.”
Mother’s voice called from afar. I was already hungry, so I quickly headed that way. Eurea walked holding Suu’s hand, and after a few steps, Suu, who was nearby, took my hand. I looked back and saw Suu, his cheeks as red as the ribbons in his hair, smiling shyly.
“Suu, what do you like about our brother?”
“He’s, he’s cool.”
“Ew, what’s cool about that weirdo?”
Although my sister’s words were annoying, my ultimate question had been understood, so I pretended not to hear. But Suu, not thinking so, softly said, “Lennox isn’t weird. He’s smart and kind.”
“Where is he?”
“Where am I?”
At the siblings’ simultaneous questions, Suu hesitated and couldn’t answer until the end.
“He is indeed intelligent, but he’s not kind. I did what I had to do due to some kind of threat, no, a contract.”
“It’s a lie that he’s smart. You said he wrote ‘salmon’ as ‘salmun’? Martha told me everything.”
Just as I thought, they’re in cahoots. To tell Eurea that too. I can’t forgive you, Martha. When I get home, I’ll tell Hugo everything. Yet, Suu kept shaking his head. And he really looked at me with sparkling blue eyes. Honestly, I think his eyes are pretty. As blue as Eurea’s, no, as blue as Mother’s. Uncle Raphiel and Mother were distant relatives, so it wasn’t strange.
As we neared where our parents were, I tried to shake off Suu’s hand, but he clung to me like a burr, impossible to detach. The twins, who had already settled down before the three of us appeared, didn’t matter, but when the gazes of the other four adults focused on us, honestly, I felt a sense of crisis.
“Oh, Suu. You succeeded today.”
Uncle Raphiel laughed joyfully. Lord, sitting next to him, glared at me as if to kill me with his gleaming silver eyes, yet he subtly curved his lips. It was clear that he was very displeased with me getting close to Suu. Still, he seemed happy that Suu was acknowledged. I hated that so much that I wanted to push away Suu’s hand, but since I couldn’t make Lord a complete enemy when my greatest foe was present, I smiled politely.
“I didn’t know Lennox and Suu got along so well.”
“Of course, our Suu is pretty.”
At Lord’s words, he chuckled. I’m very grateful that he spoke my mind. At moments like these, there’s no one like my genetic provider.
“I hear you’ve been diligently working on some secret research lately. Surely it’s not research on romance, is it? Like writing something to Suu. It’s a bit early for that.”
You damn Demon King. I wanted to extract all your genes from my body! The moment those words fell, Suu’s small mouth couldn’t close, and he turned to me, his eyes sparkling.
“No, it’s not! I’m absolutely not writing it for a crybaby like you! It’s research on the ecology of the monstrous moose.”
“Oh, sorry.”
When I snapped, Suu immediately lowered his head and whimpered. At that moment, everyone else’s gaze fixed on me. Even Mother, who was readjusting Jester in her arms, looked at me disapprovingly. The other two adults aside, seeing Lord’s trembling eyes and mouth, I felt like I would have to nail my own coffin lid shut soon. Damn it. Is my life ending with a single mistake? Without even saving Mother?
“Lennox, what kind of language is that? Apologize to Suu.”
At Mother’s cold words, I looked at Suu in a panic. Suu was already whimpering, the surrounding reaction was completely cold, and even Eurea treated me like some kind of demon, saying, “He’s really mean.” Even then, Suu didn’t let go of my hand.
“Lennox has a private life too. It’s a misunderstanding. Instead, he’ll probably write a card for Suu’s upcoming birthday. Right?”
Uncle Raphiel stepped in and saved me in exchange for a card. Since I could write a card, I quickly nodded.
“See, Suu. Lennox says he’ll write you a card.”
“…Really?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s a promise.”
Since I intended to keep what I had already promised, I hooked my finger around the pinky Suu extended. At that, the culprit of all this, he, showed an inexplicable pride, saying, “Just as I thought, my son.” Then Lord’s lips twitched.
Three kinds of sandwiches, grilled chicken, salad and fruit, and an enormous amount of cookies and pies. Martha packed everything she could. After eating my fill and drinking the sweet and sour juice, I felt full and a little sleepy.
The adults, who had roughly cleared the dishes and were drinking tea, soon paired off and scattered. I somehow ended up holding Jester and staying put. Eurea was being chased by the twins, screaming and running everywhere. I seriously considered swapping Jester for those twins but decided against it. I don’t particularly like noise.
Suu, who had been by my side ever since we started eating lunch, was still sitting next to me. His gaze, which seemed to truly like me, was burdensome, so I deliberately looked away. I sat Jester on my lap and held his hand, then suddenly asked,
“Why do you wear a skirt even though you’re a boy?”
“Huh? Isn’t it pretty?”
“It’s more strange than pretty.”
At that, Suu suddenly looked like he was about to cry again. I quickly checked if Lord was around. He was over there with Uncle Raphiel. It was a safe enough distance.
“You said it was pretty before.”
“That was when I thought you were a girl.”
Suu’s face slowly distorted.
“You said you liked Omegas in skirts when we looked at the picture book together recently.”
“Recently? Oh, way back then. That’s because she was a girl Omega. Besides, that protagonist is a princess, and you’re not.”
“But… but… Grandpa and Grandma, and Daddy said I was cute.”
Suu clutched his skirt, not knowing what to do.
“They’re the kind of people who would say you’re cute even if you were covered in soot.”
“You don’t like me wearing a skirt?”
“It’s not that I particularly dislike it. But I don’t like it either. It’s just strange.”
The expression that had brightened when I said I didn’t dislike it immediately turned sullen. Suu crumpled his skirt for a long time without saying anything.
“If I wear pants instead of a skirt, will you like me more?”
It would be more accurate to say I’d be less reluctant, not that I’d like him more, but there was no need to specify. It would be troublesome if he cried.
“Yes.”
At that, Suu chuckled softly.
A long time passed, and I, feeling sleepy, gently put Jester, whose head was already drooping, back into his baby basket, then lay down beside him. Suu lay on the opposite side of the baby basket and looked my way.
Why did Suu like me? Of course, I am a handsome, intelligent, high-status, and well-mannered Alpha, but I couldn’t be swayed by love yet. I intended to sacrifice minor things for the greater cause I had to achieve. Moreover, although Suu was cute, the phenomenon Mother once spoke of, where the world loses its color and recedes, and only that one person stands out in full color, never happened with Suu. Regrettably, Suu was not my destined partner. Someday, Suu would realize that too. For now, I decided to bury it. Because I was very sleepy.
“All three of them are sleeping.”
“Oh dear.”
I heard Mother’s and his voices near my ears. They were sitting not far away. I wanted to open my eyes, but I simply couldn’t. Even in my fading consciousness, I tried to stay alert, worrying about what he might do to Mother.
“I really didn’t know Suu liked Lennox.”
“Raphiel said he started liking him after they spent summer vacation together last year.”
“That brat is fine if he just keeps his mouth shut, but I don’t think he’s old enough for an Omega to follow him yet.”
“Lennox is popular. Raphiel of Derbyshire likes Lennox too.”
“Really? Is he four years old already? Kids these days are fast.”
“It’s natural, as he’s the heir of Teiwind. I also had many Omegas following me when I was young.”
“As if.”
He chuckled. And then there was a sound of something wet sticking and detaching. I also heard Mother’s small snort.
“Speaking of Omegas, you know. Do you remember that Omega woman in a green dress, with red lipstick and very large breasts?”
“Hmm? Who dares emphasize another Omega’s breast size in front of his spouse?”
“It wasn’t me, it was the Omega you brought to the banquet.”
“Me? I don’t remember.”
“Don’t deny it. You have a good memory. What was your relationship with that woman?”
“Don’t you think it’s too late to interrogate me about that now?”
“My spouse’s past will always be a problem. There’s no statute of limitations until we break up.”
“It doesn’t matter if you break up?”
“Of course. But we won’t break up before I die, so don’t twist your words.”
With that, the mat shifted slightly. Mother’s voice came from a slightly lower place. A suppressed laugh, as if muffled by something heavy, escaped.
“Well. What kind of relationship could it be? As I said, I was very popular. I’m a handsome and wealthy nobleman, you see.”
“So, you’re not saying there was something that would make me have to go look for that woman, are you?”
“Always saying things like that. It’s because you lack confidence in yourself that everything is like that.”
“Hahahaha. Was crying yesterday not enough? You cried, saying you felt like you were going to die.”
“Please, can’t you impress me with something other than your body?”
“No. I always use my head, and I don’t want to use my head when I’m with my spouse.”
“Try a little harder. Or you’ll regret it later.”
“Is that a threat?”
“If you think so, thank you…”
Mother’s words were cut off. Following that, smacking sounds were heard. A low laugh was heard, and something brushing also. Mother, who had sounded angry in words, soon let out a small laugh and playfully chided, “It tickles.”
“Someone else is coming, so stop. Later tonight.”
“There’s no night. I’m an Alpha who was shocked and angered by my beloved spouse’s past, so I’ll be sleeping in my room.”
“Tomorrow’s a holiday?”
“Since it’s a holiday, I’ll spend all night researching the other ways of impressing you that you emphasized.”
“Are you really just going to sleep?”
“Yes. I’m tired these days.”
“You never said that.”
“Everything has a beginning.”
“Surely…”
“Surely what?”
“No. It’s fine if you don’t. Just come to my room. I have a spouse, I don’t want to sleep alone.”
“I said no.”
“Why are you suddenly like this?”
“I’m angry.”
At his words, Mother’s voice trembled slightly.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, Eurea’s coming. Eurea!”
No matter what Mother said, he just said what he wanted and seemed to move to find his subordinate, as his voice calling Eurea grew fainter.
“Bad man. A very, very bad man. I don’t even remember that woman’s name anymore.”
Mother’s cursing voice trembled slightly. I felt very sorry for my hurt mother, but I inwardly rejoiced at getting a little closer to his true nature that way. Yes, Mother. That Kloff Bendyke is a very, very bad man. I even laughed in my sleep.
I had completely fallen asleep, and when I opened my eyes, Suu, who was already awake, was somehow lying right next to me, smiling brightly. I was startled and jumped up.
“Are you awake? It’s about time we head back. Will you help me pack up?”
“Yes.”
While Father arranged the dishes and put them in the basket, I began to roll up the mat. Suu also rolled it up next to me. Feeling awkward, I looked away for no reason, and my eyes met with Lord, who was tidying things up over there.
Since we slept together, take responsibility now. Or I’ll bury you alive.
I could clearly read Lord’s lips, slowly and distinctly speaking each word. At the mention of being buried alive, a shiver ran down my spine. I remembered being kidnapped by Lord before and going to a cabbage field at night. There, I had been horrified to see the heads of people, buried alive among the cabbages, bulging out of the ground.
‘Your head is small, so I’ll plant you in a turnip field,’ Lord’s chilling voice, whispering that, was still vivid. Ah. Is this really the end? Will my fate end in a turnip field? Uwaaaah!
“Lennox, let’s fold the mat quickly.”
“Yes, Father. Almost done.”
I smiled brightly and diligently folded the mat.
On the way home, Eurea fell asleep, perhaps tired. Father held Eurea, and Mother held Jester, so Uncle Raphiel carried the empty, light basket. Lord carried the mat along with another basket, and I had to hold Suu’s hand and walk to the villa instead.
“Can’t we sleep over?”
Suu grabbed Lord, who was about to leave, and pleaded. I looked at Lord desperately. If he sleeps over, Suu might really sneak into my bed. I don’t want to make it a fait accompli. Please, Lord.
“We didn’t prepare to sleep over, and tomorrow your maternal grandfather is coming home. We need to go back quickly.”
“Hee-ing.”
Suu started to cling to Lord’s leg and whine. Then Lord’s body stiffened, and his expression turned serious.
“Daddy. Hee-ing. Suu wants to sleep here today.”
Lord, seeing Suu shrugging his shoulders slightly and pleading, couldn’t say anything, and then Uncle Raphiel intervened, lightly slapping Suu’s forehead.
“Where’s that coquetry? No means no. We have to go back today.”
When he spoke firmly, Suu drooped his shoulders and nodded.
“Yes, Mom.”
“I almost gave in.”
“You’re too weak when it comes to Suu.”
Lord couldn’t say anything to Uncle Raphiel’s light scolding.
After putting Jester and Eurea to bed, my parents and I saw off the Marquis Wolfrake family as they departed. After exchanging brief greetings, Suu suddenly rushed at me as I stood at the entrance waiting for the carriage. Then he pressed his lips firmly against my surprised ones. H-huh!
“You have to come to my birthday. It’s a promise.”
“Ca… ca… card.”
“I’ll send an invitation card. Well then, goodbye.”
Suu quickly waved and ran back to his parents. Lord’s eyes glinted sharply, but fortunately, my parents were standing behind me now. At this moment, the large Demon King was reassuring.
“Goodbye, see you again.”
“Go carefully, Raphiel.”
“Alright.”
“…”
Lord nodded lightly, and the Demon King raised his hand in greeting.
“Brother! Let’s play again next time!”
“Me too!”
As the twins enthusiastically waved, Suu also poked his head out the window and said, “Goodbye, Lennox.” While I waved back in a daze, the carriage departed.
“Ah, it’s quiet now. I’ll be in the study.”
“…Okay.”