Chapter 88
Phillips mumbled something incomprehensible before breaking into a bright smile and changing the subject.
“Of course. There seem to be so many flowers here that I’ve never seen before.”
“That’s because many of the plants were imported from abroad.”
“How fascinating! Did you grow all these flowers, Phillips?”
“Indeed. If you like, I can pick a few for you.”
“Really? But won’t you get in trouble for that?”
“Oh, not at all. As long as we keep it a secret, it’s our little secret. Which flower do you like the most?”
Macy laughed softly and strolled through the garden with him. He mentioned that his primary job was as a gardener. Phillips was truly knowledgeable about the garden’s plants, which explained why he sometimes smelled strongly of earth.
“Macy Horton, we have prepared tea and refreshments.”
“Oh, right!”
As she was enjoying the walk with him, the butler approached. A tea table was set up under a pergola, complete with delicious bread, sweet cakes, and fragrant tea.
“Phillips, would you like to join me for tea over there?”
“I’m not a guest, so I’m not supposed to have any of that.”
“Are you sure? It won’t taste as good if I eat it alone…”
Macy looked at him with a pout. Phillips glanced around to ensure no one was watching.
“We’ll leave you to it. Enjoy your time.”
With that, the butler and attending maids left the garden. Now that they were alone, Phillips and Macy sat down at the tea table. He smiled broadly as he took a big slice of cake.
“Macy, thanks to you, I get to enjoy such luxuries. The desserts here are famous for being delicious.”
“They’re really sweet and tasty!”
Although they hadn’t had the chance to properly say goodbye before, meeting him and having this moment made Macy feel happy.
“But this…”
Macy hesitated as she was about to take a sip of tea.
“What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”
“Oh, no.”
The familiar aroma seemed odd, and as soon as she took a sip, she realized it tasted just the same.
This orange-hued tea was the one Macy had recently enjoyed. It was the same tea she had bought from a street vendor during the Spring Festival and had even gifted to Eren for his headache.
‘Why is this here?’
Macy had asked for the Duke’s favorite tea, unsure of what to choose, but they brought this tea instead.
A shiver ran down her spine. She wondered if the Duke, having experienced the Name awakening, had requested this tea because of its effects. But the thought made her uneasy.
The similar tone and voice, the resemblance in physique and scent—there was a lot about this situation that felt off. The Duke’s Name had manifested around the same time as Eren’s, and Phillips, who she thought was only affiliated with the Krygen agency, was actually a gardener for the Duke’s household.
Now the Duke was drinking the same tea Macy had given to Eren. It wasn’t likely that this exotic tea was common…
“You don’t look well. Are you feeling ill?”
Seeing Macy’s expression harden, Phillips asked with concern. Macy forced a small smile and casually replied.
“I’m fine. But Phillips, do you know much about cigars?”
“Cigars? Why? Are you interested in them now?”
“I heard that they can sometimes help if you’re having trouble with your work. They also supposedly clear your mind and help with ventilation.”
“Who told you that nonsense? Macy, don’t even consider it. The smell is strong and it’s bad for your health. It’s better not to be interested in it from the start.”
“Really? But you smoke cigars, don’t you? And the ones the Duke smokes seem to have a pleasant aroma…”
Macy cautiously brought up the Duke, and Phillips, who had been negative about cigars, clicked his tongue and added:
“The cigars the Duke smokes are things we common folks can’t obtain. Even if you have money, you can’t get them—they’re that rare.”
“Then how can one get them?”
“I’ve heard they come from overseas. They’re cigars supplied to the royal family of Ciseina, known for their summer sea fragrance. The Duke’s cigars are brought annually by Lady Norma, who’s from the Ciseina royal family.”
“So… does that mean the Duke is the only one in Obelit who smokes them?”
“Probably. They say only a limited amount can be made each year.”
Macy’s expression became so stiff she could no longer manage it. If it has a summer sea scent, it could very well be the same cigar…
No, Eren was a businessman; he could travel between countries. It was too early to jump to conclusions.
‘Or is it? Is it too early? There are so many connections to Eren…’
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