The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady. - Chapter 57
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- Chapter 57 - Julia's dance with Her Father
The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady.
Chapter 57 Julia’s dance with Her Father
“Hey, Dad, it might be a bit late to ask, but how do you like me in this dress? Does it suit me? Thank you so much for this gorgeous dress. Wearing a dress filled with your and Mom’s love makes me feel truly fortunate.”
Julia stood up and gracefully twirled in front of her father, Hardis.
“It looks beautiful. It suits you very well. It’s amazing, the idea that I can still imagine my daughter, who was once a child, as a graceful lady. It’s like you are a pure white rosebud, about to bloom into a splendid flower.”
Hardis squinted his eyes, looking at his beloved daughter again. The dress designed by his late wife, Margaret, truly complemented their daughter.
“I wanted so much to see you in your finest. I’m sure your mother would have wanted the same,” he whispered, his eyes welled up with emotion at the thought of his late wife.
“Dad, I want to show off this dress even more to everyone. I want them to know that it’s made by you and Mom. I want them to see how much love I have from both of you.”
“Julia…”
“Each of the 375 pearls represents the love from you and Mom. I want to brag about it to everyone. So, would you dance with me in the hall?”
Hardis, taken aback by Julia’s unexpected invitation, expressed his surprise before breaking into a joyful smile.
✽
“Many people attended the evening gathering, and no one cares about themselves, so even if I make a slight mistake, no one should notice…”
Julia had thought this way until she reached the castle, but she realized it depends on the person, as she danced with Romand.
Now, that feeling was even stronger.
Escorted by her father, Hardis, back to the hall, she attracted more attention than when she danced with Romand.
The royal family and high-ranking nobles knew Hardis’s true identity, and even those who didn’t were drawn to him in his youth for his good looks.
Moreover, after inheriting the title, he rarely appeared in social circles due to his overwhelming responsibilities.
Therefore, it seemed like a stroke of luck to encounter the Earl Woodcliff in a social setting, and rumors had it that it was considered a fortunate event.
When Julia heard this story from Robert in the carriage heading to the royal castle, she was taken aback.
However, she understood that it was not an exaggerated rumor but the truth. People of all ages, especially women, were looking at her father with intense eyes.
After a long absence, attending the evening gathering and unusually escorting a young lady…
Who could she be?
While the hall was initially buzzing with whispers, the atmosphere changed dramatically when someone said:
“Hey, doesn’t that young lady resemble the Earl?”
“Come to think of it… could she be his daughter?”
“Is she the young lady engaged to the Baron of Flowers?”
“Speaking of which, both of them do look remarkably alike. They are both so beautiful.”
“And the dress the young lady is wearing is just gorgeous. I’ve never seen a dress with such exquisite embroidery. Probably Madame Flora’s work. I envy her. I’d love to wear such a dress.”
“It’s impossible. I mean, those shining pearls, the sheer number is incredible. It’s simply impossible to gather such uniformly large pearls. It must be thanks to Count Woodcliff’s extensive involvement in trade that he managed to acquire them, I believe.”
“In that case, I’d be content with glass, as long as I can have a dress with the same design. It’s cutting-edge, truly splendid!”
Hearing such conversations among the ladies, Julia felt delighted and almost floated… No, she was effortlessly guided through turns by her father, dancing like a butterfly.
While dancing with Romand was certainly enjoyable, to be honest, dancing with her father was even more delightful. The difference in leading was like night and day.
“Father, you’re quite skilled at dancing.”
“Is that so? Julia is very skilled too. Almost on par with Margaret.”
“Is that true?”
“Oh yes. Not just flattery or trying to please you; you’re genuinely good at it. That’s why it’s so enjoyable. And it makes me happy.”
As Hardis directed a genuinely happy smile towards Julia, she couldn’t help but return the joyful expression.
“Father, everyone is praising my dress. They say it’s a cutting-edge fashion. They don’t even need me to tell them that this dress was designed by Mother ten years ago. Mother was worried it might become outdated, but it seems she had needless concerns. Truly amazing, Mother. Also, it seems everyone senses that you were involved in this dress without me mentioning it. That makes me happy.”
(Oh, what an adorable and lovely daughter. So dear and precious. Why have I neglected her for so long? Frustration, emptiness, and anger well up within me. My daughter will soon marry and truly be apart from me. What has my life been until now? I couldn’t protect my most important wife and child. I couldn’t live together with them.
Brother, when you passed away, you must have felt regret. Finally finding someone to love, deciding to protect that person and your son, only to face such a fate without even realizing Kent was your own son.)
As Hardis danced with Julia, he thought about his deceased brother, who must have died with deep regrets. Why did they have to face such a fate?
“Father, I want to continue dancing with you like this even after tonight. I absolutely hate the idea of it being just for tonight.”
“Oh, I feel the same way. Why did I decide to let go of my daughter so quickly? I regret it.”
“Oh, Father. Just because we’re engaged doesn’t mean everyone will get married right away, right? I love Lord Romand, but I want to spend time with you as my father before becoming a bride. Is that not okay?”
Hardis was astonished. Was such a thing possible? While they hadn’t yet set a wedding date, he somehow assumed that once the debutante ceremony was over, they would get married as soon as the wedding dress was ready.
“There’s no problem. I would be so happy to spend time with Julia.”
“That’s wonderful! But, Father, if we’re going to live together, I don’t want to miss having meals together at least twice a week. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be much different from before.”
Feeling his chest full with his daughter’s modest request, he responded, “Soon, various troublesome matters will be resolved. After that, I plan to improve the working environment. I won’t sacrifice myself or my subordinates’ lives for the sake of the country anymore. So, please wait a little longer under Lord Romand’s guidance.”
“Yes, understood. Also, Father, when the work settles down, why don’t we have a party at the mansion? Invite the subordinates and their wives, for appreciation, gratitude, and interaction with the ladies. Hasn’t the Woodclif family ever invited their subordinates before? I’m thinking of studying how to host parties. It’s necessary to become a noble’s wife, isn’t it?”
“Oh, that’s right. I’m sorry I couldn’t take you to social events before.”
“It’s alright. I understand that Father kept me out of the public eye to protect me. More importantly, the key point of the party is to invite the wives as well. Because right now, everyone, like Father, probably hasn’t talked to their wives about what they do. But I still find that strange. While there’s no need to disclose the details of the work, just knowing that your husband is involved in special missions to protect the country could change how the wives feel. It’s tough for wives to hold doubts, suspicions, and dissatisfaction without knowing.”
Exactly. If there’s a concern about information leakage, they could use a pledge magic at the temple during marriage. Even if they divorce, argue, or get drunk and lose consciousness, it would be secure. Until now, using pledge magic seemed like a lack of trust in the wife, and they didn’t even discuss it.
However, Julia thought that wives also have the right to decide whether they want to know about their husband or not, and if they are ready to face it.
“That’s a good idea. Once things settle down this time, I’ll consult with my subordinates and gather their opinions.”
✽
Watching Julia dance with her father so joyfully and happily, Romand felt delighted but also somewhat complicated. They had been dancing for three songs in a row. She had said she got tired after two songs with him. Well, he understood the reason. Count Woodcliff’s lead was excellent, and Julia simply entrusted herself to her partner. That’s why she was both physically and mentally at ease.
In contrast, Romand, being less skilled, was sure that Julia had to be considerably considerate dancing with him.
“So, the avoidance of practice, claiming to be bad at it, has caught up with you.”
When Robert pointed that out, Romand couldn’t refute because it was true.
“Well, giving flowers to your father-in-law is necessary as a son-in-law, so let it go this time. From now on, strive to practice dancing.”
Romand firmly pledged in his heart to practice a lot from now on and show that he would become better at dancing than his father-in-law.