CHAPTER 19
“Madam, I like red flowers!”
Liza suddenly jumped into the conversation. Theodore stiffened and looked at her, but since I didn’t stop her, he soon looked away. Liza, unaware she had done anything wrong, smiled brightly.
‘Good timing.’
Her ignorance was both endearing and irritating.
“Do you? What kind of red flower do you mean?”
“Uh, umm… I’m not sure. I just think red flowers would be pretty.”
Liza waved her hands, saying she didn’t really know much about flowers. I had already planned to plant flowers that reminded me of her anyway. Of course, not roses. I responded as if I were indulging her.
“Hm, then go fetch the gardener.”
“Yes, madam!”
Liza left excitedly, thinking I was listening to her. Theodore asked casually,
“Will you be planting roses?”
“Why do you think so?”
I smiled lightly. Most men assumed roses when it came to flowers, so it wasn’t a surprise. But Theodore said something unexpected.
“Because you mentioned rose jam.”
“Ah, that’s true. Roses could be nice too. But…”
I looked at Bell. She lowered her head and eyes. I didn’t know how loyal she was to me, but I was sure she wouldn’t go tattling to the Count.
“Right now, I don’t need flowers for admiring. I need something else.”
I smiled at Theodore. Karla’s dark eyes reflected in his blue ones. I wondered if he could truly understand the anger within me.
This man, who innocently complimented me as beautiful—was he ready to see the filth at the bottom of the pit? For a moment, I wished I could read his mind.
In the distance, I saw Liza returning with the gardener. The sugary taste still lingered on my tongue. I swallowed it down.
“You called for me, madam.”
The gardener bowed. Dirt was stuck under his nails, and his clothes were scratched from branches. It was clear he was a hardworking man. His eyes sparkled with dedication.
I spoke directly.
“I’d like to plant flowers.”
The gardener’s face lit up and he responded politely.
“Do you have a specific kind in mind, madam? Whatever it is, I’ll get it for you.”
He didn’t seem to know how demanding noblewomen could be. Judging by his confidence, he must have had the skill to meet their expectations.
I described the flower I wanted.
“It’s a red flower. Dark red in the center. The edges are jagged like a saw.”
Then I added,
“I saw it somewhere, and it was quite beautiful. As you know, our garden has no flowers. So if we’re going to plant them, I’d like it to be full and splendid.”
“Do you mean Opion? You must have seen it near the ranch.”
The gardener didn’t seem surprised or suspicious. I tilted my head and tried to sound innocent.
“Near the ranch? Do horses eat it?”
He burst into laughter. It was the kind of fondness one feels toward a naive lady of the house who doesn’t know anything about flowers. It was rude, but I didn’t scold him—I didn’t want to stir up resistance or caution.
“Oh no, not even horses eat it. Poor families might put it in salads, but it’s bitter and tasteless. It’s purely ornamental. The ranchers just don’t bother pulling it up because it looks nice.”
Gulp. I swallowed dryly. Was it really the flower I wanted? As I hesitated, the gardener added quickly,
“There should be a few growing near the back gate. Shall I fetch one?”
“Yes.”
He ran off like a shot. It must’ve felt like a golden opportunity to prove himself. Soon, he returned holding several red flowers.
“Is this the one, madam?”
It was exactly what I’d been looking for. Still, I pretended to think and examined the flowers. They were beautiful.
Named after a woman said to have charmed the favor of 3,000 people—so dangerous that being bewitched by it could ruin your life.
I was planning to fill the garden with poppies.
The poppies that hadn’t fully bloomed yet were beautiful. Their rich, soft petals were just beginning to open. A single corn poppy was mixed in, but three were definitely opium poppies.
“Hm, I think this is the right one, but…”
I had to keep the gardener on edge. He couldn’t suspect anything. His only concern should be whether to plant the flowers or not.
He needed to have no thought that poppies could be used for something else, and not question if a few went missing. I kept up the act for a moment before nodding.
“You’ll know best where to plant them, so I won’t interfere. Just don’t make it look tacky. Make it look natural, like it’s not overly designed. Ask the butler tomorrow for whatever you need.”
I calculated the budget in my head. Since he said they were common, it shouldn’t be too expensive.
It was a sudden idea, but I doubted the Count would catch on. I lifted my chin confidently, as if I had said everything I needed.
“The flowers you picked—decorate my room with them.”
“Yes, madam!”
Liza replied brightly. She was thrilled I had listened to her and immediately went over to the gardener, chatting away. He prepared the flowers so she could carry them easily, trimming the roots and leaves.
She happily took them in her arms, not minding the dirt still clinging to them.
“How pretty!”
With the flowers bundled in her arms, she skipped off into the mansion.
I turned to Theodore. When our eyes met, he quickly looked down, as if surprised.
I almost asked what he was looking at but held my tongue. His long black lashes trembled. After a short silence, he spoke carefully.
“The cold wind is bad for your health if you stay out too long.”
“This much is fine.”
He gently touched the edge of the flower dish, like he was searching for a scratch on its smooth surface.
“I’ve seen the poor chew Opion fruit to forget their harsh lives.”
He avoided my gaze but still spoke politely.
“I haven’t known you long, Lady Karla, but I believe someone who doesn’t normally enjoy flowers must have a reason for planting them… May the Great One protect you.”
He placed a hand over his heart and made a strange hand gesture. I didn’t know all the customs here, but it was clear—it was the sign of the cross.
A quiet laugh slipped from me. So Opion was used for different things in this world, too. But he was wrong—this wasn’t something I planned to use for myself.
“Who knows? We’ll see.”
I answered vaguely. Theodore looked up. Our eyes met, and I smiled. Karla’s stiff face made it hard and tiring to smile, but after living in this body for a few months, I’d learned to pull off a decent noblewoman’s smile.
Even so, Theodore blushed. What an innocent and adorable knight.
“This isn’t something you need to worry about, Sir.”
“I overstepped. I apologize.”
I almost made a snide remark—What a cheap apology—but held back. Being around him made me want to be mean. Like I was eager to hurt and tease him.
But he already looked hurt, eyes downcast, quietly waiting for my forgiveness. I was honestly surprised that he was genuinely worried about me.
It felt like I’d just slapped away the hand of a child. Maybe I did have a conscience after all—my chest stung a little. In the end, I raised the white flag.
“I’m not sick. I’m just keeping it around in case I need it. As for what I’ll use it for… I’ll tell you later. Someday.”
I tried to speak as gently as I could. Whether it sounded that way or not, at least Theodore didn’t lower his head any further.
Even if he figured out my plan, I doubted he could stop me.
“And when that time comes, will you listen?”
Theodore answered with strength.
“Of course.”
I looked at him and smiled again. But for some reason, I couldn’t keep it up and let it fall. I saw that he was about to say something else, but I didn’t wait. I rose from my seat.
