Chapter 11: This Isn’t Jealousy
“My lord, did you call for me?”
Herbert had rushed over, only for Charon to glance at him briefly and then look back at his papers.
“Yes, I did.”
“…?”
Herbert was confused by the indifferent response, but stayed quiet, waiting for further orders.
But the only sound in the room was the rustling of papers—Charon didn’t seem interested in saying anything.
After a few minutes of silence, Charon glanced at the wall clock, stacked his papers, and stood up.
“I had something to say, but I have to go. A guest is coming soon.”
The sound of the papers being slammed on the table echoed in the room.
While Herbert stood dumbfounded, a butler came in and helped Charon with his coat.
Straightening his sleeves and collar, Charon walked away without hesitation.
“Sorry about that.”
And just like that, he disappeared behind the arched doors.
* * *
It was clear that Charon had done it on purpose.
“Why? Did I do something wrong?”
Herbert couldn’t stop thinking about it, but he was the type to let go of thoughts that led nowhere.
Besides, he had something more important to focus on.
“Elika!”
To solve it, he waited for her near the hallway after dinner.
Elika, chatting with the other maids, turned around when she heard her name.
“Huh? Sir Knight?”
Herbert ran toward her with a bright smile.
The other maids, including Belle and Marie, got excited just seeing him approach.
“Ooh, Elika, do you know that knight?”
“He’s so handsome~”
“Why would a knight be looking for Elika?”
Their curiosity exploded when Herbert said,
“Elika, can I borrow you for a moment?”
Bell slapped Elika’s back excitedly, and Marie stood there with her mouth wide open in shock.
“T-Time…?”
Elika was unsure how to respond.
Herbert realized it and tried to fix the situation.
“…Ah, if you’re busy with work—”
“No, she’s not!”
Marie quickly cut in before Elika could answer.
“She usually works until 9 p.m. before her studies, but the head maid gave her time off today to focus on homework!”
“Oh… Then she probably needs to study.”
“Nope! She’s a genius and already finished everything in a flash. So go ahead, take her!”
With a strong push from Marie, Elika stumbled toward Herbert, looking flustered.
Herbert couldn’t help but laugh at how cute she looked.
“Have fun, you two~!”
The girls teased as they giggled and walked away.
“Sorry for the bother. I just have a favor to ask. If you’re busy, we can do this another time.”
Herbert spoke gently.
“Oh… It’s nothing, really. I was just going to help my friends. What kind of favor is it?”
“Well, I heard you have free access to the Duke’s library.”
Elika tilted her head, curious.
She reminded Herbert of a curious little canary.
“Yes, I do. Do you need a book?”
“Yeah, I was wondering if you could help me check a flower guidebook.”
“A flower guide…?”
“There’s a flower I need to find, but I don’t know its name.”
Elika blinked with interest, wondering why a knight would need to find an unnamed flower.
Seeing her puzzled face, Herbert explained kindly.
“My oldest sister is getting married soon, and she once saw a flower from a foreign country that she really loved.
I want to give it to her as a wedding gift, but all I know is how it looks. It’s not in any of the usual books.
I thought maybe the Duke’s library might have something.”
A knight searching for an unknown flower for his sister…
“What a kind brother. So cool!”
“If that’s the case, I’ll gladly help!”
Elika answered brightly, and Herbert’s face lit up.
He had spent his whole life training among men, so talking to a girl was hard for him.
But her cheerful willingness made him relax right away.
“What does the flower look like?”
“Well… It has red petals, lots of them, kind of round…”
“Instead of explaining—”
Elika suddenly grabbed his wrist.
The unexpected touch made Herbert’s face turn red—just like the flower.
“Let’s go look for it together!”
Even though she was small and not very strong, Herbert followed her lead like he was under a spell.
* * *
Elika told Herbert to wait by the library and came back with an armful of books a few minutes later—at least ten of them.
“Looks heavy. Let me carry them.”
Herbert quickly took the books from her arms.
“Why so many? Did you bring the whole library?”
“There are a lot of flowers that match your description. Don’t worry, if we search together, we’ll find it quickly. Is there somewhere we can sit?”
“Hmm…”
Herbert thought for a moment.
“Follow me.”
He led her somewhere.
* * *
Behind the annex was a hidden garden with a huge oak tree.
It had been planted by the late Duchess—Charon’s mother—when she came to the estate after her wedding.
Its shiny trunk and wide branches showed how much love it had received.
“The Duke used to spend time here with his mother when he was young.
But he stopped coming at some point.”
“Why?”
“Not sure. Maybe it reminded him of her and made him sad.
Anyway, not many people come here anymore.”
Elika was relieved and sat down on the grass.
She laid her apron down and placed the books on top.
“I’ll open the pages with flowers that match your description. Look at the pictures and tell me if you see the right one.”
“You know where all those flowers are?”
“Yes. I looked at a lot of flowers while searching for Freesia.”
“…?”
Herbert couldn’t believe it.
There were over ten books, easily over 3,000 pages combined.
How could she know where everything was?
“…Well, let’s give it a try.”
He had heard she was a genius, but he still thought it was impossible.
He only went along because arguing felt like a hassle.
But soon, he realized she wasn’t bluffing.
“How about this one?”
“Or this?”
“This book has 70 red, round, layered flowers. Removing the ones we already saw, there are 34 left.”
Every page she opened had a flower that matched what he described.
They filtered through the options quickly until they reached the last book.
“…Ah, this is it.”
The flower he pointed at was a bright red ranunculus.
“Ranunculus. It grows in dry, southwestern regions.”
“Yeah… I think a merchant from the Kingdom of Fernia gave it to her.”
“Ranunculus, ranunculus…”
Herbert repeated the name to remember it and smiled at Elika.
“Thank you, Elika.”
His slight fangs and curved eyes gave off a friendly charm when he smiled.
Elika smiled back without realizing it.
“It’s a flower from a faraway country. Can you really get it?”
“My family does overseas trade.
We have contacts and merchant ships coming and going all the time.
If it’s from Fernia, it should be possible.”
“Wow…”
Elika’s eyes sparkled—she clearly had something in mind.
Herbert noticed immediately.
“Is there a flower you want?”
“Ah… well…”
“Tell me. Since you helped me, I want to do something for you too.”
Encouraged by his words, Elika flipped through the book quickly.
“This one.”
A bright yellow freesia.
She pointed at it with a slightly excited face and looked up at him.
“Freesia.”
She said the word quietly and smiled shyly.
Herbert smiled back before he could stop himself.
“Freesia. Pretty flower. Got it—I’ll get it for you.”
“Really?!”
“Hmm, but it grows in the southern Frita continent. That’s pretty far.”
“Even if it’s dried, that’s okay.”
Herbert rested his chin in his hand, thinking.
Then smiled again.
“Living flowers are more beautiful. I’ll try to get it fresh.”
* * *
Holding books and chatting, the two walked out together.
From a distance, the Duke watched them.
“Sir Knight, have you ever been on one of the trading ships?”
“No, I’ve been too busy training. And I get seasick easily.”
“What?! The son of a sea trader gets seasick?!”
“Haha, our family runs the business, we don’t sail ourselves.
My older brother will inherit it, so I don’t need to worry about it.
By the way, are you going to keep calling me ‘Sir Knight’ forever?”
“Huh?”
“Call me Herbert. Let’s be friends.”
Charon didn’t care what they were talking about or why they were there.
Just seeing them walking around under the oak tree, where he had shared memories with his mother, annoyed him.
He considered stepping in and scolding them.
Maybe he’d ask the knight commander to punish Herbert.
Or tell the head maid to punish Elika.
This was his estate. These were his people.
He had the right to do that.
But as the two of them came closer, Charon stepped aside instead—hiding behind the bushes.
It might seem silly for him to hide in his own home.
But it wasn’t so simple.
In the past, Elika used her beauty, smile, and charm to manipulate others.
Even someone as cold as Charon once felt tempted.
That’s why he had always kept a strict distance.
So her habit of getting close to people, hugging them, and saying “I like you” so easily—especially to men—bothered him.
This was a strict household, and seeing her act that way made him angry.
Even if it wasn’t a big deal, it irritated him.
There was no other explanation.
“Let’s see what kind of person you really are, Elika.”
He watched the girl walking beside the boy, smiling brightly and clinging to his side—With cold, icy eyes.
