The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady. - Chapter 23
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- Chapter 23 - The Withered Tree Young Lady and the Reliable Elder Brother
The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady.
Chapter 23: The Withered Tree Young Lady and the Reliable Elder Brother
To optimize our time, we convened over dinner to discuss the events that unfolded today at Woodcroft Manor and devise future strategies.
“When do you think they will make a move, Rufie-san?”
“Baron, as I’ve mentioned before, you don’t need to address me formally. I’m just a mere bodyguard, after all. And Santos-san over there addresses me informally too, right?”
“Well, Julia refers to you with an honorific, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to use informal language. Besides, you’re not just a guard I hired. Julia now considers you the most dependable elder brother. She’s slightly envious of you, you know.”
During Romand’s visit to his estate, he revealed his true identity not only to Julia but also to Rufie and Kent. Since then, whenever Romand and the three of them were in a private setting, they would converse using more casual language.
Rufie was taken aback by Romand’s words.
The young lady sees herself as his brother? Even someone as rough and lowly as me?
When Rufie glanced at Julia, she nodded in agreement.
It had been two and a half years since Rufie became the young lady’s bodyguard, but indeed, he had always felt a genuine desire to protect and cherish this small, determined, and hardworking girl, not just out of professional duty. He wanted to see her smile.
Yes, unconsciously, Rufie realized that he had come to think of Julia as a true younger sister.
And it turned out the young lady felt the same way…
A single tear trickled down Rufie’s cheek. It might have been the first time he shed tears of genuine emotion since he stood at his parents’ funeral when he was ten.
At that moment, Robert interjected.
“Hey, Rufie, it seems like you’ve misunderstood. I don’t address you informally to belittle you. It’s a friendly way of calling you, with familiarity.
So, instead of using my surname Santos, please call me Robert without any honorifics. We’re going to be living under the same roof from today, after all, as companions.”
With Robert’s casual remark, different from his usual demeanor, Rufie’s tears suddenly ceased.
He had the nerve to say such smooth words. He had always looked down on and mocked Rufie, despite being two years younger. He always lectured Rufie with an air of superiority… Rufie glared at Robert.
Furthermore, right after the Baron’s words, Robert said,
“I mean, it’s because I trained him that he became attached! It’s all thanks to me.”
Rufie didn’t let Robert’s rude whisper go unnoticed. After all, he had excellent eyes and ears, being the top-notch bodyguard that he was.
Indeed, that was the case. In the beginning, Robert had thought of Rufie as a skilled but dull and insensitive man.
However, Robert realized that it was due to his upbringing and the Earl Woodcliff’s lax instructions.
From then on, whenever he delivered bouquets to the Earl’s residence every day, Robert gradually offered him advice. As a result, Rufie transformed into a capable and considerate man within a short period of time.
Frankly, Robert was genuinely surprised by this change. Moreover, after realizing the stark difference in their abilities as bodyguards, he began to hold a sense of respect for Rufie.
“So, about the question the Baron asked earlier, what do you think, Rufie?”
“It could be as early as tomorrow midnight, but I believe the most likely possibility is the morning after tomorrow.”
Rufie answered with a serious expression, contemplating the matter.
“You’re quite slow in your response.”
“Baron, weak ones often struggle with making decisions. They either need to quickly escape or come up with a plan and execute it. They can’t take action unless they feel cornered.
Especially when there are multiple people gathered, they tend to rely on someone else to take care of things. It’s a form of relying on others and shifting responsibility.
Although everyone in the Earl’s household has made mistakes, the ones directly involved in this matter are the maids and Miss Linda. Do you think they have the courage to confess their own failures to the lady of the house?”
Rufie’s question was met with Julia and Kent shaking their heads.
“They will continue hiding until they are ultimately cornered.
Today, we can say that Julia and young Master Kent went to the Baron’s residence to prepare for tomorrow’s evening gathering. And we can easily cover up Viola’s absence by claiming she is unwell.
Then, tomorrow, there is a possibility they might notice something as soon as they return from the evening gathering, but considering their exhaustion, it is more likely that they will simply rest without realizing.
However, we can’t be certain if there will be any major incidents at the evening gathering or if something happens concerning the young lady…”
Rufie’s final words held some implications. Romand and Robert blinked and exchanged glances, sharing the same thought.
As expected from the former bodyguard of that formidable Order of Knights, known for inciting conflicts around the world. He anticipates that something will happen.
“Do you expect something to happen at tomorrow’s evening gathering?”
Kent inquired, and Julia turned to look at her fiancé. Romand responded with a bright, beaming smile.
“There’s nothing special planned. It will just be Julia’s debutante moment, capturing everyone’s attention.”
“Stop with that fake smile, Lord. Tomorrow, debutantes from all over the country will gather. There’s no way I’ll be the center of attention. Ah, I see. There’s a possibility I’ll attract attention for being embarrassingly insignificant, as the withered daughter of a noble family…”
Julia casually uttered these words without intending to belittle herself, but the four men slammed their hands on the table and exclaimed in unison.
“Th-That can’t be true! Onee-sama is undoubtedly the most adorable!”
Julia tilted her head, wondering what they were getting so worked up about.
“Oh, if I were to be escorted by the Lord, it would reveal that I am Baron flowers fiancée. That would surely attract quite a lot of attention, wouldn’t it? And then, we would become the talk of the town, like the stark contrast between the moon and a toad, the heavens and the earth, adults and children, or rather, like a vibrant red rose and a withered tree!”
“No, that’s not it! Julia is the delicate and noble pink rose! She’s a flower of unattainable beauty for someone like me!”
“……”
As Lord Romand shouted like that, Julia glanced at her fiancé with a puzzled look. And the other three men couldn’t help but think that love truly makes a person blind.
And in the end, it was the youngest of them all, Kent, who managed to calm the situation.
“Baron-sama and Julia-neesama make a truly perfect couple that will surely become the talk of the town,” he said with a smile…
* * * * *
After dinner, Kent headed straight to the guest room that had been prepared for him. It had been quite a day, and he was understandably exhausted. By the time he finished his dessert, his eyes were already heavy with sleep.
The remaining individuals moved to the living room and sat on the sofa, sipping their after-dinner coffee.
“I apologize for not offering you alcohol,” Robert said.
“Oh, not at all. I have no intention of drinking such a thing on the eve of an important day,” replied Ruffie.
Robert’s face genuinely expressed surprise at Rufie’s words.
“Are you not good with alcohol?” he asked.
“No, I believe I have a relatively high tolerance. However, I haven’t been drinking for the past two and a half years, so perhaps I’ve become weaker,” Rufie explained.
This time, Julia widened her eyes upon hearing Rufie’s words. Two and a half years… which meant…
“Is it my fault?” Julia asked.
“It’s not because of you, Miss Julia. It’s because abstaining from alcohol is necessary for my work. Even if I say I don’t get drunk easily, my senses are somewhat dulled. That slight deviation in perception can be a matter of life and death, you see. Since I don’t have a spare like me, I can’t afford to drink alcohol,” Rufie calmly explained.
Upon hearing his words, Julia’s eyes welled up with tears.
“You’re right, Rufie-san. You’ve always been there protecting me all by yourself, without even a moment to relax. I didn’t even realize that. I’m truly foolish. I’m so sorry,” Julia expressed.
“But it’s part of my job, so there’s no need for you to worry about it. Besides, I know best how much you’ve endured and fought on your own at that mansion, no matter how difficult it was. That alone is incredible. I was left behind by my comrades, losing my sense of purpose, well, living like a walking corpse. But you, Miss, always provided me with the energy to keep going, with your radiant smile like a sunflower,” Rufie responded.
Robert couldn’t help but think that their master had been completely outdone. Throughout Julia’s challenging two years, it was Rufie alone who had constantly protected her, regardless of his lack of sophistication or thoughtfulness.
As expected, Romand was trembling with frustration, envy, and his own inadequacy. Earlier, it was just a fleeting feeling, but now, he was consumed with jealousy towards Rufie.