Chapter 73

"Would you like to take a look at our garden? The Albert family's garden is quite famous around here, you know."

"Y-Yes! I will do that!"

"I'm going to go by myself!" she declared, and without looking back—though she confirmed by the sound of his footsteps that he was following her—Parfait headed towards the Albert family's garden. Flowers were in full bloom all around, and the music from the venue could be heard carried by the wind. The scene was truly breathtaking, and it was easy to understand why Mary spoke of it with pride. However, even such a beautiful scene did not lift Parfait's spirits. No matter how splendid the flowers she gazed upon, no matter how fragrant the scent that tickled her nose, her heart, which had sunk so deeply, could not be lifted. Of course, it was because of Gaius Eldland, who was following her.

He just followed silently, probably thinking he had no right to speak to her. Even if he were to speak, Parfait had no intention of responding as she used to, and she thought it would be fine to ignore him. Still, she could not help but confirm that he was following her by the sound of his footsteps. It was unclear whether this distance of just a few steps was close or far...

It might be easier if she could just say, "Don't follow me,"... While thinking such things, she walked and found herself back where she had started. She seemed to have circled the garden without realizing it, but her mind, mired in a quagmire of thoughts, had not retained even a single flower.

Looking around, she saw no sign of Mary or Alicia, and the wind that blew through made her feel the emptiness of the place. Parfait's brows drooped with unease. Despite the lively music, it felt like a different world. She wanted to celebrate Mary's marriage from the bottom of her heart, but the wound in her chest would not allow it...

Thinking that everyone had overcome this pain... Her feet felt heavy as she tried to move towards the venue, and she could not bring herself to do so.

—Parfait thought that "other young ladies had been hurt and then recovered," but in reality, it was half anger and half a clear, bright feeling. Some had even taken over their partner's family and were now aiming for even greater heights, but Parfait, who admired Gaius, was hurt and still suffering, and she had no way of knowing this.

While Parfait was agonizing over what to do, a familiar figure walked over from the venue. His rust-colored hair and the formal attire embroidered with the Albert family crest...

"Lord Adi"

"…Hm?"

The person who appeared was Mary's husband, Adi. Despite this, for some reason, he looked puzzled when called by his name, turned around as if to check if someone else was there, faced Parfait again, and looked behind him once more...

"It's me!"

he exclaimed.

"What's the matter, Lord Adi?"

"Please, Lady Parfait, there's no need to be so formal."

"But, it's an honor to be in the presence of the Albert family."

Both of them flustered at the same time. It was a rather awkward scene, but considering that the Marquis family, to which Parfait belonged, was low in the noble hierarchy and that Adi had originally been a servant, it was understandable.

After a while, they continued to fluster and show modesty, but eventually, they managed to calm down. Adi then awkwardly glanced at Parfait and Gaius, who stood behind her.

"Am I interrupting something...?" Adi's gaze suggested, and Parfait, sensing this, hurriedly shook her head.

"N-No! I was just looking at the garden by myself! Lord Gaius, he... I don't know why, but he's just following me!"

"Such nonsense..."

Just as the young lady had described... Adi sighed and looked at Gaius. Parfait, still flustered, extended her hand.

"Lady Parfait?"

Adi tilted his head as he looked at the extended hand, and Parfait exclaimed, "M-Me!" Her voice was slightly high-pitched, but no one would point that out.

"I'm going back to the venue! Lord Adi, please show me the way!"

"Me?"

"Is there... anyone else?"

So hurry up! Parfait urged. However, her tone was not the harsh command of a spoiled young lady but the timid determination of a young lady who had made up her mind. Indeed, Parfait's hand was trembling, and her brows were drooping.

Seeing this, Adi sighed and, after a moment's thought...

"Do you really think I, of the Albert family, would take the hand of a young lady like you!"

he declared, puffing out his chest. His stance was reminiscent of someone, and what he was trying to say was clear to anyone.

However, since the person he was addressing was Parfait, it was natural that

"Y-Yes...! The Albert family would never... deal with someone like me...!"

she said, her eyes welling up with tears almost instantly.

Moreover, with Gaius present,

"Lord Adi, even if you are of the Albert family, to speak so rudely to her...!"

he would say.

Even Adi, who had initiated the conversation, was taken aback.

"Wow, this is as difficult as I've heard..."

he muttered, unable to help but reveal his true feelings. They were a perfect match, both straightforward and honest... However, if he were to say that, Parfait would surely put up a front, so he swallowed his words and hurriedly tried to calm her down.

"Actually... I have no problem with taking Lady Parfait's hand. But, it's different, isn't it?"

"Different...?"

"It's not me, is it?"

Adi prompted, and Parfait, taking a small breath, glanced at Gaius, who stood behind her. She was aware of it. That was why she hesitated and could not move.

"Embarrassingly, I was the young lady's first love."

"Mary?"

"I twisted and turned, and twisted and turned... until I was ashamed of myself, and only then did I finally reach this point. So, I have no intention of defending a man who, despite having someone important to him, goes after another woman."

Adi cast a cold glance at Gaius. Sensing the meaning behind this, Gaius shrank back, looking apologetic.

"So, I don't care what happens to Lord Gaius. But, Lady Parfait is a friend of someone important to me, and I can't just stand by and watch her unable to move."

"...Lord Adi"

"If you wish, I will escort you to the venue. But, please consider once more if it's right for me to take your hand."

Upon hearing Adi's words, Parfait took a small breath. Her hand, still extended, had stopped trembling, and her fingertips twitched slightly.

"Um, I... I..."

Parfait whispered, trembling, and slowly withdrew her extended hand. She pulled it to her chest and clasped it tightly with both hands.

"Since it's such a nice day... I'll stay a bit longer in the garden."

Parfait replied in a barely audible voice, and Adi smiled slightly, bowing his head.

"If you need anything, please let me know."

"Yes..."

"Then, I'll take my leave."

Adi left in a manner that was uncharacteristically un-Albert-like and very much like a servant. Once his back disappeared, an indescribable heavy atmosphere remained.

They were watching each other's movements, wishing the other would move first, but the oppressive air made