01x05 - The Sound of Distant Rain

[bunniefuu]

Elsa's clothes aren't very extravagant.

Many of the designs are
chic and understated.

But if I dress to match that, the outfit
feels too simple and indifferent.

Perhaps I should wear
some accessories?

Or maybe I should add a little more color?

Tomorrow, you're going on a date!

A date, indeed.

Be prepared to give a detailed report!

I don't know what I should wear.

Lord Julius, your wife
is waiting in the foyer.

R-Right.

I'll be right there.

The Duke's Son Claims He Won't Love Me,
But Showers Me with Adoration

Elsa.

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

Not at all! I took more time than
expected getting ready as well.

Last night, I was so looking forward
to this that I couldn't fall asleep.

A...

Adorable.

Ah?

Ah... It's nice that the weather
cleared up, isn't it?

Yes!

It's the perfect weather
for an outing, isn't it, Husband?

Yes, it is.

You know, it made me very happy

the other day at the palace
when you invited me out.

I want to thank you for
bringing those documents for me.

Let's go someplace you're fond of.

Fond of?

Where would you like to go?

Um...

I'm not very knowledgeable about what
sorts of places the capital has to offer.

Then, what sorts of things do you like?

At home, I tried my best
to keep our living expenses down,

and I've been gardening, sewing,

and doing other housework
for as long as I can remember.

There are many things
I've never thought about

in terms of whether I like them or not.

Really? In that case, I'll think
about where we'll go this time.

In the future, let's go to
all sorts of places together.

Yes!

We'll be there soon.

This is...

This is a new botanical garden.

It's beautiful! And all the flowers
are so meticulously cared for!

I'm so glad.

Since she loves horticulture and flowers,

I thought she'd like this place,
which is why I chose it.

What a brightly-colored flower!

Apparently, they cultivate plants
from the southern countries here.

Husband.

Thank you...

for bringing me to such a wonderful place.

I'm glad you like it.

Shall we, Husband?

From here on,

they seem to be having a special
exhibition of carnivorous plants.

Carnivorous plants?

So many of them are quite grotesque.

This one seems like it would be
able to catch a lot of bugs at once!

Bugs?

What large flowers!

I didn't realize there
would be so many bugs!

It's all right now, Husband.

That one is called a hoverfly.

They feed on the nectar
of flowers and don't sting.

My wife is entirely too amazing.

I had no idea you didn't like bugs.
Please leave them all to me!

R-Right.

The Eukarainen lands
are in the countryside,

so I've never been to a facility
like this. I enjoyed it!

Really? I'm glad.

Those plants that are
flowering over there...

I've seen them in my family's domain, too.

There was an elderly man
in the neighborhood

who foraged edible wild plants.

Edible wild plants?

He taught me that those are poisonous
and that I should be very careful of them.

They're called wolfsbane.

Did you gather wild plants?

Yes.

By the way, you can tell
if a plant is poisonous

by placing it against the inside of your
wrist or elbow for fifteen minutes,

then checking to see
if a rash or swelling develop.

You are an interesting person.

Am I?

Elsa.

Yes?

On our wedding night,

I told you that this was something
like a marriage of convenience,

but I...

You're someone I've come to...

lo—

What's this?

My, my, my.

Why, if it isn't Lady Elsa and Julius!

What a coincidence!

Jar—

Lord Jarmo?

I never imagined I'd meet you
in a place like this.

Lady Elsa, you must truly love plants.

Yes, I do.

I can tell that all of these plants
are taken care of quite carefully,

so I am thoroughly enjoying myself.

Julius, it's been a while, hasn't it?

Why are you here?

This botanical garden is financed
by my family, that of Count Parnilla.

I'm here today to inspect it.

Didn't Serafina send you
an invitation to the opening party?

My apologies. I've been busy.

Aside from events connected to my work,

I've instructed staff to reply
that I'll be absent,

so I wasn't able to
confirm that personally.

Lately, he's been returning
home late from work as well.

Is he pushing himself
too hard because of me?

Really? That's a shame.

Oh, that's right!
I'm in the middle of an inspection.

I hope that both of you
enjoy yourselves here!

Thank you.

Let's go.

Yes.

From seeing you
in the midst of high society,

I'd always thought you
were like a doll, but...

Why are you here?

You're able to make an expression
like that now, too?

Where did you meet Jarmo?

Oh! I forgot to tell you.

The other day when I went to the castle,
he happened to introduce himself.

I see.

We have to be careful
speaking to important people.

Have I been disrespectful in some way?

If I've caused you any sort of
trouble, please tell me.

I'm unfamiliar with high society,
so I'm still lacking in many ways.

Just the other day, Hannes cautioned me.

Before I met Elsa,
when I escorted a lady...

I'm certain I was able to conduct
myself in a much better manner.

Why is it only when
I'm spending time with her...

that things turn out this badly?

Over there!

Yes!

Elsa, you haven't caused any trouble.

Jarmo Parnilla was
in the same year as me at school,

but we weren't particularly friendly,

so I was surprised when
he spoke to us, that's all.

You haven't done anything wrong.

I'm so glad.

However... there are rumors
that the Parnilla family

is secretly connected
to the anti-royal faction.

In recent years, Count Parnilla's house
has amassed strength far too quickly,

and the flow of their
money is suspicious, too.

And the son Jarmo's movements
appear suspicious as well.

Would Jarmo really appear
before her for no reason?

Husband.

I had a lot of fun today. Thank you.

Even after being rained on like this?

They do call rain a blessing, after all.

And I like listening to the sound of rain.

You are...

my wife...

and I'm glad.

What?

I'm sorry. Could you say that again?

I'm sorry that you have to
make do with my coat.

Husband...

We're close to the entrance.
Shall we make a run to the carriage?

Yes, b-but... you'll get soaked.

Don't worry about it.

Let's go.

My lord, my lady, welcome home.

It rained very hard, didn't it?

My lord?

He seems to have been tired.
As soon as he sat down, he fell asleep.

To be able to go on this date today,
he's given up sleep these last few days.

Husband, we're here.

Huh?

U-Um...

H-Husband?

He's burning up!

It's a cold.

Please keep him warm and make
certain he takes his medicine.

I will. Thank you.

Husband...

The horsemanship competition today
was amazing, wasn't it, Julius?

Yes, Mother!

I'm certain your father
will be overjoyed as well.

We'll have to talk about it at
dinner tonight and surprise him.

Mother?

Huh? Is that Father?

Mother, it's Father!

Father!

Mother?

Mother, wait!

Today was an awful day, wasn't it?

It even started raining, so the hem
of my dress is absolutely soaked.

We never should have come out, should we?

Oh, it's absolutely infuriating...
the sound of this rain.

I...

I like listening to the sound of rain.

Rain.

Husband.

How are you feeling?

On the way back from
the botanical garden,

you collapsed from exhaustion
and fell ill with a cold.

I hardly got wet at all, but...

I, um, thanks to you...

Shall I bring you something?
A light meal, perhaps?

For now, I'll go and bring some water.

I want you to stay here, with me...

Elsa.

Of course.

I'm feeling much better.

Els...

You really did...

stay by my side this
whole time, didn't you?

I'm sorry to have kept you
waiting, Husband!

This is my family's special drink
for recovering one's strength.

Elsa, what are the
ingredients in this... liquid?

Don't worry!

They're all things I raised
in the garden! I made this myself!

If you drink this, you'll
be full of energy tomorrow!

It's bitter.

Thank you.

I'm sorry you had to look after me.

Not at all!

Please rely on me more! We're family!

I'm so relieved to see you've recovered!

This is very different from
the marriage I'd imagined,

but it seems I have a family now.

Next is the medicine from the doctor.

What I drank just now was
basically medicine, wasn't it?

That was juice!

I have one now.

I have a family.

Crown Prince Aleksis, my cold persisted
and caused my prolonged absence.

My deepest apologies.

Oh! It's been a while!

Is that all? I thought perhaps
your date had gone so well

you'd gone on a belated honeymoon.

N-No, I didn't.

We know all about it.

Your wife sent us a letter
explaining the situation.

You gave the game away too quickly, Jere!

Now, then.

I'm sorry to ask this of you
when you've only just recovered,

but I have a job for you.

Of course.

Soon, a large-scale soirée is due to
be held at Count Parnilla's home.

At Count Parnilla's home?

Julius, I'd like you to conduct
an undercover investigation.

Understood,

Your Royal Highness.