Battle Divorce! - Chapter 19
“This rose garden is the most beautiful spot in the whole Therese estate. At night, the fragrance is even more intense. Can you smell it?”
“……”
“We have rare breeds imported from overseas, many of them quite valuable. The head gardener is talented, so every year the garden is in full bloom.”
The butler seemed to wear out his tongue giving Maxim a tour of the roses, glancing over at him every so often.
But Grand Duke Waldeck didn’t bother to respond.
It had already been obvious, back in the drawing room, that Maxim had zero interest in roses. His indifference now seemed rude. He simply followed along, eyes unfocused, not even bothering to look around.
Still, the butler had been given orders by his master. The point of this stroll was to buy Daisy some time for a private conversation, so the butler’s job was simply to keep the Grand Duke busy.
After some thought, the butler tried something that might catch the Grand Duke’s interest.
“Shall I tell the gardener to prepare a bouquet for you to give Her Highness?”
“I doubt it. I don’t think Issy’s the type to care much for roses.”
For the first time, a smile appeared on Maxim’s face.
“What? But Her Highness said herself that this is her favorite place…”
“‘What?’ Just say ‘yes.’ I can’t stand people questioning me. Got it?”
“…Yes. My apologies.”
“Good. If you understand, then don’t let it happen again.”
He really was every inch the war hero. He’s not like ordinary folks.
Technically, the butler hadn’t done anything wrong. He was just relaying what Daisy had said in the parlor.
But it felt like he had, so he bowed even more deeply in apology.
“Whether it’s beautiful, fragrant, expensive… that’s all irrelevant.”
Maxim continued, plucking a rose without asking permission, running his fingers over the thorns.
“I wouldn’t give Issy something dangerous like this, anyway.”
Every rose has its thorns. And a rose without them isn’t a real rose at all. One careless moment and you could get pricked, or worse, end up with a nasty infection.
“Anyone would want to drop their guard and relax when looking at flowers, even just for a moment. Don’t you think?”
“Very wise words.”
The butler hurried to agree.
“Hey. There’s something I left in the car. Mind if I go grab it?”
“If you tell me what it is, I’ll fetch it for you myself.”
“No need. I’ll get it.”
“As you wish. Please come this way.”
The butler led Maxim across the garden toward a waiting car. It was the one Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Waldeck had arrived in.
The butler stayed at a respectful distance while Maxim opened the rear door and climbed in.
Inside, his adjutant twisted around from the front seat to salute him.
“You told them?”
“Yes, just like you ordered, naturally.”
He’d gossiped with the servants during parking, sounding just like any subordinate grumbling about his boss. It was all exactly as Maxim had orchestrated.
“And what exactly did you say?”
“I told them the Grand Duke’s so obsessed with his wife that he dragged me out here in the middle of the night, poor me.”
He shot a quick glance at Maxim, worried how that would go over.
Maxim pulled out a cigar and smiled. Apparently, he approved. The adjutant quickly struck a match and offered it.
“And you rattled off my type, too, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Blond hair the color of wheat, green eyes, pale skin, a big appetite, and a very lively personality…”
“Good.”
Maxim’s lips curled in a satisfied smirk.
“Alright, good work.”
Maxim von Waldeck took a deep drag of his cigar before leaving the car.
* * *
“Boss, what am I supposed to do now?”
The moment Maxim left with the butler, Daisy snapped.
“What do you mean, what are you supposed to do? You two looked awfully cozy to me. Congratulations on your husband’s victory, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
“Anyone would think this isn’t your problem! Are you really going to keep acting this irresponsibly?”
“Your face is still red, you know. Whispering sweet nothings. Aren’t you enjoying it at least a little?”
“Would you cut the b******t already?”
Count Therese just grinned at her, but Daisy finally lost her patience.
“Whoa, whoa, calm down, Easy.”
“You throw me into the lion’s den and then act like you don’t care. How am I supposed to stay calm?”
“Okay, sorry, sorry! We’ll figure out a plan now, alright? No need to get so mad.”
Easy for him to say, since it wasn’t his problem.
Daisy could practically feel herself boiling over at how flippant he was being, just mocking her instead of actually helping.
