Episode 10
The symbol of the Duke Bennestra family was the eucalyptus.
In contrast, the Catherine viscountcy’s symbol was a small, cute blue parrot.
Matching that theme, the trees were decorated with blue ribbons, making the place look like the gentle waves of a blue ocean.
‘It’s beautiful.’
If the Bennestra estate was a classic and extravagant noble mansion, the Catherine estate felt like a secret garden hidden deep within a forest—serene and peaceful.
Letting go of Noah’s wrist, who had been following me, I stood in front of a large statue and caught my breath.
‘Who said strap heels were comfortable!’
I pouted, clearly displeased with the shoes Sophie had picked for me.
Had I known the forest path was going to be this uneven, I would’ve worn flat shoes or low heels.
As much as I trusted and liked Sophie, this choice was a major misstep on her part.
To make matters worse, the heavy hem of my dress dragged mercilessly across the dirt path.
‘This is so annoying.’
Anyway, right at the entrance to the Catherine estate stood a massive statue. It was none other than Aiolos, the sky bird from mythology who was said to have created the sky and clouds.
With the upper body of a human and the lower body of an eagle, Aiolos’s talons were said to be sharp enough to pierce iron rails.
‘Really?’
I curiously wiped the shining surface of the statue with my finger and tilted my head in confusion.
‘Huh?’
“Could you come here for a second?”
I called out to Noah, who was standing a bit away.
“This statue is weird. There’s no snow on it.”
I pointed to the top of the statue with my finger.
Noah immediately tilted his head and scanned the statue before speaking.
“It’s a protection spell.”
“…Protection spell?”
While staring directly into Aiolos’s eyes, he murmured softly.
“There’s also a surveillance spell cast on it.”
“How would you know—?”
I was about to question him when I remembered he was a mutant half-elf. I bit my lip.
‘Right. With that kind of magic power, it’s no surprise he knows.’
As I suddenly stopped talking, his black eyes, filled with curiosity, locked onto my face.
I turned my head away to avoid his piercing gaze.
“It’s nothing.”
A few minutes passed, and while I was leisurely admiring the garden with fluttering blue fabrics, I turned my head at the sound of a beautiful voice.
“The statue is quite stunning, isn’t it?”
Wearing a tulip-colored yellow dress, Noel beamed as she spoke to me.
“It’s Aiolos, right?”
I responded immediately, then quickly covered my mouth.
Oops. I meant to think that, not say it out loud.
Stupid mouth!
Noel widened her eyes in surprise and soon looked at me with a curious glint.
Blink. Blink.
Her light brown eyes sparkled in a way that felt a bit too intense.
“You must read a lot of books about ancient mythology, my lady.”
“Oh, no, not at all. I just happened to learn about it by chance.”
It was all in the game settings, after all.
So please stop looking at me like I’m some kind of scholar.
I waved my hands frantically in denial, and she giggled behind her hand.
“You’re so modest.”
Just then, a green screen floated above her head.
{system: Noel Catherine’s favorability has increased by +1. Current favorability: 14.}
Seeing the increase in her favorability, I realized my magic scroll plan had been a major success.
‘I never even thought about targeting the female protagonist.’
But if I can, better to befriend her than become enemies. That was the conclusion I reached after much deliberation.
“Well then, shall we head to the flower garden before the tea gets cold?”
With a gentle smile, Noel’s eyes curved beautifully.
I nodded, pleased.
“Sounds good.”
Following her steps, we soon arrived at a glass greenhouse inside the mansion. The lushness made it feel like a miniature forest, and I stretched out my arms and inhaled deeply.
Green thistles climbing up the walls, countless unknown flowers placed in cloudy brown glass bottles…
The fresh herbal scent made it clear these were real flowers, not artificial ones.
‘At least 50 gold… no, maybe 100 gold.’
Such a variety of fresh flowers must have cost a fortune. Even considering her family’s base in Kenis, this was an impressive volume.
In Serkalana, where people wore coats even into early summer, importing flowers was the only way—either from warmer Kenis or from distant foreign lands.
‘As expected, someone from Kenis would have an extraordinary greenhouse.’
With sparkling eyes, I looked around in awe.
I didn’t know if they decorated it only for my visit today or if they replaced the flowers regularly, but either way, they all looked fresh and beautiful.
“It’s lemongrass. It’s my favorite tea. I hope it suits your taste as well, Lady Yuria.”
On a small transparent glass table, just big enough for three people, were tea and desserts already served.
I wondered why there were three cups but quickly figured it out.
‘Ah, Noel said her brother would be joining us.’
While scanning the greenhouse in awkward amusement, I spoke.
“I suppose the young master of the Catherine family hasn’t arrived yet.”
Noel tilted her head and pointed behind me.
“Huh? My brother has been behind you this whole time, Lady Yuria.”
No way.
How could I not notice a person standing behind me…
I turned my head without thinking and froze on the spot.
Because—
“Hello, Lady Yuria.”
Flash!
A dazzling brilliance blinded me for a moment.
Blinking rapidly, I looked up to see the sculpture standing in front of me.
‘Good heavens.’
Had I walked past him all this time, thinking he was a statue?
‘How can a person look like that?’
With a face so perfect, it felt like God created him first and made everyone else from leftover pieces.
“I’m Rastin Catherine.”
“I’m…”
“Yuria Bennestra. Twenty years old this year. Likes flowers and men. Dislikes things money can’t buy. I’ve heard quite a bit about you from rumors.”
Before I could even introduce myself, he proudly recited my personal details.
I stared at him, speechless.
Well, okay… I am kind of famous.
‘But in a bad way…’
Wait. There’s a rumor that I like flowers and men?
‘Who the hell spread that nonsense?!’
While I fumed, he elegantly bowed and offered me a rose.
It was a beautiful yellow rose.
Perhaps he had removed all the thorns himself—the stem felt smooth to the touch.
Oddly enough, my irritation vanished the moment I received the flower.
‘A handsome man and a gentleman?’
How could anyone not fall for that?
Taking the rose with a composed attitude, I replied,
“Thank you.”
Though my nostrils twitched from excitement at his thrilling appearance, I kept my face under control with sheer willpower.
‘Stay strong, nostrils!’
I couldn’t possibly embarrass myself in front of a handsome man like this.
“You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”
He blushed as he spoke shyly.
Rastin looked like a male version of Noel—nearly identical, except for his eyes, which were a clear sapphire blue, probably inherited from his mother’s side.
A true prince on a white horse!
Though if anything, it looked like I’d have to hold the reins of the horse instead…
But who cared? If his smile could generate solar power, he would singlehandedly solve the energy crisis.
I mumbled under my breath, just loud enough for me to hear.
“…The cause of global warming.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing.”
It was almost a shame that he wasn’t a romance target.
“This tea smells and tastes lovely. Especially the fresh finish—it’s refreshing. The dessert isn’t overly sweet either, which I like.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“….”
“….”
We sat around the round table in silence for nearly ten minutes, sipping tea.
It was good, yes, but…
‘…So awkward.’
The cold atmosphere was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
Wondering where Noah had gone, I spotted him standing upright at the greenhouse entrance like a guard.
‘Should I give him one?’
I mouthed the words in his direction, and he stared at my lips, then abruptly turned his head away.
‘So he really doesn’t like sweets, huh?’
The game settings didn’t say anything like that.
Strangely, I couldn’t remember what he liked, but I did recall his dislikes.
Multi-legged bugs were at the top of Noah’s hate list.
“The weather is really nice today, isn’t it?”
Trying to break the awkward silence, I spoke up. Rastin was the first to respond.
“You like rainy weather, don’t you, Lady Yuria?”
“Excuse me?”
“So do I. I find it quite romantic when leaves are soaked in rain.”
Rastin smiled brightly.
I turned my head to look out the glass walls, following his gaze.
The once-clear sky was now heavy with dark clouds, and to top it off—
BOOM!
Even thunder was rumbling.
‘What the hell…’
It had been perfectly sunny when I arrived.
With my jaw hanging open in disbelief, Rastin gently set down his teacup and smiled.
“There’s actually something I’d like to show you. If it’s alright, would you join me?”
“To me?”
Noel clapped her hands beside me and chimed in.
“Oh, my brother’s hobby is gardening. He even arranges flowers sometimes.”
Well, that fits him perfectly.
I nodded, dazed.
“He’s much more skilled than I am. You’ll love his private garden.”
Oho.
Sounds like a sight to see.
With nothing else to do and the air still awkward, this was a good chance.
“Sure.”
As soon as I agreed, his face lit up.
Watching the two of us, Noel smiled warmly.
“Then have fun.”
She was making it clear she wasn’t coming along.
“I’m allergic to pollen…”
Noel scratched her cheek with an awkward grin.
‘Liar. You’re not.’
I nodded begrudgingly and followed Rastin.
‘How did this turn into a date?’
Just as we were about to leave the greenhouse, I met Noah’s gaze at the entrance.
His empty, dark eyes looked eerily similar to the first time we met—anxious, like someone who had lost something dear.
‘Come to think of it, Noah hates rainy days.’
The night it poured, he lost both his home and family to slave traders.
Maybe he was reliving that nightmare right now.
Worried, I called to him softly.
“Noah.”
At the sound of my voice, a faint light returned to his eyes.
“Lady Noel is alone too. Why don’t you keep her company?”
I nudged him with a little smile.
“It’s your break time.”
A perfect opportunity for him to bond with Noel while I was away.
But unexpectedly, Noah’s expression darkened again.
‘Huh? That’s not what I meant to happen.’
When did he start liking work so much?
If someone saw this, they’d think I was a slave-driving boss.
“With Lady Noel…?”
He murmured.
I nodded in encouragement.
“I’ll be back soon.”
After a long pause, he bit his lip and whispered low.
“You don’t mind if I’m with someone else?”
His unexpected question left me speechless.
“…What?”
Why is he acting like this?
As I stood there confused, he sighed and muttered again.
“It’s nothing.”
But his voice sounded far too heavy to mean “nothing.”
Above his head, a purple screen shimmered low like a storm cloud.
{system: Noah Iosif’s favorability has increased by +2.}
