That day, Howard and I were repairing a garden bench from early in the morning.
We replaced the rotting legs, tightened the loose screws, and repainted it to dry.
After finishing the routine work, Howard took a pocket watch out of his chest pocket. It was a fine antique silver watch engraved with a pattern of oak trees and horses.
“Oh, is it already this time? Sarah, my dear, it’s about—”
Howard, who had been speaking, suddenly raised his gaze and let out a surprised voice.
“My, it’s My Lord!”
Howard closed the lid of the silver watch, took off his hat, and bowed his head.
“My Lord, you have returned.”
“Yes. I came back just a moment ago.”
Walking straight toward us was a young man with double pupils the color of fresh green.
Lord Lawrence Ashford.
He is the youngest Duke in this country, holding three peerage titles, starting with the Grandir Dukedom.
“My Lord…?”
–He is like a perfect garden, calculated down to the smallest detail…
That was my first impression of Lord Lawrence.
Lustrous bronze-brown hair. A high, straight nose. A physique that is slim yet properly trained, with flexible, long limbs.
His appearance, maintaining an exquisite balance, embodied a beautiful golden ratio, just like the ultimate garden precisely created by an expert gardener.
“The other gardeners went along with Mother, didn’t they? You managed to keep the garden well all by yourself, Howard.”
“Well, you see, I was not alone.”
Lord Lawrence spoke soothingly, and Howard smiled and shook his head. I bowed deeply.
“Pleased to meet you, My Lord. I am Sarah Berry.”
“Berry…? Then, of the North Barony…?”
To think he knows the surname of a minor noble family like ours—My Lord is truly a man of great knowledge.
“A noble young lady is working as a gardener? If you would prefer a job with less burden, I can have you reassigned inside the mansion…”
“No, I work here because I want to.”
These gardening work clothes, designed for ease of movement, feel better against my skin and are more comfortable to wear than a dress.
I probably don’t look like a noble young lady, but I think this outfit suits me quite well, if I do say so myself.
When I puffed out my chest, Lord Lawrence narrowed his handsome eyebrows and tilted his head.
“…When I came back after a long time, flowers were decorated everywhere in the mansion.”
Ah, you mean the tuzzy-mussie.
“Did you make them?”
“Yes. Was I being too forward?”
“No. I was healed.”
When I asked timidly, Lord Lawrence nodded gently.
–Yes, plants are healing, aren’t they? I understand!
“Rather than displaying flashy flowers, that is much better. I also like the fresh scent.”
“Thank you very much!”
My heart warms knowing that Lord Lawrence noticed the simple tuzzy-mussie and said he likes the scent.
I felt truly relieved from the bottom of my heart that the master I met for the first time was such a kind person.
◇◇◇
Lord Lawrence, the head of one of the country’s leading great noble families, carried heavy responsibilities that someone like me could not fathom.
This is because a single family does not necessarily hold only one title. The Ashford family holds three peerage titles: the Grandir Dukedom, the Lasell Marquisate, and the Scott Earldom.
The honor is triple, but the territory is triple as well. The accompanying responsibilities are even greater than that.
While many nobles leave territory management to others, My Lord seems to handle the reins himself.
Holding multiple titles at a young age, inheriting a vast fortune, and governing a sprawling domain must be a truly backbreaking, major task.
–Truly, he lives in a completely different world from mine…
Busy as he was, Lord Lawrence carved out time between his official duties to come out to the garden almost every day.
He must be coming out to get some fresh air. Doing work all the time would make one’s body stiff and dull. Taking walks and changing the pace is important.
Today as well, Lord Lawrence stood and watched intently as I watered the flowers and trees, wove baskets for hanging baskets, and planted mixed pots of violets and violas. I don’t know what is so interesting, but he is smiling happily.
“How cute.”
–Yes. Both violets and violas are cute, aren’t they? I understand!
While empathizing with Lord Lawrence, who gently whispered those words, I suddenly felt a little curious.
“Um, My Lord. By any chance, are you not sleeping well?”
Lord Lawrence is like a flawless garden built by an all-star team of master gardeners, but hidden, unmistakable dark circles were carved around the eyes of his well-proportioned face.
“If you don’t mind, would you care for some herbal tea?”
“Herbal?”
“Yes. Tea made with herbs rather than black tea might help you sleep better.”
Black tea is the standard when it comes to drinks for nobility, but this is a culture brought to our country through trade with other countries.
Black tea brought by foreign merchants gained popularity among the upper class centered around the court, and now it is loved as an indispensable part of the lives of royalty and nobility.
Black tea is made using leaves called tea plants. Tea plants are relatives of the camellia, but they cannot be cultivated in this country, so we rely entirely on imports from eastern countries.
Enjoying black tea made with plenty of precious tea leaves and high-grade sugar is also a status symbol showing the family’s wealth… but for a financially tight family like my parents’ home, it is a luxury item.
That is why in the North territory, where only grass grows, we picked familiar herbs and brewed tea.
Do not look down on it as mere grass. Herbs have various medicinal effects.
Promoting a good night’s sleep, healing mild headaches, reducing swelling, and improving indigestion.
Though it has been completely replaced by black tea and is nearly obsolete, herbal tea was originally drunk daily in this country. It is by no means a suspicious custom.
Lord Lawrence seemed to know about this as well, and showed no signs of being on guard.
“Ah, please do.”
Without showing any displeasure at my sudden offer, and without looking down on grass as vulgar, Lord Lawrence readily agreed.