The World Has Become Kinder to Her

*Chapter 14: Bees Circling Around the Flower**

“Someone’s here to see me? Who is it that’s causing such a fuss?”  

“Don’t be surprised. It’s Lord Zahard!”  

“…What?”  

Upon hearing Jane’s words, Lotus’ heart began to race. A man who now showed a completely different side of himself than before.  

‘Why have you come to see me?’  

And at this hour, no less. If it were the Kenneth she remembered, he would be at the palace, most likely with the knights.  

In this life, Lotus had no real connection with Kenneth.  

They had only met for the first time at the ball last night, where she had coldly rejected his invitation to dance, leaving things awkward between them.  

Refusing him again today, both personally and publicly, would be unpleasant.  

“Tell Lord Zahard to wait for a moment,” Lotus sighed as she began to prepare herself. She couldn’t meet him looking as she did—barefaced and dressed in casual attire meant for the house. It would be improper to receive a guest like this.  

“I’ll let Bina know what you said, miss. Let me help you get ready,” Jane eagerly offered, sensing an opportunity to assist.  

Lotus, though irritated, allowed Jane to help, not wanting to keep Kenneth waiting longer than necessary.  

She settled on a modest dress and applied just enough makeup to be presentable without overdoing it.  

Unlike her elaborate appearance from the night before, Lotus now looked like a single elegant flower—a lotus blossom, to be precise.  

She radiated a gentle, delicate beauty that naturally invoked a protective instinct in men. Only she looked at herself with a hint of scorn.  

“You look lovely, miss, in a different way than you did last night,” Jane complimented.  

“There’s no need to flatter me. There’s nothing you can gain from a powerless noblewoman like me.”  

Though Lotus had been relatively composed these past few days, she still occasionally let out sharp or biting remarks that left the recipient feeling pricked.  

Jane, now embarrassed, lowered her head. Lotus, sensing the tension, glanced at her briefly before looking away.  

When Lotus left the room, Jane followed close behind. As she descended the stairs, she crossed paths with the Marchioness, who was coming up.  

After a brief silence, the Marchioness spoke first.  

“I heard you asked Lord Zahard to wait.”  

“Yes. Is there a problem?”  

“If your brother or Hession were around, they could have dealt with him appropriately. But I worry about you meeting him. After all, neither you nor our family have a close relationship with him, and considering your age…”  

Lotus was already seventeen, and after having her debutante yesterday, she was officially recognized as a young lady ready for engagements or even marriage.  

For a young woman of her standing to meet privately with a man she wasn’t closely acquainted with, or engaged to, could easily stir up scandal.  

And given Lotus’ lower maternal lineage, any rumors would be particularly vicious.  

Lotus blinked a few times before responding.  

“It’s surprising to hear you’re concerned about my reputation and honor, Madam.”  

“…Regardless, you are still part of the Estelle family.”  

“Is that so?”  

Though Lotus’ eyes curled into a smile, the Marchioness couldn’t help but feel as if that expression was more like crying.  

“…Lotus.”  

“Madam, what I’m doing now is also for the family’s sake. I can’t refuse Lord Zahard again today after turning him down yesterday, can I? Especially considering his skill and the name Zahard. I don’t think that’s something the Marquis or Hession would want either.”  

Lotus spoke with a calm demeanor, addressing the Marchioness, the Marquis, and Hession as “Madam,” “Your Excellency,” and “Young Master,” respectively.  

That’s all they had ever been to her. It wasn’t anything new or surprising.  

— *Hession, why are you doing this to me?*  

— Why do you call me that way?

— Then should I call you ‘Young Master’?

— Lotus!

— You know why I address the Marquis and Madam that way. It’s the same reason. I have no desire to get punished again.

— …I’m sorry. 

Lotus recalled the expression Hession had made just two days ago when he heard her use those titles. He had bit his lip and apologized, but what could he have been feeling at that moment?  

‘How is it that I’m still curious about such meaningless things? Lotus, you haven’t learned a thing.’  

Swallowing back the rising tears and replacing them with a smile, Lotus spoke.  

“So, Madam, could you step aside? The longer I keep Lord Zahard waiting, the more it will put me at a disadvantage in our conversation.”  

Lotus brushed past the Marchioness and made her way toward the drawing room. Standing in front of the door, she felt a wave of nervousness.  

‘Stay calm. Kenneth is a gentleman, after all. As long as I don’t say anything foolish, everything should be fine.’  

She took a few deep breaths before grasping the doorknob. As Jane tried to follow her inside, Lotus spoke in a firm voice.  

“I’d like to speak with Lord Zahard in private. Please don’t come in.”  

“But, miss…” Jane looked at her with a worried expression, but Lotus remained resolute. Jane had no choice but to step back.  

“Could you at least leave the door slightly ajar? Just in case?” Jane requested.  

Though their conversation wouldn’t be overheard unless someone actively eavesdropped, Lotus nodded and allowed the door to be left slightly open.  

Upon entering the room, the fragrant smell of tea greeted her. A small table was set with tea and light refreshments.  

Kenneth, sitting upright in his usual perfect posture, turned his gaze toward her as soon as the door opened.  

He began to rise, but Lotus waved him off.  

“It’s all right, please stay seated.”  

“My apologies, Lady Lotus. I didn’t mean to come unannounced like this.”  

His polite apology eased some of the tension in Lotus’ chest.  

Apart from his unexpected approach at the ball last night, Kenneth was still Kenneth.  

His upright nature and exceptional skill in swordsmanship made him the quintessential knight.  

More importantly, he was never the type to look down on others, no matter their station.  

“Lord Zahard, there’s no need for apologies. Let my making you wait earlier serve as a return for any unintentional rudeness on your part. Does that not seem fair?”  

“I’ve heard that ladies often take time to prepare. That hardly equates to my intrusion.”  

“Oh my, is this the same ‘Ice Knight’ I’ve heard so much about? You seem to know quite a bit about women. If others heard you, they’d be shocked.”  

Lotus glanced at Kenneth as she spoke, taking in his features: his cold yet clear blue eyes, his sharp nose, and his lips, which stood out slightly red against his otherwise pale complexion.  

Sitting alone with him like this, without the presence of other men, stirred mixed feelings within her.  

After all, Kenneth was the man she had once entrusted her first experience to. He had done so without asking for anything in return.  

A man who had shared her first intimate moment.  

There was enough reason for her to feel tenderness toward him. Despite his coldness, Lotus had never resented Kenneth, even in the past.  

For a moment, both Lotus and Kenneth simply stared at each other. It was an awkward silence, but neither of them realized how impolite they were being.  

It was Lotus who regained her composure first.  

“I’m sorry. I’ve been feeling unwell, and it seems I’ve been rude.”  

“…No, I should be the one apologizing. I came here today because I was worried about you after you collapsed last night, but it seems my actions may have caused you more stress.”  

His voice was subdued, lacking its usual strength. Kenneth, looking so dejected, was a rare sight, and Lotus tilted her head in confusion.  

‘We didn’t dance together, but perhaps he feels some responsibility for seeing me collapse? He’s always been soft-hearted about unnecessary things, both then and now…’  

“If you put it that way, then I feel even worse. What happened last night was simply due to my poor stamina. I’ve just been overworked and tired, so I’ll be fine soon. You needn’t worry.”

Lotus responded as gently as possible, hoping that in this life, she wouldn’t become entangled with Kenneth any deeper than necessary.  

Kenneth was far too good, far too noble, and too decent of a man to be involved with someone as lowly and useless as her.  

She was satisfied with having once broken his resolve in the past, becoming his first lover. She had no desire to ruin his life in this new life as well.  

“That’s not possible. It’s something that concerns you, Lady Lotus.”  

“What?”  

“I cannot help but worry about you.”  

His words echoed those he had once said to her in the past, accompanied by a heavy sigh. Lotus’ green eyes wavered.  

What was this man with such a cold and noble heart talking about? She couldn’t understand it.  

“What do you mean by that? Lord Zahard, we only met for the first time yesterday, didn’t we?”  

When she indirectly asked why he was worrying about her, Kenneth looked straight into her eyes and replied,  

“Am I not allowed to be concerned for you?”  

“Well, I… I suppose…”  

“Does a person need a reason to worry about someone?”  

This was strange. Since when was he this good with words?  

Lotus felt herself being drawn into his words and became alarmed at how easily she was getting caught up. Usually, it was *her* who was direct and unyielding in conversations, but now it felt like their roles had reversed.  

“You have such a noble and kind heart, Lord Zahard. It’s no wonder you’re different from the rest.”  

She dismissed his concern as a natural outcome of his virtuous nature, then quickly moved to change the subject.  

“But what brings you here today?”  

“As I mentioned before, I wanted to check on how you were feeling.”  

“…What?”  

Lotus blinked, her eyes widening in disbelief.  

“Are you telling me that for such a simple reason, when you should be at the palace, you came all the way here?”  

“What do you mean by ‘such a simple reason’? To me, it is the most important reason.”  

“Lord Zahard, too much sweet talk can become bitter,” Lotus remarked, pressing her fingers against her temple as if warding off a headache. Kenneth’s expression shifted, revealing an almost helpless look.  

‘Why? Why is he acting like this?’  

“…I couldn’t focus on anything, not even my sword practice, because my thoughts kept returning to you. It was the same with my other duties. Knowing that nothing I did would be productive, I followed where my heart led me. I’m being sincere.”  

Looking at Kenneth, Lotus saw a reflection of the desperate expression she herself had worn in the past, when she had once clung to him.  

His blue eyes were filled with earnestness. As hard as it was to believe, he was telling the truth.  

“I didn’t realize Lord Zahard had such poor taste,” she muttered, indirectly mocking herself for drawing his attention. Kenneth’s face hardened at her words.  

“Don’t say that,” he said, his tone suddenly firm.  

“…”  

“You can insult me, or anyone else for that matter, but do not speak of yourself in that way. It’s painful to hear.”