Ch. 175 Only Louise Sweeney (1)

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It was winter now, but not yet New Years. After Louise had left the Academy, she ran out in front of the Sweeney greenhouse to receive an approaching carriage. The carriage stopped and the door opened, and a haggard-looking young man stepped out. Louise stared at him for a moment, before steeling herself for the words she had to say.

Mr. Audmonial.

Ian looked back with a crestfallen expression. He had asked her to call him by his proper name after a year, and that was the answer that came back.

Mr. Audmonial?

He would rather be called President than that, but he didnt say it out loud otherwise she would call him that forever.

Yes, Miss Sweeney.

He replied in kind as a form of revenge, and Louise let out a chuckle as if she didnt care that much what he called her.

The title you chose is a little inefficient.

Why?

Isnt it too long?

Its fine. Thank you for your concern.

He couldnt argue with what she wanted to call him, but Mr. Audmonial sounded strange to his ears. Claire and Dean would probably laugh at him for three hours straight if they found out.

More importantly, Mr. Audmonial.

Yes, Miss Sweeney.

Did you bump your head in the carriage?

Louise pointed to his disheveled hair. Ians grandmother obviously would not have let him leave the palace in such a state.

I was just fidgeting with it a little.

He had done it out of nervousness, and in response, Louise gently lifted herself up on her toes and gently brushed his hair into place. Ian slightly bent over to help her.

He couldnt help but watch Louises face as she focused on arranging his hair. He thought that Louise had already gone through her last growth spurt, but apparently she wasnt done yet. In the year they hadnt seen each other, she had matured further. He didnt want to be too conscious, but she was even prettier as well.

Alright, its done.

She spoke in a soft whisper and took a few steps back.

Youre fine now. You look sharp.

For reference, how is your father feeling today?

The word father sounded awkward in Ians mouth, and Louise gave a shrug and a thin smile.

Not good, actually.

I see.

Ian had come to the greenhouse with a specific purpose. He wanted to say hello to the Sweeneys, who had taken care of him for a long time, and clarify his relationship with Louise. More simply, he wanted to love her, marry her, and spend his life being good to her.

Her father might pierce me with gardening shears.

Ian couldnt help but think of a bleak outcome in his future.

Hes only grumpy because I misclassified some of his documents. Im not used to doing his work yetbut hes not one to take it out on you.

No, Ian wasnt convinced that Mr. Sweeney was in a bad mood because Louise made a mistake. He was in a bad mood ever since Ian contacted him.

Maybe hell make me shovel dirt.

Ian hoped that his future contained something as benign as shoveling, rather than something as dangerous as confronting someone with gardening shears.

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As it turned out, Mr. Sweeneys bad mood was also due to Ian.

Did you hear me?

Mr. Sweeney sat down next to Ian, a terrifying expression on the older mans face.

I understand your concerns. Louise Sweeney had just graduated from the Academy, and in many ways youre right to be nervous

Do you think Im nervous?

Of course youre not nervous!

Thats true. By the way, you reversed what you just said in less than five seconds.

Mr. Sweeney stroke his chin, and Ian felt his stomach turn. Mr. Sweeney seemed to enjoy stringing Ian along with his words. There was an awkward silence before Mr. Sweeney finally spoke.

One timewhen Louise turned nine.

Unprompted, he began to reminisce about the past.

It was summer. Louise and I rode a small boat to see the fireflies together.

His voice lifted at the memory, and Ian was unsure where this was going.

Night fell, and little Louise Sweeney started dozing in my arms. Her little head nodded several times. Oh, how cute she was!

What are you saying all of a sudden! Father!

Louise yelled at him, but once her father started down memory lane he wouldnt stop.

When fireflies began to appear, I patted my little girls chubby cheeks several times.

Father, please

Louise begged him earnestly, and Ian finally figured out what he should do.

So what happened?

He encouraged the response. When an older man tells you about his valuable experiences, he must not be interrupted.

Her purple eyes blinked open slowly. Shes a smart young girl, so she found fireflies quickly.

It was easy to find a glowing firefly in the dark, even when one wasnt smart. Ian, however, was smart enough himself not to point it out.

So very smart.

Ian continued to encourage him, and Louise just wanted to clamp both her ears shut.

My precious daughter watched the glow for a long time, then looked up at me. Then, she said

Mr. Sweeney couldnt speak for a moment.

She said, I love Father so much

Father, are you crying?

She stared at his moistened eyes, and Mr. Sweeney stood up and left the room without replying. Mrs. Sweeney smiled and offered an explanation for her husbands behavior.

Hes just feeling emotional.

Ill speak to him.

Ian immediately followed Mr. Sweeney out the door.

Outside the greenhouse, Mr. Sweeney stood in front of a large fir tree, still holding his face with his hands. He turned around when he heard Ians approach, and he smoothed his expression into something calmer.

Your Highness.

His eyes were dry, as if the fuss he made earlier was simply a ruse.

Yes.

I was the last person to see Count Warren.

He was referring to Ians maternal grandfather. That was sufficient warning.

Iknow.

His grandfather didnt want the pain that came from the intermingling of statuses to be repeated.

Even when you knew, you came here today.

Yes.

Your Highness.

A heavy breath escaped him.

Speak.

Im crazy about money.

Im not trying to show off, but I do know how to tame the beast that is wealth.

Iknow.

I can even use this beast to show you a great manner of cheap tricks, enough to cause an itch for the royal family.

Of course, it wasnt something great enough to determine the survival of the nation. But it was enough to annoy and upset them.

If you hear it as blackmail, then youve heard it quite properly. Your Highness.

You have the right to say that.

I know. If not me, then who would? You are trying to take my daughter to a barren land!

He glared fiercely at Ian. There were a mixture of emotions on his face, but mostly of worry.

Andit wont be of any help. I mean, I wont be of any help, Your Highness.

Louise Sweeney will help me. Shes a great person.

Thats too obvious to be interesting.

Ill be of help to Louise Sweeney, too.

I dont know. Its not enough. Its not enough yet.

Mr. Sweeney shook his head. Ian understood his feelings. No father would want to send their child to barren land.

So, Your Highness, you have to show me.

A sure sign that Ian would do his best to keep Louises future safe.