Chapter 2 – Part 6

“I mean, I didn’t expect a kind lady like you to welcome me. And doing manual labor yourself is very impressive.”

Liese chuckled lightly.

“Well, I do have a grandfather at home, so it’s not entirely inaccurate. Come inside for now.”

Liese pointed to the two-story house at the end of the apple tree path.

The cozy bungalow with a green roof harmonized well with the orchard. It seemed like a place where a person with a rare kind and gentle demeanor could live. Ian, who had imagined differently, smiled as he followed her.

Ian turned out to be a lively and cheerful person, just like her first impression. As soon as he learned that they were the same age, he suggested speaking without hesitation.

He had lived near the Melir River, and it turned out he was the eldest son of the most popular pastry shop owner in the area.

“Lieselotte, you said you have a younger brother, right? Come over to my shop later. I’ll make sure to give you a bunch of our most popular butter buns as a treat.”

Ian, who had forgotten his purpose for visiting the orchard, spoke while sipping tea. Then he realized he was in the middle of a job interview and stammered.

“Of course, you don’t have to come all the way to the shop; I can bring them to you. If you hire me, that is. Oh, and by the way, I’m not saying I’ll bribe you with bread.”

Liese let out a light laugh.

“I’ll hire you.”

“Really?”

“I was hoping for someone responsible and cheerful, and you seem to be the perfect fit. You mentioned having some experience working briefly in an orchard before, right?”

It wasn’t necessary to scrutinize him, and from Liese’s perspective, Ian seemed like a genuinely good person. Perhaps it was awkward for him, as he blushed all over, matching the color of his hair.

“Thank you for saying that. I’m confessing with a guilty conscience, but actually, my father pushed me to do this. He’s worried that I haven’t experienced any hardship, and he’s afraid I might starve my future family.”

Indeed, Ian exuded the unique brightness of a person who grew up without facing hardships under a wealthy merchant. He lacked a sense of authority, was friendly, and had a personality inclined toward generosity.

Liese decided not to dwell on the fact that he didn’t appear as sophisticated as he might seem. She smiled warmly.

“But it was your decision to come all the way here. It was quite a decisive move.”

As Ian drank tea, Liese gaze turned towards the window. Rows of apple trees on both sides swayed lightly in the early summer breeze. The scent wafting through the slightly open window was refreshingly pleasant.

“You smell like wet grass.” 

A low voice echoed like thunder. As the clear blue eyes and the shape of whispering lips that resembled lightning flashed in her mind, Liese quickly averted her gaze from the window. The face of the man she didn’t want to remember dissipated like smoke.

“As you can see, it’s a small orchard. I needed someone to help me manage it until harvest season. The salary may not be as high as other places, but the work is less and the working hours are short, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Liese looked at Ian sweetly, her eyes filled with warmth.

“I hope we can spend meaningful time together.”

Ian, who had a dumbfounded expression as if he were looking at an angel descending from the sky, replied absentmindedly.

“You’re so sweet and pretty and… gentle.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’ll do my best to help, so don’t worry. I did work briefly at Uncle Hugo’s orchard before. It’s the largest and most famous orchard in Bachman. And this is a secret, but…”

Leaning slightly forward, Ian whispered in a small voice. Although there was no one else to hear, Liese brought her ears closer.

“Uncle Hugo has a temper, unlike his gentle appearance. Anyone who worked under him for even a short time would understand. He mentioned hiring for the orchard this time too, but I didn’t even consider it.”

“I see…”

“Anyway, it seems the quality is always top-notch. As soon as it’s harvest season, even before putting them on the market, the workers from the Duke house will come and take them.”

Liese paused as she poured black tea into her own cup.

“When you say duke, do you mean Duke Balthasar?”

“Yeah. The noble family with the splendid mansion on that hill. They say they supply fruits to such a grand place, and Uncle Hugo’s pride is soaring.”

Her chest, which had just settled, throbbed again. The man she had barely managed to erase from her mind flashed back, and just hearing her name weighed heavily on her shoulders.

“By the way, did you see the picture in the paper, the one of the Duke? My friends were crazy about it… Lieselotte, are you okay?”

Ian, looking at Liese’s contemplative face, asked in surprise. Liese forced a smile and nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Anyway, you’ll be able to work in the afternoon hours, right?”

“Sure. Leave it to me. Nice to meet you.”

This time, Ian reached out and shook her hand. Liese swallowed a bitter smile and squeezed his hand.

The reality of having to go back to that hellish mansion had never stung as much as it did now.

***

Marcus reviewed the documents on his desk and hastily scribbled his signature at the bottom.

Despite coming to the office since dawn and repeating the same actions, the documents requiring approval were still piled up like a mountain. All of them were related to the upcoming summer social events.

Social events were a privilege reserved for the nobility who stood at the top of the heap, but the ripples from them reached everywhere. The correspondence that arrived at Marcus’s door was mixed, as the city would be in a state of flux for some time.

Various matters were involved.

From the foundation’s proposal to temporarily exhibit the artworks owned by the Duke at the art gallery to the foresight of increasing the number of night patrol units due to concerns about public safety.

And that was not all.

The private letters scattered around the corner of the desk were as numerous as the documents requiring approval. Marcus grabbed an envelope at random.

Tiny letters filled the paper, and even with a cursory glance, it was clear that the contents were the usual desire to be a partner at the upcoming ball.

Marcus casually crumpled the envelope and added it to the growing pile of trash. His large hand reached for the papers requiring approval.

Throughout his work, a faint feeling of melancholy accompanied him. The sound of a woman sitting in front of a low table and making noises like a weeping flower reached his ears. In contrast to Marcus, who seemed indifferent and almost boring, the scene before him felt strange and uncomfortable.

“Can I know why?”

The woman, who had been sniffling as if waiting to be heard, asked with a calm voice.

“Why did you refuse to choose me as your partner for the summer social event?”

Haley Dawson wiped her tears with a handkerchief and stared at Marcus. She was careful not to ruin her elaborate makeup.

Marcus’s face, mechanically reviewing the documents, showed no change.

“Tell me. I still haven’t gone down to Loheim to hear that answer.”

Marcus lowered the pen and looked towards the sunlight streaming through the window onto his desk. The most hectic time for the Duke was approaching.

He took out a pocket watch to check if his premonition was correct. It was close to 9 a.m. His hunch was right.

It was a relatively good time. His throat was getting dry, and it was close to the time for the temporary maid to start, so he could also select a maid to bring him tea.

As he thought about the small woman, a clear wave of disturbance spread through the dull mood.

A woman with eyes like fresh leaves, reminiscent of crisp leaves. As he recalled the emerald green eyes that swayed without reservation, a strange sense of anticipation welled up.

He hadn’t felt such a vivid atmosphere since Lady Dawson visited the office without notice at dawn. Marcus put down the pen and directed his gaze at Haley Dawson.

Whether she interpreted it as an action seeking her attention or not, Haley sniffled, changing her tone to a softer one.

“Whatever the reason, please tell me… Tell me.”

“I’ve already said the reason. I don’t want you.”

Marcus replied with an indifferent voice. As Haley wiped her tears with a handkerchief, she lifted her head sharply.

“What did you say?”

The doll-like face of Haley was distorted in shock. The hand holding the handkerchief trembled uncontrollably.

“Are you serious?”

“There’s no reason to lie. I endured boredom for two weeks during the victory ceremony, but this meeting will last for three months.”

A feeling of annoyance surged as they repeated meaningless conversations. Marcus felt the urge to smoke. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from the drawer and took out a new cigarette.

“My patience is not great enough to endure three months of boredom.”

With the sound of a lighter being lit, the woman’s sense of humiliation flared up. Marcus leaned back, releasing smoke.

“How can you do this to me?”

Haley stood up abruptly from the sofa. Marcus sat back leisurely, anticipating her next move.

A woman who still harbored feelings for him wouldn’t slap him. Most likely, she would repeat the same words like a parrot and then slam the door and run out.

“I knew from the moment you didn’t respond to my letter. My friends said if I waited a little longer, I would get a reply, but I can’t believe I personally came all the way to where you are… you bastard!”

It was indeed the latter. Now that he had warned her, she would turn off on her own. Marcus pressed the bell to summon the maid.