Guiding Duke Dietrichson was a young and newly hired boy. He barely memorized the layout of the grand estate and with his short legs, it was difficult to quickly lead the Duke and his butler towards the Count's office. Huffing and sweating, he cursed the head butler, Bush, in his heart. He wasn't even supposed to be at the main estate in the first place, had it not been for his so-called friend who decided to drink the night before and thus took the day off to recover from a hangover. This made them short staff and because he was that drunkard's friend, he needed to step up and take his shift.
'How frustrating! You may have helped me get this job, but did you have to call out sick on the day that terrifying Duke Dietrichson came to visit? And that damn Butler Bush! Just because I happened to be around doesn't mean I'm suitable for this kind of work! I'm gonna die from fright! Also, what was up with his weird look? I thought he was proud of his stache. I'll never understand higher-ups, haaah.'
Finally, they arrived at the Count's office.
"My-my Lord. Ahem! My Lord, Duke Dietrichson is here to speak with ya-"
Embarrassment covered the young boy's face, his voice cracked as he knocked on the sturdy doors. With no warning and no will to face either the Count or Duke, the poor boy lowers his head and dashes down the hall in an unsightly manner. LysNoir would have commented on how unpleasant the whole ordeal was had his mind not been so preoccupied with a certain flower fairy. Kale could tell his master wasn't even aware that it took longer than necessary to get to the Count's office which was less than 15 minutes away from the main door. Smiling at how amusing his master's thinking face was, Kale took the initiative to knock on the door again but with more gusto.
"Count Bennerita, Duke Dietrichson is here to request an audience with you."
"Ah! Ahem! Ye-yes, just a-no umm….there! Okay, come in-no wait…Please, enter."
Kale found it odd the orders and manner of speech the Count was saying. Nonetheless, he kept his smile and waited for the door to open, holding the red lily flower crown just behind his back. As the doors, Willow was visibly panting and small beads of sweat barely hung onto the top of his forehead, the butler next to him was in a more sorry state, as he struggled to hold his upright stance, his nostrils flared with each breath he took. Clearly, something had happened but Kale chose to ignore it, as it wasn't deemed a danger to the Duke at the moment.
"Apologies, we seem to have come at an inconvenient time. Do forgive us."
Kale gives a humble bow as he enters the office and moves to the side to make way for LysNoir as he enters, seemingly bored of the whole exchange.
"Ahem, nonsense! Your arrival is much welcomed! As my daughter's fiance, how could I not allow you to come and visit? Consider this your second home."
The Count's words sounded sweet but his forced smile and scrunched eyebrows showed a different emotion.
"Yes, well about the engagement-"
"I just have one question."
LysNoir interrupted Kale, taking him by surprise. Usually, LysNoir abstains from talking to other nobles and lets Kale do all the work. This was a well-known fact, so once the Duke spoke, Willow immediately tensed up.
"A-and what would that be?"
"...Why has the engagement moved from the Crown Prince to me?"
This stunned the Count, how should he answer? It was clear if he didn't give the Duke an adequate explanation, not only could the newly formed engagement crumble before it officially began, but it could also trouble his daughter who has to rely on Duke Dietrichson in the future. This was a delicate matter and so he took a moment to think his answer through. However, the long pause only caused the Duke to feel slightly annoyed, seeing a dark aura beginning to form, Count Willow began to explain in a panic .
"Ah! W-well, you see! Ahem, as you may know, my daughter, Lilac, was involved in an incident at the recent ball. This incident made me realize that Crown Prince Jacek is unfit to care for my previous child and so-"
"And you think I am more capable? That sounds like a treasonable statement, Count Bennerita. Or perhaps you want to use my name to protect her? You dare to use the name Dietrichson as a shield for your own selfishness? Tell me, Count Bennerita? Which is it?"
By now the dark aura had completely enveloped the Duke causing the surrounding air to feel chilly. Kale was used to this and thus didn't flinch at all, however the Count and his butler were both pale and trembling in fear, only Willow attempted to put on a brave face, while Head Butler Bush couldn't help but scrunch his face in an ugly manner. The only thing keeping Willow from expressing anger or fear was the thought that his daughter would be well protected under the care of this ferocious beast like man. Deciding the best answer, the Count mustered all his courage and spoke bluntly.
"Alright, it's your name. I need your name. In exchange for the title of your fiance to my daughter, I am willing to offer half of the Bennerita assets as a dowry, including the rewards offered by the king for my wife's service to the country. This is the best I can-"
Once again the Duke interrupts.
"Hoh? You think the house of Dietrichson is so low on funds, we need your pathetic dowry to sustain our position? Don't think so highly of yourself! I won't take anything from my father in law! Your daughter will be enough."
Just as the Count was about to counterattack, the last sentence Duke Dietrichson spoke stopped him. Had the Duke accepted the engagement without taking a dowry? This shocked everything in the room. Willow, not wanting the Duke to go back on his words, immediately stood up and bowed.
"I am happy to see my daughter will be in good hands! If there is anything you need, please feel free-"
"Just make sure your daughter brings some maids when she comes to my estate. E-especially a blue haired young lady who likes making flower crowns. I can compromise that much at least! Humph!"
Duke LysNoir once again interrupts as he turns to walk out the office, no one seeing his cheeks starting to flush red.
…Huh?
Kale, recovering from his shock, finally understood why his master had said the last sentence. While Kale gave an enlightened smile, he subconsciously tightened his grip on the red lily crown and began to follow Duke Dietrichson out. Willow and Head Butler Bush stood flabbergasted and by the time they came to their senses, the two guests were long gone. It was when the door burst open once more did time seem to move forward again.
"Papa! Papa! Look what I made for you! It's a pretty flower crown! I picked the pink roses by myself and didn't get hurt!"
As Lilac proclaims proudly, she runs up to Willow. He sees Head Maid Rose and Lilac's personal maid, Sunny, trailing behind her, Rose wearing a beautiful zinnia flower crown that complimented her burgundy hair color and Sunny wearing a slightly off center sunflower crown, both chatting happily as Rose pushes the tea cart. A warm smile forms on his face as he sees her excitement over her achievement. Willow humbly bows slightly to allow Lilac to place the pink rose flower crown on top of his head, like a prince at his coronation, a familiar warmth spreads in his heart and tears begin to form before blinking them away. This was what he was trying so hard to protect, this delicate little child's smile, and he would do anything, sacrifice anyone to achieve that. He gently pats Lilac's hair whilst taking the opportunity to fix it so her own flower crown wasn't so crooked and tangled, he guessed from her running all day. It wasn't until they all sat down for tea and snacks did the Duke's last statement come to Willow's mind; What did he mean 'blue haired lady who made flower crowns'?