wildflower chapter 5

“The two of you are still as close as siblings.” Lady Ashton, watching the two walk away, was the first to speak, as always. “You’ve grown up together since childhood, haven’t you? Your father, Count de Vermore, and the Prince—ah, I should say, the Grand Duke of Headington now—were exceptionally close.”

“When Lord Headington approached just now, I thought the famously handsome prince had grown young again. Cairn Etienne Headington is the spitting image of his father.”

“He’s eloquent and lacks nothing. If I had to find a flaw… it would be his disinterest in women.” The noblewomen, who had been praising Cairn Etienne Headington, all turned their gazes to Lilian de Vermore, who was walking with him. They had to say something about her. The ladies hurriedly searched for compliments, but it wasn’t easy. Lilian was beautiful, but she had a significant flaw that overshadowed that virtue: her inherent shyness kept her from attracting the attention of gentlemen.

“…Miss Lilian de Vermore is like a wallflower.” A deep worry settled on Lady Ashton’s face, a stark contrast to the supposed compliment.

“Perhaps it’s because she grew up under a controlling father?” In polite society, indirect language was the norm, but there were exceptions. Concerns allowed for more blunt expressions. Besides, negative rumors about Count de Vermore’s parenting philosophy were already widespread, so it wasn’t considered particularly rude.

“I don’t understand why Count de Vermore is still so protective of his grown daughter.”

“Rumor has it that Lilian even needs her father’s permission to go to sleep.” These were words of genuine concern for Lilian de Vermore, a wallflower beautiful only on the surface.

Lilian stumbled, losing her footing on the lawn.

“Are you alright?” Anticipating her clumsiness, Cairn quickly steadied her.

“Yes.”

“So clumsy.” He clicked his tongue.

“Lilian.” Cairn called her name in a low voice. While they had been friends since childhood, his deepened voice after puberty made it strangely unfamiliar whenever he said her name.

“Yes?”

“I brought you out here because you seemed distressed, but the garden party is still in full swing.”

Lilian’s face fell, anticipating Cairn’s impending lecture.

“Don’t you think the other young ladies might be looking for you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Wouldn’t your absence be noticeable?”

Thinking he was teasing her, Lilian frowned. “Cairn, what are you talking about? I’m a wallflower.”

“A wallflower? A flower? Are you calling yourself pretty?” Cairn had a way of saying such embarrassing things to her.

“…Don’t you know what a wallflower means?” It referred to a shy person who couldn’t mingle and remained stuck to the wall at social gatherings.

“Hmm… does it mean beautiful, like a charming flower blooming on a wall?”

Was he seriously asking? Lilian stopped, narrowed her eyes, and glared at Cairn. He, looking down at her with an innocent expression, finally burst into laughter. Judging by his reaction, he knew the meaning and had been teasing her.

“A flower on a wall or a rose in a greenhouse—it’s all the same.” Reaching the greenhouse, Cairn opened the heavy glass door and escorted Lilian inside. They settled down on a flat stone, ignoring the perfectly good bench, a habit from their childhood. Lilian inhaled the humid air of the greenhouse, seeking a sense of calm.

Cairn leaned closer, tilting his head to see Lilian’s expression as she stared at the ground, lost in thought. His sudden proximity startled her.

“Oh! You surprised me!”

“You have something on your mind.”

“No, I don’t!” Despite her fervent denial, it was difficult to deceive Cairn’s discerning eyes.

“Tell me.”

“Cairn…” Cairn knew Lilian was not good at expressing her feelings. So he waited patiently for her to gather her thoughts after calling his name. As expected, Lilian tapped her toes on the ground a few times before speaking.

“What am I good at?”