“Yes. His Grace will be pleased to see you.”

Would he really be pleased to see me?

No, before that, is it even okay for me to go in?

Feeling puzzled, I slowly stood in front of the door.

To be honest, I was curious too.

Why had he come back to this estate?

And why did he come without following proper visiting procedures or any prior notice?

I approached the door and raised my hand. Then, I lightly knocked, and a clear, crisp sound echoed.

After hesitating for a moment, I turned the doorknob and entered the reception room.

Alex was sitting on the sofa inside.

He was sitting with his legs crossed, reading a book.

“You’re here?”

It was as if he had predicted my arrival. Alex closed the book he was reading and looked at me. If I said his usually cold blue eyes seemed softer, people would think I was talking nonsense.

“It’s been a while, Claire.”

“Hello, Your Grace. Have you been well?”

I greeted Alex awkwardly.

After listening to my words, Alex frowned.

“I’ve been well… but it seems you don’t remember my words, Claire. Didn’t I tell you to call me Alex when we’re alone?”

His dissatisfied words made me flinch unconsciously.

What should I do?

After a brief moment of thought, I decided to greet him again. After all, we were the only ones in the reception room.

“Hello, Alex. …Is this better?”

“Good.”

Only then did the wrinkles on Alex’s forehead smooth out.

“Standing will make your legs tired. Come and sit down, won’t you?”

“No, I don’t think I’ll be here for long…”

Moreover, I needed to check the situation and return to Miss Veronica. Though I came in out of curiosity, it wasn’t my place to entertain such an esteemed guest like Alex.

“Are you going to keep standing? Looking up at you makes my neck a bit sore.”

“……”

Alex pretended to rub his neck as if it really hurt, though it didn’t.

In the end, unable to refuse Alex’s words, I carefully sat on the sofa opposite him.

Alex smiled satisfactorily only after confirming that I had sat down.

“It’s been three months, but it feels like three years. I heard you’ve been introduced to the Rose Knights?”

“Yes, somehow… I met them in the waiting room at the harvest festival ball. They all seemed like good people.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried they might not meet your expectations, Claire.”

Why would he worry about that?

It’s not like I had any significant relationship with them.

Thinking that far, I suddenly remembered the thoughts I had while coming here.

“Why did you come here? You didn’t fall for our Miss, did you?”

“What?”

Alex raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

Though it didn’t seem likely, I felt I had to say it at least once, so I continued.

“I’m just saying, if that’s the case, you won’t be able to meet our Miss, so please leave after knowing that.”

I spoke in a firm tone, but the absurdity on Alex’s face didn’t fade.

What if he drew his sword and asked what business it was of mine?

Maybe because of my experience in the warehouse, words slipped out unconsciously. I might lose my head without even realizing it…

Contrary to my worries, Alex just sighed deeply.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I came to see you, Claire.”

“Me? Why me?”

After hearing something I hadn’t expected, my voice involuntarily rose.

Seeing my confusion, Alex picked up the teacup prepared on the table and took a sip.

I grew more anxious as I watched his leisurely actions.

I wished he would just tell me straightforwardly, but he didn’t give me any answers.

In the end, I couldn’t hold back and pressed him again.

“Why did you come to see me?”

Did I do something wrong? Did he come all this way to personally punish me?

While I was wondering, Alex broke the long silence and spoke.

“Because I’ve fallen in love with you.”

“…What?”

“I told you. I think I’ve fallen in love with you, Claire.”

It seemed Alex had gone mad.

Who loves whom?

A sigh filled my lungs and exhaled slowly at his absurd words.

“Alex, no, Your Grace, I’m sorry, but if this is a joke, please stop. It’s really confusing.”

It felt like he was mocking me. His unrealistic statement drained me.

The ultimate villain, Alexander Berzel, in ‘Fallen Flower’ wasn’t this kind of character.

He was more serious, brutal, and sometimes desperate. To me, Alexander Berzel was that kind of villain. But the Alex in front of me seemed far from that.

Well, he was still brutal.

He was someone who wouldn’t hesitate to kill.

Was he hiding his cruelty now? Maybe that’s why he seemed different from the villain I knew.

“Why do you think it’s a joke?”

Alex suddenly asked.

Because there’s no way you could love me. I wanted to reply, but my words got stuck in my throat.

Did Alex really like me?

Actually, I had been puzzled by Alex’s words and actions until now.

If Alex truly loved me, then all the mismatched parts fit together.

But even so, there were things I couldn’t understand.

Why me?

Was it because I went to the warehouse during the rainy season instead of Miss?

Because I did what Miss should have done?

So, I took Miss’s place in Alex’s heart?

It was utterly bewildering.

Seeing my reaction, Alex laughed softly.

“You don’t seem very pleased.”

“Well…”

Deciding it was better to be honest, I stammered.

“To be honest, I’m not very happy about it.”

“Why not?”

“First of all, I’m sorry, but Your Grace isn’t my type.”

After I finished speaking, Alex was silent for a moment. As the quiet time felt increasingly frustrating, he spoke again.

“Do you have someone you like? I heard rumors that you were once fond of someone named Derrick…”

The hidden menace in his gentle voice was clearly conveyed to me.

It felt like he wouldn’t forgive whoever I mentioned.

He might actually act on it if I said anything.

I already knew the original story of this world.

But where did he hear such nonsense?

“Derrick is just a friend. We’re not fond of each other at all! And I don’t have anyone I particularly like!”

“That’s good. It means I won’t have to deal with any trouble.”

Alex said and twisted his lips into a smile.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

“How is that good? I told you, you’re not my type, Alex!”

“Preferences can change.”

But there’s no guarantee that you’ll become my type even if my preferences change.

“So, it seems there are no obstacles.”

Alex smiled menacingly. His occasional expressions like that were terrifyingly scary.

“Claire, won’t you leave this place and come to the capital with me? I’ll give you everything you need.”

Alex proposed.

Did he really love me?

I had doubts, but I didn’t think asking him now would clear them.

After a moment of hesitation, I shook my head.

“Alex, I’m sorry, but I like working as a maid at the Maynard estate.”

I mustered all my courage to say it.

“Miss Veronica feels like a sister to me, and the people here are like family. So, I have no intention of leaving.”

It might seem like a foolish choice to someone else, but it was the best decision I could make for now.

“Claire.”

Alex called my name softly.

What if he decided to take me by force?

“I won’t force you to decide right now. I understand it’s not an easy decision for you.”

Contrary to my worries, Alex’s tone was gentle.

Feeling relieved, my face relaxed a bit.

At that moment, there was a knock on the reception room door.

“Duke Berzel, it’s Veronica Maynard.”

The voice of a servant came from outside, and soon the door opened.

As the servant announced, Miss Veronica entered the reception room.

I naturally stood up and took a few steps away from the sofa.

Miss Veronica was still in her riding clothes, probably having come straight from horseback riding.

“It’s been a while, Duke Berzel.”

Miss Veronica greeted Alex with a gentle smile.

Alex stood up to receive Miss Veronica’s greeting.

“Nice to see you, Lady.”

Alex kept his greeting as brief as possible.

It was an insult that Miss Veronica could have easily felt, but she didn’t seem to mind.

Instead, she glanced at me.

“Are you alright, Claire?”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

I hadn’t expected Miss to talk to me, so I stammered in response.

“Come here.”

Miss Veronica called me. Unlike usual, her gaze was sharp.

I awkwardly stood between the two and then walked behind Miss Veronica.

When I stood behind her, she lifted her head and stared straight at Alex.

“Has my maid been rude to Your Grace?”