The Flower Dances and the Wind Sings

Chapter 2

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…

“Your Grace!”

Ersella felt someone shaking her body. Light shone down on her eyes as her eyelids fluttered open. The opulent patterns on the ceiling slowly came into focus.

Ceiling patterns?

Surprised, Ersella uncharacteristically shot up from her bed and quickly looked around to see that she was in her own room—no, the room that she and Harzen shared… No, no. That was not what was important.

“You’re awake!” cried a cute brunette woman as she sighed in relief and wiped the sweat from Ersella’s face. “My, you’re sweating a lot.”

“Lianne?” Ersella called in a daze.

Lianne was the maid who attended to her ever since she lived back in her family home. The maid cocked her head at Ersella as she stumbled about.

“Were you having a dream of some sort, Your Grace? You kept tossing and turning.”

Ersella, however, was still finding it difficult to grasp the situation. “I…” she muttered. She must’ve looked ghastly for Lianne to be staring with such worry, but she could not hide the confusion on her face.

“Are you all right? Should I bring in tea?” her maid asked.

However, Ersella paid no heed to her. “I…” she said slowly.

“Your Grace?”

I’m alive?!

Unable to finish her sentence, she froze as millions of different thoughts raced through her head. She had definitely died. So how was she still alive? How—was it all a dream? But it hurt too terribly for it to be just a dream! She felt as though she would be right back there any second! How was she still alive when she had died? Or perhaps she had not died but miraculously survived.

I’m breathing normally, Ersella thought. The realization shocked her. Her chest used to constrict and hurt as if someone was pricking her with needles each time she breathed. Now, however, she felt fine. Slowly, she inhaled and exhaled. Her chest rose and fell gently without any pain. What’s going on?

Her illness was supposed to be terminal. Yet, here she was, fine as ever. Ersella could not believe what was going on. After all, how could an illness that plagued her half to death simply disappear overnight?

And the maid was offering to bring her tea without any fuss. Normally, she would have asked how Ersella was feeling with grave concern. Lianne had been almost overly worried ever since Ersella fell ill.

“Your Grace?”

Ersella snapped out of her reverie. Lianne calling to her suddenly reminded her of the name she had been crying out so desperately.

“Where’s Vicente?” she asked.

The slight urgency in her tone shocked Lianne. Was Ersella truly calling for her son when she seldom even uttered his name? Perhaps Her Grace isn’t feeling so well after all. Concerned, Lianne cautiously opened her mouth, hoping that she would not offend Ersella. “Lord Vicente is currently in the training hall. But you look pale, Your Grace. Should I bring some tea to warm you up?”

Ersella shook her head. This was not the time to drink tea at leisure. “It’s fine. Tell Vicente that I want to see him— No, no. I’m going to go myself.”

“Your Grace… has Lord Vicente wronged you somehow?”

Ersella didn’t reply as questions popped into her head. What is this about? Has Vicente gotten into trouble? She was still too confused about the situation to grasp what was going on.

When she looked at Lianne questioningly, the maid collected her breath and bravely said, “Lord Vicente is doing exceptionally well. He is on top of his studies as well as his sword training. Not only has he already passed the apprentice knight examination at a young age, but he also excels in politics, economics, geography, history, and social studies. His tutors all praise him. Even if he made some mistakes, I’m sure he meant well. So why not counsel him gently if he has done anything wrong? Though Lord Vicente might be mature for his age, he is still a boy. Please be merciful, Your Grace.”

What in the world...? Did Lianne seriously think Ersella was looking for her son this early in the morning just so she could scold him?

But when Ersella looked at Lianne incredulously, she stared back bravely as if she were ready to take on what was coming.

Realizing that her maid was serious, Ersella held back her incredulity and hastily explained, “It’s not like that. I’m not trying to scold him… I just have some business with him.”

Before she could realize that having “some business with” might sound too formal, she had already uttered the words. Though she had returned to her former life—whether through a dream or a miracle—it was impossible to change her personality at once. Ersella found everything awkward as she tried to do something she had never done before.

“I must go to the training hall first,” she said, telling herself that she had made enough excuses. She decided to see the person she longed to see the most.

The walk to the training hall felt awkward as she had never visited the place ever since the butler showed her around when she first moved to the estate. Luckily, Lianne knew where it was and accompanied her. After all, what business did Ersella have in the training hall as a noble lady?

The one who frequented the place was, of course, Vicente, the heir of the military family. When she realized the fact, she purposely stayed away from the place.

I’m the worst, aren’t I? Ersella found herself feeling guiltier as she recalled the past, realizing once again that she had been a heartless mother.

The training hall was quite far away, located under the mansion. Though it was underground, the sun shone in from the window. While the window itself was half the size of what was above ground, the place was pleasant enough, which spoke to what a good job the servants did taking care of it.

She walked down the hallway until she saw an emblem of two crossed swords. She had reached her destination.

Lianne opened the heavy-looking door with a creak. Despite Lianne’s delicate physique, the door opened quite easily. With a deep breath, Ersella walked inside.

Swish—

As soon as she walked in, she could hear a blade whipping through the air.

Vicente.

The boy who was already far taller than her stood swinging his sword with perfect form. Light scattered on the beads of sweat in his hair each time he took a swing.

Ersella couldn’t help but be in a silent trance at the form that looked flawless in her eyes, even though she did not know anything about swordsmanship. Indeed, the boy was as talented as people claimed. Until now, Ersella had never seen Vicente swing his sword. Regret bloomed in her heart, whispering to her that she should have at least tried to praise him even once.

Unfortunately, the boy did not glance at Ersella, even though she stood staring for a while. She did not know if this was because he was focused or simply wanted to ignore her. She had a feeling that it might be the latter.

Lianne approached him to whisper something, prompting the boy to finally turn slowly toward Ersella. When the deep, mysterious blue eyes fixed on her, Ersella found herself dumbfounded.

Still looking as impassive as ever, Vicente glanced at the duchess. The atmosphere became heavy, and it felt as if she and Vicente were the only two people there.

Suddenly, the boy looked down and picked up the scabbard to slowly sheathe the blade in his right hand. The metal slid into the place with a sharp sound. As he slowly approached her, she felt as though her chest was being compressed from the threat even with the blade gone. She gulped.

Stopping at a distance from her, Vicente bowed respectfully. “Mother,” he greeted.

Despite his flawless manners, Ersella could tell loud and clear that he was drawing a line. However, her heart began to race. The gripping tension eased somewhat as she slowly observed the boy’s face.

He had black hair and a pair of blue eyes which he inherited from her. His face was soft and was yet to mature. Despite his childlike features, he seemed harsh. This was Vicente, her son, who had looked coolly down at her until her death.

“What brings you to the training hall?” he asked, his voice low and expressionless. Trying not to let her nerves show, Ersella carefully chose her words.

“I came to see if your training was coming along well.”

Oh no...

How she wanted to slap her own lips for such emotionless words that slipped out. How could she speak as if she were talking to someone beneath her? Dream or not, she had just come back from death. And this was the first conversation she was having with him. Yet, she failed miserably.

She could feel Lianne staring from her side. She seemed concerned that the two might fight again.

Ersella was upset. Why was it that she could not be as kind to her son as she was to other ladies and servants? She could not believe herself.

“I am practicing as much as possible. I will make sure you need not worry again,” Vicente replied. His voice was as flat as ever and hinted, not only that he wanted to end this interaction, but that he preferred she not come again. Ersella’s heart throbbed.

She wanted to pull Vicente into a hug and apologize through tears. Despite her thoughts, she refused to let herself tear up or shrink from guilt.

Instead, she stared at Vicente, standing as straight and as elegant as ever. The boy was taller than her, so she had to look up to him. However, Ersella did not cower or crane her neck, merely glancing up at him lazily. Of course, her habit would not change overnight.

She silently asked herself if she should relax and smile up at him before stopping herself. Acting out of character would only trigger suspicion.

For example, the boy might think that she was mocking him or disparaging him. This was enough: respectful and distanced. Though she might like to get closer, this would have to do for now.

Should I just leave like this? Ersella wanted to say something kind, but her lips would not budge. When she stood still, Vicente lowered his head and made to go back. “W-wait,” Ersella called, hastily halting the boy as he turned away without any hesitation.

Vicente’s face held a hint of surprise as he stopped. “What is it?”

Now, he sounded bothered. Ersella braced herself. You can do this. Slowly, she reached out to his shoulders. She was as stiff and awkward as she always was with him. Her arm slowly moved up. “Good… job,” she muttered.

Tap. Tap.

Her hands tapped twice on Vicente’s shoulders, and silence followed. For anyone who did not know, she might even have resembled a senior officer encouraging a knight who was going off to a battle. However, for those around them, that did not matter. A murmur rippled through the spectators.

“Whoa.”

“Oh my.”

“Can it be?”

“Her Grace…”

“Her Grace just…”

“Her Grace… encouraged Lord Vicente! Well, sort of.”

Everyone stared, their faces flush with emotion, at the mother and son. Whenever people found themselves around those two, it was like walking on eggshells. Today, too, had been a worry. That was until they witnessed something they had never imagined. Everyone sighed in relief.

Ersella’s “encouragement” made Vicente pause. His already expressionless face became even more deadpan.

Her heart stopped. Did I do something wrong? she thought.