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

Chapter 3: The Escort of the Lady of Withered Trees

As Julia and the Baron left the café, they strolled side by side along the vibrant streets.

Julia would often visit the morning market to buy groceries like vegetables and meat, as instructed by the chef. However, the shops on the street were never open in the early hours, so Julia walked with great curiosity, eagerly observing the ones that were already open.

The Baron watched her with a smile, captivated by her joyful demeanor.

However, to be honest, when the Baron saw Julia enter the café, he was left speechless.

Two years ago, she had radiated such brightness and vitality, but now she seemed completely devoid of it. Furthermore, she appeared incredibly thin, almost like a sickly person.

As the Baron vaguely sensed the situation she was in through their conversation, behind his smile, he was actually boiling with intense anger.

And in his heart, he vowed never to forgive those who had subjected her to such circumstances.

The two of them continued to walk in silence for a while, until eventually, the Baron spoke up and asked.

“Miss Julia, are you confident in the skills of your escort who follows behind you?”

“Escort? Ah, you mean Ruffie, my guardian, right? Well, I suppose so. He has caught me attempting to escape three times, so I would say he is quite capable. Back when I used to work on a farm, two years ago, I had great confidence in my physical abilities. I believe I have swift legs and nimble movements, but given that I couldn’t manage to escape, he must be truly skilled.”

“Guardian? Escape?”

Baron Plant’s eyes widened.

Ah, Julia thought she had said something unnecessary, but it was too late now.

While walking, Julia began to recount her experiences since coming to the Earl’s estate two years ago.

The Baron listened silently, but furrows started to form on his forehead, growing deeper with each passing moment.

“Baron, I truly apologize. I wanted to escape from the Woodcliff family. That’s why I agreed to meet you, thinking that marrying you would allow me to leave that house. If it meant leaving that place, I was willing to marry someone much older, be it an uncle or even a grandfather.

Of course, I had planned to escape immediately if the person turned out to be violent or perverted.

I never imagined that someone like you, a young and wonderful person, would come along. I truly apologize for being someone like me.”

While having a conversation at the café, Romand Plant, the Baron, felt genuine frustration as Julia constantly belittled herself.

To him, Julia was his first love, a girl he had yearned for a long time.

However, upon hearing about the mistreatment she had endured from her family, he finally understood why her self-esteem had plummeted.

After tirelessly searching for seven long years, just when he thought he had finally found her, she disappeared once again.

Then, by chance, two months ago, he discovered that the daughter of Count Woodcliff, whom he had been working with, was none other than Julia.

Romand felt like he was on cloud nine.

So, determined not to let her slip away this time, he proceeded with the conversation swiftly and politely.

If only two years ago, when he realized she was at that farm, he had approached her and acted more quickly, Romand thought to himself, feeling frustrated.

I should have persuaded my father and gone to meet Julia…

While caught up in such unnecessary thoughts, Julia suddenly disappeared from the farm.

Is this not just like the Woodcliff Earl?

No, I am the fool here, having lost sight of her twice.

After Julia disappeared, no matter how much I asked the owner of the farm about her whereabouts, I was never given any information.

The Woodcliff Earl must have wanted to erase her background completely as a commoner and an orphan, in order to make her a splendid noble lady.

However, she herself does not seem to despise her past.

Just the fact that she readily confessed to being an orphan to someone she just met (or so she thinks).

Well, if you hear about her current way of life, it’s easy to understand. Her previous life was probably much better than the present one.

“I had you sign the documents for the engagement earlier, but since you are a minor, we need the signature of your father, the Earl.

Therefore, I will send the documents to the Earl for his signature, and once they are returned, we can submit them to the registry office to formalize the engagement.”

“I absolutely don’t want anyone to interfere with our engagement. Therefore, I apologize, but for a while, I would like to avoid contact with the members of the Earl’s family. Would that be acceptable?”

“Does that mean we won’t meet until the engagement is official?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I will send someone to escort you, and we can meet outside. It seems that Julia-sama hasn’t been going out much since she arrived in the capital, so I will be happy to show you around various places. Is there somewhere you would like to go?”

When Romand asked this, Julia’s eyes lit up instantly. She had a place she had longed to visit even before coming to the capital.

“Um, I would like to visit the Royal Botanical Garden…”

As Julia timidly expressed her desire, Romand smiled happily and nodded in agreement.

He had been longing to go there with her all along.

“Then, let’s have our first date at the botanical garden. It will surely become an unforgettable and wonderful memory.

How about next Sunday? I will send someone to pick you up.”

Romand turned around and pointed to a well-built man in his early twenties who was walking next to Julia as her escort.

He had blond hair, green eyes, and a rugged face. The dignified man lightly nodded his head to Julia.

“His name is Robert Santos, my trusted secretary and also my closest friend. He is an excellent man whom I rely on for my work.

Moreover, he is a master in martial arts, so I have decided to assign him as your escort.”

Julia was astonished by these words.

“I understand your concerns, but Mr. Santos plays a crucial role in your responsibilities as a baron. It wouldn’t be appropriate to ask him to serve as my escort.”

“I already have guards assigned by my family, and if you inform them of our plans, I will gladly meet you at the designated location.”

Julia interjected, her voice filled with surprise, “Why are you saying that? You are the most important person in my life. I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to you.”

“Furthermore, I extend my sincere apologies to Count Woodcliff. Only the person I trust the most should accompany you.”

“Generally speaking, it’s difficult for me to trust the individuals employed by the Woodcliff family, considering what you’ve told me.”

As the baron’s stern expression revealed his genuine concern for her well-being, Julia was both surprised and delighted. She had only experienced such genuine concern from her mother and the young boy she had briefly lived with for three months in the past.

Looking at Romand’s face, Julia couldn’t help but break into a wide smile…