A Second Divorce is Difficult - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Side Story 3 – The Emperor and the Empress (7)

After a long absence, the Emperor and his wife dined with the Roxs.

Both Eli and Ruby were relieved to see Katrina, whose complexion had improved considerably.

“There’s a nice place nearby for an outing.”

Eli spoke up first.

“There’s a lot to do in Bloomfield, and I think you’ll find it refreshing.”

Bloomfield was known for its large flower gardens.

It was a feast for the eyes, with rows and rows of colorful flowers.

Of course, that wasn’t all.

“You’ll love it. You can make a wreath out of any flower you want. I did it once and it was fun.

You can also make bookmarks out of petals.

There are also edible flower treats from the kingdom of Dovar that you can make, and they’re colorful and delicious.”

Ruby explains with a bit of excitement.

Ruby has fond memories of this place because it’s fun to do things with flowers, not just look at them.

Eli found Ruby’s excitement endearing, so he gently grabbed her cheek and released her.

“Why don’t you get some rest today, and tomorrow we’ll go there together?”

She didn’t forget to complete the explanation.

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it since Countess Rox says so much.”

Katrina replied that she thought it was nice to see two people who seemed to be in constant harmony.

***

“Rehabilitation program?”

“Yes. It’s a way to atone for wrongdoing through labor as we do here at the Lauf Convent for disaster recovery. This time, they’re doing some big flower garden work in Bloomfield, and they’re short-handed, so they’ve called our convent.”

Mother Superior of the Lauf Convent told the Knight, who monitors Arlen.

While the monastery usually didn’t intervene in Arlen’s activities, they always reported to Count Rox before any external activities.

The amount of money he was being paid to keep an eye on his was beyond her imagination, so he found the reports annoying but not irritating.

“I’ll send a letter to the Earl. When should I send it?”

“He says it’s urgent, so we must leave this evening.”

“I see.”

It wouldn’t matter if the letter was a little late, since they were going to follow anyway, and the report was just a formality.

Thinking so, the knight wrote to Eli before leaving for Bloomfield.

* * *

The next day, the Imperial couple, Eli and Ruby, traveled to Bloomfield in their respective carriages as scheduled.

It was a little after they had left in their carriages that a letter arrived from the knight in charge of watching over the Lauf convent.

As always, the butler, Damon, carefully stored the letter in the master’s study. So that his master could see it whenever he returned.

* * *

The atmosphere in the carriage with the Emperor and Empress remained subdued throughout the journey.

“Is something bothering you?”

Shannua was bothered by Katrina, who had seemed strangely subdued since last night.

Her gaze, which had been fixed on the window the entire time, caught Shannua’s.

“I received a letter from Lord Rayon.”

“……How?”

He’d blocked Hyde from hearing from her.

“Does it matter? Did he say anything to you?”

“……Nothing.”

Shannua turned away with a frown, remembering his conversation with Hyde.

“He didn’t say anything about you.”

“You mean you talked about anything but me?”

“…….”

“I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Calling the Empress by her first name and prying into her unspeakable secrets, he said what he had to say. He’d be lying if he said it wasn’t selfless.

“…… Okay.”

Expecting more, Katrina didn’t press further.

“What did he say…….”

Shannua, on the other hand, was curious about what had been said between them in the letter but quickly shut up.

Continuing to talk would only make the atmosphere more awkward. Most of their conversations over the past few months have ended unfavorably.

Since today was a day for a change of mood with their visit to Bloomfield, it wouldn’t be too late to ask her after they returned.

Thinking so, Shannua glanced at Katrina, who was looking at him, as if to say it was nothing.

It was much later when they arrived at Bloomfield and got off the carriages, that the two’s faces returned to normal.

“It’s an honor to have you here. Let me guide you.”

The steward, who had received prior notice, guided the four of them.

Eli had not informed him that his companions were the Emperor and his wife, so Eli and Ruby led the way, with Shannua and Katrina following.

The building they were heading toward was made of glass on one side, giving them a sweeping view of the flower garden.

“Wow…….”

Katrina marveled at the view of the expansive flower garden upon entering.

“This is where you’ll see Bloomfield at its most beautiful and authentic. Take your time looking around, and I’ll bring you some tea in the meantime.”

The smiling steward did as she was told, leaving the four of them alone to take it all in.

Katrina admired the view through the glass once more.

“It’s so beautiful.”

It was even more so now that she had a clear view of the entire flower-filled field. The landscape was like a painting made of flowers.

A few minutes later, the steward returned with tea.

“How do you like the view?”

His question carried the confidence that his guests must have been satisfied.

“I thought hearing about how beautiful the flower field is would get tiresome.”

“It’s a specially designed space, so I never get tired of hearing compliments.”

At Eli’s playful remark, the steward said proudly, setting the tea down on the table.

“But why aren’t there any flowers there?”

Eli asked, pointing to one side.

On that side was a space that gave the beautiful scene an unfinished feel. The space on the far left, visible through the glass window, hadn’t been planted with anything, leaving the dirt floor bare.

“The flowers there are out of season, and we’ll be replanting them with something else. We’ll start working on it right away, so you’ll be able to see the perfect view today, full of flowers.”

The steward explained, pouring tea into each of the four teacups in turn.

“I suggest you stay here for a while and then take a walk outside when the flowers are all planted.”

“We’ll do that.”

“Then, have a nice time. If you want something other than scenery, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’ll prepare it for you.”

With that, the steward bowed politely and left.

Shortly after the steward left, women wearing gloves appeared with a carriage filled with flowers behind the glass.

“Ah, it looks like they’re about to plant them.”

“Well, let’s sit there and enjoy them until they’re all planted.”

Once seated, the four of them were already immersed in enjoying the flower-filled area visible from their chairs.

* * *

“You can put the flowers of your choice in here.”

After enjoying fragrant flower tea, the four of them were making flower wreaths, something they could only experience here.

The servants brought in a tray full of beautiful flowers and placed them on the table.

“Don’t worry, all the thorns have been removed from the flowers.”

After the steward’s explanation, the four of them began to choose.

“You look good with roses. I’ll make mine and give it to you.”

Eli didn’t think long before taking the rose.

“Then I’ll make mine with you in mind.”

“Okay.”

Watching Eili and Ruby, who were happily making flower wreaths together, Shannua glanced at Katrina.

He wanted to suggest making wreaths for each other but couldn’t bring himself to say it. So he started decorating, thinking of making a wreath for Katrina alone.

Shannua carefully selected the flowers he thought would be appropriate for Katrina and stitched them together.

A few minutes later, Eli and Ruby were crowning each other.

Eli’s wreath, made of similar colors with red roses as accents, was placed on Ruby’s head, and Ruby’s wreath, made of yellow roses, was placed on Eli’s head.

“It suits you well.”

Ruby gave a small clap when she saw Eli in his crown.

The yellow color blended seamlessly with his blond hair.

“You look beautiful too.”

Then they looked at each other again and laughed.

Shannua fiddled with the finished wreath, oblivious to the scene he’d been watching for days.

“Are you done?”

Katrina asked, noticing his behavior.

“And you?”

“I’m almost done.”

Katrina’s wreath didn’t have many flowers, so it looked more like it was made of grass than flowers.

“Here you go.”

After making the final connections, Katrina handed the finished wreath to Shannua.

“Is it mine?”

He asked, surprised that they hadn’t discussed it beforehand.

“Then do you think that you made that wreath full of flowers for your own use?”

“……Thank you.”

It meant that Katrina already knew that the wreath was made for her by Shannua and that she had also made a wreath for Shannua.

“Will you put it on for me?”

Shannua asked, staring at the wreath Katrina held in her hand, before she could answer, he bent down and poked his head out. “Come on,” he urged.

Katrina carefully placed the wreath on his head.

It reminded her of the wreaths worn by the gods of some mythology, made up mostly of stems and leaves, with only one or two flowers as accents.

“Does it look good on me?”

“Yes …….”

Shannua smiled pleasantly at Katrina’s answer.

“I’ll put it on you.”

Shannua picked up the wreath he had made very carefully with both hands.

He was about to place it on Katrina’s head when he realized that she was leaning in close to him, her eyes downcast.

He remembered the moment of their wedding when she shyly smiled in front of him, and he put the ring on her finger, then immediately looked away, not even meeting her eyes.

His hesitation made Katrina raise her head with a puzzled look.

The smile was nowhere to be found on her face, and he felt a pang of regret. It meant that she had lost that smile throughout her marriage to him.

Shaking his head to dismiss it as nothing, Shannua gently placed the wreath on Katrina’s head.

“It suits you. You’re beautiful.”

Katrina’s eyes widened at his words.

Shannua smiled at her.

But strangely, Shannua’s smile looked sad and bittersweet, which made Katrina feel very strange.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories