102 – Imperial Ethelmar (1)
It was a delicate touch.
The hand that carefully held my ear moved, and a crunching sound was heard in my ear.
It was still a skill that should be considered clumsy, but it wasn’t a bad thing because it felt like sincerity and affection were put into it.
Still, the earpick that Sirien held was very gently cleaning the inside of the ear.
Since it is a place where it is easy to get hurt, he seemed worried that he might make a mistake.
It’s okay to make mistakes.
Could it be that I get annoyed with you for something like that?
Sirien laughed softly.
“I really wanted to do something like this at least once. “I thought a lot about whether there was anything I could do for you.”
“I think I usually receive a lot.”
“That is not enough. I want to give more to my driver. I was taught that if you want to be a good lord, you should start by not holding back on rewards. “You should get a little more reward.”
If you say that, it would be a good thing for me, but…….
Then who should give you the award?
I felt like I would have to prepare a gift to give to Sirien sooner or later.
Are you paying attention as ear cleaning begins in earnest? Sirien became quiet.
In a room with just the two of us, hahahaha. The sound of quiet breathing could be clearly heard.
A calm and pleasant sound.
The earpick dug inside me scratches the thin inner skin. The new air was cool and refreshing.
A refreshing sense of liberation arose, as if scratching an itch. The delicate fingertips holding my ears and nuzzling them strangely put my mind at ease.
After a few minutes, Sirien seemed to have gotten quite used to cleaning his ears.
As if he had some free time, the conversation increased again.
“I’m glad there are no more scars this time. “I don’t want you to get hurt, and I don’t want those scars to remain.”
“It’s okay to get hurt like this. “Because I gained so much.”
“No. You are the most important to me. No matter how much I get, it means nothing without you. “If only I had the same mind, I thought about giving up everything and spending time alone with you in the countryside.”
“You know you can’t do that.”
“Yes. There’s still a thorn in our heart. “If I don’t get it removed someday, it will continue to hurt.”
Just a little while.
Soon we can return to our hometown.
The time has come to vent out the resentment that has been swallowed up for a long time and wield the sharpened blade.
The grudge between Therion and Henna still remained in our hearts.
Therion was dying, bleeding from the neck. She loved him so much that Henna was with her even in her death.
As much as we enjoyed our time together, our separation hurt. It was impossible for us to forget them and live quietly.
It hurts every time I think about it. You can’t stop until it’s resolved one way or another.
On the other hand, various miscellaneous thoughts arose.
How many faces we know remain in the Grand Dukedom of Ilencia?
I had knights that I was close to, and younger siblings that I often played with.
I don’t know which one of them I will cut. How far our revenge should reach.
What is clear is that little blood will never be shed.
Sirien handed over my hair.
“Right now, let’s not think about depressing stories but only think about happy things. “How are you doing Rajen? Are you feeling good?”
“Yes…… “It’s comfortable and nice.”
“Phew. Look at me closing my eyes. “Are you very sleepy?”
“Just a little.”
“It’s worth it to be tired. Still, turn your head once. “You have to do the other side too.”
Time flows slowly. Regular, pleasant sound. Cozy and warm warmth.
The peace that suddenly came made me tired.
The tension in my body was completely released, and my eyes repeatedly closed and opened.
I changed my posture according to Sirien’s guidance.
The ear cleaning started again, and I could not overcome the drowsiness that came over me.
“It’s okay to sleep now. Sweet dreams, my love.”
* * *
The winter garden of Reheim, the castle of the Grand Duke of Ilencia, was famous for its flowers that never faded all year round.
The beauty of Reheim’s garden is an old story that goes back several generations, but it was relatively recently that it came to be called the ‘Winter Garden’.
A nickname given to the impressive flowers that bloom even in winter.
That is the owner of this winter garden. It was the fruit of the great efforts of the wife of Grand Duke Ilencia every year.
The Grand Duchess did not enjoy extravagance with her clothes or accessories, but she did not easily compromise when it came to her gardening.
A garden designed and created by a grand ducal family with enormous wealth.
It couldn’t have been beautiful as money and affection were generously poured into it.
So it was a place so beautiful that the entire empire praised it.
Now that it was winter – Reheim’s winter garden looked bare and desolate.
The trees lost their leaves and seemed dry, and the flowers withered and withered.
“Ma’am, it’s winter now. “The weather is cold, so I think it would be a good idea for you to come in together.”
“Just a little…… “Let’s go a little longer.”
The Grand Duke’s wife looked down at the barren garden.
I am sitting on the balcony of Reheim. It was a place where my daughter sometimes came to visit and we would sit together and watch the stars.
Looking down at the garden from here, you can see the entire landscape of the garden and the people walking around in it at a glance.
The Grand Duke’s wife thought the entire view was very important.
Even though the garden changes completely with each season, you can always enjoy all the scenery here.
Fresh trees were used as fences, and a path was paved so that people could walk through the flower fields at any time.
The winter garden no longer has flowers blooming all year round and is no longer renovated…… There was still a wide open path in the garden.
The things that the Grand Duchess loved more than anything else were melted into it.
“The dahlias are all gone. Sirien really liked the scent of that flower.”
The Grand Duchess loved the sight of children running around the garden.
Her daughter really liked those flowers and trees. When she had time, she took a walk around the garden, and always had a fresh smile on her face.
Reheim’s winter garden actually doubled as a playground where her children could play.
Is that why?
Although her children are no longer in Reheim, looking at the garden brings back memories of those days.
– Rajen, Rajen! Catch that butterfly over there!
– Wait, you got it!
– Wow! Show me too! There were pretty patterns on the wings. You didn’t hurt me, right?
– Of course. What do you think of me?
A place where my cute daughter watched butterflies.
The way she ran around so energetically was so adorable.
– Wow! Master, are you okay?
– Ahhh!
– Oh my god, there’s blood. Let me clean your wounds first. Come this way. I shouldn’t be embarrassed…….
The road where my son, who was full of strength, fell and cried for the first time.
The maid who always followed her made a fuss about her.
Even though her parents saw her as a mischievous child, she was fortunate to have someone who truly cared for her.
– Mom, your brother stole my cookie and ate it.
– Don’t cry, there’s another one here, so you can eat it. Therion, stop harassing your little brother.
– Sirien teased me first!
– I saw all the pranks you played before.
– Ugh. Sorry.
The tree where my precious brother and sister took a nap in her arms.
It seems like they bicker every time I see them, but when I actually see them, they get along well.
She was exhausted from crying, laughing, and talking, and fell asleep peacefully on her lap.
I was very happy at that time.
Why do precious and happy things always end up falling apart in her hands?
“But I guess I should have planted some new flowers. What those children might regret when they return. “Right now, I just feel sorry for my lack of energy.”
“There will be a good opportunity someday. “Of course.”
“That would be good.”
Sadness appeared in the Grand Duke’s wife’s eyes.
Now the flowers and trees of her winter garden were of no value to her.
Even when she saw the dry and thin branches, she didn’t think anything of it.
Because what she sees in her garden is not the present but the past.
The memories engraved there are the only ones that are beautiful, so I never once replaced the flowers and trees.
I couldn’t do that anymore.
“Ma’am, can you really go in now? Then I was worried that you might catch a cold. “You need to preserve your health while you have energy.”
“It’s the opposite.”
“Yes?”
“I need to be here right now because my body and mind are intact. Because it has to be now. I just want to see a little more of that garden. My beloved son…… My poor daughter… ….”
“Ma’am!”
Tuk. As the Grand Duchess continued speaking, she pressed her hand firmly to her chest.
Her trembling body slowly lost her balance and fell off her chair.
The sad expression on his face became colored with pain.
It looks as if a mental illness has transferred to the body. The maid who served her wife bit her lip.
Soon her maid cried out in an urgent voice.
“Hello, is there anyone there!”
There was a brief commotion on the balcony.
A few minutes later, there was no one left on Reheim’s balcony.
A cold wind blew in the winter garden of Reheim.
From Noble mtl dot com
damn i wonder how she survive that