The Artificial Garden (Part One)
Kael was flustered that his mother had come driving the Bayorn family carriage. What was a fragile young lady doing coming all the way out here?
But from Darin's perspective, she had no choice.
The mentally unstable duchess, after not seeing her son for half a day, was overcome by intense anxiety.
After her husband's death, her son had always stayed nearby, promising to protect her. Visiting the office to peek at whether Kael was doing well had become part of her daily routine.
But that day, for some reason, there was no sign of her son, and her breathing grew labored. It was clear her mind had become quite unstable.
Seeing her tremble like an epileptic patient just because her child had been out of sight for half a day made that plain enough.
Darin was terrified of losing her son after already losing her daughter and husband. In the end, the duchess had no choice but to hound the servants and set out to find Kael.
Kael asked his mother. Did she even know where this place was when she came looking for him?
But Kael is my son…?
Hearing those words, the unfilial son remained silent for several minutes, then wordlessly embraced his mother.
Both he and his mother… they loved each other so much, and since they were each other's only family, their affection simply took precedence, didn't it?
As a son, he had his own faults, so he had no right to scold his mother.
A week passed from that day.
Kael stepped into the beautifully arranged flower garden. And soon, soft footsteps sounded from behind him.
Swish.
Whenever the man tried to turn his face, the little girl hid her body. The way she looked like a timid small animal was utterly adorable.
As lovely as ever today.
Kael scratched near his chest without realizing it, feeling itchy. It seemed Emma had styled Mother's hair into a ponytail today.
No matter what hairstyle Mother wears, it suits her perfectly.
A woman who had been violated by her son looked more pure and innocent than a virgin with no sexual experience. Her clear pupils, blinking more restlessly than a spring, were even endearing.
After facing her son's bloodied face on the winter mountain, Darin had started trailing after her child like this. She was anxious that Kael might disappear without a word again.
With her son making her anxious too, she could no longer dig into her husband's death. All of Darin's nerves and time were poured into her son Kael.
One might say a mother was being excessive toward her grown son.
But to her, Kael was now the only family she had left, wasn't he?
Of course, Darin still resented her son. She hated that he had forcibly violated his rejecting mother, and she hated that he didn't know how to respect his deceased father.
But a mother had no choice but to become a foolish, stupid being when it came to her child.
If even her last remaining blood relative met with an accident, Darin no longer had the confidence to live in this world. Therefore, this obsession could be seen as an act for her own survival.
Tremble, tremble.
The hand gripping the vine trembled. She was afraid of her son, so she couldn't stick right next to him openly. Darin maintained a certain distance while surveilling him to prevent being violated by Kael.
The duchess was concerned for her son's safety. It wasn't that she wanted to have sex with her son.
Clomp, clomp—whenever the man took a step, the petite girl toddled after him.
"Hahaha."
Kael found such a mother so lovable he couldn't stand it. Even when he tried to hold back the rising laughter, the corners of his mouth naturally parted.
The reason he, who didn't even like flowers, visited this garden was nothing special. It was simply because the places where he could be alone with his mother were limited.
The Bayorn family's artificial garden was one of those places. Except for the specific times when servants tended the garden, it was a space only for the lords.
"Mother."
The man's deep voice echoed through the artificial garden. After that, the world seemed to freeze into silence.
Darin's eyes widened.
She thought she had followed him rather secretly this time. But to her superhuman son, it was a meaningless act. Fumbling to straighten her clothes, the duchess slowly stood up, holding her left arm.
"…You knew?"
Her voice was cracked and sunken. Unexpectedly being alone with her son in a secluded place made her tense.
She couldn't tell if this was her son's trap or if he had simply come to the garden for business. But she didn't have other options. If Kael's presence wasn't in her sight, the anxiety symptoms would flare up again.
"With the tangerine fragrance filling the air like this, how could I not know?"
"I-I washed with soap…"
Kael smiled faintly. Did she think simply washing would make that scent disappear?
As expected, this woman still didn't know how charming a girl she was. She overestimated others while underestimating herself; she was an interesting person.
"Mother, you're worrying too much. Didn't I tell you then? I just slaughtered a few beasts in place of training. And among the bloodstains on my coat, none of it was mine."
Darin nodded. She knew that too. That the son she thought was injured was actually fine. But what could she do? The illness of the heart had already taken root long ago.
"But how can I not worry?"
"I'm grateful, but excessive worry isn't good for your health either."
Kael briefly looked around. Soon the pergola in the center of the flower garden came into view.
Perhaps from standing too long, her calves seem swollen…
Then he should seat Mother in the pergola.
"Do your legs hurt? It would be good to sit in the pergola and rest for a bit."
"I'm fine, Kael. Do what you need to do."
"I can't concentrate on work when I'm worried about Mother being uncomfortable."
Kael was already caressing Darin's pure white shoulder. Because the weather had warmed, it was a dress that exposed the shoulders. It wasn't a particularly soft part, but the pliant feel of the skin brushing against him was exquisite.
Hic—the frightened mother flinched slightly, but Kael didn't let Darin go. He didn't want to lose the white skin that clung so snugly to the flesh.
"Th-then… if Kael says so…"
Darin was a bit displeased but couldn't firmly refuse. Soon, pretending to look for a seat, she put some distance. To reduce her son's sadistic impulses toward her, she needed to act naturally, but she was so tense it wasn't easy.
"Mother, where are you going?"
"…Huh?"
Darin intended to sit on any chair in the pergola. But her son seemed to have different ideas.
"It seems they haven't cleaned; the chairs are full of dirt."
It was an obvious lie, since cleaning had been done that morning. Even so, Kael brazenly patted his thigh.
"It would be best if you sat here."
"I'm fine…"
Darin's face flushed. At this age, sitting on her son's knee? Her pride was hurt.
"Please."
But when her only blood relative took such a humble posture, it was hard to ignore. Soon, facing the smile lingering in his blue eyes, she even recalled young Kael's smile. In the end, the foolish mother couldn't continue resisting.
"I don't intend to hurt Mother."
The young lord held out his hand to the object of his unrequited love. His attitude was as respectful as a subject treating a king.
"……"
Darin tightly closed her mouth once to swallow her fear toward her son, then carefully took his hand.
"Ah!?"
A thick arm wrapped around her slender waist. As her small body rose slightly, the woman let out a shallow gasp.
Kael sat on the leather chair and confined his mother in his embrace. There were several chairs, but he had no intention of setting her down.
Since he couldn't have sex, he at least wanted to express affection?
Of course, since Mother's heart was hurting a lot, he should show some consideration.
So that she could enjoy this time as well.
While the woman in his arms was bewildered, Kael held Darin's chin and slowly brought his lips close, but—
Thud.
A small hand pushed the man's chin away.
"…Is this what you want right now?"
Darin faced her son straight on even as her lips trembled. Even if she was afraid, even if she was scared. If her last remaining blood relative wanted it, she had no intention of resisting greatly.
This damned body that seduced men—if it could just bind her son, she was willing to use it.
Painful emotions could be considered later.
"If Mother dislikes it, I'll endure."
It was consideration from her son after a long time. What caused the change of heart?
Still, he felt like quite a good child, so she was happy.
But Mother knows that isn't your true heart.
"No."
Darin wiped away the tears welling up and beamed a bright smile at her son.
"I'm fine."