Nightshade Valet And His Nobel Mistress

Chapter 5: A Simple Argument

As the sun beat down on the garden, Madeline watched from a distance as Sebastian berated Finnian for neglecting their precious plants. She could see the frustration in his furrowed brow and the disappointment in Finnian's slumped shoulders. The vibrant green leaves of the vegetables and flowers seemed to wilt under the weight of their argument. Despite her efforts to ignore them, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the tension between them, knowing that their peaceful lunch had been disrupted by this dispute. With a heavy sigh, Madeline turned away and headed towards the Manor, hoping that things would calm down before dinner time.

As she approached the Manor's grand entrance, Madeline paused, her hand hovering over the ornate brass doorknob. The echoes of Sebastian's stern words still rang in her ears, mingling with the gentle rustling of leaves in the afternoon breeze. She hesitated, torn between the cool sanctuary of the house and the nagging feeling that she should intervene.

Glancing back over her shoulder, she saw Finnian's shoulders shake slightly, his head bowed in shame. Sebastian's tall figure loomed over him, his usual impeccable posture now rigid with anger. The sight tugged at Madeline's heart, and before she could think better of it, she found herself turning away from the door and striding back towards the garden.

As Madeline approached, she could hear Sebastian's voice more clearly, his words sharp and cutting. "How many times must I explain the proper care for these delicate specimens? Your carelessness is inexcusable, Finnian."

Madeline cleared her throat softly, causing both men to turn and face her. Sebastian's expression softened slightly at her presence, while Finnian's eyes remained fixed on the ground.

"Pardon me," Madeline said, her voice gentle but firm. "I couldn't help but overhear. Perhaps I could be of assistance?"

Sebastian's eyebrow arched in surprise. "My lady, there's no need for you to trouble yourself with such matters."

"And yet I find myself hearing you with scolding words like a sharp blade to Finnian,"

Madeline replied, her voice carrying a hint of steel beneath its silken tones. "Surely there's a more constructive way to address the issue?"

Sebastian's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by her directness. He opened his mouth to respond, but Madeline pressed on, turning her attention to Finnian.

"Finnian, dear, why don't you show me what happened?" she asked, her voice softening as she addressed the gardener.

Finnian looked up, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I... I just wanted to help the roses grow faster, my lady. I thought if I gave them more water and fertilizer, they'd bloom quicker for the upcoming garden party."

Madeline nodded encouragingly, guiding him towards the affected area. As they walked, she could feel Sebastian's presence behind them, his silent footsteps following in their wake.

"Sebastian, your words hold great weight and power. Consider using them with kindness, for you never know who may be listening and how they may react." The stern warning came from a wise, gentle voice, but it held a sense of caution and urgency. "The world is full of delicate souls who can easily be frightened away by harshness."

Sebastian's eyes widened slightly at Madeline's words, a flicker of surprise and perhaps even shame crossing his face. He inclined his head in acknowledgment, his voice low as he replied, "You speak wisely, my lady. I shall endeavor to heed your advice."

As they made their way through the winding paths of the garden, Madeline slowed her pace and knelt down in front of a cluster of rose bushes. Her skirts rustled as they pooled around her on the soft earth. She gently touched one of the drooping blooms, its petals heavy with excess moisture from the recent rain. "I see," she murmured, her eyes scanning the surrounding soil for any damage. "Finnian, your intentions were certainly admirable, but sometimes our enthusiasm can lead us astray."