Noticing that Letticia’s expression had slightly shifted to a hint of doubt, Ezkhiel hurriedly added,
“There are many ways to create harmony. While botanical gardens might benefit from a more organized style, a residence’s garden should reflect the owner’s personal taste.”
“That’s exactly what my mother told my father.”
In truth, her mother had complained, asking if he intended to turn the garden into a botanical park. But since the sentiment was nearly identical, Letticia burst into laughter. She found Ezkhiel’s nervous attempt to smooth things over utterly endearing.
“Well, they agreed to plant it the way my father wants in the fall, so it’s fine. But more importantly, are you managing okay with your workload?”
Letticia casually threw out the question she had meant to ask earlier but had forgotten in the excitement of seeing him. Ezkhiel smiled brightly as he answered.
“Yes, I’ve finally wrapped up my recent tasks. I even managed to get a good night’s sleep.”
As he said, his pale complexion had returned to a healthy hue, and the dark circles under his eyes were gone.
However, remembering the unexpected complications that had arisen last time, Letticia couldn’t shake off the possibility of new work coming his way.
“Really? You’re sure the Crown Prince hasn’t cooked up another scheme that’ll have you working sleepless nights again?”
“It’ll really be fine. Compared to other times of the year, this season’s workload is relatively light. Besides, His Highness even told me I’ve worked hard and granted me permission to take a vacation.”
Hearing the word ‘vacation,’ Letticia finally felt reassured. If someone granted a vacation were called back to work, they wouldn’t be human.
If Judith’s petition to the Emperor had truly worked, Letticia decided she would visit her later and thank her with an hour-long retelling of her romance with Ezkhiel.
“Next month, there’s preparation for the Founding Festival, but since the Empress will be overseeing most of it, the Crown Prince only has to handle some diplomatic meetings and security management. That means I’ll have some free time until then.”
“That’s great! Then we’ll be able to see each other more often.”
Letticia’s delight made Ezkhiel smile as well, but his expression soon shifted to one of concern.
“I’m more worried about you, Lady Sharon. You have to attend gatherings, entertain numerous visitors, and you’ve also prepared this art exhibition.”
“Don’t worry about me; I have plenty of energy. I can attend three balls in a week and still feel fine—do you think I’d collapse from this?”
In truth, Letticia was using the exhibition and gatherings as excuses to turn down date requests from other suitors, so her schedule was relatively open.
Furthermore, her role in preparing the exhibition had mostly involved promotion during social events rather than actual logistics, meaning half of her calendar was essentially free.
“Well then… if that’s the case, perhaps we could go out togeth—”
“Lady Sharon, here you are.”
A loud greeting interrupted Ezkhiel mid-sentence. Startled, Ezkhiel turned to see a handsome young man with striking orange-tinted blond hair—Lord Jarvis—grinning at him.
“Oh, Lord Bright, I didn’t expect to see you here. I heard you’ve been very busy, but you managed to make time.”
“…It’s good to see you’re in good health, Lord Jarvis.”
Jarvis’s shamelessness at not only interrupting their conversation but also casually addressing them with a smile left Ezkhiel responding with a blank expression.
Meanwhile, Letticia stared at Jarvis with a look that showed she didn’t even want to acknowledge his presence.
‘This man, again!’
During the last visiting season, Jarvis had constantly interrupted Ezkhiel whenever he tried to speak, dominating the conversation with his own stories.
Letticia’s impression of him was already terrible, but now that he had cut Ezkhiel off mid-sentence, her opinion of him had hit rock bottom.
She couldn’t understand why someone like him was so popular in society.
“Lord Jarvis, I wouldn’t have expected someone of your stature to so casually interrupt another’s conversation. Shouldn’t you wait until Lord Bright and I finish speaking before addressing me?”
“I must apologize for my rudeness, Lady Sharon. I was short on time and so eager to greet you that I acted improperly.”
Jarvis smiled smoothly as he spoke, but Letticia only glared at him with a displeased expression before turning away.
However, Jarvis wasn’t deterred by Letticia’s attitude. With his characteristic charm, he attempted to steer the conversation again.
“This watercolor here—did you paint it, Lady Sharon? It seems to depict the garden at the Sharon estate.”
“Yes, I painted it last summer.”
“I heard the Duke of Averil gifted your family with the rare Elrey Freesia, which you planted in the garden. Didn’t you include those in the painting?”
“I was worried that my skills wouldn’t do justice to their beauty.”
“You’re too modest. I’ve heard that your art grades during your academy days were outstanding. Seeing your work now, I can only say that your reputation was well-deserved. Your sense of color and brushwork are both exceptional.”
“You flatter me, my lord. It’s merely a hobby.”
“Flattery? I’m saddened you’d think so. I meant every word.”
Despite her curt tone and deliberate attempt to express her annoyance, Jarvis continued to smile pleasantly. What irritated Letticia even more was his confident demeanor, as if he believed he could eventually win her over.
Letticia despised this type of person the most—the kind who thought a charming smile could make people forget their rudeness and fall for them.
‘What, does he think he’s some kind of world-class heartthrob? Just because he’s popular in society doesn’t mean he’s some irresistible casanova.’
To be fair, Jarvis was handsome. But compared to Matthias, Alexander, and Achilles—the canonical heartthrobs of the story’s world—Jarvis was at best a B+ to their A+.
Besides, Letticia was someone who didn’t feel her heart race even for those three paragons of beauty. If Jarvis was relying on his looks alone to woo her, he was wasting his time.
If he had at least shown proper manners, she might have respected him as a person. But knowing his type, he’d probably dismiss good manners as stiff and old-fashioned.
It was baffling to Letticia that Jarvis thought she’d be pleased if he insulted others while praising her.
‘And really, ‘a maid before a queen’? Can’t they come up with another metaphor that doesn’t involve a rose or a queen? Is that the only way to praise me?’
If he wanted to flatter her, he could at least use a more original expression. Letticia had read countless romance novels to build immunity against cringeworthy compliments, so there was no way his awkward, cliché attempts at praise would ever make her heart flutter.
Jarvis seemed to notice Letticia’s cold gaze, but instead of backing off, he appeared to view it as an opportunity and moved even closer.
“It seems my inadequate praise has failed to satisfy you, Lady Sharon. If you would allow me, I’d be honored to elaborate further on how genuinely I admire your painting.”
“For someone who claimed to be so pressed for time that you interrupted my conversation with Lord Bright, you seem to have plenty of leisure now.”
As Jarvis subtly tried to close the distance between them, Letticia took a step back and turned her attention to Ezkhiel.
But Ezkhiel, unlike before, was staring at the ground with his head bowed, completely still.
“Lord Bright? Are you alright?”
Concerned, Letticia gently placed her hand on his shoulder, and Ezkhiel slowly lifted his head.
His face was clouded with a deep melancholy. Letticia opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Jarvis, noticing this, was quicker to speak. With a mocking smirk on his lips, he addressed them first.
🍓;
*A heartthrob refers to a person, typically a male, who is very attractive and admired, especially by many people. The term is often used to describe celebrities, actors, or musicians who are considered physically appealing and who evoke strong feelings of admiration or infatuation.
*An irresistible Casanova refers to someone, typically a man, who is extremely charming and seductive, making it hard for others to resist his romantic or flirtatious advances.
