INTO THE ROSE GARDEN

Vol. 5 ITRG Volume 5 Chapter 12.1

With the setting sun behind it, Aeroc’s carriage drove through a garden that looked free-spirited but was decorated with the most delicate intentions, and stood in front of an old brick estate. A servant, waiting for the carriage to stop, brought a foot rest and opened the carriage door. A young butler, the estate had recently changed generations, greeted Aeroc with a polite bow.

“Count Teiwind. Welcome to the estate.”

“Thank you. How is Viscount Derbyshire doing?”

“Master is the same as always. He’s also drinking alcohol to excess and smoking indiscriminately today, much to the affectionate concern of his many friends.”

The servants of the Viscount Derbyshire were courteous, but they were also capable of some quite poignant jokes, and yet they had infinite respect and love for the Viscount Derbyshire. They were as loyal as those who served the Count of Teiwind.

“Master. A lovely guest has arrived.”

The young butler introduced him that way as he ushered Aeroc into the meeting room. There was something even more gaunt about him than the previous retired senior butler.

“Oh, Count Teiwind, it’s been a long time! Now, come in.”

Viscount Derbyshire greeted him with a booming voice, his rounded, stately frame matched by a large, white beard that was well trimmed. The guests who were scattered around the room turned in unison. Before Aeroc even realized who the other guests were, Viscount Derbyshire threw his arms around Aeroc and planted a huge kiss on each cheek. It was as if he was greeting his oldest grandson, whom he hadn’t seen in years.

“I’ve not gotten to see your face at all recently!”

“I’m sorry. Am I very late?”

“Always late!”

Viscount Derbyshire tried to scold Aeroc, still holding onto him.

“The aperitif is only just served.”

A young butler cut off his master’s exaggerated response at just the right moment. He came with a small goblet of aperitif on a gleaming tray and held it out. Aeroc wasn’t looking forward to the drink, but he gladly accepted the glass to get away from the nags of his godfather. Viscount Derbyshire then released Aeroc.

“Have you been doing well?”

“Can’t you see I’ve lost weight from the heartache of not seeing you?”

Even if he spoke that, Viscount Derbyshire’s massive belly showed no sign of deflation. Aeroc chuckled, knowing it was just a joke.

“I see you have other guests.”

Viscount Derbyshire chuckled and finally introduced them to Aeroc, as if he’d only just noticed their presence. He recognized them all.

“Aeroc, it’s been a while.”

The man smiling and extending his hand was Richard Derbyshire, a military officer and son of Viscount Derbyshire. He was a few years older than Aeroc, and they were childhood friends who spent their early years together.

“Richard! I almost didn’t recognize you! You’ve become so cool!”

“You too. You’ve become a new man since you became a Count.”

He was one of the few people who felt comfortable speaking to Aeroc. He was slender and serious-looking, uncharacteristically so for a child of the Viscount Derbyshire, but in terms of friendliness, he was completely the same as his father. As Aeroc greeted his long-lost friend, he was approached by two beautiful people with dazzling blond hair.

“Hello, Mr. Aeroc.”

“Hello, Rapiel. Ariel. It’s great to meet many familiar faces today.”

Their peachy cheeks glistened. The two were the sons of Viscount of Westport. They were much closer to Derbyshire Clan than to Teiwind Clan, so Derbyshire had always been the middlemen. Their parents were currently travelling for their twentieth wedding anniversary, so the brothers were staying at Viscount Derbyshire’s estate.

Rapiel and Ariel’s lovely looks and personalities attracted the attention of many alphas. It was understandable why the Viscount and Viscountess of Westport would leave them in the care of a trusted relative while travelling. They were such charming siblings that Aeroc feared something might happen to them if they were left unattended. Richard, who was just like an older cousin to them, also had looked at them with a gentle gaze.

An unexpected figure stepped forward. It was the Marquis of Wolflake, with black hair and contrasting metallic gray eyes.

“Count Teiwind.”

“Marquis Wolflake.”

With a personality as cold and secretive as his appearance, Aeroc hadn’t expected to see him in the meeting room of the Viscount Derbyshire. With a simple salutation, he sipped his aperitif and lit a cigarette, and before he knew it, he and Richard were flanked on either side by the Westport brothers, who were chatting away. Next to the two naive omegas, there was an odd exchange of glances between the alphas. Aha.

“Are there a lot of roses blooming this year too?”

Rapiel asked, a little shyly, with a wistful look on his face. Ariel, standing close beside him as if noticing the situation, wore a playful smile.

“Sure. They’ll be in full bloom in a few weeks.”

“Will you be hosting a soirée?”

“Yeah.”

“The rose garden must be beautiful in the moonlight.”

“I really want to go,” Rapiel said to himself in a small voice. Aeroc couldn’t help but chuckle at the cuteness of it.

“I’ll make sure the invitations are sent to the Westports first.”

“Thank you.”

Having accomplished his goal, Rapiel scurried off to the corner with Ariel. Ariel whispered something, and Rapiel blushed red and bumped his brother. They seemed to be exchanging stories about the legend of Count Teiwind’s vaunted rose garden.

“I suppose you’ll extend an invitation to me as well?”

“You’re always welcome, Richard.”

“Very well. Borrowing the power of the garden, please get him a partner and ease this father’s worries.”

Viscount Derbyshire interjected. Richard shrugged his shoulders without a response. Marquis Wolflake eyed the Westport brothers with a silent but fearsome gaze. Though he was known for his piercing gaze, it was the first time he had ever looked at the harmless Omega in such a way. Aeroc wondered who from the two was the receiving end of it. Either way, it seemed a good idea to extend Wolflake an invitation to the soirée.

“Master. The feast is all ready.”

The butler announced.

“One person is late.”

“Is there another person coming?”

“It’s someone you know.”

The old man smirked, and Aeroc felt uneasy.

The dinner table was a smooth oval. The center seat was occupied by the host, Viscount Derbyshire, with Rapiel and Ariel on either side of him. Across from Viscount Derbyshire sat Aeroc, flanked by Richard and Wolflake. There was room for one more person between Rapiel and Richard. It was a strange arrangement, to say the least. It was like a coming-of-age showcase for an Omega child.

“Viscount Derbyshire.”

Aeroc called him with a lot of meanings contained, and Viscount Derbyshire shrugged as if he knew nothing. That playing dumb attitude of him was just like his own son.

“It’s good for young alphas and omegas to mingle. I mean, their parents have a lot of worries with their children getting older and not finding a partner. I don’t really care what happens to the alphas, but the omegas need good company. It’s a rough world out there.”

Viscount Derbyshire glanced back and forth between the two Omegas on either side of him. Ariel still had a blank look on his face, and only Rapiel flinched, his face was bright red and helpless. He put his head down and squeezed his napkin.

“I was wondering why you wanted us to get together out of the blue, so this was your plan.”

Richard blamed his father. But his tone was one of approval. The Marquis of Wolflake snorted in a low voice. It was a rather rude response, but the Viscount Derbyshire didn’t seem to mind.

“One is a stalwart soldier, one is a gentle intellectual, and one is a powerful man. As for looks, one brown hair with brown eyes, one blonde hair with blue eyes, and one black hair with gray eyes. All three have inherited wealth and stable positions, so they’re not the type to starve their own family, though I regret their lack of fierce ambition.”

Just as Aeroc was about to point out that this still didn’t seem right, someone entered at a brisk pace.

“And that role will be fulfilled by him.”

Viscount Derbyshire pointed to the man heading for the empty seat. All eyes turned to the man.

“You’re late, Bendyke.”

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