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

Chapter 6: The Likes and Dislikes of the Withered Tree Lady

Hardis Woodcliff was a genius.

He was widely known as a successful trader, but in reality, he held a high-ranking position within the country. Due to his involvement in important national tasks, he constantly traveled both domestically and internationally.

It didn’t take long for Romand and Robert to realize that he had a remarkable intellect, capable of grasping complex concepts with minimal information.

However, they also quickly noticed his tendency to assume that others understood things as easily as he did, often skipping explanations.

If you’re as sharp and perceptive as Romand and his companions, it’s not much of a problem. However, for ordinary people, his explanations can be insufficient.

When they heard about the circumstances surrounding his estrangement from his wife and children, even though it was none of their business, they couldn’t help but feel it was a mistake. They could understand why his wife would leave.

Even if they could comprehend that the count, as her husband, had no ill intentions.

Despite making such a major mistake, he was repeating a similar failure with his beloved daughter.

He had failed to provide adequate explanations not only to his long-awaited daughter but also to the man assigned as her guardian.

Romand sent a lengthy letter, along with the engagement contract, detailing the current condition of his dear daughter, via an express delivery service to the count, who would soon become his father-in-law.

Yesterday, a response arrived promptly through the same express delivery service. Of course, it included the signed engagement contract.

Hence, Robert took the initiative to carefully outline the current situation of the young lady from Hardis’s perspective and prepared a detailed letter. It was sent to him via an express delivery service just yesterday.

With the aim of expediting the improvement of Miss Julia’s circumstances…

* * * * *

Unbeknownst to him, Robert’s thoughts had wandered from Ruffie to Count Woodcliff.

However, Julia redirected the conversation back to Ruffie once again.

“…So, Ruffie suddenly changed his attitude, and I’m a bit perplexed. Well, I don’t think he’s someone with hidden motives or plotting anything malicious.”

“How did he change?”

“He started bringing me food regularly and insists that I eat it.”

Julia furrowed her brow for some reason, prompting Robert to offer his support.

“I suppose he’s concerned about… your weight loss, isn’t he?”

“I appreciate his concern, but the items he hands me are a bit difficult to eat…”

Julia hesitated to speak, so when asked what she received, she explained that they were travel-friendly, long-lasting food items. Things like beef jerky, cookies as hard as stones, overly sweet dried fruits…

“Some are overly sweet, others too salty, and some have no flavor at all…

And all of them are so hard that I can’t bite into them with my teeth. It’s scary because I feel like my teeth might chip.”

“He clearly lacks proper understanding. I gave him money and told him to prepare supplementary food, but I never expected him to buy something like that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing, Lord Santos?”

“Well… by the way, did you throw away that food?”

“Of course not. I wouldn’t be so wasteful! I soaked it in water and managed to consume it properly.”

“I apologize.”

Julia looked at Robert with a bewildered expression as he sheepishly offered his apologies, unable to understand the reason behind his behavior.

Soon after, the carriage came to a stop in front of an elegantly designed café, with a still pristine exterior.

“This café’s morning menu is quite popular in the capital city,” said Robert, taking Julia’s hand as they stepped down from the carriage and stood on the street in front of the café. Just as they arrived, the café’s door swung open, revealing Romand standing there.

“Good morning.

I apologize for summoning you so early, Miss Julia.”

“Good morning, Lord Romand. Thank you very much for inviting me.”

Julia gracefully extended one leg and curtsied, flashing a warm smile at the baron.

Despite feeling momentarily dazzled by her loveliness, Romand made a determined effort to compose himself.

As they took their seats by the window overlooking the courtyard, Romand handed the menu to Julia and asked:

“We have several options for the morning menu. Are there any preferences or foods you cannot eat?”

“No, I don’t have any allergies, and I don’t have specific likes or dislikes. However…”

“What is it?”

“I prefer to avoid strongly flavored or hard foods for the time being.”

Romand simply nodded in response to Julia’s answer. However, Robert, sitting at the adjacent table, looked down, and Ruffie involuntarily exclaimed, “Ah!”

In the end, Julia ordered a refreshing green salad with prosciutto and eggs, accompanied by a rye roll and a fresh juice made from vegetables and fruits.

The trio of men also chose the same items.

Ruffie’s eyes widened in astonishment as he looked at the charming plate placed before him.

“Are you sure you have enough? If you’d like, feel free to order more,” Romand said, expressing concern for Ruffie. However, Ruffie shook his head vigorously.

He realized the consequences of his actions and his eyes wandered. Then, with trepidation, he looked at Robert’s face.

“I think you need to pay more attention to the surrounding circumstances. What’s currently trending, what young people and women like… Even if you’re not interested in these things, it’s important to show some curiosity. Otherwise, you’ll end up being alone for the rest of your life.

Look, Lord Baron has kindly suggested it, so why not try the popular pancake set? It’s fluffy and very easy to eat.”

Robert’s words, though he was smiling, didn’t reflect genuine amusement. Ruffie, in response, nodded repeatedly with his head bowing.

Then, as he ate the additional pancakes placed before him, he was struck with astonishment.

The moment he put them in his mouth, they disappeared without needing to chew, leaving him with no sense of having actually eaten them. But to think that girls actually enjoy eating something like this.

Julia had a look of sheer happiness on her face as she savored the morning meal for the first time.

With every “It’s delicious” she exclaimed, Romand felt a pang in his heart.

Despite finally returning to her true status as the Countess, she found joy in such a simple morning menu.

Surely, back in the days when she lived on the estate, she must have enjoyed much better food than this.

When he found her two years ago, she wasn’t as frail as she is now.

Though she was never overweight, Julia, with her sun-kissed skin and vibrant energy working on the farm, appeared incredibly healthy even from a distance.