Episode 32

The atmosphere was good.

'Why do they appear so intimate?'

Ute whispered into the Count's ear as he stood beside him.

A fleeting smile played on the Count's otherwise stern lips.

'What’s with those two?'

But that wasn’t my concern.

I placed a reassuring hand on the madam's tense shoulders and whispered.

“Madam, please don’t be anxious.”

“...”

“The master seems quite pleased right now. It must be due to your presence. If you merely hint, he might even offer you land.”

“Well, I don’t need land…”

“That’s fortunate. Actually, I don’t have a home—"

“Should I tell him?"

“Oh my... No, no, Madam. You have a purpose here, correct?”

“Oh, indeed. That’s true.”

A beautifully crafted smile emerged on her clear face.

The Countess smiled gracefully...

And didn't say a word.

“Madam?”

“Ahem!”

Thankfully, the silence didn’t endure.

I was prepared to attempt ventriloquism to sustain the conversation if necessary.

The Count inquired in his usual dry manner.

“What brings you here?”

“Well… I apologize for coming unannounced.”

The atmosphere grew more awkward.

The aide banged his forehead on the document.

Ute Velvet covered his mouth with his hand and mumbled something to the Count.

Then, as if nothing had happened, the Count spoke normally.

“No, it’s just that… you haven’t visited in person before, so it was somewhat surprising.”

“Well, that's, you see—”

“Madam. A walk, a walk. Since the weather is pleasant, why not suggest a stroll in the garden together?”

“The weather is pleasant, shall we take a stroll in the garden together?”

“Certainly.”

The heavy tension finally dissipated.

'They’ll manage from here.'

It was customary for servants to keep their distance during the master’s private time.

I stepped back, ready to enjoy a brief respite.

“Madam, then I’ll be going—”

I was about to withdraw when…

A hand grasped my wrist firmly.

“Madam?”

“Sonnet, stay close to me.”

“By your side? What about the master?”

“The Count can be on my left, and you on my right. Okay?”

“I cannot stand beside the madam and master."

My break…

Bright pink eyes gazed at me imploringly.

The madam's hand showed no intention of releasing me.

“I can’t stand by your side, but I shall stay behind you.”

“…”

“I will remain vigilant so I can come to your aid anytime you need.”

“Really? You won’t go anywhere?”

“Where would I go when my duty is by your side?”

Only then did the Countess breathe a sigh of relief.

She looked like a student who had finally found a lost homework assignment.

“You go too.”

No, why you again?

The Count, who had been silently observing us, now directed his gaze the silver head.

“…Are you addressing me?”

The doctor, who was busy retrieving a bottle of medicine from the aide’s desk, asked in return.

The Count nodded without repeating himself.

“Just in case, we should have a doctor nearby.”

What significant incident could occur in the garden?

“What could happen in a garden where only two people stroll about?”

I thought I had accidentally voiced my thoughts, but someone else had spoken.

The man closest to the Count shot a grim look.

“The documents.”

“I will attend to them after I return.”

“There’s a mountain of things to review.”

“You can handle the preliminary screening.”

“Ha… Doctor.”

“Yes, I will prepare the antacid.”

“And—”

“No stimulants or sleeping pills. You’ve already surpassed the recommended dosage.”

“Damn it…”

The man ruffled his brown hair.

Leaving his groans behind, Ute, the Count, the Countess, and I proceeded outside.

‘Life must be arduous for the brown-haired gentleman.’

As we stepped into the garden, a refreshing fragrance greeted me.

“What if he ends up with hair loss…”

“Not even God can remedy that.”

The man beside me, with his well-groomed hair, smiled brightly.

“Time can be reversed though?"

“That’s because she is the protagonist.”

“It’s a harsh world for the supporting characters.”

Still, it was better than being fired.

‘As long as I’m not fired, losing a bit of hair is no big deal.’

We walked slowly, about twenty paces behind the Count and Countess.

From a distance, the atmosphere between the two didn’t seem bad.

“Did you summon the madam, Miss Sonnet?”

“How did you know?”

“You kept whispering beside me. Something about the female lead dragging him away."

“What did you say to the master, Sir Ute?”

“Ah.”

"You seemed to be having a pleasant time."

“Sonnet, Sonnet, Sonnet!”

Just as my curiosity was about to be satisfied, the madam, her braided hair fluttering, grabbed my hand suddenly.

Through her rounded shoulders, I could see the Count gazing peculiarly.

What’s happening with them? They seemed fine just now!

“What’s wrong, Madam?”

“The, the Count just asked if I get bored staying at the mansion all the time!”

“So what did you say?”

“I said it’s fine because I had him, but his expression didn’t seem positive. What did I do wrong?"

“Did the Count ask that directly?”

This is…

I exchanged glances with Ute before speaking.

“I think I understand.”

“What is it?”

“The master is worried about… the Madam's reclusive lifestyle, I mean.”

No matter how much affection there is, anyone would feel stifled if confined to the mansion all the time.

‘Even if she’s busy with the mansion’s affairs, she has no outside activities.’

How frustrating it must be from a family’s perspective.

But it wasn’t a negative sign.

‘It shows they’ve become close enough to discuss such matters!’

I was genuinely pleased.

Honest conversation is the foundation of resolving conflicts.

‘Isn’t that right?’

I turned to Ute with a confident smile.

His pale eyelids trembled slightly.

“It seems he’s asking how long you’ll remain indoors.”

“Is that it?”

“Yes. No matter how spacious and beautiful this mansion is, it’s still a house. If the spouse stays inside all the time, that is quite stifling—”

“That’s not it!”

His words were rather urgent.

The uninvited doctor, who had joined the conversation, glared.

“He’s suggesting going out together.”

“…”

“In other words, he’s proposing a date.”

Ute stared intently at the madam and then at me.

His clear green eyes seemed to shoot beams.

“A date.”

“Um, but Sonnet said it wasn’t…”

“It’s a date.”

“Y-Ye, Yes...?"

“I! I was mistaken! Sir Ute's perspective is correct. It’s absolutely a date. How about you propose going to see a play together first?”

The madam, who had been tilting her head, finally nodded.

Her small clenched fists looked determined.

As her slender figure moved away, Ute sighed lightly.

His gaze landed on me.

“Miss Sonnet, why did you say it was due to her reclusive lifestyle?”

“Isn’t that usually the case?”

“Miss Sonnet, what’s usual for you—”

“Wait.”

I turned my head and caught sight of a luxurious handkerchief.

The Count’s gaze was fixed on Ute Velvet.

“I’d like your opinion on something.”

“Anytime.”

“My wife... was staring at those flowers for a long time. Should we re-landscape the garden now?”

Why did his thoughts jump to that?

‘He’s truly a master at nonsense.’

“It’s a common event. To carry out the landscaping discreetly and have it completed by a special anniversary as a surprise.”

“What are you two discussing?”

A black gaze bore into us.

I pounded my chest.

“She simply thinks the flowers are beautiful.”

“So should we fill the garden with those flowers?”

“That’s excessive. Simply cut a few and give them as a bouquet before you part ways. No, I shall make it for you myself.”

Arranging flowers was a task I could carry out with my eyes closed.

While the master and mistress conversed, I just needed to cut and arrange a few...

“You know, Sonnet—”

“I’d like your opinion on something.”

“The Count just—”

“The Countess—”

Why do they have so many questions!

Behind me, I had to deal with thorns from the flower stalk, and in front of me, I had to give advice.

It was like a game from hell.

Ute Velvet would cut the flowers, I would remove the thorns and clean the pollen…

Eventually, the bouquet stained with our blood—of course, a metaphor—and sweat—this, true—ended up safely in the Count’s hands.

“Wife.”

“Yes?”

“This is for you.”

“…Flowers?”

The couple, bathed in the sunset, appeared as beautiful as a painting.

Ute Velvet clasped his hands and muttered quickly.

“Say you love her, love, love, love…”

“Excuse me, are you in your right mind?”

“You have only one thing to say. If you don’t want comments asking for a new male lead, quickly…!”

As if responding to Ute's plea, the Count slowly opened his mouth.

“I have something I wish to convey…”

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