The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady. - Chapter 4

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

Chapter 4 – The Engagement Announcement of the Withered Tree Lady

When Julia returned home, she was asked by her stepmother and sisters about the outcome of the meeting, so she shared the story of signing the engagement documents. Upon hearing this, everyone looked surprised.

Not only was it unexpected that Julia readily accepted without complaining, but it was also surprising that the baron, her prospective husband, accepted Julia so easily.

To think that someone as shabby as her could be engaged, it seems that anyone from the earl’s family would have sufficed.

It must have been a matchmaking based on the desire for the status and professional connections of the earl’s family. Surely, he must be courting other women as his primary choices.

Otherwise, he must have a preference for younger girls.

…or so everyone thought.

At the age of sixteen, Julia had an extremely thin and frail figure, resembling a withered tree, yet her face had a cherubic charm.

The members of the earl’s household would harshly denounce Julia as an unsightly girl. However, the reality was quite different.

She was what could be described as a beautiful girl, with long, soft waves of chestnut hair and large, hazel eyes. Many noticed that she bore a striking resemblance to her reputedly handsome father.

Indeed, among the five children of the Woodcruise Earl’s household, Julia was the only one who resembled her father.

As a result, she became the target of envy and bullying from her own family.

“Moreover, it is quite rude of him not to come and visit the estate. Despite the engagement being settled, he hasn’t even extended his greetings,” they remarked.

“Even if he is a lower-ranking noble, one would expect some basic etiquette from someone who is still considered a noble.”

“For your father to be working with someone who lacks manners at such an age, I wonder if he is truly alright?”

“Absolutely. Even if you were to get married, I have no intention of associating with such a baronial family.”

“Do you understand, Julia?”

“Yes, I understand.”

Julia felt a surge of anger as her sisters spoke ill of Baron Plant. However, knowing that it would only complicate things if she voiced the truth and her sisters happened to like the baron, she gritted her teeth and chose to remain silent.

Julia pondered what would happen if her bodyguard, Rufie, were to disclose information about the baron. However, he remained completely tight-lipped about it.

Whether it was because he wasn’t asked, or he simply had no interest…

Or perhaps Rufie, who was often seen with Baron’s secretary, Lord Robert Santos, had received some instructions. Julia couldn’t help but speculate.

*     *    *     *     *     *     *

Since Julia’s engagement with Baron Plant was announced, the Woodcliff Earl’s residence began receiving daily deliveries of bouquets to the estate.

These flowers were said to be cultivated in Baron Plant’s domain and consisted of rare and unusual blooms seldom seen in the capital city’s flower shops.

Initially, her sisters would seize the bouquets, but as they arrived daily, their enthusiasm waned, and within a few days, they lost interest in the flowers altogether.

Thanks to this, Julia finally had the chance to truly appreciate the flowers delivered by the baron.

She would search the garden shed for buckets, damaged or chipped pots, and bottles or containers that could be used to arrange the flowers.

The previously barren and empty storage room transformed into a vibrant space, instantly brightening Julia’s mood.

Six days after the meeting with the baron, Lord Santos, who came to deliver flowers as usual, asked Julia the following question.

“Is tomorrow’s arrangement still okay?”

“Yes.”

“I see. That’s good to hear. My master is truly looking forward to it.

I apologize for the early hour, but would it be acceptable for us to pick you up at eight o’clock tomorrow morning? We would like to have breakfast together, but I understand if it’s too early.”

“No, it’s alright. I wake up every day before sunrise, so it’s not a problem.”

…

For Julia, it had become a routine to accompany Rufie to the morning market, precisely speaking, six days a week, at the break of dawn.

Moreover, being an early riser had been a habit since her time in the countryside, so it wasn’t a burden at all. Eight o’clock would provide plenty of time.

When Julia asked someone to go as her substitute to the Sunday morning market two days ago, she received a blatantly displeased expression.

However, when she mentioned having plans to go out with Baron Plant, her stepmother didn’t say anything.

It seemed that her stepmother was afraid of displeasing the earl if she prevented Julia from going on a date, considering the connection through the baron.

“Then I will visit again tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you very much. Please take care of me tomorrow as well.”

Julia smiled brightly.

The next morning, as promised, Lord Santos came to pick her up, and Julia got into the carriage with him. Rufie, the bodyguard of the Woodcliff Earl’s household, took a seat in the assistant’s seat next to the coachman.

“Lord Santos, thank you so much for delivering flowers every day. Those flowers have truly brightened my spirits.”

As the carriage began to move, Julia expressed her gratitude once again to Lord Robert Santos.

“To hear you say that brings great joy to our Plant family, as we are engaged in the art of flower cultivation.

The flowers until now have been personally chosen by the master, so I am certain that they would be delighted to hear your words.”

At first glance, Robert, who appeared dignified and refined, smiled gently with kindness.

“Oh, did the baron personally choose the flowers? That’s wonderful to hear.

There were many bright flowers, weren’t there? They instantly livened up the room and lifted my spirits.”

“That’s good to hear. Since we didn’t know your favorite flowers, the master had been trying various options…

I could have simply asked you directly, but it seems the master wanted to hear it from your own lips, so I was forbidden from inquiring.”

Robert chuckled softly.

“Oh, is that so?

I apologize for inconveniencing the busy baron for my sake.

You know, I actually love all kinds of flowers, even grass and trees. I have a fondness for all plants, you see.

But I must admit, the bright flowers brought me great joy. They instantly brightened up the room, and their fragrance was so gentle.”

Liking all kinds of flowers… Robert chuckled wryly, as he had inadvertently obtained the answer. However, if the room became more vibrant and it lifted her spirits, then it was for the best.

After hearing from Ruffie that Julia stayed in a dim room underground, Robert subtly conveyed that information to the master.

When they learned of this fact, both the master and Robert were infuriated, and Robert couldn’t help but lash out at the source of the information.

Having been tasked with protecting the young lady, he couldn’t understand why such a situation had been allowed to persist.

If he had reported it properly, no matter how busy he was, his master would have taken appropriate action for the sake of his beloved daughter.

“In such a cold and damp place, where the sun barely reaches, if the young lady were to fall ill, how would you justify yourself to the master? Your young lady’s nutritional state seems to be poor already, considering how thin and frail she appears.”

Rufie, the guard, was employed by the Count himself rather than the Count’s family. He had been entrusted by the master to protect his daughter. However, while he was cautious about poisoning and violence during meals, it seemed that he had overlooked the finer details of her daily necessities.

Upon being told by Robert that it was a miracle the girl hadn’t developed a heart condition in such circumstances, the man began trembling uncontrollably. It seemed that both of the man’s parents had passed away due to heart ailments.

They had never imagined that the environment they had once lived in could be the cause of heart disease.

In other words, because it resembled the environment they had grown up in, they didn’t consider it particularly dire.

The man didn’t seem to be a bad person, but rather an inattentive and dull individual.

Robert had a similar upbringing to the man in his childhood, but he had made efforts to escape from that harsh environment and worked hard to improve his life, leading him to where he is now.

That’s why he couldn’t help but feel angry towards the man. However, perhaps the difference in sensibilities was inevitable.

Moreover, Robert considered himself fortunate to have encountered good people along the way.

With that in mind, he couldn’t simply cast the man aside for some reason.

Robert took the time to thoroughly explain to the man the extent of Julia’s dire situation and the hardships she endured.

Every time he went to deliver flowers, he would share the details.

As he recounted Julia’s upbringing, a tear welled up in Ruffie’s eyes.

From that moment on, he made a solemn promise to Robert that he would always protect Julia without fail.