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

Chapter 63 Julia and the female secretary

“All members of the Plant Baron’s family are grateful to you, Julia-sama, but among them, I am the one most thankful that you were found. Even more so than my lord, you know. Although saying such a thing might get me blown away to some distant place by my lord.”

Hyde squinted his eyes and genuinely spoke with joy.

Since their first meeting, Hyde had been favorable towards Julia, and she interpreted it as gratitude for her initial purification of the Plant Baron’s farm. Perhaps it was also relief that the person Romand had been searching for had finally been found.

Certainly, that might have been part of it, but the primary source of gratitude might be that Julia indirectly protected the roses of the late Lady.

As expected, Hyde continued,

“My life as a butler was meaningless… In the midst of such despair, Julia-sama, you shone a ray of hope into my life. Thanks to you, I was able to protect the Lady’s will and wishes. You made me feel that my life up to now has been meaningful. I don’t know how much longer I can serve as a butler, but I consider it an honor to be able to serve you until the end. I believe my grandchildren will inherit my position eventually. However, since the butler will be Robert, I think my grandchildren will become Julia-sama’s exclusive secretary.”

“My grandchild, yes. Currently, she’s working as a maid here, but I’ve been gradually instructing her in the mindset of a secretary.”

“A maid?”

“Do you dislike having a female secretary?”

“No, not at all. If it’s someone trusted by Hyde-san, I’m reassured. But I didn’t know that your grandchild is working here. Who might it be? Is it perhaps Sharie-san?”

Julia recalled the maid she had become attached to and asked.

Sharie emitted an elegant and graceful atmosphere, almost like a noble’s daughter, despite being a servant. If she were Hyde’s granddaughter, that would make sense.

And, as it turned out, that was correct.

“Sharie got married to a man in the neighboring territory of the Baron’s estate, my eldest daughter’s child. She’s my first grandchild. She’s been admiring you, Julia-sama, for a long time, and she’s been saying that she wanted to serve if you ever became the lady of the Plant family. To be honest, my sons’ children also expressed a desire to work for the Plant family, but since they wanted to serve as butlers, I told them it’s impossible because Robert is already here.”

“For a long time… I mean, Romand-sama and I getting engaged was a coincidence, you know?”

Julia was surprised. It was hard to believe that the seemingly wise Sharie had earnestly wished to serve someone she didn’t even know. However, Hyde smiled and said:

“Sharie has had that wish ever since. She believed that you and the lady of the Plant family would eventually be connected. And now that dream has come true, she’s overjoyed to be able to serve you.”

“If you know the master well, everyone believed that Julia-sama would become the lady of the Plant family.”

“Eh?”

“Among those working in the mansion, apart from myself and Robert, they know that the Romand-sama has ‘Green Thumb,’ but they are unaware that he’s a ‘Green Spirit User.’ And certainly, they have no knowledge of his true abilities, Julia-sama. Nevertheless, due to the master’s intense devotion, or rather, affection for Julia-sama, the estate’s staff all believed that you would undoubtedly perform miracles. After all, Romand-sama is an exceptionally extraordinary person who has made the impossible possible time and again. And considering how you are so earnestly desired, everyone assumed that you must be an incredible woman. They all thought so.”

Although Hyde hastily corrected himself, hearing the word “devotion” left Julia with an indescribable feeling. It was genuinely heartening to think that she was held in such regard by Romand. Yet, she couldn’t help but wonder if she truly deserved such value.

Having inherently low self-esteem, Julia felt a bit scared. However, if she loved Romand, she shouldn’t run away. If she wasn’t suitable now, she could become the person he needed in the future.

Nevertheless, considering Romand’s usual attitude, Julia was surprisingly taken aback by such fervent passion. He was always calm, gentle, warm, and filled with elegance in front of her. Like a deep red rose…

“Romand-sama is like the roses cultivated by my former lady. Noble, beautiful, and with sharp thorns all over to protect what is precious. He won’t show that to anyone other than his enemies, but I thought I should let you know, just in case. Perhaps the master will never intend to show that to Julia-sama throughout his life, but it’s better to convey the message.”

Julia no longer fell for Hyde’s forced smile. So, if she let her guard down and someone did something to her, Romand would use the sharp thorns covering his entire body to attack the assailant, right? With power enough to easily blow away the royal palace.

Just imagining that power directed at a person… Julia shuddered. She realized that she had to be strong. However, she also felt proud that Romand, so respected and trusted by the staff, held her in such high regard.

“Julia-sama. From now on, Lord Romand is expected to be busy with work in that direction for a while. There might be times when you won’t have the chance to meet or talk. Also, information from the Earl’s house probably won’t come in immediately. I understand you may be concerned, but please, trust Lord Romand and wait without worry.”

Julia nodded at Hyde’s words. Honestly, she thought it was a bit late to be concerned about the Woodcliff family. Moreover, she was already leaving that house to get married.

She did wish that the family and current staff would disappear for the sake of her brother Kent, but if it really happened, no one would be left in that mansion. In the end, Kent wouldn’t be able to return to his home. Julia suppressed the urge to sigh.

For the sake of her father, who would be left alone in that mansion, she thought she should ask Liana, the wife of Marquis Rudolf, to introduce some essential staff promptly.

Julia’s aunts was taken somewhere from the party venue in the royal castle yesterday. Probably, the remaining staff members were now being taken away by the knights. The mansion was likely deserted by now, or rather, being thoroughly inspected by many people.

The future was uncertain, but they would probably be rightfully judged in a public trial.

The charges were not just about abuse towards the lord’s daughter or taking over the household. Leaving aside her cousins, her aunts and butler Virgil Hunt were probably involved with people from the western country, the ‘Black Spirit User.’ That meant charges of domestic rebellion and treason.

Not only her father, Earl Woodcliff, but also Romand, the ‘Green Spirit User,’ would likely be busy. If only she had been more conscious of herself as the ‘Green Spirit User,’ understood her abilities sooner, and made efforts to develop them…

It was too late to regret now, but she felt frustrated with her useless self. However, what she could do now was study to be a lady without causing trouble to others.

In order to remind her of that awareness, Hyde, the butler, had probably explained the history of the Plant family, which he should have kept hidden. Julia realized this.

However, the next day, an unexpected visitor arrived, interrupting Julia’s determination sooner than expected.