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

Chapter 49 Julia’s parents, papa and mama

This chapter is about Hardis reminiscing about Julia’s early years and then coming back to the present.

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Hardis Woodcliff, known for his impeccable character, seriousness, and inability to refuse when asked for help, underwent a subtle transformation thanks to the stern encouragement from his close friend, Jade.

He came to realize what mattered most to him and what he couldn’t afford to lose.

No matter what happened, Hardis started taking a few days off every month to return home without fail. During these visits, he would go out with his wife and daughter. He would repeatedly emphasize the importance of his family and declare to the world, “My wife, my wife…” without hesitation.

When he first learned about the rumors regarding Margaret being a mistress, Hardis became determined to dispel them.

As he savored the happiness of spending time with his wife and child, he felt immense gratitude towards his close friends. Without them, this family might have been lost long ago.

That’s why he was resolved to have the title of ‘Daddy’ from his daughter.

Yes.

On that day, when Jade had pushed him to hurry back to their coastal town home, Hardis had heard that endearing word from his daughter whom he met after such a long time.

“Who are you, mister?”

Despite being pierced by the word “mister,” Hardis forced a smile as he looked into Julia’s large, hazel eyes that widened even further. She peered closely at his face and asked him this:

“Are you my father?”

When he heard this, Hardis was overwhelmed with emotion. He hugged his daughter tightly and burst into tears. She hadn’t forgotten him. However, this was nothing more than his fantasy.

Every time Hardis recalled Julia’s fourth birthday party, his heart was torn to pieces.

Starting a month before Julia’s birthday, Hardis had loudly declared that he would take leave, no matter what, to celebrate her birthday.

On the day before her birthday, after finishing work, he immediately boarded a sleeper train with his friends and their families.

Hardis had originally wanted to celebrate with just the three of them—father, mother, and daughter. However, since his friends had been celebrating with them all along, he had given up when Margaret told him that Julia was looking forward to it.

Moreover, he couldn’t just say, “It’s okay, we don’t need your kindness anymore,” to the friends who had been considerate and had spared his daughter from loneliness all this time.

However, as soon as Hardis arrived at their house in the port town the next day, Julia ran towards the guests in great excitement. And her first target was Jade.

Moreover, she called out to him, saying, “Jade Papa!”

For Julia, “Papa” referred to Jade, who was none other than the Marquis Rudolf.

Every time her daughter referred to a man as ‘Daddy,’ the mother found herself in a dilemma. She decided to teach her daughter that there was only one man she could call ‘Daddy,’ and that was a very special person.

As a result, Julia began calling the person she cherished most, Jade, ‘Daddy.’ By the way, ‘Mama’ referred to Mrs. Liana.

Of course, it wasn’t because Julia liked Mrs. Liana more than her biological mother; it was because in Julia’s mind, ‘Daddy’ and ‘Mama’ were a matching pair of words, something she had naturally assumed when she saw her neighborhood friends.

Margaret was surprised by this and initially found it challenging, but she wanted to honor her daughter’s feelings. She couldn’t force Julia to see Hardis as the most important man in her life, especially when she couldn’t remember his face or any shared memories, despite him being her biological father.

Fortunately, the Marquess and Marchioness Rudolf accepted the somewhat bothersome nickname.

Nevertheless, Julia needed to recognize her biological father. So Margaret never stopped showing Julia a portrait of Hardis, telling her, “This person is your father.”

As a result, on that day when Julia stood at the front door, breathless, she couldn’t help but say, “Who are you Mister?” However, she quickly remembered the portrait and added, “Are you my father?”

But this wasn’t because Julia had suddenly recognized Hardis as her father or had deep affection for him. It was more like encountering a horse for the first time and trying to confirm if it was indeed a horse, just like the one in the picture book.

Well, shortly after that, Julia finally began to recognize Hardis as her father. However, she hesitated to call him ‘Daddy’ at this point, and Julia never did so.

Therefore, for Hardis, being called ‘Daddy’ became an eternal aspiration, but at the same time, it became a trauma.

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And now, thirteen years after that incident, the haunting trauma for Hardis resurfaced.

In a chamber of the royal castle, Hardis faced his daughter again after nearly ten months, and she began to unload years of resentment or grievances, perhaps?

Even in the three years since their reunion, he had hardly had the opportunity to converse with his daughter. However, after her engagement, thanks to Romand’s mediation, they had been exchanging letters for the past six months.

If at least those letters had contained expressions of anger, sadness, or any emotions, Hardis might have built some immunity. But none of that was written. So when his daughter spoke her complaints directly to him for the first time, Hardis was taken aback.

Furthermore, her words, expressing her true feelings, had significant impact and force.

Of course, Hardis believed that it was only natural for Julia to be angry, berate him, and scorn him. In fact, he had hoped for that, but when it actually happened, with his beloved daughter mercilessly and vehemently blaming him, he couldn’t help but feel disoriented.

Hardis was the strongest man in the country. He had faced otherworldly beings and the vilest of individuals without ever feeling fear.

However, he was originally raised as a noble and a gentleman. Among the women close to him were his mother, known as the epitome of a lady, and his wife, Margaret. He had only superficial contact with his sister-in-law.

That’s why he was astonished by his daughter’s straightforward language. She, who appeared as delicate as a fragile flower, was throwing sharp and harsh words at him one after another.

And all of those words were true and hit the mark, leaving him with no room for counterarguments or excuses.

Hardees was in a battered state, and he simply collapsed on the sofa, powerless. In a small, almost whispered voice, all he could do was repeat the words, “I’m sorry.”

Romand and the others watched Hardees in this state with pitiful eyes, without saying a word. They knew all too well the hardships Julia had endured up to this point, and they were aware that she had kept her feelings bottled up, not letting a single complaint escape her lips all these years.

She had only revealed her emotions on a few occasions: when she learned the truth about her father’s letters being disposed of and when she heard the secret story behind the making of her debutante dress. The third time was when Viola was subjected to violence.

Julia had never been one to express her indignation at the injustices she endured. However, those around her felt that she should release some of the pent-up resentment, at least once.

No, rather, if she didn’t do so, she might never establish a true relationship with her biological father for the rest of her life. Unintentionally, all three of them had thought the same.

So, they deliberately refrained from interfering.

However, in Hardis dire situation, there was someone who extended a helping hand.

“Julia, I understand how you feel, but can’t you consider forgiving him soon? I mean, the pitiable sight of the Defense Minister of our country shouldn’t be displayed to others.”

These words came from the husband of an elegant couple who had entered the room. In response to that voice, Julia turned around, her face instantly brightening. Then she exclaimed,

“Jade Papa! Liana Mama!”

She rushed over to the Marquess and Marchioness Rudolf, embracing them tightly. It had been ten years since they last met, but the memory of the couple was firmly etched in Julia’s mind and heart, unlike her father. Truly, the saying “blood is thicker than water” held, as the pure affection and memories from her childhood were something she could never forget.

Hardees, once again, realized this and was consumed by a sense of defeat.

“Julia, Julia…

It’s wonderful to see your face again…

You’ve become a true lady. How beautiful you are.

It’s a shame you don’t resemble Margaret at all, but look exactly like Lord hardis.”

As Liana gently cradled Julia’s face in her pale, delicate hands, tears welled up in her eyes, and she whispered.

Hearing this, Julia couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Oh, Liana Mama, you always say things like that.”

When she was a child, Liana often used to say something similar while gently cupping Julia’s soft cheeks with both hands, directed at the girl’s father.

“I want to dislike Lord Hardis, but I can’t because he looks exactly like Julia. It’s frustrating.”

“Liana Lady… It’s Julia who resembles me.”

“Shush!”

Julia fondly recalled the times they had these exchanges. And during those moments, her mother would always smile so happily.