Vol. 5 ITRG Volume 5 Chapter 18.2

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A few days later, the soire was held. The beautiful garden, adorned with blooming roses, was enhanced to perfection by the subtle moonlight and the gentle rustling breeze. There were a number of his close acquaintances present. Viscount and Viscountess of Derbys.h.i.+re, the brothers of Westport, Marquis of Wolflake, and various other aristocrats and gentry. But Bend.y.k.e was not among them. Aeroc clearly sent him an invitation, included with an invoice for the expenses of the evening. There werent many guests, but Aeroc still got a renowned conductor and his entourage, a lot of table decorations and food, and the finest wines for the best soire. It was a sum enough for Bend.y.k.e to come running immediately and complain, yet he did not show up even when the event was well underway.

Count. I hear youll be performing yourself in a few moments.

Im worried I might make a mistake.

Even if you make a mistake, no one will notice. Besides, you definitely wont make a mistake.

Aeroc couldnt help but smile at his naive cousins words. He lightly embraced the adorable cousin, expressing fondness. However, the man trailing behind like a shadow had a hardened smile. They were somewhat vaguely acquainted, so neither a polite response nor a friendly greeting seemed fitting. The other man, too, merely exchanged a glance. The grey eyes with a distinct glow scanned Aerocs surroundings suspiciously.

I dont see him today. Didnt you send him an invitation?

Im not that ungenerous. He must have something going on.

Looking that theres a seat for him, then he must have canceled on his own accord. Hes really an arrogant, rude b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

Thats just the way he is. I didnt expect much from him.

Aeroc was actually a little angry, but he responded casually. After exchanging pleasantries, Rapiel made his way over to his parents with Ariel. Aeroc had exchanged formal greetings with the Viscount and Viscountess of Westport earlier. When their eyes met again, a smile was enough to convey pleasantries.

Wolflake stood still, watching together with Aeroc as the golden curls swayed gently. He seemed to have something to say, which was a rare thing.

Watch out for him. Hes been acting strange lately.

Who do you mean?

Its hard to explain in detail, but theres no doubt hes about to do something dangerous. He asked me to do something for him the other day. Ive already done it, but I thought it would be best to let the Count know.

I dont know what youre talking about. Whats it got to do with me if this someone is up to no good?

Aeroc recognized the man Wolflake was talking about at once. He feigned ignorance, not wanting to reveal his personal connections with that man, but was rewarded with a short snort.

If you didnt want me to know, you shouldnt have made that fuss in the bottom place.

What?

Count, everyone has a secret they cant tell anyone, and sometimes you have to be prepared to make sacrifices to keep it.

What happened in the bottom place, no one knew, but how could Wolflake At that moment, something flashed across his mind. The thugs lost their composure as the huge guy appeared, delivering the words from the Lord.

Dont tell me, you?

Family traditions dont die with the times, they just change appearances. You should know that better, as the keeper of the centuries-old tradition of the Rose Garden.

Oh gosh. To think that the first emperors secret organization still existed. I hadnt expected that.

I wouldnt go so far as to call it a secret organization, but its still in existence. This advice comes from the leader of that outdated order of knighthood, so heed it. Bend.y.k.e, that man is dangerous.

Im grateful for the warning.

You owe your thanks to Rapiel, not me, for if he did not care for the Count, I would not have interfered.

With those cold words, Wolflake turned to the cute little Omega who was looking at him. For that short moment, tenderness flashed in his icy grey eyes. It was as surprising as the mans true ident.i.ty. It was as Viscount Derbys.h.i.+re had said before. The Marquis who guarded the Wolf Lake was deeply enamored with the lovely little bird. Bend.y.k.e should know it too.

When the soire was over, it was late at dawn, with the full moon setting. After seeing off the guests one by one, Aeroc brought his exhausted body to return. Shortly after the guests were dismissed, Hugo led a group of hired helpers into the garden to clean up. Bend.y.k.e did not appear until the end, without any contact.

Count.

He was just about to go upstairs when a young errand runner called out to him. Aeroc, tired in many ways from acting as the master of the event and playing the violin, turned around with a stern expression. Showing a silent command to speak quickly if he had business, the errand runner suddenly rushed to the front door. Aerocs gaze followed him. There was a large package lying by the doorway. It was large, square, and thin, with a white ribbon tied in a grid on top of the yellowish wrapping paper.

This was delivered earlier. I should have told you sooner I apologize.

Its okay.

Todays event had been a bit too much. It was no big deal for the busy errand runner to have forgotten.

There was a white card tucked into the overlapping wrapping paper, and when Aeroc pulled it out, he saw his name written in familiar handwriting. Bold and large, a bit of a messy scrawl, but clear enough to recognize at first glance. His first name was written without his surname. The unexpected friendliness struck him with a mixture of irritation and bewilderment. Aeroc realized he was smiling as he pulled out the card.

[Dear Count.

I would have loved to see the extravagant result of the headache-inducing, grandiose soire with my own eyes, but unavoidable circ.u.mstances have arisen. To prevent the unfortunate incident of getting fired again, Ive prepared a bribe as an expression of apology. I hope you like it.

Expecting your generous forgiveness, Kloff.

P.S. I still dont understand why you would insist on holding a completely unnecessary concert in the cold, damp, and dark outdoors. Is there really value in a hundred and thirty boxes of top-grade candles?]

His skill of uplifting the happy mood into anger abruptly was remarkable. The gift sent by a cobbler, who had no idea of the beauty of the soire created by the refres.h.i.+ng night air, twinkling stars, and the subtle fragrance of flowers, was probably nothing special.

In just one glance, the gift seemed to be a painting. Considering he did find looking at flowers to be enjoyable, it was likely a commonplace still-life painting of a flower vase. One who believed that as long as the colors were bright, it was extraordinary. It would be a complete abomination, with a crudely carved frame and a tacky gold-painted frame, all in poor craftsmans.h.i.+p. Aeroc nonchalantly untied the ribbon and tore apart the wrapping paper.

Ah.

As expected, it was a painting. But there was no tacky frame, no garish colours; it was a landscape painting of a peaceful summer country, painted with only subdued colors. The brushwork was extremely delicate, the color combination was monotonous yet not boring, and the warmth of the artists affection was evident.

Aeroc knew this painting. It was the one he hadnt been able to snap up when hed visited the gallery before, in his haste to leave. It was part of a seasonal series,

perhaps. How could the anonymous buyer be Bend.y.k.e, how could he know this was the painting Aeroc wanted?

Count?

The errand runner called softly as he stared blankly at the painting. Only then did he snap back to reality, lifting the painting himself instead of instructing the errand-runner. He then ascended the stairs briskly.

There was no more wall s.p.a.ce in the study to hang the painting. He could take down the existing paintings and hang this one, but it would break the harmony of the other paintings. Instead, the bedroom, which had its furniture and paintings rearranged previously, had a more suitable empty s.p.a.ce.

Heading straight to the bedroom, Aeroc took down the small framed painting on the opposite side of the bed, where he could best see it, and hung

instead. The old-fas.h.i.+oned, slightly dreary bedroom was instantly brightened. Looking at it made him feel as if his fatigue dissipated. A knot inside him that he didnt know existed gently unraveled. The tingling sensation compelled Aeroc to move.

Im going out.

As Aeroc exited his bedroom, the errand runner looked surprised and asked, Do you mean now? Without hesitation, Aeroc confirmed it. No special preparations were necessary. His new dark blue suit, made for the Rose Garden soire, was obviously made for the outdoors. He could go out as he was dressed.

The carriage was ready in no time. As soon as Aeroc had jumped in, it sped off into the city, past the bottom place, and into the dull, hard streets lined with rows of identical city houses. To the place which had a handsome financial manager, who knew how to please his master with rude, haughty, yet at the same time, sweet bribes.

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