Scarlet Rose

In November 1918, Germany announced its surrender, and this cruel and bloody war finally came to an end.

We returned to England, and I was overwhelmed with indescribable emotions when I saw the familiar grass and trees outside the manor.I was supposed to go see Mr. Eric, but something on this side of things stopped me.In the past few years, many male servants in the manor have gone to the battlefield, and the manor needs to recruit new people, but what is more troublesome is the financial crisis of the manor.The earl told me worriedly that the manor had paid a lot of money to support the country; now it should also reduce the tenant's tax, but now the prices are soaring.Income has decreased and expenditure has increased.In order to maintain the dignity of the aristocracy, it is impossible for him to drastically cut expenses, which means facing difficulties.

In the end, there were no new recruits in the manor, and the retired footmen returned to their posts, but not all of them returned.There were days of mourning at the manor; though their deaths had been known before, it was inevitable that people would be saddened by the change of having the existing people share their work.

I went back to work in the clinic.The clinic was expanded and the two adjacent buildings became part of the clinic.There were many wounded, and in fact almost none came back unscathed.Dr. Jonah has worn down a lot over the past year.He is finally satisfied with my technology, and he even hopes that when he retires, the clinic will be handed over to me.I didn't say yes to him, I didn't want to take the responsibility, I thought I'd have my own things to do - I'm not going to be here forever.

Not far from the clinic is a cemetery, and the number of new headstones almost exceeds the number of old ones that have been eroded by wind and rain.When I pass by every day, I see women weeping in front of the tombstones. Some of them are young women holding young children, and some are old women with gray hair and wrinkled faces.They lost the support of their family, and they didn't know how to survive in the days to come, and the trauma in their hearts was even more irreparable.

On Christmas Eve, I went to Mr. Eric's estate.I am really worried about him.I had a stuffed bunny with me, and I figured that might be something important to Mr. Eric and I'd have to give it back, even though I'd rather keep it.

When I arrived at his manor, Mr. Butler came to meet me.He said that Mr. Eric is not here for the time being, Jialin has gone to London, and I can do whatever I want.I was amazed to see the maids rolling out the red carpet and cleaning up as if there was going to be a party soon.

"Is this a coming-of-age ball for Miss Grampy?" I asked a maid I knew.Jia Lin's coming-of-age prom dragged on until today, but she was wronged, but no matter what, after the war, everyone felt confused and sluggish, and there was really a need for something exciting to happen to inspire everyone.

"Yes!" the maid replied, "also to welcome our new master."

She hurried away, leaving me tormented by the words "new owner".

I didn't have time to grab her and ask.New owner?Does this mean Mr. Eric's wife?Is he going to marry a wife?Yes, when he comes back from injury, there will always be a girl who loves him to take care of him, and he may also fall in love with that girl, so he wants to marry her... Is that Miss Jasmine?

I walked slowly to the study and sat down on the sofa by the window.The window was not closed, and the wind would blow in intermittently.I suddenly felt ridiculous, Mr. Eric will always marry a wife, this is something I knew early on, so why should I be so obsessed with him, and even expect his response?I have been daydreaming for so long!For the sake of his self-cleaning, I don't even look at pretty girls!I also thought that because I love him, I will never marry anyone else for the rest of my life.What a fool I am!If I don't get a response, there will always be a day when I don't love him. Why should I ruin my happiness?

Even though I think so, I still feel very cold, this winter is extraordinarily cold.

After sitting for a while, I decided to go to Mr. Eric.Probably unwilling, I still want to hear him tell me about his marriage.

Mr. Butler told me that he was in the Rose Garden and sent a driver to take me there.

My first visit to Mr. Eric's Rose Garden.Mr. Eric's rose garden is a little far from the castle. This is a remote small village, but the soil and climate are very suitable for the growth of roses.Mr. Eric's rose garden is huge, but not just roses.The surrounding wooden fence is covered with vines. The outermost part of the rose garden is some tall trees, and inside is a beautiful gravel road. Both sides of the path are full of roses, roses of different varieties and colors; but now it is not roses. In this season, I can't see the beautiful scenery.There is a small lake in the center of the rose garden, and there is a small pavilion by the lake for people to rest.

I found Mr. Eric in a little corner.He was alone in a wheelchair with no one to accompany him.He raised his head slightly and closed his eyes, as if feeling the wind blowing over his cheeks.

"Hi, Mr. Eric," I whispered as I moved closer to him.

He didn't move.Is he asleep?I looked at him, his complexion was lighter than the last time I saw him, he was not so thin, and his complexion looked good.I was driven by the dirty thoughts in my heart to get closer to him, and when I was close enough, I called again tentatively in a low voice: "Mr. Eric?" There was still no response.

The surroundings are so quiet, only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the dead branches.I could hear my own heartbeat, it was so loud.I took a quick look around, but no one was there.Just a kiss, I tell myself.I quickly touched Mr. Eric's lips, and immediately straightened up and took a step back.I looked around like a thief, it was just the two of us.I was relieved, and then I couldn't help reaching out to touch my lips.My face must be burning hot.His lips are soft and warm, just a touch of less than a second can give me a long aftertaste.

I don't know how long I stood there, but Mr. Eric suddenly moved.

"Mr. Eric!" Seeing that he woke up, I greeted him quickly.

"Is it Roman? I'm sorry, I fell asleep just now. You didn't wake me up when you came." His voice was hoarse and deep, and it was extra sexy.He tilted his head in my direction and opened his eyes, but he couldn't see me.

"I suddenly wanted to come, so I won't cause you any trouble, right?" I pretended nothing happened and tried to speak in my usual tone.I held my breath and slowly, slowly approached him.My face is so close to his, so close that I can feel his breath blowing shallowly on my face, so close that I can clearly see my figure reflected in his eyes.He didn't notice my approach, he sat relaxed in the wheelchair, opened his eyes like a person with normal vision, and blinked from time to time.He really can't see me anymore.

"No. There are no flowers here now, but they will bloom in April and May next year. I hope to catch up with Donna's wedding—if he is willing to use my roses to decorate his wedding venue." He said with a smile.

I stood up straight and replied, "He will be very happy."

"Do you like roses?" he asked me abruptly.

"Huh? I like it." I will definitely like the roses planted by Mr. Eric.

"When it blooms, I'll give you a bouquet too." He said in the most flat tone, but my heart beat violently after his words fell.He wants to give me roses representing love!

"I went to your manor before I came here, and the servants are dressing up." I forcefully changed the subject.

"Yes, in a few days, we will hold a senior dance party for Jialin at Christmas. I was going to send you an invitation letter today, but it's just in time for you to come. You can also bring the invitation letter to the Smedley family. Go." He said in a relaxed tone, "Although she already has someone in mind, there must be a dance. We need something exciting after the war, and the dance will do."

"Wait, love? You mean Jialin has a love?" I vaguely felt that I seemed to have misunderstood something.

"Yes, it's a relative from afar. He was injured in the war and came back. Jialin took care of him. They have feelings and are going to get engaged. But he doesn't have a title, so he wants to marry." Mr. Eric said.

"Then the 'new master' they are referring to is not your fiancée, but this gentleman?" I asked hastily.

"They? The servants? If there is a new master, I think it will be Jialin's fiancé." Mr. Eric said.

"So, you don't have a fiancée?" I asked again worriedly.

"I am like this now, how can I have a fiancée!" He laughed, "I will not delay those ladies."

After a pause, he continued, "Actually, I was being selfish. Jialin should have married someone with equal status to her, but I hope her children will inherit the manor. I probably won't have any children."

"Your leg is almost healed, and you just can't see it after that. Your identity, status, property, and appearance are the reasons why those ladies like you, and you just can't see it." I didn't even realize my own The tone is a little sour.

"It's not a small thing not to see." He smiled.

"But you are so good..." I was a little anxious, would he not be able to accept his blindness?What a proud person he is, not seeing it will definitely bring him a lot of trouble!He stayed alone like this, and he was always thinking about giving up something...

"I know I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me." He comforted me in a joking tone.

"Where's Miss Jasmin? Didn't she take care of you after you were injured?" I mentioned my rival in anger. Didn't she take this opportunity to make Mr. Eric fall in love with her?If Mr. Eric had a lover, it would make me angry and sad for a while; but I couldn't see him becoming decadent.

"I rejected her. I told her that I can't drag her down. I don't need people's sympathy and pity. I can take care of myself." His tone was a little cold.Did I say something bad?

"That's not what I mean! I absolutely don't mean sympathy or pity, I just care about you, I..." I almost blurted out "I love you", I cut off the words, sweating on my back nervously.

"I know, you don't need to be so panic." Mr. Eric chuckled, "Besides..." His voice dropped, and I couldn't hear what he said.

"Besides what?" I asked.

"No, it's nothing." He smiled and said, "Push me away."

The author has something to say: Mr. Eric's perspective:

I was sitting in the corner thinking about something when I heard footsteps.I told the gardener to leave me alone for a while and come back to me in an hour, then obviously it wouldn't be him, so who could it be?

"Hello, Mr. Eric." The visitor greeted me, and it turned out that it was Roman.I suddenly wanted to play a little trick, so I pretended to be asleep, just to see what he would do.

I heard the slight scraping of fabric, and after a while, I heard him call me, as if to make sure I was asleep.I slowed down my breathing, and he really didn't notice that I was awake.After a few seconds, I felt a gentle touch on my lips, which disappeared in an instant, and his breath seemed to remain in the middle of the person.Did he kiss me?I could barely hold my breath, thankfully he was gone.I heard no more footsteps, he must still be beside me waiting for me to wake up.

So after a few minutes, I pretended to wake up and talked to him.There was tension and joy in his tone.I promised to send him roses, and he couldn't contain his excitement.Although I couldn't see him, I could imagine his expression and the gleam in his eyes.

Then he talked about my "fiancée".I think it's funny that he seems to be sad and angry about people and things that don't exist. I guess he must feel wronged, but he doesn't say it.He doesn't know my thoughts yet, and he doesn't reveal his own, although he's made it obvious enough.

I didn't want him to think wildly, so I made it clear that I would not have a fiancée. "Besides..." Besides, I like you.I didn't say this sentence, let him say this sentence first.