SCMBRN Chapter 15

It had been a few days since I first sensed something strange about how Jayden was treating me, but it was no longer at a level I could simply overlook.

 

“This is beyond unsettling.”

 

Determined to get a clear answer, I waited patiently after finishing my meal for the right moment to confront him.

 

Catching Jayden during one of his rare free hours was crucial.

 

Unlike me, who lazed about after meals, Jayden Lindsay bore the heavy responsibilities of his noble lineage as the heir of the Lindsay family.

 

His daily life was packed with studies, sword training, and social engagements.

 

Even so, there was one time of day when he relaxed, his afternoon walks.

 

“Ah, Sister.”

 

The central garden, a source of pride at the Marquis Lindsay. Jayden, spotting me, opened his eyes wide in surprise.

 

“Are you out for a walk as well?”

 

“Yes, the weather’s nice. We ran into each other by chance.”

 

I stepped forward, weaving through the colorful blooms toward Jayden.

 

“That’s unusual. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you walking here at this time.”

 

“R-Really?”

 

Well, that’s because I’ve always avoided facing you head-on!

 

The real Charlotte and Jayden had always been on bad terms, and I too had done my best to avoid his cold, cutting presence.

 

“More importantly, the garden is beautiful.”

 

I offered the comment to steer the conversation elsewhere, but Jayden lowered his gaze slightly.

 

“……The gardener tends to it with great care. If my late mother, who watches from the heavens, could see it, she would be pleased.”

 

A fact I had forgotten suddenly came to mind.

 

Now that I thought about it, this garden had been especially cherished by the former Marchioness of Lindsay, Jayden’s birth mother, who passed away from illness.

 

Back then, it felt unrelated to me, so I had let it slip past one ear and out the other.

 

Jayden quietly looked over the garden, a wistful air lingering in his eyes.

 

“……Yes. I believe she would.”

 

I nodded vaguely, unsure how to transition into the main topic.

 

“Damn it. I meant to interrogate him properly, but this kind of atmosphere makes it hard to bring up.”

 

Then, out of nowhere, Jayden asked a baffling question.

 

“Speaking of the garden, Sister, do you have a favorite flower among these?”

 

“Huh? I’m not sure. They’re all lovely.”

 

“Then I shall select some myself and send them to you.”

 

“Send? What do you mean?”

 

“Flowers, of course.”

 

“You’re going to send me flowers?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“……Why?”

 

He replied as though the question itself was strange.

 

“They brighten up a room, and their scent is pleasing. Unless, of course, you dislike having flowers indoors?”

 

“No, no, it’s not that. I mean are you sure it’s okay to pick flowers from here and give them to me?”

 

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

 

“Well, aren’t they precious to you? You walk through this garden every day and admire them…”

 

I couldn’t understand why he would give me the flowers from this garden, ones he treasured so much, especially considering he used to dislike me.

 

“That’s a curious thing to say.”

 

Jayden responded with a warm smile I had never seen from him before.

 

“Flowers bloom and fade with each season. If they can bring you even a little joy, even just for a few days, then that’s enough for me.”

 

“Jayden…”

 

Jayden, revealing such tender feelings for me in this serene garden, it could’ve been a touching moment, as if pulled straight from a novel. A brother who once resented his sister, finally opening his heart.

 

But all I felt was a chill creeping up my spine.

 

“Is he insane? What’s wrong with him?”

 

What had begun as bewildering now felt outright frightening.

 

I started to wonder if I had done something wrong, or if he was acting this way because he had done something wrong.

 

And Jayden’s strange behavior didn’t stop there.

 

“Ah, yes. Sister.”

 

As if remembering something belatedly, he added,

 

“When I send the flowers, I’ll include a Mont Blanc cake as well. I hope you enjoy it.”

 

“Mo… Mont Blanc?”

 

“Yes. I noticed yesterday that, unlike before, you seem to enjoy sweet things now. Has your taste changed?”

 

“Uh, yeah.”

 

“I had an appointment this morning, remember? On my way back, I stopped by a pastry shop. Their Mont Blanc is said to be famous.”

 

I was at a loss for words, my mouth opening soundlessly. Goosebumps prickled across my arms.

 

I couldn’t let this continue. I had to do something now.

 

“Jayden!”

 

Startled by my urgent tone, Jayden blinked.

 

“……What is it?”

 

“Cut it out already! You’re scaring me!”

 

“Scaring you? How?”

 

“You! You’re what’s scary! Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

 

“What do you mean, acting like what?”

 

“You’re sending me flowers, buying me cake, your behavior is clearly suspicious.”

 

“I wouldn’t call it suspicious…”

 

“What’s your reason? You’ve always disliked me.”

 

“No, as I said before, you’ve changed, and so have my feelings toward you…”

 

“Too much has changed! Sure, I’ve been calm these past few months. But does that justify a complete 180 in attitude?”

 

“Well…”

 

“I’ve gone over every memory I have, and I can’t recall a single thing I did to make you like me. Am I wrong?”

 

Jayden said nothing, unable to refute me.

 

“You definitely have a reason for all this. Just be honest with me. Your sudden kindness is making me uncomfortable.”

 

“……”

 

He turned his gaze to the garden again, and the silence that followed was suffocating.

 

“If you insist, then I suppose there’s no helping it.”

 

At last, he spoke in a heavy voice.

 

“I had originally planned to speak to you after we became a little closer…”

 

“That’s fine. Just tell me now.”

 

“In truth, I have a favor to ask of you.”

 

Of course. The moment I heard the word favor, my anxiety dissipated at once.

 

This version of Jayden made sense to me.

 

“If it’s a favor, you should’ve just said so. What is it?”

 

“Well…”

 

“Don’t hesitate. If it’s something I can do, I’ll help. Probably.”

 

Jayden opened his mouth a few times but then firmly shook his head.

 

“I’ll tell you later.”

 

“When?”

 

“I’ll visit your room tonight.”

 

“At night?”

 

“It’s a matter of great importance. I want to speak somewhere private.”

 

I glanced around to check if anyone was nearby, but the garden was empty.

 

“There’s no one here. You could just—”

 

“Later. Alone. In secret.”

 

He emphasized each word before politely excusing himself.

 

“What kind of favor is this?”

 

I tilted my head as I watched his figure recede.

 

Before I knew it, night had come.

 

Knock knock.

 

Just as promised, Jayden knocked softly on my door.

 

“You’re here?”

 

“Shh. Quiet.”

 

When I opened the door, his expression was solemn. Dressed in black, perhaps to hide in the shadows if needed, he scanned the surroundings cautiously as he stepped inside.

 

What a dramatic entrance.

 

Anyone would think this was a drug deal.

 

Still, despite myself, I felt nervous.

 

When Jayden said earlier that he had a favor to ask, I let my guard down, but thinking it over again, this wasn’t something to take lightly.

 

Would someone like Jayden really have a reason to lower himself like this and ask me for help?

 

He had wealth, influence, prestige. In every way, he was above me.

 

No way… could it be…?

 

One possibility flickered in my mind, but I pushed it away.

 

“Well, tell me what this favor is.”

 

I had him sit on the sofa and urged him to speak.

 

“What I’m about to say may sound strange- very strange, even. But please, don’t think I’m insane.”

 

Jayden, seemingly more composed now than he was during the day, continued with determination.

 

“I assure you, I am of sound mind.”

 

“All right. Just say it.”

 

“……Please. This is my request.”

 

At last, I thought he would finally tell me.

 

Instead, he suddenly stood up, then dropped to his knees with a loud thud.

 

“Please let me sleep in your bed! Just for one night!”

 

The request was both unexpected and exactly what I feared. I felt dizzy.

 

They say ‘hope kills.’ Past me…

 

Just how far had you gone to make this mess?

 

If I could, I would go back in time and have a long talk with myself.

 

Jayden isn’t even the second male lead! Why is he cursed by the bed, too?

 

While I trembled with confused fury, Jayden began to confess his reason for this absurd request.

 

It was a long, convoluted story involving insomnia and some mysterious voice.

 

“I know how it sounds. Utter nonsense. So if you don’t believe me—”

 

“I believe you.”

 

“Of course, it’s natural you wouldn’t…wait, what?”

 

“I believe you, Jayden. You don’t seem like someone who’d make up something like this. And if you were going to lie, you’d come up with something more convincing.”

 

“I suppose… you’re right.”

 

He reluctantly agreed.

 

Pretending to doubt him, then gradually warming up to belief would’ve made for a more natural exchange, but I didn’t have the mental energy to spare.

 

“By the way…”

 

There was something I needed to confirm through him.

 

“What exactly did the voice say about the bed?”

 

Based on past experiences, the mysterious voice usually repeated things I had written in comments.

 

Jayden grimaced.

 

“Well… it didn’t make much sense, and it’s not something pleasant to hear.”

 

“I still want to hear it.”

 

With a sigh, he began to mimic the voice that echoed in his head from time to time.

 

“Jayden… you worthless little bastard…”

 

The words made me reevaluate everything I’d ever said online.