IMMSFL Chapter 29

Chapter 29

 

 

 

Ebony wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about romance either, but she had never heard of a gentleman carrying his lover out of a carriage as an act of courtesy.

She simply stared at the man in front of her. 

Taking it as a signal that she wanted an explanation, Diego spoke up.

“I just didn’t want your shoes to get dirty in the mud.”

Her gaze shifted to the path they had walked. She noticed the large footprints left behind in the muddy ground. 

Diego’s expensive shoes were covered in dirt, completely ruined.

In contrast, Ebony’s dress and shoes remained perfectly clean.

She understood the reasoning behind his actions, but it still felt like an excessive gesture. Not that she had any way of stopping him.

Diego’s unusual way of thinking continued to show.

“I heard that gifts are a good way to express affection.”

“…Gifts?”

What he said made sense—gifts were often used as a way to show love.

However, after experiencing his extreme sense of “consideration” earlier, Ebony felt a bit uneasy. 

She had a feeling this wouldn’t be an ordinary gift.

“Flowers should be enough.”

Contrary to her worries, the gift seemed normal.

The flower shop they visited was just an ordinary place. Relieved, Ebony stepped inside, only for Diego to casually declare:

“I’d like to buy this store.”

Ebony was completely taken aback. He sounded as if he was about to sign the contract right then and there.

She hurriedly stopped him.

“Your Grace, you just said… flowers, didn’t you?”

“Yes. Flowers.”

“But this is a flower shop!”

Honestly, it would’ve been less shocking if he had just bought every flower in the store instead.

Though he eventually gave up after seeing Ebony’s distressed expression, it was clear he still didn’t understand why she was so opposed to the idea.

“If the value of a gift reflects the depth of one’s feelings, wouldn’t giving the most expensive thing be the best choice?”

Having been practically kicked out of the shop, Diego muttered his complaint. He couldn’t understand why buying flowers was fine, but buying the entire shop wasn’t.

Ebony finally realized—Diego Magnus simply thought differently from ordinary people. 

His way of handling things always came down to wealth or brute force.

“Flowers have a different meaning compared to other gifts,” she explained.

“How so?”

“Unlike jewelry or dresses, flowers are meant to show sincerity.”

He still didn’t look convinced. To him, a price tag was a price tag, whether it was on a flower or a gem.

“I mean… It’s like seeing a beautiful flower and thinking of someone, so you buy it for them.”

“Then why can’t I buy the whole shop if I thought of you?”

“That would be… a bit overwhelming.”

“This is too complicated.”

She gave up.

Two clueless people trying to understand romance—it was a hopeless case.

Ebony thought it was pointless to even try teaching him about these things. 

Their fake relationship only required them to act like a loving couple in public or front of Irene.

Just as she was about to suggest heading back home, Diego suddenly disappeared for a moment.

When he returned, he was holding a small bouquet of golden-yellow freesias.

“I bought these because they reminded me of your hair.”

“…”

“I hope you like them.”

She unconsciously accepted the bouquet and glanced at the flowers.

The bright yellow blossoms were gathered together beautifully, radiating warmth.

Hearing that he had bought them because they reminded him of her hair made her strangely embarrassed.

Was it the strong floral scent? Or the way he looked at her?

Her heart, which had been calm all day, suddenly began to race.

“Th-thank you,” she mumbled.

A slow smile spread across Diego’s face as if he had just solved a difficult puzzle.

“So this is how it’s done.”

Their next stop was a well-known restaurant near the duke’s estate, a place Ebony had visited a few times before.

Diego pulled out a chair for her, then stepped away, saying he had something to discuss with the manager.

When he returned, he began ordering food—expensive course meals, additional dishes, and more.

The amount of food seemed excessive for just the two of them.

“…You have a big appetite, don’t you?”

Considering his large and muscular build, it wasn’t too surprising that he needed to eat more than most.

“It’s all for you.”

“…For me?”

All this food was meant for her.

Do I look like someone who eats a lot?

She suddenly remembered how she had stuffed herself with desserts during their first meeting, out of sheer nerves. And even the second time they met, she had eaten quite a bit while talking.

“Seeing your arm… It makes me think the Dominique family must have even restricted your meals.”

Ebony glanced at her thin wrist, feeling a bit self-conscious.

He wasn’t entirely wrong.

Herman often used food as a means to torment her, deliberately serving dishes she was allergic to. 

Mealtimes had always been unpleasant for her, so she had developed the habit of eating just enough to avoid hunger.

“I don’t know if I can eat all of this, but… I’ll enjoy it.”

When the food arrived, a waiter informed them that there wasn’t enough space on their two-person table. 

They were then moved to a larger table—an eight-person one.

Ebony found it strange.

This restaurant was famous for always being crowded, yet today, they seemed to be the only customers.

Curious, she whispered, “Your Grace, doesn’t this seem a bit odd?”

“Is the food not to your liking?”

“No, the food is great. But isn’t it strange that we’re the only ones here?”

“I see.”

His face remained completely indifferent.

The lack of reaction made her suspicious.

“…Just to confirm, you didn’t rent out the whole restaurant, did you?”

Diego paused for a brief moment. 

Then, without hesitation, he denied it.

“Of course not.”

“Oh, good. That’s a relief.”

Just as Ebony sighed in relief, she failed to notice the subtle tension in Diego’s posture.

“…Yes. A relief,” he echoed.

Not long after, other customers finally started entering the restaurant. Ebony happily concluded that they had simply been very lucky with timing.

After dinner, the sun had begun to set.

Diego checked his watch and mentioned that their carriage would arrive soon. While waiting, they took a walk in the park.

Near a fountain, they decided to rest for a moment.

As Ebony prepared to sit down, Diego suddenly stopped her.

He took off his expensive coat and spread it on the seat before gesturing for her to sit.

‘His coat is probably worth more than my entire dress…’

It felt awkward to sit on something so luxurious, but she also didn’t want to reject his chivalry.

So, obeying his silent command, she sat down.

Her fingers fidgeted slightly in discomfort. She wasn’t used to such kindness.

The men in her past—Philip, Herman, and Edward—had never treated her this way.

Ironically, the first man to show her true gentlemanly manners was the one person she’d least expected—Diego Magnus.