The Flower Dances and the Wind Sings

4.

A silver-blue light began to pour into a dark room. The faint light squeezed through a woman’s eyes. The woman frowned and soon turned to the other side. She then unconsciously stretched out her arm trying to find his presence.

She swept her arms for a while, but when she couldn’t feel any warmth, her eyelids opened slowly.

… So you came after all?

The side next to her was vacant. Harsen didn’t come home until late yesterday, so she had to sleep alone, let alone talk. Ercella still glanced at the side next to her with a hazy mind.

“You were sleeping.”

Luckily, Harsen stopped by for a shut-eye when she noticed the bedding a little cluttered. She turned her head slightly toward the window. The color of the sky was gradually brightening, and dawn was breaking. This means Harsen came home near dawn and left at dawn.

She knew he was busy with territorial issues with the neighboring Conrad Kingdom. But she didn’t expect him to be so busy that he would come so late at night and disappear again at dawn.

The man’s body was surely made of steel. He was never once late. Harsen always got up earlier than her and set about at a fixed time. A question suddenly crossed Ercella’s mind.

“Is this how Harsen always lived?”

She thought it might be the lifestyle of this family. If so, then that explains the things from yesterday. Having lived like that himself, he might be used to this method of education…

Thinking that Harsen might have grown up just like Vicente, her overflowing anger disappeared and was replaced with compassion for him.

Still, this isn’t right.

But that is that and this is this. No matter how strictly Harsen has been living, it was unacceptable to push his son through this. It was obvious that he didn’t know how wrong this was. Ercella and he definitely needed to discuss this matter.

Ercella got up and decided to prepare for the upcoming meal. Just in time, Lianne came in and announced the time. Lianne hurried to help her get ready. The breakfast was earlier than usual, so she moved her hands quickly.

Lianne braided Ercella’s golden hair curled them up and fixed them neatly. The preparation ended by simply wearing the clothes that Lianne chose.

“All set, Madam.”

Now it was time to eat with Vicente.

He’s coming, right..?

Lianne smiled as if she noticed the concern on Ercella’s face.

“The Young Master is already waiting.”

Fortunately, what happened yesterday will not happen again. She released a sigh of relief.

“Let’s go.”

As she entered the dining room, she noticed a boy sitting in a graceful posture on the right side of the head seat. With his back straight, he was facing forward in a slightly lowered gaze. You came. Ercella’s lips curled up naturally.

“You are here.”

At her appearance, Vicente rose from his seat and greeted her politely.

“Greetings, Mother.”

Even though she said that kindly, the answer was still stiff. But it didn’t hurt. She didn’t think that only this kind of kindness would break down the walls of his heart that built up over the years. She has to be punished more. She must endure no matter how hurtful Vicente is.

But that doesn’t mean Vicente said anything harsh. He was just as distant from her as ever. And aren’t her sins too great for her to give up just because he’s cold?

Ercella thought that it was natural and headed towards the head seat. Clifton pulled out the chair gracefully. Ercella gently smiled and sat down.

“It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it’s been a long time since I had breakfast.”

It has been a long time since the two of them not only met face to face in the same space but also shared a meal. There was a little tension in the unfamiliar situation.

Ercella began to watch Vicente carefully. Vicente was still looking down and avoiding her, so she was able to appreciate him more comfortably.

I’ve thought this before too, but he is very handsome. While his overall impression was cold, each stroke that made up his face was surprisingly gentle.

His features, drawn under his black hair darker than dawn, were perfect. His brightly shining pupils and the noble air exuding from him gave off an impression of a noble prince.

Ercella smiled silently. He grew up really well. Without her…

“Do you know why I called yo-?”

“Do you know” almost habitually came out from her lips, but fortunately, her tone was soft. Vicente’s sunken eyes flowed towards her.

“I don’t know.”

A monotonous answer rang in her ears.

“Um… I…”

Ercella stuttered considerably in her conscious effort to choose words. If anyone saw her right now, they might think she’s dumb. Before, Ercella would also have felt shame because she valued dignity. But she decided not to care about such trivial matters anymore.

“From now on, you and… with you…”

Why am I hesitating? I have let go of this lofty pride if I’ll be getting something much more precious.

“I want to eat with you.”

Finally, the difficult sentence came out. For the first time, Ercella realized that asking to eat together was such a difficult thing to say.

Vicente remained silent, seemingly unaware of what to say. Ercella wanted to know what Vicente was thinking, but his eyes were still deep and dark, so she couldn’t read anything.

A small silence opened his lips. Clearly, he thought that he should no longer delay answering.

“Please tell me why you made that decision.”

It wasn’t a yes or no, but a completely business-like, stern reply. It seemed he could not understand the sudden change in her attitude.

Ercella was at a loss for words. Why did I decide that? Can’t I just say that I want to eat with you? She realized that she and Vicente needed a good reason to eat together.

Reason…

Ercella had no great reason to ask to eat together. I just wanted to have a meal with my son. Ercella briefly thought about making up a reason. But I don’t want to lie. I want to express my feelings as they are. I don’t want to experience the tragedy of leaving again without saying anything like in the past.

“There’s no special reason.”

“…….”

“I just want to eat with you.”

Ercella said looking straight into Vicente’s eyes. Vicente was still staring at her with doubtful eyes.

“Perhaps…”

“Yes?”

“Are you lonely because Father is busy?”

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

At the ridiculous remark, she narrowed her brows as if to frown. On second thought, yes, she was always a neglectful mother.

From Vicente’s point of view, it’s natural not to understand what she is doing now. Which is why she shouldn’t have expected a simple answer. Ercella convinced herself a hundred and a thousand times over and stammered.

“It’s not like that. Ah, son… Is it strange that you and I eat together?”

“…….”

It must be strange. Vicente’s expression looked a little stiff. Even now, she has to come up with a plausible reason, but she had a vivid idea of what the stiffened muscles around Vicente’s eyes meant. She found it unfair now.

“I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

“… Ask me.”

“I heard from Clifton that you cut down on my tutors. You also ordered them to keep the training grounds closed until 8 a.m. Why did you do that?”

Clifton was the butler of the mansion. Ercella ordered him through Lianne, and naturally, Vicente heard those instructions from him.

Vicente’s eyes still had no warmth, but sadly, Ercella was used to them.

Maybe I will never see my son smile. Ercella sighed and said.

“I thought you might be having a hard time.”

“I’m not having a hard time.”

Vicente replied sternly. But Ercella also had no intention of backing down on the issue.

“No. I heard you sleep for only five hours a day. You train for five hours at the training grounds. Then You spend six hours learning various lessons. Four hours to study them. Two hours to read a general knowledge book. Also, I’ve heard that when you’re free, you process documents coming up from the estate.”

“That’s….”

“No excuses. You are to take a break. Wanting to learn more is good and you are sincere in it too. But what if you don’t eat properly and faint by overworking yourself? Can’t you see the people who will worry about you if you faint? I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m worried about you. You’re my son, and I’m your mother.”

Mother. It sounded so shameless even if she said it casually. Anyone would know that Ercella has never shown the slightest bit of interest in her only son.

It’s ridiculous for the other side to use the word “mother” in front of him for a matter that she had ignored until now.

Her expression suddenly turned dark. Ercella’s heart was not good either. It’s like she’s pretending as if nothing had happened before. I never meant to cover it up… How can I ever forget this guilt? She said so herself, but that word pricked her chest too.

There was only one reason why she used the word “mother” even though she knew it would hurt both of them.

Even if he doesn’t want to hear it, she indirectly expressed that he is still under Ercella’s protection as the heir of the family.

If she doesn’t do this, he won’t listen to her…

“Did Father allow this?”

“I’ll tell him today.”

He didn’t seem to believe it. He seemed to assume that Ercella was doing this only based on her impulsive decision.

This is because the Duke’s decision overrides the Duchess’s decision. But in fact, contrary to his expectations, Ercella was doing things arbitrarily without consulting Harsen.

Ercella also believed that her husband would not stop her. From the other’s perspective, Harsen seems to be quite cold on the outside, so they assume he’s the patriarch, but surprisingly, he does everything Ercella asks.

However, this time I’m not sure whether he’ll accept or not, but I won’t back down even if he says no. I’ll have to think about another plan then.

“And don’t do anything today, just rest. You’ve been overdoing it until now.”

“I have lessons to attend to.”

“I already told you yesterday to go rest.”

Vicente lifted his eyebrows slightly. He didn’t reveal much, but she felt that he wasn’t happy about the current situation.

It’s probably natural to reject a mother who never showed any interest in him but suddenly began to interfere in his life.

This wasn’t unexpected for Ercella… but to him, this was just another act.

You may feel upset right now, but you’ll realize was the right thing to do when you think about it later.

I’m sorry I did it my way.

Her mouth moved slightly as if saying sorry while facing him without avoiding the cold shadow in his eyes.

I know you don’t like it, but please let it slide this time.

Her affectionate voice echoed Vicente’s ears.

“Or should I cut down on all of them? That’s alright too.”

Ayo I thought we were gonna leave without breakfast.

*sigh* My neck hurts… Tension neck is a beach

Don’t forget to support me on my kofi