Chapter 90.2

The fragrant steam from three cups of tea danced playfully in the air, as Lord Loden’s daughter was guided by Owen through the hidden pathways of Jasmins’ secret garden. Guests who sought grandeur and opulence in their gardens were often curious about this particular oasis, where the duchess had meticulously curated an exotic and oriental landscape, adorned with towering stones and Eastern plants.

As the woman’s eyes were captivated by the stunning view, a hint of pink bloomed on her cheeks. “I had no idea that the Grand Duke would personally receive us,” she said, her voice tinged with wonder. “I had only hoped to see Mrs. Ihar and leave, but I am grateful for your hospitality.”

Claude set down his cup, its contents releasing a sweet aroma that tantalized the senses. “How does the tea taste?” he asked, his voice smooth and measured.

The daughter of the Duke’s face lit up with a brilliant smile. “It is sweet and mysterious,” she replied. “Is this the tea that the Grand Duke prefers to drink?”

Claude’s eyes met hers, calm and steady. Though she appeared to be of Canillia’s age, there was something different about her.

He couldn’t help but wonder what Lia was doing at that moment. Was she still in the nunnery? Despite knowing it was foolish, thoughts of her consumed him, and with each passing day, his symptoms only worsened.

As Claude remembered the letter sent by Rosina and the mother of Canillia, which Ian had rescued, his face hardened with anger. The count’s daughter, who had been chattering excitedly, abruptly stopped and stared at his expression in confusion.

“The tea is a favorite of my fiancée,” Claude said, his voice tight. “I loathe sweets.”

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, you have a fiancée?”

“Yes, of course,” Claude replied curtly.

“But I thought Miss Shelby was…” the woman trailed off, her confusion evident.

The Countess, who had accompanied her daughter, also looked taken aback.

“We are planning to have the wedding soon,” Claude said coolly. “I’ll send you an invitation.”

The countess stood up abruptly, as if she had been insulted. “We will be leaving now,” she said haughtily. “We seem to have picked the wrong day.”

The lady, wearing a wide hat, led her distraught daughter, who was looking away, out of the room. Despite the women’s hasty exit, Claude continued to drink his tea calmly and elegantly.

“Didn’t you want to see my mother’s garden?” Claude asked, his tone mild.

“I’ve seen enough,” the countess spat.

“Then, I won’t see you out,” Claude said, his voice cold. “Owen, please escort them.”

“Yes, my lord,” Owen replied, and escorted the two shocked women out of the garden. The image of the countess, who was leaving the garden while fiercely pulling her daughter’s arm, who couldn’t let go of her resentment, was reflected in the glass.

As the guests departed, Claude let out a deep sigh, his hand instinctively massaging his forehead as a headache began to take hold. Just then, Owen returned from escorting the guests. Claude, as if he had been waiting for this very moment, reached for the hat sitting next to him.

“Where is Canillia now?” he queried, his voice tinged with a hint of urgency.

“I heard she went to a café in the city,” Owen replied.

Without hesitation, Claude stood up and declared, “Then let’s go too.”

His head was pounding. He needed medication right away.

***

The tea table was adorned with parfaits, topped with fluffy whipped cream, fresh fruit juice, and an array of sweet desserts, all proudly presented by the owner. Canillia, exhausted from playing with the children, scooped up a spoonful of whipped cream with a curious expression. The extreme softness of the cream melted in her mouth, disappearing as soon as it touched her tongue.

As her eyes widened in delight, the face of the owner who had brought the new dessert brightened.

“It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Ihar. This is a gift from our store, so please enjoy it to your heart’s content.”

“Thank you,” Jasmine replied, taking a sip of the fruit juice.

Jasmine placed a honey-soaked, nut-heavy pie in front of Canillia, who picked it up in her hand and took a bite. “Delicious,” she mumbled.

“I’m glad it fits in your mouth,” Jasmine said with a smile. “The two of you, please go ahead and eat.”

“Aren’t you full just by watching the lady eat?” Canillia’s friend asked jokingly. “Today was really helpful.”

“It’s nothing. I’m glad there’s something I can do to help. Besides, you were just playing with the kids, right?” Jasmine replied.

Jasmine stared at Canillia, who lacked confidence, and placed her hand on the table. “I don’t know why you underestimate yourself. You’re smart and bubbly, and your face is so pretty.”

A thick shadow loomed behind Canillia as she clutched her pie, lost in thought. Suddenly, a voice from above her head interrupted her musings.

“I agree,” the voice said.

Canillia looked up to find the grand duke, Claude, standing before her. He was the last person she expected to see here.

“A girl who is ashamed and embarrassed of what she has,” Claude said, his words cutting through the air like a knife.

Without hesitation, Claude reached out and took a bite of Canillia’s pie, the sticky honey smearing on his lips. The people around them were taken aback by Claude’s sudden appearance, rising from their seats to greet the grand duke. But Canillia could only stare blankly at him.

“I was born the son of my mother and father. I inherited the title of duke and my father’s estate at birth, but do you think it was earned through my own efforts?” Claude asked as he sat down next to Canillia and took a mouthful of the disgustingly sweet parfait.

“I can’t decide where I was born, so I can only assume I was lucky,” Claude continued, wrapping his arm around Canillia’s shoulder and whispering in her ear. “And, my mother and father always said, ‘I couldn’t be more proud if I could make my people feel the same way.’”

“So there’s a lot more you can do than this,” he added, gazing into her eyes.

Jasmine sighed as she watched Claude licked the cream off his lips with his tongue, then called the owner of the café to order another cup of coffee.

“The reason you came here out of the blue… Are you worried about Lia?” Jasmine asked, her eyes scanning the café.

“I expected it to be like this. Thinking that all of this is too much for her, she would hunch her shoulders and be lost in her own thoughts,” Claude replied, looking at Canillia with concern.

Feeling embarrassed, Canillia pulled Claude’s sleeve and protested, “I didn’t. I was thinking about what to say. I worked really hard today, Claude.”

Jasmine added her own words of support, “Yes, I would have been exhausted without your lady today. Why do children grow up so quickly?”

Claude looked at Canillia in disbelief. “Really?” he asked.

Canillia nodded confidently. “Yes. I was really happy today,” she said, her voice filled with determination.