Chapter 46
The reason for her dreadful exhaustion was last night’s dream.
Even after she woke from it and drifted back to sleep, the dream’s scandalous imagery lingered, embarrassing her to the point of torment.
She was afraid to close her eyes, certain the bizarre dream would return. Yet staying awake was no better—her waking thoughts were overrun by the indecent scenes her mind had conjured.
She tossed and turned, plagued by restless thoughts until dawn. When she finally fell asleep, it was only for a few short hours before she was forced awake again.
Franz caught Eiela’s dazed gaze and gave a faint smile. Feeling that things couldn’t continue this way, he rose to his feet.
“Let’s go out.”
“Where to?”
She looked up at him blankly. Franz tilted his chin toward the outside.
“I doubt you’re in any state to paint right now. Let’s at least get some fresh air.”
“Ah. That sounds nice.”
Eiela nodded mechanically, fumbling to her feet and following after him.
When Franz had Murray prepare tea under the garden pergola, Eiela requested coffee instead. Franz studied her briefly before nodding his approval.
“If I drink warm tea, I’m afraid I’ll doze off again like last time.”
“Just now, it almost happened again.” She added the explanation unprompted, offering a sheepish smile.
“Ah.”
Franz chuckled softly, recalling the incident. It felt like ages ago, though it had only been a few weeks.
“About yesterday… thank you. Truly.”
The memory of it still made her shiver, her hair prickling with anger and revulsion. It had been so unpleasant she never wanted to recall it—but ironically, she had almost forgotten it entirely.
Maybe it was her simple nature, eager to bury bad experiences quickly. Or maybe it was the dream distracting her. Thinking of that only made her expression cloud again.
Seeing Eiela’s unsettled face soured Franz’s own mood.
Truthfully, he hadn’t been well since yesterday. He couldn’t even say why he was so upset—she was the one who had been threatened, not him. Perhaps it was because he had witnessed the ordeal firsthand. Or perhaps it was because it had happened to her, which made it all the more intolerable.
“I should have thanked you properly yesterday, but I had to leave with my aunt…”
“Are you all right?”
All right? What exactly did he mean? Eiela paused to consider. If he meant physically, then yes—Edmund hadn’t managed to actually hurt her.
“I’m fine. You saw it, didn’t you? One punch and his nose was bleeding. He won’t dare try anything after that, right?”
She grinned with a cheerfulness that made it seem like she needed no comfort at all. Still, he worried.
“No. I meant… your heart. Are you all right inside?”
Her heart? That, she wasn’t so sure about. Yesterday’s incident had shown her once again how fragile humans were when faced with base instincts.
“Yes. It was only an accident.” She forced a smile, swiftly changing the subject. “By the way, where are we going now?”
The truth was, she wasn’t fine. But she wanted to avoid admitting it. Dwelling on the ordeal would only prolong her suffering.
Fortunately, nothing worse had happened. She only needed to be more careful in the future.
She repeated those thoughts like a mantra, willing herself to forget.
“Yes. It was only an accident.”
Franz silently echoed the words in his own mind. He wished she wouldn’t punish herself, or let disappointment and self-reproach wound her. He couldn’t even offer her comfort—it would only make her relive the pain. So he said only that much, and meant it with all sincerity.
And sincerity was enough.
“Yes. Thanks to you, Your Highness.”
In that moment, Eiela lowered her head, overwhelmed by guilt.
You’ve helped me, cared for me… and yet, how dare I dream such indecent things about you? Forgive me.
Every time their eyes met, she whispered silently in her heart: I’m sorry. I’m sorry.
After a brief tea time, a carriage was brought around for a garden ride. Sleepiness fled Eiela’s eyes, replaced with excitement.
The open-topped Tilbury carriage rolled through Grenville’s upper gardens.
“The gardens are so vast, you even need a carriage to tour them?” she exclaimed, her voice filled with delight.
Franz only smiled.
The May sun blazed bright above, casting golden light over blooming flowers that filled the air with sweetness. The trees flaunted lush green leaves, their glossy surfaces catching the sunlight, while petals scattered on the breeze.
When one landed on her nose, Eiela plucked it off with her fingertip and blew it away.
It was nothing but a simple ride, yet she found herself delighted. Smiling, she turned to study Franz’s profile as he guided the reins.
“….”
There was something different about him today. Calm and composed as always, yet a faintly altered air lingered about him.
“Did something happen?”
The unexpected question made Franz glance at her in surprise.
“You don’t look well,” she explained.
He arched a brow. Misreading it as denial, Eiela gave a small laugh.
“Well, I hope I’m wrong, then.”
Feeling slightly embarrassed for prying, she let her gaze wander elsewhere.
But Franz’s eyes sharpened, almost wary.
Why? Why does she notice? Even Hans and Murray didn’t.
It left him unsettled. Yet he soon dismissed the feeling.
Eiela Clarence knew how to keep a respectful distance—when to listen in silence, when to speak her mind honestly. That same discernment must have sharpened her intuition about others’ emotions.
“The garden is so beautiful,” she murmured.
And indeed, the scenery was dreamlike. The sky was a clear blue, the woods around them dense with green, bright flowers blooming in every corner. Even the breeze carried fragrance.
“Grenville is famous for its gardens,” Franz said. “They’re divided into upper and lower grounds. There are five grand gardens and more than twenty smaller ones.”
“Wow, that many?”
He nodded, and her eyes sparkled.
“Do you have a favorite among them?”
“The garden that borders Humphrey Forest. The seasonal changes there are spectacular. The annual hunting festival is held in that place.”
“Truly? Then maybe someday I’ll get to see it?”
Her question was filled with eager anticipation. Franz hesitated not at all.
“Let’s say today is that day.”
He steered the carriage toward Humphrey Forest.
As they traveled, Eiela chattered endlessly like a lark, her questions tumbling out one after another. Franz answered each one patiently, without the slightest hint of annoyance.
Eventually, the trees of Humphrey Forest appeared before them. Above, dark clouds gathered, threatening a sudden shower.
They passed into the vast, lush forest of Humphrey. Towering beeches loomed alongside chestnut trees, while evening primroses filled the air with fragrance. Lily-of-the-valley grew in contrast to bright rhododendrons and foxgloves, and butterflies danced among the wildflowers.
Eiela’s cheeks flushed pink as she listened eagerly to Franz’s explanations.
“Oh! That tree looks like it has handkerchiefs hanging from it!”
“That’s why it’s called the handkerchief tree. When the pure white blossoms bloom, it looks as though handkerchiefs are tied to its branches. Some call it the dove tree… or even the ghost tree.”
“Ah! I’ve never seen anything like it. How amazing!”
Her excited tone made Franz’s lips curve faintly upward.
As she marveled at budding leaves and deepening greenery, her eyes shone like a child’s, as though she were a younger sister accompanying him on a spring walk.
It was strange—such a simple stroll, and yet it felt unexpectedly enjoyable. She was not truly a sister, nor exactly a friend, but the feeling hovered somewhere in between.
When Franz’s quiet smile slipped out, Eiela misunderstood and laughed awkwardly.
“Oh… I must be pestering you too much.”
“It’s fine, Eiela.”
At his reassurance, she fell silent, letting the scenery fill the space.
The view was beautiful to the eyes, but the rustling leaves and birdsong created a landscape for the ears as well. It was soothing.
“To live surrounded by such beauty each season… Your Highness must be very happy,” she said honestly, tinged with envy.
Franz’s lips curved again.
“Come back next spring and see it again.”
He realized only after speaking that he had made a promise for the future. But he didn’t dwell on whether it was mere whim or something deeper.
“…Pardon?”
Eiela’s eyes widened. The words were so unexpected.
“Every April, Humphrey Forest turns violet. Bluebells bloom beneath the oaks and sequoias, dyeing the entire forest in purple. It’s a breathtaking sight.”
“Really?”
He nodded without hesitation. Her heart fluttered, filling with excitement—but also confusion.
Why me?
The portrait commission would end soon. Her role as his shield would too, once he found a true partner.
Their connection was meant to end before summer passed. Would she truly return to Grenville again?
But instead of voicing her doubts, Eiela smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Your Highness. Please do invite me again.”
