The Archduke’s Flower Is in Danger - Chapter 17

Final preparations for the Grand Ducal wedding, now just a week away, were in full swing.

At the edge of the Great Hall of the residence, massive tables covered in purple velvet had been arranged. Servants were busy moving items that had just arrived—luxurious wedding gifts sent not only from the major noble houses of the Jupiter Empire but also from neighboring empires to celebrate the union of the Grand Duke and his prospective bride.

Exquisite porcelain, dinnerware crafted from solid gold and silver, and ornaments adorned with crystals and jewels were on display. Sets of expensive gems, including diamonds, sapphires, and rubies, were tucked into velvet-lined cases.

“Handle those carefully so they don’t break.”

Marlene supervised the transport of the items, while Gregory checked the incoming inventory against the master list.

“I expected a lot, but this is truly magnificent,” Gregory marveled in a low voice, his mouth slightly agape. He shook his head at the thought of having to send out thank-you notes so soon after the invitations, yet a satisfied smile hung on his lips.

“It seems even more gifts are arriving because Lady Idel is here at the residence. To think such a day would finally come,” Marlene whispered, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. She had worried incessantly that the Grand Duke might remain a bachelor for life.

If only the late Empress could have seen this, she would have been so happy.

Marlene’s expression clouded momentarily as she pressed a hand to her chest, remembering the late Empress. Kaeron, whom she had cared for since his days as a prince, had not always possessed such a frigid personality, even if he was never one for grand emotional displays.

It likely began back then.

It was after the late Empress passed away. The Grand Duke had changed, becoming like a man for whom everything he possessed had lost its meaning. The boy who had been trained since childhood to become Emperor shifted at that point. At the age of fourteen, possessing a brilliance that made his tutors declare they had nothing left to teach him, he refused to become the Crown Prince.

—Fine. I shall do as you wish.

His relationship with the late Emperor had fractured beyond repair. One day, after a private audience that left the late Emperor in a towering rage, the second prince, Pascal, was officially appointed Crown Prince. The late Emperor, having now abdicated to Pascal, was currently enjoying a cruise with his favored mistress, Marchioness Katrina. Whether the late Emperor would even attend the Grand Duke’s wedding was a subject of much public speculation.

“Lady Marlene. A footman has sent word that a guest has arrived.”

An attendant approached the lost-in-thought Marlene. She tilted her head in confusion.

“A guest? No one was scheduled for this hour.”

“It is Lord Shade of the House of Hillborn.”

At the attendant’s words, Gregory’s hand, which had been busily drafting the thank-you note list, froze.

“Lord Shade is here?”

“Yes, sir.”

Marlene and Gregory exchanged looks. They were both thinking the same thing: This is trouble!

It was precisely when the Grand Duke, who also served as the Chief Justice, was away for a high-profile noble trial that had dominated the headlines. The two of them could guess the intentions of Shade, who had coincidentally visited the residence at such a time.

Since Shade had been a close friend of Kaeron since their youth, he was a familiar figure to Marlene and Gregory. They had heard news of his return from his Grand Tour, but there was more fear than expectation regarding how that mischievous man might have matured over the past two years.

“Where is he now?”

“He said he would take a walk through the grounds, as it has been a long time. He mentioned that since he arrived unannounced, he would come inside once preparations are ready.”

It was a relief that he had shown such consideration when the drawing room wasn’t prepared. Marlene ordered a tea table to be set up immediately and then turned to a nearby maid.

“Where is Lady Idel right now?”

When the Grand Duke was away, the prospective Grand Duchess was the master of the house. It was her duty to receive guests.

He must have come knowing this.

Marlene let out a deep sigh, thinking of Shade’s likely intentions.

“She is arranging flowers. She is working on the centerpieces.”

Lately, with the wedding approaching, the number of visitors to the residence was increasing. Creating the centerpieces to decorate the drawing room was one of the duties of the mistress of the house. Marlene smiled briefly, proud of Idel for meticulously tending to the household affairs even while busy with administrative work and university preparations.

“Inform Lady Idel that a guest from the Hillborn Ducal House has arrived. Assist her in preparing to receive him, and then escort them to the drawing room.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The maid nodded and hurried off. Marlene headed toward the kitchen to oversee the dinner preparations following tea time, and Gregory went to his study to call the attendants traveling with the Grand Duke to inform them of Shade’s visit.

While everyone was busy preparing for the guest, the first person to actually encounter the unexpected intruder was someone quite different.

Idel was in the middle of creating centerpieces for the tables with a maid skilled in floral arrangement.

“The gardeners are so excited lately, ever since the new mistress arrived. Before, there was no one to appreciate the gardens they tended, so this is a great joy for them.”

“The garden seen directly from the Grand Duchess’s room is truly beautiful. Since they will get even busier with spring arriving, I think it would be good to grant the gardeners a special bonus.”

“I can already imagine them humming while they work.”

As they exchanged small talk and decorated the blooms, the maid spoke up with a troubled look.

“We are a bit short on eucalyptus for the filler. I’ll go to the garden and get some quickly.”

“Is that so? The weather is nice; let’s go together. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the gardener who raised these flowers so beautifully.”

At Idel’s thoughtful words, the maid smiled and nodded.

The Grand Ducal residence had several courtyards reflecting its vast scale. They entered the one closest to them. The courtyard, surrounded by classical corridors, was filled with the fresh scent of spring from lush trees and flowers blooming everywhere. Flowers boasting their unique colors were neatly planted around a central fountain.

Actually, having been confined to her study lately, she hadn’t visited the gardens at midday. Idel smiled softly, enjoying the rare moment of leisure.

“I’d like to walk for a moment. May I take a stroll?”

“Of course. I shall follow you.”

“No. Find the flowers we need and go back first. I’ll just walk a bit, say hello to the gardener if I see him, and then head back.”

After dismissing the maid, Idel took her parasol and walked deeper into the garden. A tidy path was laid out alongside marble pillars. Looking around, there were many plants whose names she didn’t know. Idel reproached herself slightly for having intentionally ignored plants in the past.

As a member of the Fleure family, it was only natural to love plants. Even without a scent, looking at flowers and trees made her feel at peace. However, she had intentionally looked away every time the anxiety that she might not truly be a Fleure weighed on her.

I won’t do that anymore.

Since her father, Count Fleure, visited last time, her heart felt much lighter. More than anything, being with the people of the Grand Ducal House allowed her to find peace of mind—though her feelings for the Grand Duke, who often confused her, remained unchanged. Every time she wavered, she reminded herself of the contractual relationship and tried to focus only on what she needed to do for the house.

I must be faithful to my role as the mistress.

Consoling the hard work of a faithful servant was a duty she ought to perform. She was looking for the gardener somewhere in the garden as she walked.

“!”

Passing a pillar and turning a corner, Idel stopped in her tracks upon seeing a man’s long legs stretched out on a bench. Startled by the sudden sight, she hesitated but then took a cautious step forward. Once she fully turned the corner, she saw a man lying across the bench.

His jacket, vest, and tie were draped over the backrest, leaving him in only his shirt. He had a bowler hat covering his face, presumably to block the pouring sunlight.

Is he a gardener?

A gardener was the most likely candidate for a man to be encountered in the garden at this hour, yet the well-tailored three-piece suit draped nearby and the expensive shoes he wore did not look like the attire of a laborer.

Who on earth is he?

While Idel narrowed her eyes, pondering the man’s identity, the man slowly moved. Extending his hand as if stretching, he pulled the hat off his face.

“I must have drifted off,” the man muttered in a sleep-heavy voice. His fine silver hair, catching the sunlight, scattered softly over his forehead. His violet eyes, hazy with sleep, looked like those of a languid cat just waking up.

Half-rising, the man felt a strange presence and turned his head, his gaze sharpening instantly. Idel flinched under his stare.

“Oh…?”

An awkward silence descended between them.

The man, with his shirt unbuttoned at the top and his hair disheveled, looked strangely dangerous. Upon seeing her, the sharp edge disappeared, and his eyes sparkled with interest as he sat up fully.

Seeing the man approach her, Idel stepped back, tightening her grip on the handle of her parasol. She was ready to strike him if necessary. Reading her vigilance, he stopped and scratched the back of his head with a troubled laugh.

“Oh dear! I must have startled you in my excitement to see you.”

“Who are you? Are you the gardener?”

“The gardener?” The man tilted his head slightly and then wore a mysterious smile. “Well, I do happen to handle flowers quite well.”

“…So, you are a gardener.”

At Idel’s words, the man maintained an ambiguous expression but said nothing else. She let out a sigh of relief and relaxed her guard.

“I wanted to thank you for tending the garden so diligently. You must work very hard.”

She thought he must have been exhausted to fall asleep like that. Looking at the woman who was gazing at him with piteous eyes, the man laughed out loud in amusement.

“Haha. I suppose I do work quite hard for the Grand Ducal House.”

With a face full of laughter, the man stepped closer to Idel. As the tall man strode forward, he closed the distance in just a few steps.

An alluring fragrance emanated from the man with eyes like violets. Whether that cold yet sweet scent came from a perfume or from the flowers he tended, she couldn’t tell.

The man knelt on one knee before Idel. He tilted his head upward, meeting her gaze intently.

“Would you not grant a reward to this poor servant? Prospective Grand Duchess.”

Naturally taking her hand and pressing a lingering kiss to the back of it, the man smiled wickedly with his eyes.