An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 55

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#55

Of course, when writing lyrics, it was important to arrange flowers appropriately based on imagery, so I had some knowledge about them. But I had never thought about what kind of flowers I personally liked.

“Well, I think I like all flowers. I don’t particularly dislike any either…”

Was this how Gert felt when I asked him what songs he liked?

After answering sheepishly, I fell into thought for a moment, then grinned and asked Gert.

“What kind of flower do you think suits me? Then I’ll try liking that flower.”

“…I don’t know much about flowers either.”

Gert also cleared his throat awkwardly.

It wasn’t particularly surprising since Gert didn’t seem like the type who would know much about flowers. Rather, it was more surprising that he had information about rare lily seedlings in the Royal Palace.

After pondering for a while, Gert added as if making an excuse.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Sure, sure.”

I nodded carelessly without much concern.

But I didn’t really expect much. Wasn’t I already taking up an enormous amount of his time? In the midst of that, Gert wouldn’t be idle enough to research flowers he had no interest in.

Gert was probably just saying that to ease today’s awkward atmosphere.

Thinking that way, I let Gert’s promise go in one ear and out the other.

***

“Hilias. Let’s go to Count Tindal’s estate.”

At Gert’s sudden command as soon as he got into the carriage, Hilias tilted his head in confusion. Considering there had been no mention of this when they came to Orphea’s Mansion, it seemed like a schedule had been suddenly arranged.

‘Did something occur to him during his conversation with Lady Orphea?’

In any case, Hilias simply did what Gert instructed. Thus, Gert’s carriage headed toward Count Tindal’s estate.

Count Tindal was inwardly surprised by Gert’s sudden visit. Since Helena had recently done something to displease Gert, Count Tindal asked worriedly.

“For the Duke of Lübenherts to visit personally, what brings you here?”

“I’ve recently become interested in flowers, and I heard your garden is magnificent.”

“The garden… you say?”

Count Tindal asked with a dubious expression.

Hilias was equally unaware that Gert had come to Count Tindal’s estate for such a reason. Standing a step behind Gert, Hilias stared wide-eyed at Gert’s back.

Hilias’s expression was clearly visible to Count Tindal, who stood opposite them.

‘Seeing that Hilias, who handles every aspect of Gert’s affairs, is showing such a reaction, it seems the Duke of Lübenherts didn’t really come because he’s interested in flowers!’

If Gert were truly interested in flowers, instead of coming to see someone else’s garden, he would have called a decent gardener to renovate his own garden.

‘…Could this be an attempt at reconciliation?’

A few days ago, he had heard that his daughter spilled wine on Orphea’s dress. And that Gert had been angry about it.

If his sons had done such a thing, it would definitely have been intentional, so he would have given them a thorough scolding. But how could sweet Helena have done it on purpose? Since people can make mistakes, he had just given her a word or two of caution and left it at that.

But that didn’t mean he hadn’t worried about what would happen if Gert openly fell out with their family.

When Gert came to visit with such an unexpected request while he was fretting about this, Count Tindal couldn’t help but interpret the situation as he wanted to see it.

“Of course, please look around as much as you’d like! If there are any flowers you fancy, just say the word. I’ll send them to your residence.”

The Count readily agreed to Gert’s request. Then he called a gardener to guide Gert comfortably around the garden.

Count Tindal’s garden lacked consistency in the flowers planted, but in terms of variety of species, it was the best in Petalien.

Gert’s eyes narrowed as he examined various parts of the garden. Then, suddenly, Gert stopped walking.

“What is this flower called?”

“C-Canna Lily, sir. It’s a rare white variety.”

“And that flower?”

“…White clematis, sir?”

The gardener answered while wiping away cold sweat.

Contrary to the Count’s indication that he would just look around briefly and be done, Gert continued to point here and there, asking the gardener what the names of various flowers were.

The gardener, who had initially been anxious about displeasing Gert, gradually relaxed as his conversation with Gert grew longer.

Soon, the gardener who had grasped the common trait of the flowers Gert was interested in asking about even began speaking to Gert first.

“If you’re looking for white flowers, the white peonies are at their peak right now. They’re precious imports from foreign lands. The lilies already bloomed a month ago… Of course, we do have some growing in the greenhouse! The white roses are still blooming.”

“Hmm…”

Gert nodded with a serious expression. He seemed to be listening intently to the gardener’s words, moving his lips several times as if memorizing the flower names.

Hilias, who was watching from a step away, couldn’t understand what was going on at all.

‘…What on earth is Lord Gert thinking?’

He had been observing Gert for over ten years, but had never once seen him show interest in flowers. If Gert had shown even half the interest in flowers that he was showing now, the current garden of the Duchy of Lübenherts wouldn’t be in such a desolate state.

The gardener, who had been proudly showing off the flowers he had grown, spoke in a somewhat excited tone.

“Would you like to visit the greenhouse as well? There are flowers there that His Grace the Duke of Lübenherts might fancy.”

“Yes, good.”

Just as they were heading to the greenhouse, the twins suddenly appeared.

“What’s this, Gert. Why did you come here?”

“You didn’t suddenly come to admire flowers.”

The twins’ smiling faces looked sinister. Since it wasn’t the first or second time the twins had picked a fight with Gert, he just snorted at their mischievous words.

Rather, the gardener who had been guiding Gert around the garden became flustered and explained.

“Oh no, that’s not it. His Grace the Duke is so very interested in flowers.”

“Really?”

Pollux raised his eyebrows and asked back. Under the twins’ disbelieving gaze, Gert narrowed his brow and spoke irritably.

“It’s none of your business.”

“Why isn’t it our business?”

“That’s right. Even if father gave permission, these flowers are still being managed with our care and attention! Of course it’s our business!”

Gert stared at the gardener as if asking if this was really true. The gardener wiped the sweat running down his neck and answered sheepishly.

“Yes, most of the flower varieties here were planted because the young masters ordered them…”

Of course, they only gave orders about planting this and that; the actual growing was entirely the gardener’s responsibility.

Still, Gert looked surprised, not knowing that the twins paid such attention to the garden.

“I had no idea you two were so interested in flowers.”

“Countless beauties have countless preferences. You never know what flowers the women you’re dating might like, so it’s good to have everything ready.”

“Right. If you remember what flowers someone likes and give them as gifts, it works every time.”

Castor and Pollux spoke while lifting their chins proudly. The gardener smiled somewhat awkwardly as if embarrassed by them.

But it was certainly a reason befitting the twins.

Hilias, who now understood the variety of flowers planted in Count Tindal’s garden, sighed quietly.

‘So if it’s not for personal enjoyment, interest in flowers is for gifts…’

Thinking that way, a certain possibility suddenly occurred to him. There was only one person for whom Gert would personally choose and give a gift.

Hilias soon chuckled and shook his head.

‘No way, even if Lord Gert makes exceptions for Lady Orphea…’

“Indeed, if you’re the owners of these flowers, then it is your business. I want to choose a flower that would suit Orphea. Please cooperate.”

‘…!’

Lord Gert is…

Choosing flowers?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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