Into the Rose Garden Novel - Chapter 44

The afternoon of the day after the incident, he visited Bendyke and met the strict and frightening housekeeper again.
“The master is sleeping now.”
“Is the prognosis bad? Or…”
“The injury is recovering smoothly. He’s just overcome by physical and mental fatigue.”
The housekeeper, who didn’t invite him inside and stood in the doorway answering, scanned Aeroc up and down with a cold gaze.
“Who shall I say called?”
“Aeroc Teiwind.”
Aeroc took out his business card case from his inner jacket pocket. He took out a white business card, which he rarely gave to anyone, and handed it to her. He wasn’t usually one to flaunt his status to commoners. But he wanted to make it clear who he was to this rude housekeeper, who subtly showed caution, just like his employee. The housekeeper, Martha, took the business card made of the highest quality paper circulated on the continent, flipped it back and forth, and replied indifferently.
“So you’re the famous Count.”
“I thought you didn’t know, madam.”
Her attitude was so disrespectful that he naturally assumed she didn’t know. As he frowned and reacted unpleasantly, the housekeeper added, “Of course I do. It’s a name my master always has on his lips.”
“My name is Martha. Anyway, my eccentric master is not in a state to meet the Count now, so please come back another time. I will tell him you visited.”
He hastily gestured to her as she was about to unilaterally close the door. It wasn’t because he enjoyed talking to the housekeeper, Martha, who asked with her eyes if he had anything else to say. Instead, he signaled to the family carriage waiting on the street.
“Bring it.”
His accompanying employee brought a large basket. Inside the basket, decorated with flowers grown directly at the mansion, were herbal teas known for their excellent calming effects and rose jam made last year. He would have preferred to decorate it with roses, but it wasn’t rose season yet.
“I didn’t come empty-handed for a visit.”
“Thank you.”
Martha, impressed by the basket, finally showed a human smile. Anyway, both the master and the housekeeper were incredibly petty.
“I’d like to offer you tea, but I’m nursing him…”
“It’s fine. I’ll come back later.”
Aeroc briefly touched his silk hat and bid the housekeeper farewell.
The words that he wasn’t injured but merely sleeping due to excessive physical and mental fatigue bothered him. It was clearly the aftermath of an overdose of sedatives.
“What kind of medicine is it, exactly?”
He had seen him take that medicine before. He had assumed it was just for headaches. But judging by the doctor’s shock and the housekeeper’s sensitive attitude, it seemed to be more than just a headache.
What was even stranger was that he had taken only the prescribed amount and tried to go for a walk to calm his excitement. Leaving aside the fact that he went for a walk in such a dirty and complicated street, why did he need a sword? With enough sanity to arm himself bizarrely, he must have known that the slums were the worst place for a calming walk. He wondered what “walk” meant to him.
“There’s a lot to ask.”
His financial manager was excessively secretive.
“Even our first meeting was strange.”
The very beginning of his caution and aversion to Bendyke was the man’s sudden behavior. Not only did he rush at him without warning, but he also accused Aeroc of pretending not to know him. Aeroc, who frequently watched high-quality plays and operas, prided himself on his ability to distinguish between sincerity and acting. This was not a childish play attempted by dramatic people to attract attention. His eyes were utterly serious, and sincerity emanated from his expression and demeanor.
His attitude when they met again was the same. At their first meeting, he had driven him away somewhat roughly for his personal safety, but would someone usually harbor such malicious obsession for that? There had been a few people who had done strange things to Aeroc before, but none had held a grudge. Because there was nothing good to gain from incurring the hatred of Count Teiwind. Most of them, upon meeting again, apologized for their rudeness with comically submissive attitudes.
Compared to that, Bendyke was surprisingly calm and cold for someone who had committed such foolish impulsive acts. He watched him with a piercing gaze, devoid of goodwill, and was wary. It was as if he considered Aeroc a great danger. It was the pot calling the kettle black.
“I don’t know what kind of mental illness he’s suffering from.”
The carriage sped through the city center towards the mansion. The road leading to the slums flashed by outside the swaying window. Whatever he did in there, it was clearly nothing good.
Kloff Bendyke.
The ripple thrown into his peaceful life grew larger and could no longer be ignored. Whatever secrets he hid, it was time to find out.
* * *
A few days later, a report on asset management arrived as if nothing had happened. Inside, as expected, was a note with the date and time. It was even for this afternoon. He knew it would happen, but it seemed he intended to treat the dismissal notice as if it never existed after the incident in the slums.
“Insolent.”
Aeroc checked the note and put it in his study drawer. He called Hugo to inform him of the guest’s visit schedule. The neatly dressed old gentleman rarely spoke first when he saw his master.
“Is there something good happening?”
“Hmm? Why do you ask?”
“You seemed melancholic recently, but you are smiling now.”
If Hugo, known for his respectful and disciplined demeanor, said such a thing, it meant he was clearly grinning widely and unreservedly. He covered his mouth with his hand in embarrassment.
“Did I look foolish?”
“No, sir. It looks good on you.”
Hugo refrained from saying more. But a slight curve appeared on his lips, barely visible beneath his well-groomed mustache. He only made such an expression when Aeroc was doing childish things as a child. He had hardly seen it since he grew up.
“It’s because of that financial manager. He’s a very suspicious fellow. His insolent attitude is just like a court jester.”
He found himself rambling, even though there was nothing special to hide.
“Didn’t you entrust him with an important position because you trusted him?”
“I trust his ability. He’s not a vulgar swindler who would deceive me with money matters. That’s something not only I, but also Derbyshire, Westport, and even Wolflake can vouch for.”
At the mention of Wolflake, Hugo tilted his head slightly in surprise. Aeroc also shrugged.
“I find it surprising too. I think I understand where the two of them connect.”
He didn’t want to explain in detail what had happened in the slums. Hugo knew too well how to elegantly nag until the young Count surrendered and swore never to do such a thing again if he deemed it necessary. He didn’t want to add unnecessary burden to the old butler, who already had many worries.
When Aeroc informed him of the date and time of Bendyke’s visit, Hugo nodded. Even after conveying the message, Hugo did not leave. When asked why, an unexpected answer came.
“May I say something before I leave?”
“Of course. If there’s one person in the world who can say anything to me, it’s you, Hugo.”
It was a pure, unadulterated sincerity. He straightened his posture to listen attentively. The strict old butler’s eyes softened.
“It’s nothing special. I just wanted to say that it’s good to see your vitality recently, young master.”
“Ah.”
It was something Hugo could certainly say, but it was also quite sudden. Aeroc didn’t know how to react.
“Didn’t you say I looked melancholic earlier?”
“Melancholy is also an emotion one can have when alive.”
“Did I look dead until now?”
He asked, not arguing, but genuinely curious. Hugo didn’t miss Aeroc’s true intention.
“Rather, you seemed very bored. Even when you met acquaintances or visited close relatives, you always remained the same, without change, but recently you’ve been getting angry and laughing. You get lost in thought about something and then suddenly go out impulsively. You’ve become more like a young man.”
“Did I act so pathetic?”
He asked back in surprise, and Hugo apologized, “That wasn’t my intention. I apologize.”
“It’s all because of that man Bendyke.”
“So it seems.”
Aeroc stood up and paced around a bit. Then he suddenly asked Hugo.
“What do you think of him?”
“I think he’s a young man with quite good qualities, despite his humble origins. He has an excellent physique, intellect, and eyes. Although he’s somewhat rude and arrogant, that’s often the case with young alphas who know their charm. I believe he’ll improve with age.”
Though it sounded scathing at first, it was ultimately a very generous assessment.
“Do you think my association with him is right?”
“May I ask what kind of association you mean?”
“What?”
This time, Aeroc was the one who didn’t understand the question.
“I was asking if it’s an association as an employee to resolve financial matters, or as a social acquaintance. Or perhaps a more intimate association.”
The moment the answer came, Aeroc’s face burned red. Hugo, as if it were a matter of course, showed no sign of surprise. That made Aeroc even more embarrassed.
“You knew?”
“Of course. It’s your matter, young master.”
“May I ask how you knew?”
“I’ve been tidying the Violet Room myself after you’ve used it.”
He felt like hiding in a mouse hole. Aeroc couldn’t bring himself to lift his head. After his kind mother passed away at a young age, his already strict father became even more sensitive and stern. He often scolded Aeroc for being unbefitting of an heir when he was sad and missed his mother. Whenever Aeroc hid under the rose bushes his mother cherished, not caring about being pricked by thorns, it was none other than Hugo who came to find him and offered a hand. His large hands in white gloves gently soothed his aching back and the sad child’s heart. Being caught in such a matter by him was comparable to a child being caught by their parents with a messy bed. He was so embarrassed he wanted to jump out the window.
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
“Did you want me to stop you?”
His calm counter-question left Aeroc speechless. As Aeroc couldn’t answer, Hugo spoke instead.
“As you know, I have watched you since the moment you were born. I may not be worthy to replace your deceased parents, but my affection for you is sincere.”
“I know.”
“Thank you. Since I’ve already spoken out of turn, I’d like to be a little more impolite.”
After saying that, Hugo continued without waiting for Aeroc’s answer.
“If possible, I would wish for you to marry a beautiful Omega lady from a cultured noble family. But no matter what beauty you saw, no matter what excellent qualities a partner possessed, you were always indifferent, young master. Because they were not as beautiful as you, nor as outstanding as you. I, who serve you, know that even better. But that person is unique. His first appearance was also intense.”
“I thought he was completely crazy.”
“So did I. And even now, I can’t say I’m completely at ease. But one thing is clear: he makes you feel alive, young master.”
The words spoken in a quiet tone resonated like thunder in Aeroc’s ears. There was not a shred of falsehood in what Hugo said. The experienced butler was the only person who knew Aeroc better than Aeroc himself. He finally understood what Hugo wanted to convey, even speaking at length, which he usually refrained from. Aeroc rubbed his still flushed cheeks and carefully asked again.
“Do you want me to get along with him?”
“That is entirely for you to decide, young master.”
“But your opinion is very important to me, Hugo.”
“I only wish for your safety and well-being, young master.”
“And for you to stop acting like an old stick-in-the-mud and do some foolish things like your peers.”
When he added playfully, Hugo denied, “I never said that.” Instead, Aeroc approached him, hugged him lightly, and then released him.
“Thank you, Hugo. I’m very happy you told me this.”
“Not at all. I am merely grateful for your generous disposition, despite my impertinent interference.”
As Hugo, who had returned to his stiff and solemn expression, was about to leave the room, Aeroc suddenly remembered something he was curious about.
“Did you ever tell Bendyke what kind of books I like?”
“No, I did not.”
“Ah, right. I understand.”
After Hugo left, Aeroc was filled with a strange excitement. He was embarrassed that Hugo knew, but also somehow happy, or perhaps worried. The whirlpool of strange emotions kept him from staying still for a moment. He paced the room, idly touching decorations, and gazing at the paintings on the wall. He casually poked the curtains, then leaned out the window and took a deep breath of fresh air. He repeatedly opened and closed a book, only to look at Bendyke’s note in the drawer for a long time before putting it back. The experience of having a secret relationship discovered, both shameful and subtly gratifying, continued to unsettle Aeroc. He struggled to control the unfamiliar emotions, unable to get angry or laugh. Amidst it all, one thing was clear.
“From now on, anything I do will have to be outside the mansion.”
Especially, he decided never to use the Violet Room again.