Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Crafting the Perfect Flower Bookmark
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The idea of using embroidery and flowers was a good one in itself, but as I sketched, I ran into one major hurdle.
"Hmm... maybe geraniums don't fit here..."
I had no idea how to combine them.
They were pretty flowers, so no combination would look bad.
But some had flashy shapes, while others were plain, creating an unbalanced style. The colors were so vibrant that even a slight imbalance made them look blotchy.
Was this really the best? I couldn't nod confidently.
It felt like there was a combination that could draw out 100% beauty, but no matter how hard I tried, I could only hit 80.
Was it because I'd fixated too much on meanings and ignored the flowers' appearances?
"Haa... this isn't it either..."
I examined the sixth combination up close, from afar, turning my head every which way, but it was still off.
I slid the paper aside and lined it up with the previous five sketches.
Frowning, I leaned back in my chair in a thoroughly sloppy posture and carefully analyzed what was wrong.
Was anemone at the center the problem?
Or did these just not go together?
The green seemed a bit lacking against the flashy colors too...
It felt like a little more tweaking could make it work, but it was already 2 a.m.
If I got too absorbed, I'd pull an all-nighter and have to go to work.
Then Emily would scold me over the gift.
I didn't want to get chewed out after trying to do something nice.
"Scrap it."
I'd abandon the arrogant idea of perfectly combining flower meanings.
Pick pretty, matching ones first, then craft a meaning like a puzzle.
If that didn't work, just call it meaningless.
Use harmonious white chrysanthemums or lilies, or avoid blatantly obvious ones like red roses, and it'd be fine.
"Let's see..."
Center on soft pink, pair with yellow or purple for a gentle feel without being too flashy.
I liked flowers with lots of petals personally, so make light pink roses the focus.
Pale roses dilute the usual rose meanings anyway, so no one would overinterpret.
For yellow... freesia was safe.
Not too intense, petals moderately plain.
Its meaning was eternal friendship, perfect for vaguely promising a good relationship ahead.
Design-wise, yellow hydrangea fit better, but its slightly negative meaning was a drawback.
One wouldn't hurt, right?
For purple, lavender or solenia flowers were pretty...
Just use both?
If green felt lacking, olive accents would fix it...
"Oh..."
Staring into space, visualizing the combination, a clear impression emerged—far sharper than the first one.
Roses were the king of flowers, after all.
Standards varied, so there were many "kings," but emperors were rare—kings could be plentiful.
I'd choose my own king to serve.
The concept of revolution existed for a reason.
Well, that was different.
Not important now anyway.
"Tch."
I clicked my tongue lightly, pulled out fresh paper.
This time, with belief and excitement it'd work, sacrificing 30 more minutes of sleep.
The result? A disappointing 95 in my heart.
Not bad, but regret swirled.
One more day, and I'd have hit 100...
"Aigh..."
I didn't know who snitched on me, but I hoped they got struck by lightning twice in passing.
_
"Huh?"
I noticed something off from the norm when I saw the study door—definitely closed before—slightly ajar.
Someone entering the study wasn't odd.
Maids for cleaning, the Young Earl rushing for inheritance work, or the Earl coming and going between territory, mage tower, and capital.
But at this deep night when all slept, only one person would enter: the Young Master.
The townhouse study was styled to his tastes, so others didn't store urgent books or papers there at dawn.
They kept them in offices or didn't bring them here.
Crucially, no one but him would close the door so sloppily.
Servants handled doors for others—no mistakes like that.
He must've sneaked around at night and shut it carelessly.
"Haa..."
I sighed deeply and closed the study door.
Then narrowed my eyes at his room.
Last time, after getting emotional and doing something embarrassing, he'd sworn off all-nighters—yet the moment I looked away, back to old habits.
He listened on everything else, so why so careless with sleep...
I was at a loss how to make him change.
Did I need to watch him 24/7?
Others fretted over health, but he was nonchalant—if my patience snapped, I might just lay out bedding in his room.
"That might not be bad..."
Waking to see him first thing? Sounded nice.
Awake, he always looked prickly, but asleep, his soft, round childhood face showed—seeing that upon rising might boost my life's motivation a tad.
'Suggest a small bed in his room?' I thought idly, heading slowly to his door.
Of course, he'd freak out, eyes shaking, so I wouldn't.
Oddly conservative here.
He irked me a little.
After all we'd done...
"Ahem...! Hoo..."
I cleared my throat with irritation and embarrassment, tensed my body and face lightly, hand on the knob.
Calm, composed, kind expression and posture.
That's always how I greeted him.
Ready for his morning, I turned the knob carefully and opened the door.
Sun peeked over the horizon, but thick curtains kept the room dark.
First task in his room: banish the gloom, invite bright morning.
I glided silently—even blindfolded—to the window, grasped the curtains, bunched them prettily, tied with cords.
Bright light flooded, revealing the room's full view.
Unlike usual, I glanced first at the desk.
"Ha, really..."
Papers scattered messily, a few books.
Suspicion confirmed, I glared with guppy eyes at the soundly sleeping Young Master.
Even bright light on his face should've wrinkled it, but he slept utterly peaceful.
He was the study intruder, up late—definitely.
I checked my pocket watch.
Hour hand between 7 and 8, minute near 9.
A few minutes late, but he had leeway to sleep more.
"Tsk..."
Breathing displeasure, I planned to tidy desk, prep clothes, then wake him—heading there.
"...This."
But seeing the desk items, my body froze.
「Bookmark Making for a Special Someone」 「Flower Language Culture of the Romion Kingdom」 Provocative book titles, varied flower sketches.
Preparing something for a gift, it seemed.
'Special' kept drawing my eyes.
Lady of the House, Earl, Young Earl, Young Lady, or Imperial Princess Elizabeth.
Many special to him, but my arrogant mind slipped 'Emily' in.
Tomorrow was special for me, after all.
Last year, he always remembered, but this year with so much, I'd given up hope.
Seeing these, I couldn't help anticipating tomorrow.
Flower languages, flower combos—he wasn't just grabbing something nice like last year, but crafting a meaningful special gift.
"Heh..."
I barely held my foolishly melting face, letting out a breath that wasn't quite a laugh.
Normally burdensome, but 'special' made me yield so easily—embarrassing, yet I'd learned emotions are base.
I lifted my mouth corners slightly, spun around.
Moments ago, so infuriating—now utterly lovable and cute.
Not supposed to be, but today, I'd pretend not to notice his bad habit.