Chapter 54: 55

No, I didn’t think I could be so cold-hearted… But upon reflection, his words might be right.

Even at the time of our marriage, they never discussed it openly in front of us, but the vassals must have talked amongst themselves about Hisch and I.

However, I didn’t pay much attention to it, thinking that it was something I wouldn’t hear once I left the capital anyway.

And even now, if I were to go to the territory, the situation would be similar to back then.

‘Since it’s a marriage between families, we could have proceeded with the marriage as planned and let the man you like meet you privately….’

No, but I couldn’t tolerate their contemptuous attitude that simply defined Hisch as just a ‘mere man.’

“……”

“… Do as your heart desires. When we broke off the engagement with Firenze, we received a substantial settlement. What they’re doing is nothing more than throwing a tantrum.”

Temporarily breaking the silence, as if to liven up the atmosphere, Lewis spoke up.

“… And Liddell, I forgot to mention this. Before attending the event to demonstrate your husband’s… abilities, the two of you should attend a small party at the Count’s estate.”

“A party…?”

Suddenly, I felt a sense of unease. Why do nobles always gather and indulge in such extravagance without a care in the world?

In response to my words, Lewis nodded.

“Well, otherwise, are you just going to attend the hearing like a criminal and then leave? Especially at times like this, you should show composure.”

It was a suggestion to maintain a light image, as if we were not forcibly summoned but rather casually visiting the capital and also attending the hearing as if there’s nothing truly suspicious. It made sense, but…

I nodded but then paused. Attending a party wasn’t a big deal for me, but the problem was that there was another companion accompanying me on this particular trip.

In particular, an innocent man who, if left alone in social circles, would end up completely isolated and trapped like a beehive.

“… I wonder if Hisch has appropriate clothes for the party.”

As I mentioned my reluctance to attend the party with Hisch, Lewis chuckled as if it were out of the question.

“Don’t worry about dancing, Liddell.”

“… But my husband is a fantastic dancer?”

I shouted out of frustration, but it was a sad pretense of untrustworthiness that neither myself speaking nor Lewis listening could believe.

・❥・

Returning to the annex, I searched for Hisch but only received the maid’s response that he had briefly left the room.

‘He must have wanted to take a short walk in the garden…’

Since we had come all the way to the capital, it would be nice to indulge ourselves in delicious food without hesitation and explore various places.

Perhaps because of what had just happened, I felt uneasy knowing that Hisch seemed deliberately living quietly, so as not to cause unnecessary commotion.

As I wandered through the garden, connecting the Duke’s main residence and the annex, in search of him, I suddenly realized that this garden was the very place where Hisch and I had first met.

To think that we would become a couple and come here together, starting from the place where we first met.

I chuckled at the idea of fate or whatever, but somehow that thought eased my previously unsettled mood a little.

Seeing how such trivial thoughts brought me comfort, it seems that I have deeply fallen with Hisch. 

Quietly chuckling to myself, I moved my steps and soon spotted a swaying tuft of black hair in a corner of the garden. 

Wanting to startle him, I approached stealthily, but I hesitated and held my breath as I witnessed his actions in that moment. 

Hisch was sitting in front of withered plants, just like that day we first met. The sight of him overlapped with that initial encounter, making me wonder if he was perhaps crying again. 

However, the side of his face visible to me appeared remarkably indifferent, unlike that day. 

He wore an expression devoid of warmth, intensely focused but with an icy and merciless gaze.

As his hand gently touched the leaves, the plants gradually withered. It was as if time was fast-forwarding, to the point where it could be visibly confirmed with the naked eye.

… Could it be that he is conducting some kind of experiment related to his abilities?

Well, it’s possible. With the help of Sein, Hisch is no longer afraid to explore his own power. It’s undoubtedly a positive sign for him.

But why does he wear such a cold expression? As if his touch, which seems to treat everything as worthless, deeply touched my heart, and before I knew it, I was calling out his name loudly.

“Hisch!”

Startled by my call, the man stood up and turned to me with a surprised expression.

And the sight I just witnessed was like an illusion, as he looked at me with a melting, soft smile, as if all coldness had vanished.

“Liddell, is the meeting over?”

I had originally vowed to complain and express my grievances to Hisch.

But his indifferent appearance just now, as if it was just an insignificant scene, somehow shocked me to the point where I simply smiled and stumbled over my words.

“What are you doing here?”

“Ah…”

He briefly glanced at the plants he had touched before lowering his gaze and speaking.

“I’m just… feeling a little off…”

“… Hmm, I see.”

Discomfort started to grow. Although I had only caught a glimpse from a distance, it was clear that Hisch was the one who caused the plants to wither.

Is he hiding it from me now?

Why? Is there a reason for him to do so?

… Does he still think I will fear his ability?

“You don’t look very well.”

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I observed Hisch’s reaction as I retorted without any meaning behind my words. He nodded in response to what I said and once again looked at the plants, speaking as if it was nothing significant.

“It would be better to uproot them.”

“……”

His voice, speaking so ruthlessly, made me, who had been excitedly talking about this place being the location of our first meeting just moments ago, felt foolish.

… No, more precisely, what should I call it?

A sense of disharmony…

So, this was purely an impulsive response to control the turbulence in my heart.

“No. Tomorrow I’ll call the gardener… Ah, right. I should ask them to transfer it to a new pot. Let me try nurturing them.”

Upon hearing my words, Hisch widened his eyes and looked at me.

“Liddell?”

“Yeah, it’s not dead yet, right? It can be saved.”

As I asked, the man nodded but looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Did you happen to like this flower? If so, I could prepare some cuttings or seeds for you…”

There’s no need to bother taking care of something that’s dying like this.

As if those words were going to continue, I silently looked at Hisch for a moment, then slowly shook my head.

“… No. I think it’s fine just like this.”

It was an impulsive action that seemed so foolish. In reality, there might not be a need to attach such significance to it.

It was just a plant.

Just an insignificant thing that could be easily uprooted or replanted. Something ordinary that I wouldn’t pay much attention to, passing by and saying, “Oh, it looks pretty.”

But the man before me, whom I had once met in this very place, was someone who could shed tears even for the withering of a flower.

“……”

Yet, as he continued to gaze at me with unwavering tenderness in his eyes, I couldn’t help but question the significance of having such thoughts in the first place.

It was a peculiar thing. What does it matter? It’s just a trivial matter.

Nevertheless, I wanted to cherish it. Yes, I decided to think that way.

Because the memories of when I first met Hisch were so precious to me. Because I found his crying face that day endearing, and so I gave meaning to insignificant things, to things like that.

With a smile, I soon said to him.

“I need your help. I’ve never grown a sprout from a seed before.”

In response to my words, Hisch smiled slightly and said.

“… Of course. If you want to.”

And perhaps, with that answer alone, it might have been enough.

・❥・

A few days later, a rumor, disguised as an official announcement, spread throughout the fashion circles of the entire capital. 

It was about the search for a designer to create a party costume for the son-in-law of the Duke of Catlan, which had once been the hot topic of gossip in high society circles.

Upon hearing the news, the majority of people responded with, ‘As expected, he was a ponce [1] ,’ and snorted in disdain.

Even the most renowned designers in the capital, who were considered the trendsetters, had a similar reaction.

“He expects us to go to him and personally take measurements? As if we’re not already busy enough.”

“And we have to make the costume and deliver it first? If we don’t get chosen, all our efforts will be wasted. It’s just throwing away fabric.”

Just as someone asked who would take on such an order, the person who spread the gossip continued in a whisper.

“But you know, if the costume is predetermined, they said the other party would pay a significant amount…”

After hearing that story, everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief as they looked at each other, questioning if it was really true. Even the person who spread the story swallowed nervously and nodded his head.

We have our pride too!

… But to refuse such a large sum of money was too difficult.

・❥・

I sat leaning slightly forward, reaching out with my hand to touch the plant with my fingertips. Despite pouring all the recommended fertilizers based on various people’s advice, the leaves still felt withered at my touch.

I had never really taken care of plants before, especially considering how busy my life was. Even if I had tried to grow them, I probably wouldn’t have taken good care of them.

I wasn’t the type of person who meticulously observed and took care of things that couldn’t even speak.

But somehow, as I kept looking at it, I started to develop affection for it.

Hisch had mentioned that it was a plant that would bloom flowers when the time came, although it wasn’t the time yet.

If I continue to take care of it well, perhaps someday it will reward me by showing its blossoming buds, almost like a compensation.

Just then, I heard the sound of the curtain being drawn, and I turned my head. 

And there was Hisch, who had been chosen as today’s dress-up doll, looking at me with a tired expression.

“Liddell…”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his almost choked-up voice.

“Have you decided on the outfit you like?”

1. A man living off another’s earnings, especially a woman’s.

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