The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady. - Chapter 22
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- Chapter 22 - The Withered Tree Heiress and the Beloved Ones
The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady.
Chapter 22 The Withered Tree Heiress and the Beloved Ones
“Who could have torn the dress?”
All the maids remained silent in response to Julia’s question, exchanging glances with each other.
“I’m telling you, it was Viola,” the maid chief insisted, even at this point.
However, Julia immediately refuted it, stating that it was absolutely impossible, demanding evidence.
In that moment, Julia fixed a stern gaze on the maid chief before slowly scanning the three maids and spoke.
“When I look at how the dress was torn, it seems that at least three different tools were used. Scissors, a small knife, and possibly even a nail, perhaps? It’s hard to believe that one person could have done it.”
And then, addressing the uneasy maids, she continued.
“Besides, as I mentioned earlier, there is no reason for Viola to do such a thing. Viola is my best friend. She knows how much I cherish the dress that was gifted to me by my father. So she wouldn’t do anything to make me sad. Unlike you.”
Upon hearing Julia’s words, the maids hurled insults at Viola.
“Traitor! Conspirator!” they shouted.
Upon hearing this, Julia laughed.
“You never considered Viola as a true comrade, did you? You saw her merely as a convenient pawn to obey your every command. Stop fooling around!”
With an even more stern expression, Julia continued,
“If no one steps forward, I will report this to the patrol unit. We cannot continue to live in this mansion in fear without finding the culprit who invaded a noble’s house and destroyed property. Moreover, the person who assaulted Viola is clearly known, and they must be arrested.”
“Kent, can I rely on you for the communication?”
“Understood!”
As Kent tried to leave the room, the maids lined up in front of the door, obstructing his path.
“Master, please, don’t go. It wasn’t someone from outside who entered. It was the three of us, I’m truly sorry. We were ordered by the maid chief, and we had no choice but to do it.”
“The reason we resorted to violence against Viola was because she was interfering with our plans. She desperately tried to stop us, and it annoyed us to see her pretending to be innocent.”
“But we never intended to frame Viola for the crime. It’s true.”
“Besides, the maid chief said that since this was Linda’s orders, even if the culprit was revealed, we wouldn’t be held accountable.”
Upon the maids’ revelations, the maid chief became furious. She couldn’t believe that not only Viola, but these girls as well, were willing to betray her.
And at that moment, she felt a sense of despair.
Now that Linda knew the secret hidden by everyone in this mansion, she wouldn’t protect the maid chief. No, she would likely feign ignorance and pretend not to know.
Moreover, the mistress had never directly instructed Julia on what to do or how to behave.
Her strict orders were simply to avoid doing anything that would risk revealing the secret to her husband.
The maid chief, being an astute woman who could read the atmosphere, had tried to drive Julia away as she was becoming an obstacle. But she had failed.
In fact, she should have sided with Julia, like Viola did…
The maid chief realized her foolishness in entertaining such thoughts.
In the end, Julia decided not to call the patrol. There were more important matters to attend to.
Julia instructed the maids to return to their respective duties, informing them that she would leave the matter of their punishment to the mistress according to their wishes.
Once they were gone, Julia turned to Rufie and Kent.
“Rufie-san, please summon a doctor immediately. Also, arrange for a carriage to be rented and kept nearby. We’ll leave this mansion as soon as Viola’s treatment is finished. Everyone, please gather your belongings!”
Rufie nodded and quickly left, followed by Kent.
Alone with Viola, she apologized to Julia, expressing remorse for not being able to protect the precious dress.
Viola happened to overhear Linda ordering the maid chief to tear Julia’s dress while she was walking down the corridor near Linda’s room.
She hurriedly went to Julia’s room to hide the dress, but unfortunately, she didn’t make it in time.
“This is Julia-sama’s precious dress given to her by her husband. It’s the only thing she has left. Please, I beg you, don’t touch it!
And tomorrow is an important debutante event for Julia-sama. Please, I implore you, stop this!”
Viola desperately pleaded, but the maid chief approached from behind and restrained her.
“Thank you. For doing this for me.
And I’m sorry, I caused you so much pain. It must have been painful and frightening,” Julia said as she gently embraced Viola. In response, Viola’s emotions welled up, a mix of pain, fear, and frustration, and she burst into tears, crying loudly.
* * * * *
Julia and her companions quietly slipped out of the Woodcliff Manor and boarded the carriage prepared by Rufie, heading towards the Baron Plant’s residence.
Despite the sudden visit, the Baron’s household, from the butler to the servants, warmly welcomed Julia and her companions. They promptly arranged a bed for Viola.
Julia was deeply grateful for their hospitality.
Viola, still recovering from the emotional and physical shock, quickly fell asleep.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, Julia placed a towel soaked in cold water on Viola’s face and replaced it several times. The bruise on Viola’s face was painful to see, and tears welled up in Julia’s eyes. How painful and terrifying it must have been for Viola to endure being beaten and kicked by four people.
During the medical examination, Julia was allowed to be present by Viola’s side. As expected, bruises were visible all over her abdomen and legs.
Fortunately, the assailants being women meant there were no abnormalities in her organs or bones.
Though her body would ache for a while, the pain would subside in about two to three weeks. The doctor advised not to be overly cautious and to start moving her body as much as possible after a couple of days.
In the evening, when the maids came to inform Julia that dinner was ready, she hesitated because she knew Viola would feel anxious if she woke up alone. However, one of the maids reassured her, saying she would stay with Viola, so it would be fine.
With the help of the maids, Julia changed into a delicate pink dress from her maid uniform.
This dress was a custom-made creation by Madame Flora, Romand’s mother.
Ever since their engagement, Romand would create various occasions and gift Julia a dress every month.
Despite Julia’s desperate attempts to refuse, Romand insisted:
“I want to see you adorned in different dresses, looking adorable. And my mother is thrilled to make dresses for you. She’s incredibly excited and happy about it. It has been her dream since childhood to make dresses for her daughter. So please don’t take away her dream.”
Given such words, Julia had no choice but to accept.
However, she could imagine the consequences of returning to the Woodcliff Mansion wearing that dress. Therefore, she had entrusted the dress to the Plant Baron’s household for safekeeping.
As Julia took her seat at the dining room table, Romand, the master of the mansion, and his secretary, Robert, arrived home.
Romand hurriedly made his way to Julia’s side. Just as Julia was about to stand up in a rush, Romand bent down and embraced her.
“I know it must have been terrifying. You must have felt helpless. I’m sorry we couldn’t return sooner,” he said.
Upon hearing the gentle voice of her caring fiancé, Julia shook her head and once again tears of relief streamed down her cheeks.
“I apologize for intruding so suddenly. Especially when you’re busy preparing for the grand soirée at the palace tomorrow. But we had no one else to rely on except you, Romand-sama. Could you please allow us to stay here until we can establish contact with my father?”
Romand took a seat, and while maintaining eye contact with Julia, he spoke, lowering himself to one knee.
“I’m delighted that you came to me without hesitation. I want to be your most loyal knight, always by your side.
There’s no way you could be a bother. After all, you’ll soon be my wife. And being able to be together sooner than planned makes me even happier.
Not only that, but Kent-kun, Ruffie-san, and Viola-san are all important to you, and they’re important to me too.”
Upon hearing the words of her beloved fiancé, Julia’s tears flowed even more.
Her best friend Viola was seriously injured because of her, and she had to leave her home in a hurry. She was filled with uncertainty about what to do next, even though she tried to remain composed. That’s why, hearing Romand’s thoughts, she couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.
He not only considered her important but also cherished the people dear to her.
Knowing the depth of Romand’s love, even in such a moment, Julia felt grateful for being born and for the happiness of encountering Romand from the bottom of her heart.