Into the Rose Garden Novel - Chapter 27.7 - Side story 2 : My Noble Resistance Against Taichi, the Rude, Illegal Occupier - By Lennox Elhime Bendiwind

Leaving the tailor, who was happy to receive so many orders at once, we immediately left the shop. And we also stopped by a nearby shoe shop. This time, after ordering two pairs each, we immediately headed to a hat shop. I wasn’t an adult yet, so I couldn’t wear a top hat. If I could at least enter university, I could wear it right away, but for now, it was a pie in the sky. If I wore that, I’d look taller.
Instead, Eurea ordered two wide-brimmed hats that matched the color of the dress she had just ordered, and Mother carefully looked at a hat that was a bit too big for her to wear and ordered one.
“I’d like it delivered to the mansion by early next week.”
“Yes. Understood, Countess.”
Mother, who had ordered all the necessary items in one go, took us out of the shop. Then we got into the slowly following carriage and left the quiet luxury shopping street, heading this time to a place filled with delicious pastry shops. As soon as we arrived, we debated which pastry shop to go to. Mother smiled and said we could visit any place we liked.
“Over there, they sell both ice cream and pastries. Let’s go there, brother!”
“Where? Oh, found it!”
We ran, making sure Mother was following behind. The owner of the pastry shop was a middle-aged Omega woman. She looked a little younger than Martha, and a sweet pastry scent emanated from her.
“Welcome. What can I get for you?”
“Chocolate ice cream! Strawberry ice cream too!”
“Me too. Hot chocolate please!”
We said that as soon as we sat at an empty table, and Mother, who took his seat next, smiled and ordered black tea.
“If you eat so many sweet things, your teeth will rot.”
“But you’ll let us off today, right?”
“Instead, you two shouldn’t boast to Kloff that you bought new clothes, alright?”
“Yes!”
We exchanged glances and giggled as if conspiring a crime. While eating sweet ice cream and hot chocolate, Mother ordered a couple more cakes, and we freely enjoyed the good fortune of filling our stomachs with snacks instead of a meal.
Even after eating our fill, there was still time left. Mother pondered for a moment and then murmured to himself, “It’s not too late yet, so we could go to the art museum.” Eurea and I, who didn’t want to go back quickly, nodded in unison for once.
“Won’t Jester cry?”
“He’ll be eating well and sleeping well.”
“That’s right, Mother. Jester is a good baby.”
“Then shall we?”
Buoyed by the enthusiastic agreement of her accomplices, Mother, casting aside his slight worries, took us both to the Royal Art Museum near the palace. Unlike when we went to the pastry shop earlier, Mother was the most excited person in the carriage.
“There’s a famous painter’s exhibition happening now. Do you remember the landscape painting hanging in the study?”
“I know. The one that sparkles and Father likes the most, right?”
“Yes. That painter is coming. I hope we can meet him today.”
Mother hummed a tune, seemingly very happy. We, of course, were very excited just about secretly going out to play.
In front of the art museum, Mother gave us strict instructions. Since children didn’t usually come, he urged us to be quiet, not to shout, not to run, and to behave properly so as not to draw attention. Eurea, who was unmatched in her ability to feign innocence and modesty, and I also knew well what proper behavior was in a place where the Count’s dignity was at stake. We walked lightly, with our heads held high and shoulders straight.
The museum attendant respectfully greeted Mother and bowed to us, who followed behind him. Eurea and I politely bowed and followed Mother into the museum.
There were quite a few people inside the museum. He must have been a famous artist, as he seemed quite popular. Most of the paintings on display were landscapes. Although I had been repeatedly confirmed through various channels that I had no talent for art, it was still pathetic not to have an eye for artworks, so I followed Mother and appreciated the paintings.
Unlike Mother, who was an adult, Eurea and I had to stand a few steps back to see the high-hanging paintings at a glance. I really disliked it, but in this case, I was Eurea’s guardian, so I held her hand. Having always been strictly educated, Eurea naturally took my hand. Mother seemed to really like one painting and looked at it for a long time. The Royal Art Museum was not open to just anyone, and there were attendants everywhere, so there seemed to be no fear of getting lost. We soon left to see other paintings.
Besides landscapes, there were many portraits, still lifes, and bizarre paintings. Eurea and I had a small argument about which paintings we liked and which we thought were strange, and we walked all the way around the large museum, but Mother was still standing in front of that painting. And next to him stood an Alpha I had never seen before.
At first, I just thought he was someone mother knew. The Count’s family had many guests, and I couldn’t remember all of them. Since Mother was talking to someone else, we didn’t want to disturb him, so we went back to look at a painting a little distance away, having a small dispute about whether I could draw something like that or not.
“You can never draw that, big brother?”
“Neither can you. You mushroom spore producer.”
“Did you just curse? I’m telling Mom.”
“That’s not a curse, is it? You single-celled organism?”
“That was definitely a curse just now. I remember Dad telling me not to call you that before.”
Oh no. I’ll get scolded if I use that. I quickly grabbed Eurea, who was shaking my hand off and trying to go to Mother.
“Mom!”
I quickly covered her mouth to stop her from shouting and warned, “Shhh, this is an art museum.” Fortunately, Mother wasn’t looking our way.
“Ugh!”
Eurea pointed with her hand. I saw it too.
Mother was talking to the Alpha standing next to her, seemingly very happy, and the Alpha naturally placed his hand on Mother’s shoulder. Whether he noticed or not, he stepped back to look at the painting, causing his hand to fall off, but the Alpha soon closed the distance and lightly placed his hand on Mother’s back. That’s my Mom! Where are you putting your hand?!
Eurea and I glared, our eyes burning, and quickly ran over.
“Fa… Father! Isn’t it late now?”
“Mo… Mom must be waiting at home. The youngest will be waiting too.”
While Eurea grabbed Mother’s hand and led him towards the door, I squeezed in between him and Mother.
“You two. What is this rude behavior all of a sudden?”
Although I flinched at Mother’s scolding, I didn’t back down. I glared at the Alpha with a very hostile gaze. He was an ugly, utterly pathetic fellow who looked like a total nerd and was even scrawny. If the Demon King were to come, he wouldn’t even be a match for a single punch, so I couldn’t understand what he was relying on to dare to flirt with Count Teiwind.
“I apologize, Mr. Bulti. These are my children.”
“Ah, I heard the Count has three children. Hello, I am Bulti.”
“Bulti?”
“Lennox, how rude!”
Mother scolded me, so I quickly apologized. I understood why Mother looked so happy. Bulti was the very painter holding the exhibition. This was a big problem. Mother, who had infinite affection for art, had completely lowered her guard just because he was a painter he liked. He didn’t stop his utterly rude hand from brushing his shoulder and touching his arm. I was desperate. Should I just sit down and cry? I exchanged quick glances with Eurea.
“I’m sleepy. I want to go home.”
Eurea, who used her childish whims freely, stepped forward.
“Suddenly?”
“Yes, I want to sleep. I’m sleepy.”
Rubbing her eyes, Eurea squatted down and buried her head in her knees. Good job, my sister! That’s how you do it.
“This is difficult.”
Mother laughed awkwardly, then lightly bowed to Bulti. And he picked up Eurea, who was squatting, and held her. Although I envied Eurea for being held by Mother despite being all grown up, I endured it because it was Eurea who could be held by Mother. I grabbed Mother’s jacket hem and quickly followed her out. Looking back, that fellow Bulti looked at us with regret. Serves him right.
As soon as we arrived at the mansion and changed into our indoor clothes, he arrived home. I quickly ran out.
“Father!”
“Oh, Lennox. What’s wrong with you? Greeting me so warmly.”
“Why are you so late?”
“Hmm? I think I came a little earlier than usual.”
The Demon King said that as he handed his hat to the butler. I was about to tell him what had happened earlier, but Mother appeared and greeted him, so I didn’t get the chance. When he asked if everything was alright, Mother said nothing had happened. Gasp, Mother lied. Something had happened. And it was something that would make the Demon King throw a huge fit if he knew. Mother lightly kissed his returned husband and then subtly glanced at me. How could this be? He was even giving me a look. This was not a simple matter. Mother was intentionally trying to hide it.
Why, why? Has he come to dislike him because the Demon King tormented him?
While I stood there dazed and shocked, Eurea appeared and hugged the foolish Demon King, who was oblivious and only happy. And Mother silently took me to the dining room for dinner. That day, even though there were many of my favorite dishes, I couldn’t tell if they were going into my mouth or my nose.
Ah. A family crisis. Why did such a thing happen?
Even with the Demon King’s surveillance, Mother was acting incomprehensibly. First, as soon as the Demon King went out, he put Jester to sleep early and then, making various excuses, ventured out alone. Hugo and Martha, completely unaware of what had happened during the last outing, simply thought Mother was feeling stifled or bored. But I was different.
Considering his sticky gaze and utterly insolent hand movements, I couldn’t just sit idly in my room watching Jester strain himself. I immediately rushed out.
“Mother! Jester needs his diaper changed!”
“I can hear you without shouting.”
Mother came over from the next room, where he had been looking at Eurea’s drawing. He skillfully changed Jester’s diaper, then held him in his arms, patted him, and even gave him his bottle. My younger brother, who had relieved himself and eaten, would soon fall asleep. Then Mother’s outing would begin. This time, I had to get ahead of him.
“Please supervise my studies this afternoon.”
“I’m sorry. I have an appointment and need to go out.”
What appointment? I desperately clung to him. When I endlessly rattled on about what a loser I would become in life if I didn’t finish all my studies today, based on Kloff Bendyke’s educational philosophy, Mother’s expression darkened, and he placed both hands on my shoulders.
“Not being able to memorize twenty spellings today won’t make you wander the slums. Never, never! So don’t say such things again.”
It was the first time Mother had given me such a stern look and tone, so I was startled, and tears welled up instantly. Soon, I was embraced in a warm hug, but my startled heart didn’t calm down.
“You don’t need to worry so much about your studies. You will become a Count in the future, and even if you don’t graduate from university, no one can look down on you. So don’t worry, my beloved son.”
“Yes, Mother.”
When I answered with an unwittingly choked voice, Mother then kissed my forehead and smiled.
“Shall we go out together today, to get revenge on that bad Viscount who tormented you with such homework?”
“Yes!”
It wasn’t what I intended, but I had achieved what I wanted most, so it was fine. Eurea, who was dozing off and trying to follow along even though she was sleepy, was appeased with chocolate cake and strawberry rolls as gifts.
Contrary to my expectations, Mother first went to the tailor’s shop where he had ordered clothes before for a fitting. I also had a fitting, but since Eurea, who was growing like a pig, was to have hers made a bit generously, it was decided to complete it without a fitting. We also stopped by the shoe store and picked up the completed hats. The owner, who confirmed the pink hat with pretty flowers, packed it in a pink box of the same color as the hat.
“Eurea will like it.”
We stopped by the pastry shop and bought chocolate cake, strawberry rolls, and also some less sweet pastries. Only the Demon King liked those. Normally, I would have tried to ruin those pastries in some way, but today I decided to let it go. And I thought we would go home, but the carriage, at some point, headed to the art museum again.
“You must not be rude like last time.”
After giving firm instructions, Mother took my hand and entered. It was a bit early, so the quiet art museum indeed had that fellow Bulti.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Hello, Mr. Bulti.”
Mother, who showed a bright smile he had never shown to anyone outside the family, took his hand. I wanted to swat his hand away immediately, but Mother was holding my hand tightly, so I couldn’t get close enough. I fumed and glared at him. Of course, without Mother noticing. I didn’t know why he was flirting with the Count, who was known as an Alpha, but even if he knew he was an Omega, I couldn’t tolerate such insolent behavior when his son was standing there with wide-open eyes.
I deliberately pleaded to see other paintings, and Mother, though frowning, followed, but he also followed. The two talked about art very deeply and very happily. Then the conversation drifted in a strange direction.
“Is the Count a bachelor?”
No. He has two sons and one daughter. His perfectly healthy spouse is alive and well, with wide-open eyes. Just as I was about to shout something, Mother got ahead of me.
“For now, I don’t have a wife.”
“Ah, is that so?”
Bulti glanced at me and smiled. This fellow. He’s a successful painter, but slow to catch up on high society rumors. To be happy at the news that Count Teiwind doesn’t have a wife. Hasn’t he heard that even if he doesn’t have a wife, he has a husband?
“I’ve always painted only landscapes in the countryside, but coming to the city, I’m completely overwhelmed.”
“It’s noisy and crowded, I suppose. But the city has its own charm.”
“Yes, it certainly seems so.”
Bulti stared at Mother and blushed. Mother was one of the great charms of this city, but he didn’t need to like her.
“I haven’t painted portraits, but recently, I’ve suddenly become interested.”
“Oh, that’s interesting. Have you found a good subject?”
“Yes. Probably.”
Surely that’s not our Mother. But from the looks of it, the possibility was slim. He was a rustic country painter, so it was natural for him to be completely smitten by someone as beautiful and sophisticated as Mother. Normally, I wouldn’t have worried much. Many people were attracted to Mother, but most of them couldn’t even become friends. Mother had his own standards. But not now. To be honest, I started to worry that the Demon King’s position might be shaken.
Lennox Teiwind’s only rival is the Demon King Kloff Bendyke! I can’t let him be taken by such a foolish fellow!
He seemed on the verge of asking Mother to be his painting model, and if it were a nude painting, there would be bloodshed. I decided to summon the Demon King at this point.
“Father, I’ll be right back from the restroom.”
“Do you know where it is?”
“Am I a child? I’ll be right back.”
Leaving Mother and him, who seemed somewhat pleased, behind, I pretended to go to the restroom and then went to the museum attendant. There, I borrowed paper and a pen and wrote a letter. Then I went outside the museum and had the coachman, who was waiting, deliver it quickly to the royal palace, saying it was an urgent message from Count Teiwind to Viscount Bendyke.
After the carriage, kicking up dust, disappeared into the distance, I re-entered the museum. Mother and Bulti, who had somehow sat side by side on chairs arranged in a corner of the museum, were having a serious conversation at a very intimate distance.
“The Count’s aesthetic sense is astonishing.”
“Hahaha, it’s not that much to praise.”
The atmosphere was utterly harmonious. Just a moment ago, I would have squeezed in between them, even if it meant getting scolded, to deal with him myself. But not now.
I slowly looked around the paintings, waiting for time to pass quickly.
Just as I was starting to get bored, Mother stood up first.
“Time has already passed so much.”
“Is that so?”
Mother shook hands with Bulti, seemingly regretful. Looking at the time, it seemed he intended to return before the Demon King’s arrival time. Oh no, this is problematic. What is this moose doing, not running here with those long legs? Should I welcome them parting ways here, or should I lament that I couldn’t nip it in the bud? While I was undecided, the museum entrance suddenly stirred. Oh! Finally!