The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady.

Chapter 25 – The Secret Story of the Engagement with the Withered Tree Lady

“Husband?”

Robert’s face turned pale as he stared blankly at his master’s face. They had worked together, putting desperate efforts to rebuild the Plant Barony, so it was unbelievable for Robert to hear that his master was willing to easily discard it all.

“What’s surprising you so much? I’ve been working for the Plant family all this time for the sake of my stepmother, the subjects, and the estate’s servants. It’s not specifically for the Barony. I’ve always wanted to pass it on to someone who can protect everyone in my place. But well, now, I’m sorry for that person, but since I’m marrying Julia, I’ve decided to continue as the head of the Barony.”

“What does that mean? Are you saying there’s someone else besides you who can become the head of the Plant Barony? And furthermore, did my father want to marry me off?” Julia asked, rearranging the order of her questions.

“Count Woodcliff regrets not being able to provide Julia with a peaceful family. He loved you and your mother more than anything but, due to his duties, he couldn’t fulfill that. That’s why he didn’t want Julia or the person she marries to inherit his position, even if he knew it was selfish. While he intended to fulfill his role as the ‘Green Spirit User,’ he didn’t want to burden you with the responsibility of being the head of the Woodcliff Count family. Understanding the Earl’s feelings, who prioritizes Julia’s happiness above all, I made up my mind to have Julia marry me as the head of the Barony.”

“Father…”

Julia teared up, knowing her father’s intentions. Through their correspondence over the past six months, she had fully understood her father’s love. However, she was surprised that he prioritized her happiness over the family’s duty, and she felt grateful for his profound affection.

“In the first place, Master, who is this person who can replace you? There’s no such person to begin with!” Robert finally regained his composure and blurted out to Romand. However, Romand looked him in the eye and spoke calmly.

“There is someone. Right now, in front of my eyes.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Originally, you were supposed to be the successor of the Plant Barony. But to rebuild the Barony, my help was necessary, wasn’t it? So I reluctantly became the head, but deep down, I never wanted to inherit the position. I wanted to find Julia and live in the common world.

But before graduation, I inherited the title of Baron, and shortly after, I found out that Julia was the Woodcliff Count’s daughter. Immediately, I went to propose marriage to the Earl, only to discover that he wanted Julia to marry into nobility rather than being taken as a bride. That’s why I decided to remain a baron.

But honestly, at that time, I should have told you about this and sought your approval. It’s too late now, but I’m sorry.”

Romand stood up and bowed his head to Robert.

Robert was more bewildered than Julia and the others.

“What are you talking about?”

“I know everything, you know. I heard it from my stepmother when I entered the academy. That you’re my uncle.”

Julia and Rufie were shocked by Romand’s words, while Robert stood frozen in place.

* * * * * *

Surprisingly, Robert Santos was Romand’s uncle, with only a three-year age difference between them.

The reason behind this was that Robert was the result of the Plant Barony’s previous generation, Romand’s grandfather, having an affair with a younger servant and fathering a child with her.

However, forcibly seducing such a young servant and getting her pregnant would have been socially unacceptable. The former Baron tried to give her hush money and drive her away, but she refused to leave under any circumstances.

The reason being that the girl was originally an orphan with no family to rely on, so if she were expelled from the estate, she would have nowhere to go, especially being pregnant.

She had a gentle personality but a strong will. She insisted on staying to safely give birth and raise the child.

Desperate, the former Baron even consulted his legitimate son’s wife. He feared the consequences if his wife discovered his infidelity and how she would treat him in her fierce anger.

The daughter-in-law, who was asked by her father-in-law to handle it secretly, widened her eyes in disbelief. She couldn’t find the words to express her astonishment at being burdened with someone else’s mess. And to handle it? What exactly did he mean by “handle”?

Initially, Iris, the wife of the legitimate son, and the servant woman had a good relationship. After all, it was Iris who had facilitated her entry into the Baron’s household.

Iris was a deeply devout woman who had been attending church since childhood. There, she became acquainted with the mother of Robert, who had been living in the church-affiliated orphanage.

Despite their difference in social status—one being the Baron’s daughter and the other an orphan from the commoners—they quickly became close and formed a sister-like bond.

So when Iris married into the Plant Barony, she hired her friend as a maid, knowing that she was reaching the age where she had to leave the church.

Little did she expect that her friend would be subjected to such abuse by their employer. Iris felt both anger towards her father-in-law and guilt for not being able to protect someone she considered like a sister.

She made a solemn vow to herself to protect her friend from now on.

And what happened afterward, you may wonder? Well, thanks to Iris’s efforts, her friend was not driven away as expected.

Iris pleaded with her mother-in-law in this way:

During her visit to town for the Baron’s business, she was assaulted by an unknown man and became pregnant. Being an orphan with no one to rely on, she found herself in a pitiful situation. Iris and her friend joined hands and prayed for mercy, asking if they could allow her to stay in the estate.

The Baroness was a bold and open-minded woman.

When the father-in-law confronted them about the broken promise, Iris looked distressed and said the following words.

“If they kick her out of the house, she might tell them about the terrible things her father did to her.

She is not the kind of girl who would voluntarily talk about such things, but if she goes back to the church, she will probably be forced to confess everything.

If that happens, I’m sure your mother-in-law will hear about it right away, but are you okay with that?

What?　You don’t want that?

If that’s the case, I think it would be better to leave her here in this mansion so that your mother-in-law won’t find out.

Eh?　Why?

Because even though her stepfather raped her unilaterally, she even had a child.

If your mother-in-law knew about this, she would be half-dead, and I am sure she would not be able to give birth to the baby safely.

There is no way she would tell the truth if she knew that!

That’s why it’s safest to let her stay here.”

Upon hearing this, the former baron remained speechless. He had thought his wife was a quiet and submissive bride, unlike her. However, she displayed a firm will and inner strength. The same could be said for that young woman.

This situation was just pitiful. The baron couldn’t help but feel that it was no longer amusing to have a sorry excuse for a veterinarian like that, who had become a drunkard after losing his wife and being abandoned by his abused daughter.

By the way, that drunken excuse of a veterinarian was none other than Madame Flora’s father, in other words, Romand’s maternal grandfather.

As Romand was recounting this story to Julia and Rufie, his gaze wandered into the distance. The memories of both of his grandfather’s despicable actions, his violence towards women and his contempt for them, resurfaced once again.

Afterwards, with Iris’ support, Robert was born safely. What’s more, due to the strong genes of his mother, the child had golden hair and blue eyes, so no one could have guessed that he carried the bloodline of the Plant Baron’s family.

The members of the Plant Baron’s family mostly had red or auburn hair. Just like Romand.

Robert, being a fatherless child, faced bullying from those around him. However, he was cherished by his mother and Iris, who had become the Baroness, and he grew up to be a straight-forward boy without any twistedness.

It was when Robert turned ten, upon the death of the former Baron, that he discovered the truth.

That year proved to be a series of misfortunes for the Plant Baron’s family. A contagious illness spread throughout the country, claiming the lives of many people, including the second son of the Plant Baron’s family and the Baron and Baroness themselves.

The Baron had always been afraid of his wife. Despite that, the Baron’s despair was overwhelming after his wife, grieving over the death of their second son, followed in their son’s footsteps and passed away. To be honest, even the eldest son and his spouse were surprised by the extent of his desolation.

And a month after his wife’s death, the Baron also succumbed to the same epidemic that took the lives of his second son and wife.

And on the eve of the funeral, Robert was informed by his mother and the future Baroness that the deceased Baron was his biological father. Even now, Robert still thinks he didn’t want to know the truth.

However, his mother and the Baroness must have wanted him to have a final farewell with his father as their son.

I see. Robert finally understood that the Baron’s awkwardness whenever he looked at him was because of that revelation.

The Baron would always sneak glances at him but never initiate a conversation, which irritated Robert. He thought, “If you have something to say, then say it”

But of course, he couldn’t possibly approach him. It would be troublesome if he were discovered by that formidable lady.

Yet, knowing that the Baron cared about him in his own way, Robert couldn’t harbor any hatred. Although, he couldn’t recall a single thing the Baron had ever done for him… Robert chuckled wryly.