Bridal Lessons - Chapter 85
Iscarion gazed wistfully at the only being who evoked unfamiliar feelings within him. Just then, the Countess, who had her back to him, turned around.
“Rosie, shall we go over there?”
As the Countess, carrying her baby, strolled through the flowers, she noticed Iscarion approaching from the opposite direction. Though she had heard from her son that a new friend from the academy would be visiting, she instantly recognized Iscarion.
“Isca is a very good boy, but I’ve never seen him smile.”
Theodore was what people often called a mama’s boy. Unlike the aloof sons of other noblewomen, who were hard to see except during meals, Theodore freely shared his daily life and friendships with his mother.
She recalled the offhand comments her son had made at the dinner table during his last visit home. The bright and kind-hearted Countess had heard much about her son’s new friend. Hence, she could identify him at first sight.
Moreover, the stories of the Lutèce Grand Duchy were well-known in high society. Some said it was eerie how the young duke had lost his parents one after another without shedding a tear.
She carefully observed the calm face devoid of any childlike expression. Although he had unusual qualities, to her warm and affectionate nature, he was just a child who still needed his parents’ attention.
Poor thing…
As Iscarion drew near, she hid her thoughts and slightly lifted her skirt in a curtsey.
“Your Highness.”
“Nice to meet you, Madam.”
“We are honored by your visit.”
Having inherited his title, he was already treated as an adult, and he seemed accustomed to the respectful address from his friend’s mother. It was tragic for a child to be so mature at such a young age. Thus, Iscarion appeared far more precocious than her own son, Theodore, despite being the same age.
It hasn’t even been a year since he lost his father; tending to plants might be good for his emotional well-being.
She believed that flowers had the power to heal people’s hearts. Pointing to the rose garden in full bloom, the Countess spoke.
“Your Highness, aren’t the flowers beautiful?”
“Yes.”
Iscarion glanced indifferently at the garden. She expected a brief response, but he added a few more words unexpectedly.
“They’re very beautiful.”
“Indeed, they are.”
Delighted by the stoic boy’s response, she spoke in a slightly excited tone.
“Would you like to try growing flowers?”
“…”
“Please let me know if there’s any flower you like. I’ll gladly give you any of these from the garden. Look, begonias, geraniums, lisianthus…”
As she joyfully pointed out the blooming flowers, she noticed a hint of boredom on his face. She realized he wasn’t very interested in the flowers that captivated everyone’s attention. Embarrassed, she corrected herself.
“Oh… It might be hard for you to take care of them. You live alone and must be very busy. I didn’t consider that. Then…”
“Could you give it to me later?”
“Later?”
“Yes. I don’t need anything else, just one.”
Surprised by his unexpected request, she soon understood that he was asking for one of the unbloomed saplings. Her gaze rested on the row of sapling pots near the garden entrance.
“Ah! You mean one of the saplings that haven’t bloomed yet? Sure, pick any flower you like, and I’ll give it to you whenever you want. But there’s a condition.”
Looking at her with curiosity, Iscarion waited for her to continue. The Countess smiled brightly.
“Promise to cherish it until it blooms.”
“Wungkaa, Ummmaa!”
Just then, the little angel in the Countess’s arms let out another joyful laugh.
“Shh, Rosie…”
The baby giggled even more brightly as her mother patted her bottom to soothe her. The sound was so uplifting that it felt as if even the yet-to-bloom buds around them were about to burst into flowers.
At that moment, the boy, who had stood like a statue, smiled for the first time.
“Yes, I’ll cherish it.”
It was a handsome and captivating smile that could easily charm anyone who saw it for the first time. Ah… The Countess, lost for words, stood in a daze as Iscarion smiled at her once more.
“More than anything in this world.”
—Bridal Lessons, fin
