The Book Of Flowers

Options for the End of the Year

-- Year 257, Thyme Castle---

"And now, I want to ask your opinion" I said

Verdea and Vainzel were sitting on the opposite seat from me while looking hard thinking

Meanwhile, all my friends also gathered in the living room with us

Yep... If I go and leave them now, I'm definitely worried about these two little kids

Stayed alone in this castle while we were away. Surely they can't, right?

I can leave one of my friends here, but pity them if they can't enjoy the new year's event at Miralius. It was their hometown, and it was their right to go home when they wanted to. And this is the right time for that

Verdea and Veskal are still thinking. Hopefully, they can give advice that makes everyone satisfied

"Then take us to the Elf Forest" Verdea said

Veskal responded to his opinion with a steady nod

...

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy. But now, what will be a troublesome affair is how I can convince Artorius of this—took Verdea away from the area of the Hortensia kingdom

"These boys just want to talk. Are you willing to take a 10-day trip with us?" Ivor interrupted

He then turned towards me, with a gaze that said, 'You won't let them go in this condition won't you?'

"Sister. We're okay to celebrate the new year here. There won't be any big problems either" he switched the conversation

"I don't have a problem either..." Ordelia interjected, apparently agreeing that this trip would be exhausting for Verdea and Veskal

"But your parents would want you to go home, wouldn't they?" I'm just asking a question

They also showed a reaction. Ordelia flinched trying to hide it, while Ivor clicked his tongue in remembrance of how troublesome his mother was in Miralius

"It's only your parents who want you to go home" someone suddenly interrupted

We turned to look at Luna who looked gloomy near the door of the room. Coupled with that sentence, we all did not dare to say anything to him

He turned his face away from all of us and stood leaning against the wall, in the silence of the room

"Don't do it, Luna. I'm sure your father wants to" too"

"You said so, but the truth is not"

...

Ordelia was instantly silent when her words were cut off by Luna

Everyone who knew Luna long ago already knew what her relationship with her father was like. And that's arguably not okay

And because of that, I often felt guilty when Zaphir, Luna's father, would rather spend time with me than with Luna his own child

I don't know why they can be like that either...

I always tried to help them get closer, but all of those efforts had no results at all

Luna herself had given up on establishing a good relationship with her father and had always behaved like this when the topic of her father came up. That's why I never talked about this to him again

I breathe out slowly. "We still have to continue the discussion" I said

I confirmed the sitting position, before returning to focus on Veskal and Verdea— - two of our main problems when it comes to travelling to Miralius

"The problem is, if you want to celebrate here, the five of you can't openly show yourself, right?" Veskal. "After all, I know Princess Rosalia well. He's dangerous if he wants to get something that draws his eyes" he added

Veskal's words have a point

That woman is a big deal. Even now, Artorius made him an adviser to the throne, or so-called official title, the king's left hand

Using that position, he could control Artorius' thinking. And I don't underestimate the intelligence of that kid at all, considering he's got an important position within an empire

I sometimes doubt he's a 13-year-old. He is too smart to do anything, even most of the decisions that nourish this kingdom are advice from him

If he puts his attention on one of my friends, only God knows what bad things he'll do

No. gabe. Not just him, I don't want any information about my friends to fall to a single member of the kingdom, not even Artorius. Our position is very shaken if they can take advantage of it, and it could endanger Verdea

Huh... It's not that we're afraid of them, really. I was overprotective of Verdea's safety. But how else? He was very small, although he had a big mouth

Back to topic

"But a trip to Miralius is not just any trip. Many monsters occupied the continent where Miralius was" I interrupted

"And they're not just any monsters either" Luna added

We can use teleportation magic there, but I'm not sure of the mana capacity of these two children. Doing that magic right now would definitely make them exhausted. And I want to avoid a state of danger where they could have been completely drained...

"Well, then how do we vote?" Luxor proposes

We all looked at Luxor. And our gazes all signified that we agreed

"If the most chosen decision wins, then there is no need to be contested anymore" he continued

I actually wanted to say I disagree. But, we will all waste time if we do this continuously. So yes it is...

If the decision goes to Miralius, the five of us will have to take care of these two children as hard as we can

If the decision remains, only Verdea and the person who served as his bodyguard can enjoy the new year's event. And don't forget that we have to be careful with Rosalia's spies

To replace Veskal, I'm sure he'll send someone else if he has time

......................

-- A few moments later ----

"So, it's his decision that we'll go to Miralius" Luxor said, after making sure everything was in order

The contents of the vote have already spoken. Inevitably, we had to keep it up and go to Miralius

Also, one of the people who chose to go to Miralius surprised me...

I looked towards Luna. He knew what I wanted to say and just gave a blank look, then turned away

Butwhy?

"WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO GO TO MIRALIUS TRY!?" Ivor shouted in annoyance, screaming more and more after

Ordelia only smiled faintly in fear. Lyralia just hummed softly and tried to calm Ivor who looked like he wanted to explode. Verdea and Veskal were still jumping around in excitement while holding hands. Luna was silent

Their reactions were all so amazing, that I wish Luxor would follow along too. But he seemed to feel defeated right now, putting on the same flat expression as me

"Come Ivor! Consider this a lesson for our adventures only!" Verdea Seru

"That's~!" Veskal agreed, as they both laughed again

I, Luxor and Ivor let out a tired sigh. The three of us were the ones who chose to stay and celebrate the new year's event here. I was worried for the two boys, Luxor who didn't want his clothes dirty because of the long journey, and Ivor who tried to avoid his mother to try to use this opportunity to make it happen

But now he must muster the energy to overcome his mother who he finds annoying in Miralius

Had Luna chosen to stay here, I believe the vote would have been canceled. 4 against 4 which was my estimate is now changed to 5 against 3

But, I better not bother Luna right now. Her feelings might get worse if I do that

With the gathered determination, I stood up. The decision has been unanimous, and we now have a goal to achieve

"alright. You guys go get ready now because tomorrow, we're going through a long journey"

They all immediately said "Yes!", with his spirit and began to rush as he left the room together

But, before he went any further, Verdea came to a standstill and took the time to get to me

"I'd like to visit some places later too!" He said with his spirit

Huh... He's getting excited

Kuelus his head while smiling and nodding slowly

His eyes sparkled brightly and he ran gleefully to his room

That big smile made me unable to refuse his request...

Alright. Now I'll take notice of this to Artorius

...

--- After that, Verdea room---

"Is there anything to help?" Veskal entered Verdea's room while asking

He just got summoned by Verdea for some reason. And he hoped that this would be the first command the boy had given him. Veskal immediately enthusiastically thought of what would be his first command

Verdea who initially sat on the mattress while busy preparing his belongings up there immediately stopped and turned to see the presence of Veskal

"none. How about yourself?" Ask Verdea back

Veskal fell silent as he only got a question back. He then walked over so he wouldn't have to talk far with Verdea

However, Verdea's eyes pointed to an item carried by Veskal so that he forgot to prepare the item. A leather belt on either side had a dagger holster

"... Just daggers?" Ask Verdea again

He intended to ask if that was all that Veskal would bring on his journey later

"The important thing is to be safe" Veskal answered briefly

She's amazed. Veskal understood the meaning of his words, but considered that the dagger was enough. Unlike her who was busy preparing some clothes as well

But whatever it is, Verdea is back packing. He still needs to think about what he needs to bring and need not, while I am also not on his side because I am doing the same thing

...

Veskal's face changed. It was as if something had crossed his head and he wanted to get it out through his mouth

He felt that he had held back long enough and perhaps it was time he asked. That was because all this time, although he had clearly said he was devoted to Verdea, he had not yet obtained the clarity of heart from his master

"... Verdea..." Said slowly

Verdea turned back to him. But Veskal's dark face left him wondering what was going on

"You... Believe me?" Veskal finally asked

Verdea silently looked on in shock. He had no idea the question would come

"Look. Don't you suspect I might still be working under your brother or something? I'm a bad guy, you know?" Veskal added

He tried to twist his sentence because Verdea had not given him a single command. He still needed to know, what he meant to be there in the eyes of the person he considered to be his friend and master at once

...

But... Verdea simply turned around and slowly went back to work on her preparations

"I believe in you as long as Vainzel believes in you" Verdea said

Veskal slightly snapped at hearing that

"I just believe whatever he says. I didn't actually trust you when you were first here either, but he said that you wouldn't do anything beyond bounds" he continued. "And I'm happy, I made a new friend..."

And that's the truth. Verdea said it from the heart. He knew that a good answer was not the one that Veskal wanted

Verdea knew that Veskal wanted honesty from him

...

Veskal was silent with his mouth open. Been watching the unfettered honesty. But it was enough, to make her smile a little later, that she had to turn her head to hide her happy expression

"You guys really have a strong belief in each other... I'm sometimes jealous of that..." He also muttered

Verdea kept busy picking out the items she was going to carry and ignoring Veskal. But, he also could not help his smile

They both want to be friends with each other. And both of them were relieved to realize that...

"... All right, let me help you" Veskal said, then climbed on top of the bed and crawled beside Verdea

He sat cross-legged against Verdea. The two also smiled at each other, and they began to choose the items that Verdea would bring— not infrequently argue with the items they each chose

While they were arguing, I just smiled looking at the two children from behind the door

Slowly, I backed off and left in front of Verdea's room and let the two of them do as they pleased. Both deserve that time

I hope Veskal and Verdea will be better friends going forward and continue to be together like that...

"...?"

While walking through the castle hallway, I met Ordelia. Something I had anticipated

I've asked him to do something to prepare for tomorrow and now he'll tell me

"What's the weather for tomorrow?"

Ordelia looked down sad. I also understand, if the news he will give it will be disappointing. But inevitably, he then said, "It looks like the snow storm is going to get worse going forward..."

...

"... It's also, yeah..."

This trip may be difficult if we do not hurry immediately. This trip now only has the right time problem