There’s No Divorce For You

The Count’s garden and Theodore were very well matched. Even more so because it was well maintained, it was as if he was born into a noble family. 

He took a seat in front of me and didn’t have any disagreement with this scenery. Lisa’s behavior, which was slow to peek at him, was understandable.

Bell poured water into a round, flat dish and floated the flowers that had just bloomed on it. Thanks to skillfully cutting under the branches and soaking them in water, the flowers were fresh and soft as they were moistened.

The table was brightened by the flowers hanging on the branches like grapes. It was a bright flower as if it had just bloomed, but the scent was so faint that I wouldn’t notice it unless I smelled it close. 

“Do you like flowers, Lady Carla?”

I shook my head. 

“No, I don’t like it.”

It was an answer that fully represented Carla’s disposition. I like flowers quite a bit, but it felt strange to answer that way.

The Count’s garden was neatly decorated with trees and bushes, but there were no flowers. It was thanks to the garden that captured the taste of the hostess. 

The gardener has worked at the mansion for generations and has never missed a day of maintenance.

There was even a record of reducing the budget because he thought it was a waste to plant new flowers and grass every year just to see one season.

I took a look around the garden. The garden was only green, and in a way, it was even empty. Come to think of it, this flower was a kind that didn’t grow in the mansion’s garden. I looked at Bell.

“Yesterday, the Count said he wanted to eat fried flowers—I got some from the kitchen. It is the flower of the locust tree, Madam.” 

“Yeah. It’s pretty.” 

Bell hesitated for a moment but revealed the source of the flower again. It wasn’t a big deal, so I turned my eyes to the meal. 

Theodore handled the tableware very elegantly, never making a sound when breaking bread or cutting meat. He ate soup, bread, lamb and bacon, baked eggs, fried flowers, and even pies.

His manners were elegant, but the way he ate was very exciting. It was always a proud and happy thing to see people eating well. 

“I hope the meal suits your taste.”

Theodore glanced around and whispered as if he was telling a secret story.

“It was so good that I’m afraid Her Majesty will want to take the chef.” 

I was very surprised that he knew how to joke. He looked at my bewildered face and lifted his lips to smile. Then I started stroking my lips with my fingers. 

I soon realized why he acted like that as Bell and Liza stared blankly at him. 

I gave a warning by tapping the glass with a spoon. Bell immediately served the meal casually, but Liza hurriedly turned her eyes and soon made eye contact with me. She stiffened and then lowered her head noticeably.

‘There is something.’

Liza’s behavior was noticeable, but I didn’t bother to ask her. It was obvious that it was the Count’s order anyway. Wasn’t it an order to hear and report what Theodore and I were talking about?

But Liza stood out too much to do something like that. The blonde hair reflected in the sunlight was as beautiful as it was woven with gold thread. Fair skin, bright smile, straight forehead, big eyes, soft nose, thick lips, thin neck, and round shoulders like a deer—.

I looked at her blankly, then looked back at Theodore. Even with this pretty person next to him, his eyes were fixed on the plate. I don’t know if I should call this a true knight, or if I should call it dull. 

Looking back on the way he talked with the Count, it seemed that he was closer to the latter. Belle, completely calm, asked me.

“Madam, should I bring dessert?”

“Do it.”

Bell left immediately. I looked at the plate again. My tableware was not much different from what it was before the meal, except for a little bit of butter. It was so clean that it was embarrassing to say I ate something. 

I quickly put the fried flowers on a plate and pretended to eat them. It was crispy and fragrant. However, my appetite didn’t change, so I immediately put down the tableware and stopped eating. Carla’s body sometimes felt painful because she didn’t seem to have any appetite.

“Madam, don’t you want more?” 

Liza asked rudely. I sighed as I tried to point it out. The escort knight changed the subject because he thought that correcting the maid in front of the guest would be rude. Theodore had eaten all the deep-fried flowers.

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“Yes. It’s my first time eating flowers. It was a good experience.”

It was my first time too. I’ve tried a few Azalea Pancakes or Hwajeon, but fried flowers were the first food I’ve ever eaten in this world. However, I couldn’t show that, so I pulled up my mouth and pretended to be relaxed. 

“Sometimes they make jam with roses.”

“Is that so? I had never seen a rose fruit, so I didn’t know.”

“Oh my, rose jam is made from roses.”

I covered my mouth and smiled. It was fun to tease a man with a bigger head than me by treating him like an ignorant child.

Fortunately, Bell, who had left for dessert before I teased him further, returned with a large tray.

“Madam, I brought pudding. I think you didn’t eat properly.”

What Bell had brought was a crème brûlée. A crispy sugar layer was visible over the cream in an ivory-white bowl. It looked so sweet that my mouth was salivating. 

If I scoop a spoonful and put it in my mouth, the sweet custard cream at the bottom and the sugar coating on the hard caramelized top will mix sweetly. Without realizing it, I smiled broadly. Dessert was always an exciting gift.

“Oh my, it’s pretty.” 

The bowl was also placed in front of Theodore. He opened his eyes and started eating the dessert. I started observing him. If I look closely, he has many cute corners.

His features were clear, but his eyes were gentle and didn’t look sharp. The lips are slightly thick, and the jawline is clear. Is it because he’s still young, his jaw area is not standing out?

The uniform that was visible under his neck was neat and suited him well. His shoulders, with his epaulets on, were wide, and his chest was firm enough to be seen through his clothes.

‘A handsome man has a good body.’

Judging by the conspicuous wrist bones protruding from the ends of his sleeves, it may be that the skeleton itself is thick. The legs hidden under the table were slender and stretched out, but the thighs were particularly thick, so it looked like it could be used. 

The man who looked good in uniform was always good to see. As I stared, Theodore touched his face.

“Lady Carla, is there something on my face?” 

“No.” 

“Then why…” 

“I hope you eat well.”

I said lightly. Then the paladin’s face turned red. His ears turned bright red like a ripe apple, and they looked like it was going to melt. He looked younger when the cold expression on his young face disappeared. It was cute.

“Oh, are you embarrassed?”

He covered his red-hot face with his hands and said.

“Don’t tease me too much.”

I blinked. I thought it would be fun to tease him. I opened my mouth to tease the innocent young man.

“I just said Sir Theodore eats well.”

I looked at him and giggled as I spoke softly. Bell also seemed to be holding back her laughter. Theodore hesitated and opened his mouth. 

“If a beautiful person like Carla sees it like that— It is difficult to find composure.”

With that said, I immediately revised my assessment of Theodore. He was neither a true knight nor dull. He was just a person with a unique sense of beauty.

I felt like I stepped on a mine. It wouldn’t be like this if I was hit hard in the back by the king. He had a calm face even though he spits out loud noises.

Liza and Bell looked at him with their mouths open, as if they couldn’t hide their dumbfounded expressions.

“Madam is pretty? What nonsense.” 

Liza could barely come to her senses with a small murmur. Bell poked Liza in the ribs.

I didn’t bother to point her out, but I agreed with her. Carla was not the world’s favorite gorgeous beauty.

‘Are you crazy?’

I looked at Theodore suspiciously, but his expression had no deception. He was sincere. His unshakable blue eyes were scary.

“I forgot that you are a serious person.”

I pulled my shawl tighter, trying to forget what he had said. Even though the sun was shining, there was a chill on my back. Still, my face was terribly hot. 

It wasn’t anger. I mean, I was embarrassed. What’s more embarrassing than being told that you’re pretty by a nice guy?

Even if it was a greeting, I couldn’t shamelessly pick up and swallow what he said sincerely. 

A gentle breeze blew through the garden. At the same time, the sunlight grew stronger, and more light penetrated the pupils.

I’m sure that’s why. The reason Theodore’s black hair looked dazzling. I let out a low exclamation.

“Ah…”

Hearing that voice, Theodore met my eyes.  I spoke in a hurry as if I were making an excuse.

“It would be fine to plant flowers in the garden.”

It was really out of the blue, even to me. Still, it was plausible for something that suddenly came to mind.

“Flowers.”

Theodore responded late to the objection.

“Yes. I’m going to be busy soon, so I thought I’d do some gardening before that.”

It was common for ladies to plant flowers. It’s an empty garden, so I won’t be suspected of anything by planting some flowers suddenly.

“That’s a good idea.”