Chapter 13 : The Chaotic Bouquet

The chaotic bouquet, with its colorful and flamboyant flowers, scattered Selene’s thoughts.
‘Why is this man suddenly kneeling before me with a bouquet in his hands?’
Before she could process it further, the man’s voice reached her.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to confess. I’ve truly fallen for you.”
Theron’s blue eyes, which couldn’t be hidden even among the diverse flowers, were fixed solely on Selene.
“Although there have been several misunderstandings and incidents from the start, my heart has not changed.”
“…”
“I wanted to confess my true feelings in front of many people. That way, I could prove that I have no interest in any other woman. The only one I love is you, Miss Selene.”

“Then shall I prove that I’m not a womanizer?”

Selene realized.
The meaningful words Theron had said to her at the launching ceremony were for this moment.
This was certainly not something he could do while juggling multiple women.
If he confessed publicly like this, other women would also see him as another’s man from now on.
“What answer do you want to hear from me?” Selene asked.
He hadn’t asked her to accept his confession or to reveal her feelings, so she didn’t know how to conclude this situation.
“I don’t expect an answer from you right now, Miss Selene. I just want you to know my heart.”
“…”
“If you don’t feel inclined, you don’t have to accept this bouquet. It’s quite heavy, so it will be difficult for your delicate hands to carry.”
Theron replied playfully, perhaps to ease the burden, but Selene knew she had to accept at least the bouquet, even if she didn’t accept his confession.
If she didn’t even accept the bouquet, the man’s face would be completely lost.
Yet, seeing the man smiling brightly and saying it didn’t matter, Selene once again wondered if she had really misunderstood him.
Besides this slight feeling of unease, Selene also thought that if she used this situation well, she could block other men from approaching her.
Just as women’s interest in him would wane after this day, men’s interest in her would also diminish.
‘Then I wouldn’t have to pretend to faint at events like this.’
It was an efficient way to alleviate future troublesome situations with a single action.
After a brief deliberation, Selene accepted Theron’s bouquet.
“I’ll gratefully accept the bouquet.”
Theron blinked as if he hadn’t expected it.
But that was it.
“The dance was enjoyable.”
Selene left with a short farewell.
So, the voices of people wondering whether she had accepted Theron Cox’s heart or not were heard, but the person who could answer was already gone.
Theron belatedly got up, dusting off his knees.
He glanced down at the hand that had held the bouquet for a moment, then also left the scene.
On the stage where the main characters had disappeared, only the heat and curiosity that had excited the audience remained.

After that somewhat tumultuous day, Selene returned to her ordinary life.
The image of Theron Cox, kneeling in front of many people and presenting a bouquet that seemed to be made of all the most splendid flowers in the world, was quite impressive.
It could be said that it was a scene rarely, yet vividly, engraved in Selene’s mind.
Of course, Evelyn’s subsequent fuss and the gazes of the people were a bit annoying, but that was just a small spark that would die down after enduring it for a while.
As expected, by accepting the bouquet Theron offered, the interest of men definitely decreased afterward.
She could tell just by the gradually decreasing amount of letters and gifts that arrived almost daily.
Even though she hadn’t given a definitive answer on the spot, Selene seemed to have some feelings for him as well.
Selene was satisfied with this seemingly ambiguous relationship.
Thanks to it, she was able to focus on her piano practice with a peaceful mind for a while, without worrying about other things.
However, immersing herself in practice didn’t completely solve Selene’s worries.
Even as she was getting the hang of ‘The Age of Love and Romance,‘ the piece she would play at the international competition, she still couldn’t understand the original sonnet, which contained a sad and poignant love story.
She still couldn’t get a feel for where to put strength and where to let go.
Knock, knock.
Just then, with a neat knock, Gwendolyn entered with a dessert tray.
“How about taking a little break?”
At the savory buttery smell of the scones, Selene also gradually stopped playing.
The overflowing motivation subsided for a moment at the thought that there was little progress.
She was also a little tired from the continuous practice without rest for days on end.
Closing the piano lid and walking to the table by the window, Selene sat down in a chair.
Gwendolyn broke a fluffy scone, spread sweet strawberry jam on it, and handed it to her.
“Thank you, Gwen.”
Selene chewed the scone with a tired face.
Gwendolyn, who was sitting opposite her, took a sip of the black tea she had brought with her and spoke.
“You look worried.”
Selene’s jaw movement slowly stopped.
As she swallowed the scone, a hint of gloom flickered in her eyes.
“I’ve chosen the main piece for the competition, but I’m not sure if it’s the right one. I can’t quite figure out how to interpret the piece either.”
“It was a piece based on the sonnet ‘The Age of Love and Romance,’ right?”
Yes, that incomprehensible sonnet.
She had been thinking about changing the piece for a few days, but she felt that it would be giving up on her development as a pianist.
Because of that, the more she wanted to succeed, the deeper her sighs became at her lack of progress.
“That sonnet is certainly too lyrical for you to understand, my lady.”
“I don’t know why I lack so much sensitivity.”
At Selene’s question, Gwendolyn laughed out loud.
“I don’t think you lack sensitivity, my lady.”
“…Then?”
“You’re just afraid.”
‘I’m afraid…?’
Selene forgot about the cooling scone and focused on Gwendolyn.
“The reason you stopped giving your heart to those around you was after the Duke and Duchess passed away. The sorrow you experienced then was so great that you pushed people away and grew close to the piano.”
“…”
“The piano will never leave you, right?”
Selene remained dazed for a moment.
Gwendolyn always gave unexpected answers.
“If that’s the case, what should I do?”
“You should not be afraid and experience various emotions caused by people, such as joy and sorrow, pleasure and anger.”
A gentle smile appeared on Gwendolyn’s lips.
“You are compensating with your outstanding talent, my lady, but art is originally a process of expressing various human emotions. To persuade people, you need empathy and understanding.”
Selene had to wonder if there was anyone who could make her feel such diverse emotions.
Suddenly, Theron Cox, who had said something similar to Gwendolyn just now, came to mind.
He had given similar advice.
“If you can’t find someone to feel those emotions with, wouldn’t it be okay to choose a handsome man who courts you so ardently that your heart pounds?”
As Gwendolyn’s deep advice ended with a light joke, Selene’s brows furrowed.
“Gwen, you heard about what happened at the reception of the launching ceremony.”
“Even an old woman like me who has no interest in the ways of the world can hear the chatter of the maids.”
Selene, with her eyes cast down, poked at the broken scone with a fork.
“I don’t know. If it will be helpful. I don’t feel any emotion even when I see that man everyone says is so handsome.”
“But you accepted the bouquet.”
“That’s… it’s complicated to explain. I just thought it would be more convenient that way.”
“I don’t know the full story, but there aren’t many things you can get just by sitting still.”
Gwendolyn gave Selene gentle advice and stood up with the empty cups.
“And I don’t think you’ve read this yet, my lady.”
Before leaving, Gwendolyn took a letter from the pocket of her apron.
It was a neat letter envelope, not too flashy, not too plain.
On the envelope, the name ‘Theron Cox’ was elegantly written in cursive.
Selene, as if she couldn’t refuse, took it, tore open the envelope, and unfolded the letter.
The content inside was not long.

[I don’t think I told you how to care for the flowers in the bouquet I gave you. If you have time, I would like to come and teach you how to care for the flowers so they don’t wilt for a long time.]

As Selene stared at the letter as if to burn a hole through it with her gaze, Gwendolyn smiled and asked, “Shall I bring you some paper to write a reply?”