4. A Thrilling Morning (Part 1)

The beauty of the gardens at the Knightley Estate was known far and wide. 

With the skilled hands of the gardeners who had tended to it for many years, the garden exuded a natural charm. White pebbles were laid out between the luxuriant wildflowers imported from all over the country. Though it was still spring, the sunshine made it pleasantly warm, hinting that summer was approaching in the distance. Alexander took off his coat and went for a stroll in the garden, dressed in just a vest.

He had come to the Knightley Estate to spend time with his good friend Stefan, and to discuss a new business venture with him. However, it seemed Stefan had been out drinking late last night and had not yet woken up.

Even without the company of his friend, life at the Knightley Estate was not boring. It was convenient to go into the city, and moreover…

In the distance, under a tree with long drooping branches, a woman was seated on a bench. Her red hair gleamed in the sunlight. Though the distance was considerable, Alexander instantly recognized who she was.

“Eirin.”

Her name slipped from his lips, but there was no response, perhaps because of the distance or because she was deeply focused on the small notebook in front of her. The graceful curve of her white neck, exposed by her pinned-up hair, sparkled in the harsh sunlight.

She’s really oblivious to her surroundings when she’s concentrating like that.

Alexander knew that she was not writing in a journal, but rather immersed in composing a novel. With a smile playing on her lips, her hands moved busily, exploring what would work best.

While he was well aware that Eirin had been devoted to her novel these past few days, the fact that she remained unaware of his presence just beside her aroused a mischievous impulse in him. He reached out and gently brushed his fingers along the nape of her neck. Her skin felt as smooth as velvet.

“Kyaa!”

Startled by the sudden touch, Eirin quickly covered her notebook and looked up.

“Ah, Alexander.”

Realizing it was Alexander who had touched her, a reassured smile spread across Eirin’s lips.

“It was you. You startled me.”

“Buenas tardes.”

The sudden Spanish greeting caused Eirin to blink, unsure of his meaning. Her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings.

“I thought I was supposed to teach you Spanish.”

“Oh—— that was just an excuse.”

At Eirin’s words, Alexander shrugged his shoulders.

“But since you said you’d have Spanish lessons, if you can’t even manage a simple greeting, even Stefan, who doesn’t know Spanish, would find it suspicious.”

Alexander murmured as he sat down on the bench next to her. Nodding her head, Eirin closed her notebook.

“You’re right. But Spanish? I’m not sure if I can really learn it. That was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.”

To learn the intimacies between a man and a woman, that is.

Eirin tilted her head contemplatively before continuing.

“It seems too difficult.”

“It’s not that hard. You already know French, don’t you?”

“That’s because I’ve been using it since I was young, and I do use French a bit in my everyday life.”

“You can do it.”

Sitting on the bench in the garden, as the spring breeze blew, conversing with her was a thoroughly pleasant experience. The faint scent of lilac must be wafting from somewhere nearby, mingling with Eirin’s own delicate fragrance – an intoxicating aroma that stirred the heart.

Though it was not the first time experiencing this, it felt strangely…

“Is that so?” 

Eirin spoke with a hint of doubt in her voice, and Alexander nodded.

“Yes. You have a natural aptitude for languages, so you’ll be able to pick it up quickly.”

“Aptitude for languages, me?”

“People who are adept in their mother tongue tend to learn foreign languages easily. And since your writing is so beautiful, you’ll undoubtedly pick up Spanish just as quickly.”

Eirin blinked, seemingly flustered by Alexander’s compliment. Though he could be blunt, he was not one to be stingy with praise. Even when Eirin got herself into trouble, he would teasingly compliment her with his unique brand of humor.

‘You’re the only one who can make me laugh like this, Eirin.’

Hearing those words had felt pleasant before, but now it was incomparable.

My writing is beautiful?

Eirin pouted in disbelief. 

“Alexander, are you teasing me? The only thing you’ve read was uh…”

A rather scandalous page of my novel.

“At first, I didn’t realize the content was so risqué, but the writing was excellent.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“What do I have to gain by lying to you?”

How strange this man was. 

Typically, a lady of noble birth only wrote simple letters. It was considered peculiar for a woman to not only read literature, but to write it, especially romantic fiction. Yet he found her work beautiful.

Eirin still seemed unconvinced, tilting her head, but she did not seem displeased by Alexander’s praise. She couldn’t quite find the words to express it, but she was overjoyed that it was Alexander who recognized her. After all…

She glanced up at his face. There was no deception in his eyes – only an intrigued gaze that seemed to hold a hint of admiration.

She wondered if she would ever meet someone like him again. A man who effortlessly made her smile, whose mere touch sent shivers down her spine, and who respected her so. Hearing those words filled her heart with elation.

Likely, such a man was one of a kind. Even if she found another, she doubted she could feel this way.

She has fallen in love with this man.

Eirin realized this as she saw Alexander raise his brow, as if questioning her pensive stare. If love truly existed, then what she felt in this moment, gazing up at him, must be it. 

Her chest felt constricted, and the once-beautiful garden faded into the distance.

Eirin parted her lips. Perhaps she had loved him all along, only now recognizing it at this moment as he looked at her.

“Eirin?” 

Hearing Alexander call her name, concerned by her silent lip movements, Eirin’s mind momentarily went blank. His voice was so captivating. After hesitating for a while, she ultimately averted her gaze, steering the conversation in a different direction.

“But learning a language is a different matter. However, I am interested. I wonder what Spain is like. Alexander, have you stayed there for long?”

“Not for too long, but around a year.”

“It must be quite different from here, no? How was it?”

“You could say it’s different. While England is still in spring, Spain is already midsummer. The people are already enjoying the beaches. The sea isn’t cold, so it’s wonderful to just float on it. The sun can even get hot enough to give you a sunburn.”

Hot enough to give you a sunburn, how vivid.

His lively description allowed Eirin to momentarily set aside the emotions swelling in her heart. Imagining the Spanish summer, she continued.

“Wow… I’ve only been to Bournemouth, and that was in the winter – it was so frightening. Is the sea in Spain just as terrifying?”

Listening to her question, a gentle smile graced Alexander’s lips.

“Not at all. It’s a completely different feel from the sea here. It’s hot, but there’s so much fun to be had. Going out on a boat and swimming in the sea is enjoyable, and the water shimmers like emeralds, unlike the waters here.”

“Emeralds…”

Eirin tightly clenched her fist, exhaling a long breath.

“That sounds wonderful. I’d love to go see it. The summers here are beautiful, but a bit dull, you know.”

“If you go, it will be worth the effort, even if the journey is arduous. The path there is beautiful as well.”

At Alexander’s words, Eirin shook her head.

“It’s too far. For a lady to go alone…”

A long sigh escaped her lips. The earlier excitement had dissipated quickly. A woman was not allowed to go far by herself unless she was visiting the neighborhood or a relative’s house. A young woman like herself was even less so.

“Marriage is still far off for me, and Stefan has been unwilling to go abroad since the war, so there’s no one for me to go with.”

If I were him, I’d be traveling the world. As a healthy man, that would be possible. 

But for someone like herself, who had been confined to the estate her entire life, it was a vastly different reality.

As Eirin wore a wry smile, Alexander spoke up.

“Come with me.”

“Huh?”

She blinked her eyes. Thinking she must have misheard, Eirin looked back at Alexander. But he did not retract his statement in the face of her surprised expression.

As close as they were, traveling together as unrelated individuals would be improper. Merely being in a confined space with a man was enough to draw criticism, let alone going on a trip abroad.

Alexander continued.

“I have a small villa in Spain. It’s a quaint little estate with a view of the sea. Not lavish, but it has a charming garden.”

“That sounds lovely.”

Her lips parted slightly at his description.

“How about Stefan and your friend Victoria come as well?”

Ah, I see.

That’s naturally what he meant.

She had jumped to her own misunderstanding when he hadn’t even suggested just the two of them going.

Of course, that couldn’t be.

As Alexander emphasized Stefan’s name, Eirin smiled.

“Really? Would my brother be willing to come along?”

“We just need to plan it in a way he can’t refuse.”

And for some time, Alexander spoke of the villa in Spain. From there, he said, he could see boats coming and going in the distance. On days when there’s nothing to do, he said, it’s pretty cool to set up a chair at the end of the garden, sit down with a glass of wine, and watch the waves roll in.

He even said she was welcome to use it whenever even if he couldn’t come. It was sweet of him to say she could go with Stefan.

Spain, what a wonderful place it must be. But without Alexander by my side, it would be meaningless. Even if it’s a sad fate to live only in the mansion, it seemed happier to be sitting by his side now. Anywhere would be fine as long as it’s by his side.

However, Eirin couldn’t bring herself to say such words. It’s free to dream alone, but the moment she confesses her desire, it becomes a burden. More than anything, she didn’t want to break this relationship.

Maybe someday, but not now.

Eirin smiled as she looked at his face.