Into the Rose Garden Novel - Chapter 49.1

He began preparing to go out early in the morning. He dressed perfectly in his most suitable outdoor attire. The carriage was loaded with lavishly wrapped gifts.

“Have a good day.”

“I’ll be back late tonight, so tell the staff not to wait up for me when the time comes and to rest.”

After telling his employees not to wait for him, Aeroc boarded the carriage. Leaving behind the farewells of his butler, footmen, and servants, he passed through the garden and headed for the main gate.

The weather was bright and clear. Red roses bloomed in profusion. Today, filled with their intoxicating fragrance, was the wedding day of Wolflake and Raphiel.

The wedding venue was the charming and quaint garden of the Westport mansion. Unlike the splendid rose garden boasted by the Teiwind Count’s family, this free-spirited garden, where various flowers bloomed haphazardly in clusters, suited the Westport family’s tradition perfectly.

Originally, he was supposed to stay at the Westport mansion for the entire three-day banquet, attending banquets day and night. However, Aeroc politely declined the offer of the best accommodations. Mrs. Westport was very regretful. But after seeing Aeroc greet Raphiel with a somewhat awkward demeanor, she changed her mind and no longer insisted. Instead, strange rumors began to circulate about the newlywed couple and himself.

“Did you have a crush on my wife?”

“You’re spouting such pathetic nonsense out of nowhere. I love Raphiel, but only as a sibling.”

“That’s a relief. No matter whose rival’s blood, I wouldn’t want to defile the virgin road right before the wedding.”

“You saved my life. I sincerely thank you for your generous act.”

Aeroc responded to the groom’s earnest foolishness with a sneer. After a brief wait, Raphiel appeared in a white dress. No matter how well it suited him, he wondered if a dress was a bit much for a male Omega. But seeing Wolflake’s blank expression, he changed his mind. If he liked it, it didn’t matter what anyone else said.

The ceremony took place with the blessings of many. Unlike Mrs. Westport, who couldn’t hide her joy, Viscount Westport suddenly looked aged and teary-eyed. The reception was filled with delicious food, music, and words of blessing.

“Lord Aeroc.”

Raphiel approached Aeroc, who was enjoying champagne, and greeted him warmly. After a light kiss on his cheek, he raised his champagne glass towards Wolflake, who was glaring with a formidable gaze.

“Congratulations on your marriage. I have no intention of kissing you, so stop with that jealous look.”

Raphiel giggled at the cold joke. Wolflake’s expression quickly softened again. Who would have known that friend was so easily swayed? Aeroc inwardly clicked his tongue.

“Thank you for the wonderful gift.”

Aeroc cast a warm gaze at Raphiel.

“I should have sent the gift earlier, I apologize for bringing it now.”

“No, not at all. I’m just happy to receive it from the Count.”

“Visit my house next time. I have one more wedding gift left. But it’s a bit difficult to give it here.”

“You’re not going to play the violin, are you?”

Raphiel’s eyes sparkled. When Aeroc nodded in affirmation, he turned to Wolflake and beamed.

“You’ll allow it, won’t you?”

“You can do anything you want. You don’t need my permission.”

“Are you coming with me?”

“Of course.”

“It would be even better if you came alone, but I feel my life would be in danger if you did, so I invite both of you.”

When Aeroc added, Raphiel couldn’t hide his joy. The newlyweds were scheduled to travel alone after the reception. The trend of newlyweds traveling was gradually becoming a custom in the city. Raphiel, who had never left his parents’ side, greatly looked forward to their trip alone. After promising to visit the Count’s mansion immediately after the trip, they approached other guests.

The reception continued late into the night. Aeroc attended the dinner banquet and then greeted Viscount and Viscountess Westport. Words of well wishes were exchanged with regret. Only after promising to visit again later could he leave the Westport mansion.

***

It was just as he was entering the Teiwind mansion’s entrance, cutting through the star-filled darkness. While the gatekeeper opened the wrought-iron gate, someone approached and tapped on the carriage window. Startled, he drew back the curtain. And there, the man he had been searching for all this time appeared.

“Count.”

The peace brought by the happy wedding and a few glasses of champagne evaporated instantly. Anger filled the void.

“You damned bastard.”

A curse escaped his lips. He felt like getting out of the carriage immediately and slapping the man’s cheek. But Aeroc didn’t. He was furious at the thought of wasting even a short moment on such a man.

“Master?”

The coachman asked what to do. The main gate was already fully open.

“To the mansion.”

The carriage moved again. The man tried to follow, but the gatekeeper blocked him. The man held onto one of the iron bars, continuing to stare this way.

When the carriage stopped at the entrance, Aeroc quickly entered the house. And he threw the painting and hat boxes, which had been at the entrance all along, into the carriage. As he re-boarded the carriage, the coachman, without being told, drove the carriage back to the main gate. Before the gatekeeper could open the gate, Aeroc got out of the carriage first. He picked up the painting and one of the hat boxes, then flung them towards the man who was looking at him with expectant eyes.

Thud.

Plop.

The painting, hitting the iron bars of the gate, rolled onto the ground. The silk hat escaped its box and rolled away. Aeroc, without stopping, threw the remaining hat box. The heavy, high-quality box broke with a loud crash, and the straw hat inside fell limply to the ground.

“Take them and get lost.”

He announced with an utterly cold demeanor. Bendyke’s eyes drooped slightly.

“You don’t like them?”

“To try and repay such filthy deeds with just two hats and a painting. You treat Count Teiwind too cheaply. You irredeemable trash.”

“They’re already out of my hands, so you can throw them away or burn them yourself.”

“Is that so? You think I can’t?”

Aeroc, as he had intended, stomped on the hats in front of him. He tried to stomp on <Early Summer> too, but somehow he couldn’t. Although it was an unsightly painting given by that bastard, it was still a valuable masterpiece. It might be better to hang it in the most insignificant place rather than destroy it. Like the attic, or the food pantry.

Bendyke extended a thick envelope towards Aeroc, who was burning with rage.

“I’ve summarized all the precautions related to the businesses I’ve managed so far. I’ve chosen safe investment methods and reliable investment destinations, but frankly, I recommend that the Count withdraw from investments as much as possible and save his assets. If you simply maintain what I’ve already managed, there won’t be any financial problems unless you buy an entire art museum or hire an entire orchestra. Lastly, I came to deliver this.”

“Lastly? Who decided that?”

If anyone was to declare a break-off, it had to be him.

“There’s never a moment when you’re not arrogant. Amazing Mr. Kloff Bendyke. I’m confused, so could you tell me in detail who the nobleman is here, and who the employer is? No, that’s not it. It would be better to reveal who the bastard who played with people is, and who the madman who tried to kill someone out of his mind is.”

He hurled sharp accusations. Bendyke looked at Aeroc with a bitter expression.

“You have a silver tongue, so speak your mind.”

“It’s all my fault. I won’t make excuses.”

“Fault? You call that just a fault? You choose the word ‘fault’ over all other words like betrayal, fraud, violence, madness, attempted murder, and so on. I commend your creative word usage.”

Aeroc clapped loudly for all to see. A sharp counterattack might have come, but Bendyke showed no particular reaction. Instead, he pushed the thick envelope he had been holding under the gate.

“I’ll leave this here. I’d prefer you look at it, but that’s up to the Count’s discretion.”

Saying that, Bendyke cast his gaze elsewhere. From the direction, it seemed to be the Rose Garden. Tall trees were planted along the wall to protect privacy and act as a windbreak, so the Rose Garden wasn’t visible from here. Instead, the night breeze carried a strong floral scent.

“I’d like to see it one more time… but I don’t think I’ll be allowed.”

His regret was so overflowing, he looked almost sad. Aeroc let out a hollow laugh.

“A scoundrel like you seems to be beyond the realm of humanity. Do you think I’d be sad?”

“No.”

At his blunt reply, Aeroc felt like he would lose his temper at any moment. But he refused to be swayed by such a man any longer. The coachman and gatekeeper had already distanced themselves, watching from afar. After confirming their loyal employee’s posture of protecting their master’s privacy, Aeroc approached the iron bars. And he reached out and grabbed the other man’s collar, pulling him closer.