Chapter 73
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 73
After three days of deliberately ignoring the scandal, the reporters' fervor had finally begun to die down. Mr. Benjamin Dawson had predicted it would take at least two weeks, but public interest seemed to be cooling remarkably fast.
It was as if someone had swept them all away in an instant. While the various gossip rags had made a fuss, the more reputable papers had refrained from sinking their teeth into the subject, which played a major part in things quieting down.
Thanks to the fading spotlight, the past few days had been peaceful. Ever since she received word that River Ross was returning, she had even felt a strange sense of security.
"Here you are, Miss."
"Thank you, Mary."
Vanessa pulled the plate Mary had placed on the table closer. It was colorfully arranged with seasonal fruits—bite-sized peaches, summer strawberries, and blackberries—along with a couple of pieces of rich chocolate.
Mary, refilling a half-empty glass with apple juice, raised an eyebrow.
"I brought it because you asked, but… you really must eat a proper meal. You can't keep eating only things like this just because of the heat."
Since the departure ceremony, Mary had somehow become calmer and quieter, but whenever she nagged, her old prickly temperament would surface. It was ironic that she seemed most human when acting so cold.
Now, Vanessa found herself craving even that meager warmth. After all, Mary was the only one left in this castle who cared about her. Vanessa smiled softly and nodded.
"I think it's because I have a lot on my mind. I won't skip dinner tonight."
Indeed, eating had been a struggle lately. She knew she needed to eat well to get through this difficult time, but before she knew it, she would find herself reaching for sweet snacks first—chocolates, candies, or jam-filled cookies.
She had often lost her appetite in extreme heat before, but this summer was particularly brutal.
Even while sitting still, her entire body would suddenly flush hot as if she had a fever. A dizzy spell like seasickness would wash over her, even though her feet were firmly on the ground. Sometimes, a cold sweat would break out for no reason. Since she had never been particularly healthy, she figured it was just the recent drastic temperature swings, but…
"You've been spending all your time in this greenhouse lately."
"Hmm?"
"Mr. Ross was worried something might have happened to you. He said you've changed so much from when you first returned after graduation a few weeks ago. Back then, you spent all your time in the rose garden, the library, and the west drawing room."
Her hand, which had been picking chocolates from the plate one by one, froze. Just as Mary pointed out, she had been spending all her time in the greenhouse, deliberately staying far away from the rose garden. Of course, her "schedule" consisted of nothing more than being cooped up in the castle, writing her overdue manuscripts.
At first, she had done it to avoid the reporters' eyes, but as time went on, she genuinely lost the desire to go to the rose garden. Perhaps she was simply afraid. She knew that if she went there now, she would only end up wallowing in self-pity.
"I just… I don't really feel like it lately."
Vanessa cast her eyes down, feigning indifference. She rolled the chocolate that had been slowly melting on her tongue to the side of her cheek and answered, "There's no one to look after it, so the grass has grown wild again. There are more bugs, too."
"Mr. Ross is always busy. Managing this greenhouse alone is a lot, and he's in charge of all three gardens, so it's hard for him to tend to that one as well. Besides, the rose garden is in such a secluded spot."
"That's why I always loved it. Being there quieted my restless mind."
After a brief silence, Vanessa added in a faint voice, "But now… I think I just want to hear the sound of people chatting nearby."
Listening to the maids chatter reminded her of the days when she used to gossip with Rosalyn without a care in the world—back when they were students at St. Louis, free from malicious scandals and sensational gossip.
Vanessa let out a breathy laugh. Perhaps this was the hardest part of it all: the fact that Rosalyn and Blair were not by her side.
Just then, the sound of maids laughing drifted in through the open greenhouse door. It seemed Ellie, the maid who had gotten married at the cathedral in Bath this morning, had just returned. Her cheeks were flushed with a rosy glow as she handed out an armful of white flowers she had brought back.
Vanessa watched her with a dazed expression. A happy bride. Picturing herself in that role had always felt awkward and out of place, so it was fascinating to see it look so natural on someone else. In a way, she was even a little envious.
"Please ask Harold if we can give Ellie some special leave. It would be cruel to make newlyweds spend the weekend apart. My uncle won't mind if it's just for a couple of days."
"…Ellie will be thrilled."
Mary, who had been watching Ellie for a moment, spoke up as if suddenly remembering something.
"Ah, speaking of which. It seems the man who used to tend the garden has returned."
Vanessa blinked rapidly, her eyes wide. The man who used to tend the garden. For a moment, a surge of doubt made her wonder if she had misheard.
"…Returned? Who?"
"Mr. River Ross. A car arrived around noon, and he got out. The maids offered him a meal, but he declined and went straight to the garden."
Vanessa leaped to her feet instinctively but quickly sank back down when she realized how strange she must look. Her blood rushed so fast it made her dizzy, her heart pounding in her ears. The mere thought that she could see him right now if she just went to the rose garden was enough to send her reeling.
Be calm. Do not show your emotions. Maintain a concise and elegant demeanor. That was what they had drummed into the young ladies at St. Louis, but as always, putting it into practice was difficult. Vanessa anxiously fanned her flushed face with her hand, but unable to bear it, she stood up once more.
"I should get some rest. The sun is getting too hot now…"
Her excuse was flimsy at best, but her heart was racing so fast that she no longer cared how it sounded. As Vanessa hurried out of the greenhouse, Mary stopped her.
"Wait a moment, Miss."
Mary stepped forward and turned her around. Her hands were deft as she retied the loose ribbon of Vanessa's blouse.
With her gaze lowered, Mary's face showed no emotion whatsoever. There was no sympathy for a young lady infatuated with a man, no disgust for a woman caught up in a sordid scandal—not even the slightest hint of any feeling, positive or negative.
She was simply tidying up her mistress's disheveled appearance. It was as if the life she herself had to endure was too heavy for her to care about anything beyond that.
"Dinner will be ready on time. Don't be late."
Finally, Mary dusted off her hands and walked past her, leaving the greenhouse first. Vanessa watched the maid's retreating back, speechless, before making up her mind and walking in the opposite direction. At first, conscious of prying eyes, she started at a measured pace, but by the time she reached the path, her steps grew faster and faster.
The garden was wide open. Unlike her fear that it would have grown gloomy in her absence, it was as beautiful as ever. With every step, the dizzying scent of summer flowers in full bloom wafted up. Wild lavender and late-summer roses surrounded their little hideout like a sturdy fortress wall.
Vanessa opened the shed door without hesitation and stepped inside. Her vision plunged into darkness for a moment, unable to adjust to the dim interior, but she was too full of hope to even think of waiting. She reached out, groping along the wall as she moved forward.
"River? Are you here?"
Her carefully lowered voice echoed through the space. For a moment, it felt as if the place was completely empty. Soon, however, footsteps approached from the other side, and a tall man emerged from the depths of the shed, pushing aside a hanging canvas.
At that moment, her darkened vision cleared.
"Vanessa."
Upon finding her, his cool expression broke into a smile as gentle as a summer breeze. It held no great passion, yet it was fresh enough to send violent ripples through her heart.
Vanessa approached him as if spellbound. Her hand, reaching toward his face, hesitated for a moment before gently caressing his cheek. It was as if she had to confirm his presence with her own hands before she could truly believe it.
"……"
His firm, masculine jawline, his neatly closed lips, his smooth nose, his sharp eyes… Her fingertips trembled slightly as she touched them one by one.
River Ross let out a soft laugh and obediently lowered his head to accommodate her touch. His eyes were not gentle in the least; he was like a predator pretending to be a tamed beast.
"You touch me so freely now," he murmured. "How fearless."