Chapter 31

Today's weather is clear and sunny.

Mixed with the comfortably warm air, the scent of flowers in full bloom in the garden wafted gently.

Guided by Sylph, they arrived at a covered café space outside the mansion.

It was a cozy white structure called a gazebo, a place where one could enjoy tea while admiring the beautifully blooming garden with a variety of flowers.

If she were alone, she would have rushed straight to the garden, but that was not possible now.

Her husband Logan was waiting at a round table for two, sipping from a teacup.

"You're here."

When he noticed Amelia, Logan stood up and pulled out the chair opposite her.

"Please sit down."

"Y-Yes!"

Prompted by Logan, Amelia sat down demurely. Logan also sat back down opposite her.

Incidentally, after finishing the tour, Sylph had left with a parting, "Please take your time," so now only Amelia and Logan were present.

Even though he was her husband, Logan was a man whom Amelia had only met a few days ago.

Being alone together again made her feel oddly nervous.

(As expected... he's incredibly handsome...)

When she saw Logan after a few days, Amelia had this thought.

His chiseled features, his blue eyes that resembled cold knives, and his silver hair that shimmered in the sunlight—all of it seemed to exist solely for the word "beautiful."

(This person... is my husband...)

Her body temperature began to rise.

Strange, could it be from soaking in the bath for too long?

"I'm sorry for calling you here so suddenly."

"Not at all. On the contrary, thank you for taking the time amidst your busy schedule."

Amelia bowed her head slightly.

"There's no need to be so formal. Even though it's a contract marriage, we are still husband and wife. I'm the one who should apologize for not being able to show my face due to being in a tight spot."

"It's fine if it's work. Please don't worry about it. Besides, a few days without seeing each other is just a moment, and I'm perfectly fine."

When Amelia smiled, Logan's eyebrows twitched, and he opened his mouth to say, "You are..." but then closed it and picked up the teapot.

"You like... black tea, right?"

"You remembered?"

"I don't forget once I hear it. Is Darjeeling okay?"

"Y-Yes, thank you."

It felt like she had just heard an impressive statement, but in the meantime, Logan had poured the tea into her cup.

A gentle, sigh-inducing aroma wafted up.

"Did I give this to you?"

"No, I drank all the ones you gave me. So, I stocked up on more."

"I see."

(He drank all of it...)

And he even liked it enough to order more.

She prevented herself from grinning by pressing her hand against the corners of her mouth.

Dangerous.

"I'll have some."

After blowing on it, she took a sip.

The muscatel aroma of Darjeeling seemed to pass through her nostrils, and a rich flavor spread from the tip of her tongue to the back.

As it passed through her throat, a warm sensation spread around her chest.

"Delicious... I didn't know it could taste like this..."

"Didn't you drink it before?"

"I haven't had black tea before. I usually eat the leaves... cough, never mind."

(What am I saying!)

It was a complete blunder.

Amelia was flustered.

If she was seen as a rambunctious young lady who devours tea leaves, her vow to act maturely would crumble.

Sweat broke out from her back, and her hand holding the cup trembled.

She had just taken a bath.

However, Logan did not comment on it and only twitched his eyebrows, muttering, "I see."

Even Amelia noticed something was off.

Something about his demeanor had changed.

Usually, Logan had a stern and difficult expression, but today, his aura felt more intense.

(This emotion... is it anger?)

Having always been sensitive to the emotions of her family, Amelia could keenly sense the emotions Logan was emitting.

A tense feeling ran down her back, and unpleasant thoughts raced through her mind.

(Could it be... Sylph or Oscar told him about my recent behavior... and he thinks he can't marry such an immature young lady... and is considering breaking the engagement...?)

With a negative mindset and low self-esteem, Amelia couldn't help but think such things.

(...But, if that's the case, there's nothing I can do... Yes... It was a dream-like marriage from the start... I'm not worthy of such a wonderful person...)

She sank into a self-induced depression, but her last bit of rationality pulled her back.

(But, at least! I should try to maintain the atmosphere of this tea party that Lord Logan set up for me...)

"Um, today, it's black tea, right?"

She noticed there was only one teapot and decided to comment on it.

"I've always loved coffee. But after receiving the Darjeeling from you, my preferences changed. It's delicious and has excellent fatigue recovery effects."

"Indeed, you look much better today."

"Your work efficiency has also improved significantly, which is a great help. I want to thank you again, thank you."

"Oh, it's nothing... I'm glad I could be of service."

(...Huh? He's not angry?)

The emotions directed at her were not hostility or anger but rather something positive.

(Then, what is Lord Logan angry about...?)

Amelia tilted her head in confusion.

"You look a bit pale, though?"

"Is that so?"

I'm sleep-deprived from nightmares.

She couldn't say that, as it would make her seem even more immature.

"Maybe it's because I was very active in the backyard yesterday, and the fatigue is still lingering."

"Oscar told me you enjoyed it, which is good."

"The backyard was huge, with a wide variety of plants. It was the best backyard. Thank you very much."

"You're the first young lady to enjoy the backyard so much."

Amelia turned her gaze to the well-maintained garden outside the café space.

"The backyard was amazing, but this garden is also beautiful with various flowers. It's the most beautiful I've ever seen..."

With her hand on her cheek, Amelia sighed in delight. Logan asked her,

"Why do you like plants?"

It took her a while to answer, as she had never really thought about it before.

"Hmm... It's hard to say why. I've been close to them since childhood, picking flowers and collecting grass every day... I guess I just realized I liked them..."

"Ah, but," Amelia snapped her fingers and, after a moment of thought, answered.

"Maybe it's because they are pure?"

"Pure?"

"Yes. Plants have no malice and are pure. Unlike humans. But! When I say humans, I don't mean all of them. There are wonderful people like Lord Logan... right...?"

Amelia's words trailed off as she noticed the change in Logan's aura.

"I see."

The anger she had sensed earlier.

"You understand well."

A statement that seemed to confirm something.

(What...? What is it...?)

Amelia, flustered by Logan's sudden change, was caught by his eyes, which held a strong will.

"Have you... suffered a lot from your family?"