(BL) Into The Rose Garden

CHAPTER 5

Aelock’s legs trembled and his hands became tense as he passed the short corridor. The sound of shoe heels was much faster and louder than usual. Perhaps, if his father were still alive and had witnessed this scene, he would have dragged him to the study even now as an adult and swung at him with a cane.

The carriage was ready just in time. Aelock quickly jumped into the carriage with the coat put on his shoulders by the servant of Viscount Derbyshire. The carriage, which started right away, accelerated a little more when Aelock gave the signal. In the shaking carriage, Aelock was finally able to lower the corners of his twitching lips.

It occurred to him belatedly that this might be his own illusion. Aelock’s pride was so hurt that he almost lost his reason.

Even when Klopp accepted the Count’s invitation, he was with Rayfiel. Klopp wouldn’t show up without Rayfiel, so he had to invite him. Seeing the two of them stroll together affectionately and hug each other, he couldn’t come to his senses with jealousy. How could this be?

It was prevalent at the time, but under the pretext of a trend that he despised so much, Aelock made Klopp an offer that was worse than that of a pig in heat. Obviously, he expected to be rejected. However, he thought that if he appealed this far, Klopp would show some sympathy. He wanted him to the point he was complaisant with even his pride being shattered.

However, the merciless Klopp, without a doubt, trampled on the offer with cruel words, which led Aelock to experience the strange sensation of trembling and burning under and around his eyes. He thought he could humiliate him a little with his refined approach, but he never imagined that he would be criticized so starkly.

He didn’t understand the situation at all and hated Klopp and his lover for making him feel this misery. Aelock decided never to act as if he knew them again. He walked along the cedar trail to control the jealousy that boiled even if he stayed still, but it didn’t help to stabilize his mind and body. Rather, it was painful because the bitter and cool scent resembled the body scent of someone he didn’t want to think of.

For a while, he shut himself up at home, engrossing himself in music, reading, horseback riding, chess, and anything else that could distract him. In the library, he read classics over and over again with strong tea, and later even read gardening books that he rarely read. After spending a few months close to domiciliary confinement, the things he had forcibly filled his head with finally drove away the memories he didn’t want to recall.

Aelock was able to smile smoothly again and held the tea party he had been putting off. It occurred to him that it would be better to do his duty as an aristocrat and have a good conversation with a comfortable group of people than be alone. As he exchanged casual greetings and talked about things in and out of the country, he felt like he was back to being the way he was before everything.

No, he was mistaken for that. An alpha who liked to spread nonsense around heard the news that Klopp and Rayfiel were engaged. The slightly hardened smile soon grew wider.

It should have stopped then. If it was difficult to pretend not to see them, he should have gone on a long cruise to avoid seeing them at all. But Aelock didn’t. The ugly jealousy was not removed by months of confinement. On the contrary, it seemed that he was dissatisfied with what he was trying to suppress, and what seemed like a subtle lump of charcoal was engulfed in explosive flames and burned roaringly.

The young couple, who had got engaged and married before the end of the year, was called to many gatherings. Klopp, who had become in charge of the family, started a personal investment management business, so it was only natural for him to strengthen his connections. It was also because many people liked the newlywed couple very much. Aelock had to suffer the pain of his guts being burned as he watched the happy couple.