What Remains at the End of Regret - Chapter 17

As always, the carriage made its way toward the glass villa.

The girl who once looked out the window with a heart full of excitement was gone. The one who used to run to see her beloved flowers was no longer there. Now, only a debtor remained, someone burdened with a duty to repay what was owed.

Vivian Mabel let out a deep breath and turned her gaze to the window.

Beyond the narrow glass, the familiar scenery had taken on the colors of summer. It was the season when Faubert became its most beautiful. The sun, soft and warm, gently lit the Tanique River, and its sparkling light filled the air with anticipation. Although this summer would not be filled with joy alone.

The greenhouse, entrusted to her by Lady Norma, had become Vivian’s mission for the season.

Just as Betty had advised, Vivian intended to carry out her duty faithfully. Everything Betty said had made sense. Sadly, she was right when she said Vivian’s approach had been wrong. Now, looking back, it was possible that her suggestion to stay out of the Duke’s sight had come across as irresponsible.

Vivian had a clear responsibility to take care of the greenhouse, and avoiding its owner entirely was not a realistic plan.

So, she decided she would fulfill her duty by caring for the greenhouse with complete dedication. That, she believed, was what the Duke truly expected of her.

Vivian made up her mind to be confident. The Duke’s words, spoken in the tone of an adult scolding a child, had shaken her once again. But she no longer wanted to lower her head and hold back tears from the shame. She wanted to stand tall.

And so, the day of her summer battle began.

As the carriage slowed and approached the estate, Vivian adjusted the light, comfortable dress she had chosen for easier movement. She headed toward the greenhouse she had memorized in detail during her last visit, determined not to forget its layout.

Lady Norma had granted her permission to visit the greenhouse freely once a week at her convenience. Following that arrangement, Vivian’s visits were smooth and welcomed. The day before, she had sent notice of her visit in advance. Lady Norma had replied with an apology, saying she would not be able to greet Vivian in person due to poor health. She had also included a note, mentioning that although a newly hired gardener would care for the greenhouse, she especially hoped Vivian would take good care of the daisies, her favorite flowers.

It was only after her third visit that Vivian was able to fully explore the greenhouse.

The wide glasshouse, which felt as if it had captured nature itself, was quiet and peaceful. In the center stood a fountain, from which streams of water flowed. Flowers from the East, rare in Argent, filled the space, including difficult species that required careful attention. Among them spread a large patch of simple, snow-white daisies.

Vivian gave a small smile to herself. She wondered if anyone would believe that a noblewoman of such high rank spent her time tending to these modest daisies.

As described in the letter, a young gardener had been newly hired and was present in the greenhouse.

“The most important part of caring for daisies is removing the ones that start to wither,” he explained kindly as he introduced himself.

“When the petals turn brown, you need to cut them off.”

“You only leave the ones strong enough to survive?”

“That way, they bloom longer and more abundantly.”

The gardener went on to briefly explain how many times a day the daisies needed watering and what kind of soil condition should be maintained. Vivian found the instructions easy to understand. He also reminded her to be especially cautious around noon, as the overhead irrigation system would spray water automatically. After giving all the important instructions, the gardener left.

Now alone in the greenhouse, Vivian carefully examined the daisies. Between those just starting to bloom, her fingers gently trimmed away the stems with wilted petals.

“You faded too soon,” she murmured.

Her face showed quiet sadness, her brows gently furrowed with regret.

She wished they had bloomed stronger.

The ones that blossomed too early in their effort to shine more beautifully had withered just as quickly.

Looking around, she realized there were quite a few that needed to be trimmed. It felt like such a shame, but Vivian’s responsibility was to tend to the greenhouse and report on its condition. She could not imagine standing in front of the Duke and saying she had been too soft-hearted to remove the wilted flowers.

In the end, she had no choice but to accept it.

If she wanted to care for all the daisies in the greenhouse properly, she would need to work quickly and stay focused.

The hem of Vivian Mabel’s dress fluttered softly as she moved busily between the white daisies.

＊＊＊

Thick, humid air filled the study. It was the kind of suffocating heat that made breathing uncomfortable and the season unbearable.

The sharp sunlight forced its way through the silver-trimmed curtains and made Edmund squint. He let out a low sigh and took off the glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. Then he loosened the cravat that felt like it was choking his neck.

He was tired of summer.

No matter how elegant the Lockberg summer villa looked, it could not hide its one fatal flaw. It trapped heat inside and turned into a furnace under the mercy of the season’s sun.

“Shall I bring you some water?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Varner, speaking in a calm voice, continued reading through the business reports concerning the Lockberg estate. Just as Edmund leaned in slightly, showing that he was listening, an unexpected update interrupted the steady rhythm. It happened just as the chirping of birds outside had begun to irritate him.

“Colonel Felix has informed us that he will be visiting the villa soon.”

“Felix?”

“He has completed his mission and returned from the Black Sea front to the capital.”

“Grandmother will be happy to hear that.”

Edmund let out a short laugh and flipped through another page of the report. If he was the grandson Lady Norma depended on, Felix was the one she cherished.

Felix, the only heir of the Marquess of Anait, had a carefree charm that could win over even their strict grandmother. He loved parties and social gatherings, and with his arrival, this already long summer would likely feel even longer.

At least to Edmund, who found little enjoyment in such things.

Varner paused, carefully observing his master’s mood. He knew that Edmund disliked summer more than most people. As the experienced and intuitive butler of a noble household, Varner had always been able to sense his master’s thoughts without being told.

What made him hesitate now was the next piece of news. He had no idea how the Duke would react to it. After a brief pause, Varner cleared his throat and announced another visitor.

“Lady Vivian Mabel is currently in the greenhouse.”

The pen in Edmund’s hand stopped for a moment. Then, without a word, he resumed writing as if nothing had happened.

“Looks like she started on time.”

After all that complaining, she had finally figured out what she was supposed to do. His dark eyes lowered with quiet satisfaction.

“Shall I bring Miss Mabel to you once she finishes in the greenhouse?”

In response to Varner’s question, Edmund gave a soft smile, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

“That won’t be necessary.”

She will come to me on her own.

Suddenly, a wave of heat rose up around him. The weather outside was already stifling, but this heat inside his chest felt even more intense.

＊＊＊

At noon, Vivian finished tending to all the daisies in the greenhouse.

She had been so focused on her work that she had completely forgotten the time. Her face was covered in small specks of soil, but she didn’t care. She had given her full attention to caring for the flowerbeds.

After removing the wilted flowers and leaving only the ones just beginning to bloom, Vivian now had only one task left. The most difficult one. The one she would rather avoid more than anything.

If she could skip meeting the Duke, she would gladly do twice the amount of work.

But the truth was undeniable. She had fulfilled her duty. The clean and beautiful flowerbeds were proof of that.

And so, she had to go. She needed to report it directly. To show him that she had taken responsibility, just as he had told her to do.

And to ask him, even if just once, to stop making fun of her for it.

Vivian Mabel rubbed her hands clean of dirt and wiped her cheeks. Using the glass window as a mirror, she carefully smoothed her hair.

She looked more disheveled than when she had first arrived, but the slight untidiness would serve as good evidence that she had worked hard in the greenhouse. It would help show her effort.

Hurrying toward the entrance of the main house, which was connected to the back garden, Vivian approached Varner, who was moving quickly through the hall. She asked him where the Duke was.

Varner paused for a brief moment at her somewhat untidy appearance, but then offered a polite smile and kindly led her to where the Duke was waiting.

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