MDCHC 44

chapter 44

“Hello, everyone~!”

A lively greeting was the start of a positive encounter. For things to go as planned today, a good first impression was important.

“Where should I put this, Madam?”
“Ah, put it here.”

At my words, the servant set down a large box next to me. Unlike the box Lorinus had taken earlier today, this one gave off a fragrant aroma. And unlike that box, which had been full of green plants, this one was colorful and bright.

“Oh my! What are these flowers, Countess of Winchester?”

One noblewoman glanced at the box and asked. Indeed, inside the box I had brought were armfuls of bouquets.

“I brought them as gifts for the lovely ladies here. It’s such a beautiful season for flowers these days, isn’t it?”

Smiling, I lifted the first bouquet.

“At a glance, they look delicate, but with many stalks, they bloom all season long. The blue daisy’s flower language is ‘You, so pure and elegant.’”
“Hm?”
“Flower language?”

As I recited the meaning while holding the bouquet of blue daisies, the noblewomen began to murmur. They repeated my words to each other or asked their neighbors if they knew anything about it.

“Each flower has its own meaning. This blue daisy here means what I just said—‘You, so pure and elegant.’”
“Oh! I think I’ve heard of that before. I heard there’s a foreign custom where instead of letters, people secretly deliver messages with flowers, or lovers exchange them as a kind of code.”

Someone who knew about it had appeared! Luckily, it seemed that flower language wasn’t entirely unknown in this world.

Yes. People are people everywhere—our thoughts often end up the same.

“Ah, it must be like offering hyacinths on St. Astellian’s Day.”
“In the neighboring country, they say gifting carnations means respect. Is that the same kind of thing?”
“Yes! Exactly. The carnation’s meaning is respect and gratitude.”

Perfect! The conversation was flowing smoothly.

“The pure and elegant lady who should receive these blue daisies is…”

I let my words trail off and looked around at the noblewomen. They all tried to put on either slightly demure faces or wide-eyed innocence.

Seeing these usually composed and dignified ladies like this felt rather cute.

“…the Viscountess of Modella.”
“Oh my!”

When her name was called, the Viscountess of Modella covered her mouth with both hands in surprise.

“My goodness, and you’re even wearing a blue dress today.”
“That’s right, Viscountess Modella does have quite an elegant image. Blue suits her well.”

As the others praised her, saying the flower’s meaning fit her well, the Viscountess blushed but smiled happily.

“Thank you, Countess of Winchester.”
“Not at all. The flowers have simply found their rightful owner.”

At my words, the Viscountess beamed. Holding the blue daisies, she truly looked elegant and refined.

When I had matched each bouquet to the ladies last night, the blue daisies had instantly reminded me of her.

“The second flower is the peony. The white peony’s meaning is ‘Happy marriage.’”

As I revealed the bright white peonies, the ladies’ eyes sparkled. I could even see some glancing about nervously.

“These I’ll give to the newly married Baroness Egerton. I wish you a joyful marriage. Of course, I’m sure you already are.”
“Thank you, Countess of Winchester.”

The Baroness Egerton smiled broadly as she accepted the bouquet.

“My bridal bouquet was also white peonies. That makes this even more special.”

She gazed at the flowers with eyes full of emotion, clearly remembering her wedding day.

“And the third flower, the lily, has the meaning ‘Purity.’ This flower is for…”
“Let me guess!”

The Countess of Turner quickly raised her hand. With everyone’s curious eyes on her, she grinned. The room now felt like a fun quiz show.

“The pure lily must be for Lady Williams, isn’t it? She’s the only unmarried young lady here.”

At her words, everyone’s gaze shifted to Lady Williams. Shy as she was, her face flushed bright red.

“Yes, that’s right. And don’t you think this tall stem and elegant bloom resemble Lady Williams’s long, graceful neck?”
“You’re right! I’d never noticed before, but her neckline is quite beautiful.”
“Oh my, look how red she’s gone. Truly the image of a modest, pure young lady.”

At someone’s comment, laughter rippled through the group, making Lady Williams blush even more.

“Oh dear, don’t tease her too much.”

Still smiling, I carried the bouquet of lilies over to her. Unlike the other ladies, she was too shy to even stand up.

“You’re not offended, are you?”

I whispered softly as I handed the flowers to her. She quickly shook her head and, with her reddened face, gave me a small smile.

Yes. No woman would dislike being compared to an elegant lily.

“Now, this flower is…”
“Carnations!”
“What do those mean?”
“Goodness, weren’t you listening? The Countess already said carnations mean respect.”
“Oh, that’s right. Then who best suits respect…?”

The ladies exchanged looks, silently voting with their eyes on who should receive it.

The one with the most votes was the Marchioness of Moore.

“These carnations, bearing respect, should be delivered personally.”

I walked over lightly and presented the bouquet to her.

“Thank you for always being a role model for us ladies.”
“Oh, I’ve done nothing. I simply enjoyed the company of good people like you all.”

The Marchioness smiled as she accepted the flowers, and the room broke into spontaneous applause.

Unlike the lively atmosphere earlier, this now felt like a formal award ceremony. But then again, flowers are what you present on such occasions.

“To think you prepared so many bouquets—surely it must have been difficult. If anything, Countess Winchester deserves the applause.”
“Oh my, that’s true. Thank you, Countess.”
“Yes, truly, thank you.”

At the Marchioness’s words, applause now came my way as well.

“Oh no, it’s nothing. Seeing all of you delighted makes me even happier. And, truthfully, I didn’t prepare all of this alone.”

My words stirred the room. They glanced at one another, wondering if someone among them had helped.

“Though the Winchester estate has many flowers, we don’t have this many. These flowers were a gift from Her Highness, the Princess. I met her yesterday for personal matters, and when she heard there would be a ladies’ gathering today, she wanted to gift you all these flowers.”
“Oh my! From Her Highness?”
“Yes. We even strolled through the palace gardens yesterday and talked about flower meanings. She was as curious and delighted as you all. She said she wanted to share such meaningful flowers with you.”
“How kind of her!”
“Then are these flowers from the Imperial Gardens? Heavens, how beautiful!”
“Why, that means we’ve been gifted flowers from the Princess herself!”

At the mention of the Princess, the room buzzed with excitement again. I looked on with satisfaction.

My purpose in bringing the bouquets today was twofold:

First, to spread the idea that every flower has its own meaning.
Second, to let them know that the Princess also understood and cared about flower meanings.

Smiling, I watched the ladies chatter happily. Then my eyes met those of the Countess of Turner. Still without a bouquet, she looked at me with hopeful anticipation.

“The tiger lily’s meaning is ‘Nobility.’”

There was no need to drag it out any longer. I took out the bouquet of tiger lilies and handed it to the Countess of Turner.

“My! Such a noble flower, for me?”

She accepted it with an expression full of gratitude.

“The Countess of Turner, you’re not only dignified but also always at the forefront of charity and donations. Both inside and out, you embody nobility itself.”
“Oh dear, oh dear! Stop, Countess. You praise me so much, I feel like I’m floating in a hot-air balloon.”

Though she waved her hands modestly, her face bloomed with joy. I too smiled warmly.

Dominic de Turner.

That was the name of the Countess of Turner’s brother-in-law—member of the Imperial Knights and the Princess’s unrequited love.