At around 9 in the morning, her eyelids slowly opened. As she sat up, tangled silver locks flowed down to cover part of her face.

Are you awake, madam? Do you want me to prepare your breakfast?

Just as Alice opened the window next to Laritte, a cool spring breeze touched the tip of her nose.

The scent of flowers.

Laritte murmured blankly.

It smells nice, doesnt it, maam? I will comb your hair for you!

The Duchy of Reinhardt was also known for the full bloom of the flower Crocus during the months of spring.

In particular, a village in the duchy was named Crocus. Perfume manufactured from that village was also one of the popular products in the society.

The fragrance of those flowers usually reached everywhere in Reinhardts estate in spring.

This mansion was no exception.

Laritte asked.

What about Ian?

Oh-uh, dont ask me!

Shivering, Irene replied, stopping at her work of changing the vase.

As far as I know, the Duke has been working since early in the morning. Do you want me to inform him?

He said hed see her.

Laritte shook her head.

She didnt want to interrupt him.

If he said hed come to see her, he would when he was free.

If madam doesnt have anything to do today, how about we watch the knights train?

Or you can call someone over to shop at the mansion, madam. Ill go to the street and get the catalogue.

There could have been a lot of things for Laritte to do after waking up.

Cleaning, washing dishes, or repetitive chores.

But she wouldnt have to do those anymore.

It felt new and foreign to set a schedule for enjoyment.

Laritte saw employees of the Reinhardt household smiling at her wherever she went.

Madam!

Madam.

Have a nice day, maam.

A gardener, picking up flowers, said when she was passing through the garden at sunset.

Madam, youre looking very pretty like the pansy today.

Thank you

He held out a purple pansy flower towards Laritte which she took.

Ian still didnt visit her.

Was he not going to see her until the governments decision?

Or would he only come to show his children as per the governments rule?

Various thoughts crossed her mind.

She stared at the flower in her hand.

Somehow, those thoughts saddened her. She wished hed think of her.

Absent-minded, her fingers curled up around the stalk and petals, slowly crushing the flower.

But when the gardener peered at her hand, the flower was already ruined, leaving him in utter shock.

Forgive me, madam, I didnt know that you didnt like pansiesPlease forgive me, madam!

Oh, no. Its not like that.

She had to do her best for ten minutes to clear up the gardeners misunderstanding and to calm him down.

Just like that, she spent two days. Alone.

It was three days later when Ian finally came to her.

Laritte!

He called out her name from the far side of the hall as he kept trudging the path, skipping his steps as he came.

He had been trying to see her for what felt like an eternity and had been frustrated.

He came to see her as soon as he finished his days of work.

He didnt even take a proper bite of his breakfast or have his pumpkin soup.

Laritte, how have you been?

Oh- oh, my.

The maids giggled into fits. The air in the room felt relaxing.

Its exciting!

Really, dont you two love each other?

To the employees, Ian was a kind, but distant person.

They definitely loved each other, but it was hard for either to approach.

And she was a beauty whose smile was very rare.

Unlike the thrilled maids, Laritte was cold.

Yes, thanks to His Grace, the Duke, I could get out of harms way. I am very grateful to him.

Laritte?

Laritte had finished moulding her mind during the three days she spent alone.

At first, she thought of being friends with him even if he would consult the government about his heir.

The time they had spent in the villa during the winter was enough to make her feel they were quite compatible.

But they werent.

Ians favor had ended with giving her a roof to stay in.

Thats why he hadnt shown his face these past three days.

Ians eyes with frowning eyebrows followed her as she moved to another place.

Whats wrong? Did something happen to you these days?

Nothing has happened.

The problem was that nothing was there.

Ian didnt break his promise.

I can fix it.anything, only if you speak to me, Laritte.

The Duke must be busy, so he should get going now.

What Laritte.

She walked away, as if running away from him.

Leaving the front door, she passed by the flower beds and crossed the wide field.

Nevertheless, Ian followed her closely.

This trial of escaping him grew quite difficult for her.

Her face became red and her breathing became faster, but she could gain no more distance from him.

Eventually, she stopped in front of a small stream flowing through the Dukes property.

The trickling water of the stream was cool, very opposite to Larittes hot skin.

Huff, huff.

On the contrary, Ian was fine.

Unable to keep up, the maids had stayed behind.

Ian, walking up to stand beside Laritte, said. Awkwardness clad in his tone.

I really wish to listen to your explanation.

Her blazing eyes turned, glaring at his long legs.

You wouldnt have followed me if Id broken those

Chills went down her spine, surprised at the threat she was giving.

Puzzled, he stepped back.

Rubbing her temples with her fingers, she said bluntly.

Its nothing.

Bending her knees, she chose to stare down at the flowing stream.

The white foamy transparent water was accompanied by colored rocks and small fishes.

Ian shook his head, as if defeated.

He crouched down next to her with a modest gesture that did not fit him.

A thought crossed his mind.

When they were living in the old villa, he had caught a fish while she went to collect water from a nearby lake.

Laritte had enjoyed it.

He reached out to touch the water, trying to make her feel better.

She was watching his actions when he took out a fish out of a sudden, surprising her.

Here.

He held the fish out to her.

The scales sparkled in five colors as the fish vigorously wriggled in his hand.

She murmured blankly without realizing.

Swordmaster: A fish-catcher.

It was Ian who broke into laughter when she expressed the title with both of her hands supporting her chin.

Pfft- Hahaha.

Very funny.

I did it because I thought youd enjoy it, but I guess I was the only one who laughed.

He said while looking at Larittes eyes, but her lips were still flat.

He tried another.

Shall we cook this fish like we did in the villa? The chef will be better than me.

Laritte recalled it, too.

There was only one fish he had caught that day.

After cooking, he had given up his share to her, saying he hated fish.

Unaware of Laritte secretly reflecting on the memory, Ian continued, shocking her.

My favorite dish with fish is fried rice with cream sauce. The chef knows how to make it delicious.

.You said you didnt like fish.

I did?

First, he blinked as if he had heard it for the first time, but his eyes widened when realization struck him.

He must have told such a lie.

Because she was his benefactor back in the villa, he felt sorry for her to only drink water and have a low diet.

He had wanted to give her a good source of nutrients.

Ah, uhh, I

Finally getting the truth, Laritte sighed heavily.

He had lied for her.

Youve been a fool, Ian. You should have taken care of yourself What made you do that?

The title had come back to his name from The Duke.

Great!

He clenched his free hand into a fist.

Laritte, who was relieved, stabbed her finger in the soft soil near the stream.

The closet of her mind, which had been tightly locked for several days, was slowly unraveling.

Its just, I thought we could be good friends.

Are we not friends?

His voice was quiet, ringing low.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep