I stood in the entrance, bewildered and slightly embarrassed. Beside me, Lewin and Abyss were grinning, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
“Have you been well, Vivian?”
“Long time no see, Vivian.”
“You’ve grown even more beautiful, Vivian.”
“Can’t you see anyone but the Young Master, Vivian?”
I glared at the chattering Lewin and Abyss before turning to him, trying to hide my surprise.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Ah,” he chuckled, a sound that hinted at many shared experiences. The three of them—the trio—seemed to get along well with Armin, despite the oddity of the situation.
Finally, I understood why my brother had been so cryptic. Worrying about how to meet Armin again was pointless because he was right here.
“Vivi, why don’t you show our guest around the garden?” Sasha suggested.
“The lavender garden of the Roha estate is quite famous, Young Master,” Lewin added, barely concealing his laughter.
Being practically pushed out, Armin and I found ourselves outside the entrance. I turned back in disbelief, but the door was already closed.
Under the clear autumn sky, clouds drifted lazily. I was flustered, my ears slightly red. A large hand entered my field of vision—a classic gentlemanly gesture to escort a lady.
“Will you show me around the garden? I don’t know the way,” he said.
I walked stiffly, unsure if I was even moving properly. In contrast, Armin seemed completely at ease.
“So… you spent the last two weeks creating a detour for the eastern road?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“With my brother?”
“Yes. My father always says that a policy that can’t be implemented is as good as trash.”
“Sasha must have been thrilled.”
“He really was. He didn’t even realize my father was deliberately provoking him. They’re quite alike in that regard.”
“Are they? Anyway, I’m glad it worked out.”
“Sasha will be even busier from now on. Father was impressed with him.”
“Sasha is popular with adults.”
“He’s been on our radar for a while. But I didn’t expect him to be this amusing.”
“Amusing? Sasha?”
“My father finds it amusing when someone who lacks humility tries to act humble. He likes confident people.”
“If that’s the case, Sasha is the most amusing person in the world.”
The sound of our footsteps and his deep voice were pleasant to my ears.
“By the way, is it true?” he asked.
“What?”
“The story about the lavender garden.”
I stumbled mid-step, letting out a small cough. How did he know about that? I looked at him, and he was smiling at me.
“I guess it’s true.”
“Did Sasha tell you?”
That damn brother of mine! He was supposed to never get involved, and now they’re suddenly friends and telling stories. I couldn’t believe it.
The famous lavender garden of our estate wasn’t intentionally created. When I was very young, I found a bag of small blue seeds while playing with Andre in a merchant’s carriage. I thought the seed color was interesting, so I scattered it all over the garden and forgot about it.
“There’s this friend named Andre who I’ve known since childhood. He got in big trouble for losing the lavender seeds that day. When our parents asked where the seed was, he said he ate it all. Seeing their faces when they forced him to drink water and he threw up was something else.”
I still shudder thinking about it. If I had just told the truth, it would have been less horrible.
The next year, the well-tended garden was overrun with lavender. That’s when our parents found out the truth and scolded us even more.
“Those seeds were so stubborn. We pulled them out, but they kept growing back the next year. Eventually, we gave up and just grew lavender.”
In the distance, waves of purple lavender swayed. The scent of flowers carried by the wind was lovely.
Suddenly, the words I had only thought in my head slipped out.
“About the second meeting…”
“Ah.”
“I thought you forgot. Since there has been no contact…”
“Sorry. I didn’t think you’d be waiting.”
Armin’s voice came from above my height.
“I thought about sending a letter, but I didn’t know what to write it.”
The wind carried the scent of flowers and his voice to me.
“Next time, I’ll send a letter.”
“…No. You don’t have to do that.”
Why did I feel embarrassed? It was just a casual conversation, but my heart was racing.
Maybe it was because we met so suddenly. Why was I feeling so awkward and flustered? I desperately tried to act normal. Being alone with him like this seemed unhealthy, so I quickly turned around.
“Anyway, there’s nothing but lavender here. Shall we go back?”
Without waiting for an answer, I started walking back. Armin followed silently by my side.
* * *
I had lived in this mansion since I was born 21 years ago, and I knew every corner of it like the back of my hand. Yet, Armin Grey escorted me as if I were a three-year-old child, perfectly adhering to the etiquette expected of a noble.
The problem was, I wasn’t accustomed to such situations. Intellectually, I understood it—I had read about it in books and seen it around me. I knew this was the proper etiquette for a noble, but somehow, casually linking my left arm with his felt awkward, incredibly awkward.
On the way back, we had various conversations. Most were about the Duke and Sasha, but we also talked about the sword sheath cords.
“Father was really impressed,” Armin said.
“Oh, I can make as many as you want,” I replied, scratching my head out of habit. It was just a simple skill, nothing to make such a fuss about. Seeing the sword sheath cord dangling from his waist still made me feel strange.
“He asked if you could make another one,” Armin continued.
“Of course, anytime!” I said.
Armin explained that the Duke was particularly fond of the color of the cords I had made. At the time, I had used the remaining strings to make the knot, so I couldn’t consider the color. The Duke was very taken with the greyish sheath cord.
“Then… why doesn’t Armin just use a different colour?” I suggested.
Phew, I finally managed to call his name naturally. Practicing every night had paid off. Besides, considering how his previous sheath cord had broken, he didn’t seem particularly attached to his belongings.
“Since he’s the Duke, he probably prefers the colors that represent the family. I’ll make sure to include those colors next time.”
“Grey, purple, and yellow. Those are the colors my father wants,” Armin said.
“Yellow?” I tilted my head, surprised by the unusual color combination. Armin then revealed the source of the yellow color.
“Mother’s hair color.”
“Ah.”
I found myself looking at Armin’s waist again. Grey, purple, and brown. I had made the knot as a sign, but thinking that the color representing the Duchess’s hair would be there made me feel…
I shook off the strange feeling and nodded firmly.
“It’s not impossible. But we have to make it together. Remember? You have to pull the knot like this.”
I mimicked the motion of pulling something with my hand. If I made the knot alone, it would likely come undone quickly, given my lack of physical activity.
Armin nodded. I noticed him touching the sword sheath string, seeming quite fond of it. This made me smile.
The walk back felt shorter than it should have. The butler was waiting for us at the entrance.
Originally, Sasha should have shown Armin the lavender garden, as Armin was his guest. I had done enough by showing him around, so my duties were fulfilled. I took a glass of water from the butler and turned to Armin.
“Now, the butler will show you to the reception room. I’ll be heading to my room.”
I had done my part and was ready to hand over the guest to the butler. However, the butler did not agree with me. He shook his head and said,
“The young master has requested that you join them in the reception room as well, Miss.”
“Why? I don’t want to. I have things to do in my room.”
“By ‘things to do,’ do you mean lying on the sofa and reading a book?”
The butler’s serious demeanor made it hard to argue.
“Yes, that’s right. I have a schedule to keep.”
From morning till now, I had to take a bath, welcome the guest, go for an unexpected walk, and I still hadn’t enjoyed my afternoon tea. I had a mountain of things to do, but no one seemed to understand.
“I will convey your message. However, if I may offer my opinion, I think it would be beneficial for you to go to the reception room, Miss.”
“Why?”
“Because you might be more concerned about what they discuss in your absence, Miss.”
Ouch. He had a point.
In the end, I gave up on lounging in my room and chose to go to the reception room with Armin.
