DYBAR - Chapter 6 < Meaning Of Flowers >

DYBAR - Chapter 6 < Meaning Of Flowers >

Do Your Best And Regret It

The man left the narrow road and entered the Garden of the Four Seasons. The man, who was looking around as if it was his first time here, spotted someone and ran quickly. In the direction the man was heading, there was a brown-haired man wearing a unique knightly uniform. The elaborate decorations and flashy lace on the uniform looked like something you would only see in a play, but the man embraced the brown-haired man as if to prove that he was the correct knight. A faint smile appeared and disappeared on my lips as I watched the scene.

"Sally. Let's go now."

"Yes, Miss."

I walked back the way she came. Sally was so impressed by the man's looks that she kept talking about him.

"Now that I think about it, that guy. He didn't even reveal his name. He said he was giving you a precious gift."

"We won't ever meet again anyway."

"Still. Who knows, if you meet again, he might bring you a truly precious gift."

As the bright sunlight hit, my silver hair sparkled beautifully. Who would my hair be so shiny? The person who turned to look at me without thinking blinked and stared at me in disbelief. The more you look at it, the dazzlingly beautiful white face with a strange aura that catches your eye, plus the silver hair and green eyes that are the hallmarks of the Madeleine family......!

People's eyes widened when they recognized me. I walked gracefully. The gazes pouring in were multifaceted. Cold eyes that prick like needles and curious eyes.

"...That young Lady is 'the' Princess?"

"Okay. I heard that from the very beginning, she gives off a strange aura."

Dirty gazes scan me. A few years ago, I was embarrassed and dared to ask people around me! 

Sally, who had been shouting, now followed me with a resolute attitude. 

She seemed to have adapted. She is a noble Princess and the fiancée of the Prince who was promised the position of Crown Princess. She is someone who has been on the chopping block for several years at the same time. That was me. Olivia Madeleine.

I looked at the shining sunlight. Maybe I should go to the bookstore next, I thought... 

The Madeleines' carriage slowly departed. The people who had been glancing at the carriage and talking behind it all naturally dispersed. In the alley of the Garden of the Four Seasons, which had returned to its lively daily life, the two men stood still. 

***

Winster Calter, in his lace livery, brushed his brown hair wildly and looked down at his clothes. Race on a knight's uniform! There was no clown. Winster looked beside him with his resentful eyes

However, instead of pointing out the disrespectful look in his eyes as usual, his Boss just stared at the carriage moving away like a dot. Winster, seeing that expression, was astonished, forgetting his complaints about his knight's uniform. 

Oh, my God. If I'm not mistaken, the expression on my superior's face was one of longing.

How much I miss Grand Duke Edwin Vikander Lowell, the ruthless monarch of the North, the victor on the battlefield who led us to victory in every war he participated in! 

It's been over 5 years since we've been on the battlefield together, but this is the first time I've seen the Grand Duke look like that. A person who is so merciless that he is called a killer can have such a sad expression.

And that too, towards the daughter of Duke Madeleine, the leader of the Imperial faction whom he hated so much. 

A shiver ran down my spine. Winster spoke cautiously.

"Your Highness, Do you know anyone in the Madeleine family?"

The Grand Duke said nothing. 

Winster rolled his head. It's already been 10 years since His Highness the Grand Duke was on the battlefield because of that damned Emperor. It was obvious that he would have no connection with Princess Madeleine, who must have grown up well in the system. It might be through Madeleine's second son, Jade Madeleine's vice-captain, who is on the battlefield. 

Winster shook his head. He thought it was ridiculous. Winster also knew well about the reckless Jade Madeleine who ignored orders to retreat and rushed forward. It is absurd for a man who always clashes with the Grand Duke to introduce his sister to him.

The vice-captain may have been a Duke, but his abilities were quite high, and his fiery temper could not be suppressed by anyone other than the Grand Duke. If it weren't for the Imperial Palace Knights, he would have been kicked out a long time ago. 

Winster gritted his teeth. Then the new Grand Duke put on his robe and slowly turned towards Winster. A white, sharp jawline was visible beneath the robe.

"Winster."

A low, elegant man's voice fell. Winster unconsciously straightened his posture at the intimidating voice, as if he was suppressing a person.

"Yes."

 "I don't want to go to the imperial palace."

"Yes?"

"If I were to go anyway, they would Just say bullshit like telling me to give credit or make an oath. Why doesn't the Emperor die?"

"No, Master!!!"

When the man complained in a loud voice, Winster was horrified and screamed without realizing it. A few passers-by glanced at Winster at the loud sound. But what was important to Winster was not what other people thought. His heart was pounding so hard that it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.

Oh, my God, it's okay if it was a place full of Vikander people, but he says things like that about the Emperor in a place with so many people. Be that as it may, the Grand Duke spoke in a low voice without any hesitation.

"That's rude, Winster. You cut off the master you serve and screamed so loud that other people looked at you."

"If Bethany sees this, he will be shocked."

The Grand Duke shook his head. Winster was mortified.

"You are the master. Please care about me just a little bit. This is not a camp or a grand duchy. It may be okay because the deacon is not like an average person, but I am a very average person."

"Hmm? Is it okay to say it if we drink alcohol?"

At those words, Winster shrank his neck. Whenever I drink alcohol, I think of myself taking the lead in cursing the Emperor.

"It's not just me, the chef does it too."

The Grand Duke snorted. Winster quickly changed his position.

"Now that I think about it, you probably don't want to go."

"But not as much as it used to be."

"Sure. Aren't we all ready now? How strong has the Grand Duchy become? As long as we get back the former Grand Duchess's White Crystal Mine, anything you wish will be done."

Winster said with a stern face. The Grand Duke's smiling face passed beneath his robes. While Winster, who was facing him, was moved by the memory of the Grand Duke's family that had prospered after difficult days, the Grand Duke looked again at the place where Olivia's carriage had disappeared.

 Expectation spread across red eyes. As if promising to meet again soon.

***

"Are you here, Miss?" 

"Huh? Anything special happens while I'm away?"

The butler spoke as if he had been waiting.

"Yes. A little while ago, flowers and a card arrived from the imperial palace. I put it up in the Lady's room as always."

"Thank you."

On days when he broke his promise, Leopold sent a bouquet of flowers, but this was the first time it came on the same day. 

Is it because he was seen with Maria Ethel earlier?

"Did His Royal Highness send you flowers today too? You asked me to come early because of the flowers!"

Sally smiled brightly ran up the stairs and opened the door. When she entered the room, it was as the butler had said. There was a bouquet of flowers on the table.

Unlike the usual colorful bouquets, it was a small purple flower.

"That flower."

Sally pretended to know. She nodded her head as if it was me. It was the same flower I received from the driver who sent the letter to my mailbox a year ago. How did the same flower come to be like this? 

I held up the bouquet. In the bouquet was also a card she had brought with me a few weeks ago. What words will be written today? As always, this is probably an explanation of the situation that occurred today. My eyes widened as I opened the card, trying to suppress my expectations. 

'It would be nice if the Princess knew the language of this flower. I'm afraid you won't know, so I'll write it down together. The language of this flower is 'The end of my heart is to you'. I'm looking forward to next Monday. '

The phrase written on the card seemed to be spoken in Leopold's tone. It was my first time. Leopold's card is not an excuse for not being able to come out, but an attempt to ease my mind.

 As I read the card several times, the hardcore in my heart suddenly melted like snow. The corners of my mouth kept turning up and my eyes were curved like crescent moons.

Sally said something teasingly.

"What did he send you today that made your face blush?"

When I glanced at my face in the mirror, I felt really refreshed. I grinned.

"His Highness taught me the language of flowers." 

"The language of flowers? The language of the flower is 'I will send you my victory, right?"

Sally said, stuttering as she recalled her memories. She had once read Olivia's flower language written in her knight's letter. Olivia laughed instead of answering.

It seemed that this purple flower had a different language than what she originally knew. The flower language that Leopold taught me, 'The end of my heart is with you,' was extremely touching. 

Okay. The Leopold I knew was like this. He was a kind man who saved me when I was in trouble even when I was young. He is a man who pays attention to the meaning of flowers and sends them flowers for those who are still hurt.

I put my nose to the bouquet. A faint scent of flowers rose. Feeling relieved, I gave reasons for Leopold's actions that had made me feel miserable. I said to myself that there was a reason why Leopold broke his promise to me and why he was with Maria Ethel instead of me.

He is angry that he has to break up with his lover. Or maybe It's because of the disgrace of being called a half-hearted person that he has no choice but to not love me yet. 

When this whole situation clears up, Leopold will love me. To that end, I am still trying my best. I consoled myself and opened my desk drawer. I saw six cards in my drawer. I placed a new card on top of it. When I looked at the stacked cards, his unfulfilled promises came to mind, but I tried to ignore it. I looked down at the bouquet again, suppressing the loneliness that couldn't be alleviated by the bouquet and the card. 

Past promises aren't important. It's important that you take care of me in this way. Someday everything will be okay. If I did my best, one day, Leopold would really look at me. 

I smiled and touched the flower.

Sally, who was looking at the sight happily, said.

"By the way, Lady. I heard dinner is ready. Are you going to check it right away?"

***

At the Duke of Madeleine's dinner, there were usually only three people present. Conrad, Olivia, and Ethella. Ethella, who was eating her salad with a pout on her face, eventually put down her fork

"Brother, I really ate it all!" 

"You haven't even eaten half yet?"

Conrad glanced at Ethella's plate. Ethella said as she quickly pretended to eat the garnish on her steak, which looked as if she had not even touched it.

"Should I eat it all? Normally, I should only eat this much when preparing for my debutante."

"I got a letter from Jade this morning. You don't want to see it, do you?"

Ethella's eyes widened at Conrad's ultimatum-like words. Conrad grinned and glanced at Ethella's plate. She hastily cut into her salmon steak, which Ethella had barely touched, and began to eat.

"Brother, the steak is really delicious today. So, will you give me a letter?"

Conrad smiled sweetly and nodded at the clumsy performance. As soon as she received her confirmation, Ethella glanced at Conrad without annoyance.

 "Really, Sister Olivia, too. How long have we been waiting for news about Jade?"

I nodded without realizing it at the sudden words. Conrad frowned at me. He was late, but he couldn't help it. It's been a really long time since I heard from Jade. 

Jade Madeleine, vice-captain of the 3rd Imperial Palace Knights. Jade, a great knight, had not been seen since she volunteered for the war against Heferti and left for the southern border a year and a half ago. While other knights were promoted or returned from vacation, Jade only sent news through occasional letters. 

Did I get a letter this time too? I said, trying to gather my trembling heart.

"Hey, brother. Did I get the letter too? Was there a separate letter to receive?"

"Yes?"

I felt like I had to take a breath at the poignant words. Conrad rolled his eyes at me as if joking. However, the pupils in the narrow folds of the eyes were cold.

"Unfortunately, I guess not this time. There was no letter for you."

"Jade seems very busy."

I answered indifferently. I shrugged my shoulders towards Ethella as if it was no big deal. I noticed that one of Conrad's eyebrows rose sharply, but this was okay. Because in her awkward mood, Ethella, who had been rolling her eyes as much as she could, started to get really angry.

"Oh no! Jade brother, really! When he comes, I will scold him. Unless he really hurt his arm, I won't take care of it. Everyone. It's Okay?"

Naturally, no one answered. Ethella hastily changed the subject.

"By the way, sister! Please tell me about your debutante. Your preparation for your debutante was perfect!"

A perfect debutant. The words rolling off the tip of my tongue are unfamiliar. I scoffed inside me. It would have been more appropriate today that my debutante was a mess.

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