The Book Of Flowers
Verdea Devotion
-- A few hours later, Verdea's room----
...
...
How long has he been lying there?
On top of his soft bed, without any more noise from the nobles who wanted to argue or ridicule us again
The atmosphere is calm now. The sky had also begun to darken, raising the moon shining above the dark background sprinkled with stars
Verdea remained lying motionless, still wearing the clothes she had worn since earlier. His eyes were covered by his arms, occasionally he opened to find out the time that had passed
Dinner time's almost past now...
But he did not know, how should he speak to me again after seeing that shocked expression earlier. A sense of surprise mixed with the fear of something I did not recognize
He knows that he was someone I didn't know a while ago. Someone who is very angry. Someone who suddenly gave me orders, to make all his friends tremble in shock
*Tok tock*
He heard someone knock on his door, so he sat himself in his bed
"Get in", he invited
When I heard the command, I entered slowly, bringing along Remina and Frank as well
Silence came between us. I've walked into his room, but this is the first time he hasn't tried to provoke a conversation
"Anu... Veri?"
"... Yea?"
Even the answer is very rigid. His face has been down since I last saw him
Don't tell me he's thinking about what he did?
"The nobles have also heard the explanation from Luna, although some of them still insist on accusing you of being on the wrong side
We also became worried because you looked lethargic earlier. Everyone wants to see you, but I can only bring these 2 people first"
I suck at fishing in a situation like this...
Verdea simply replied with a nod as she turned away from us, making me even more worried about her
I also took a breath
Today was very chaotic for Verdea. I understand his feelings, but I really didn't think much about his actions just now
I was worried that he would blame himself. And my worries are proven now
What else should I talk about to calm her down huh...?
Frank was trying to convince him many times, but Verdea did not give us the reaction we wanted. He kept answering all things with "Hm" and "Yes" briefly. He even slowly continued to turn around, until he completely turned his back on us
If it's like this, it's actually better we leave it. But the problem now lies between me and him
This is arguably one of the biggest problems between us, after our breakup a few years ago
I have to say something. But, how is it?
...
Huh...
I moved forward a few steps, and stopped before him who turned away from the entrance
Then slowly but surely, I knelt half a foot down, making the person in front of me surprised
He once again wanted to turn away, but I immediately held back his hand and continued to stab himself with my gaze
"Verdea, look at me"
He refused, evident from his behavior now
"... My pal"
...
Hearing me calling her quietly without using a name, she slowly turned her head towards me. But his eyes were still unfocused, and continued to bow down
"... Tell me what was bothering you in the incident, and I'll give you the answer" I said again
Verdea shook her head, refusing my request
"I can't look you in the eye right now you expect to break my mind?" He then replied
"I'm not forcing. But just think about what you would do in the future if the atmosphere between us was always like this"
"That-"
...
He could not answer, until his head again lowered
"... I want you to take your oath with me now"
...
"Why?"
I can understand the reason. But at least, I want him to spill his heart as well
"... Isn't it obvious? You can even be scared because of that. You didn't feel anything when I shouted that command to you?"
"I have to admit that I'm scared. Because it's... It was the first time that I had sworn my will to my own body. Can you imagine if your body suddenly moved as if it were refusing your own orders?"
"That's why I don't want any more of these vows between us. I don't want to force you like that anymore
I've also believed that all your decisions are right for me - So what else would this oath be for us-? It's just a forced-will device that nobody-wants-"
Aahs... He started shedding tears
Kuhela softened my breath, before returning to focus in her direction
"This oath cannot be lifted. Especially because it says that I will be faithful to you until the end of my life"
Be it or you, one of us has to die if we want to take this oath. You obviously don't want that, because it's crazy too
What's the point of taking a friend's oath, if that means one of us has to die?
"Really-there's no other way-is-?"
My head was staring at him
"But maybe we can replace it a little bit" I said
"... Like what...?"
He's starting to look interested. This kid is really worried about his friends
"For example, if you ask me not to obey your orders again, maybe it will work, right?" I gave him advice
"Vainzel don't follow my orders anymore"
Uwah-Quick once!
He asked me to do it without hesitation. And he has absolutely no regrets
"Now try to give me another command"
...
He immediately looked down limp, seeing that he did not want to
But this is an experiment, and we have to do it. Even Frank and Remina who had seen us since then also looked curious about the results
"Only once, Veri"
His eyes showed that he was hesitant. His mouth slowly moved
Slowly but surely...
"Vainzel's... Clap your forehead..."
*PLAK!!*
...
No, I'm not kidding. I really hit my forehead for being forced by that order again...
"It's okay!!? You-Your head even looks weathered so!!" Verdea shouted in panic
"It's okay. You forget that I can heal myself quickly?"
"But still, it's-"
Verdea breathed. His head was even dazed as his gaze turned cold
"There seems to be no way to remove or replace it..." Verdea said weakly
Well... It's really annoying. I now feel annoyed at this oath, instead of feeling sorry or anything
"Maybe I should consult with Father on this matter"
"May there be a way..."
And also
*cloth!!*
I want to hit you once, right?
"It hurts!!! Why did you try it???" Verdea shouted, before she whimpered and grimaced
"I mean, among other commands, why are you trying to ask me to pat my forehead. Not to mention you didn't say you had to slow down or not" I replied
"How do I know it's gonna be that hard??"
"At least you now know what it feels like, don't you?"
"You're evil!"
"And you're the one who started first"
In the midst of our debate, we realized that Remina was approaching and was now prostrating on the floor towards Verdea
We were both naturally confused and panicked to see his uncomfortable position before us. But, I haven't had time to straighten Remina back up, she began to say
"I'm sorry! Had I not denounced any of you, that person would not have harmed me until all this happened!"
Ah-h
...
"Because of me-Oberon and you become-"
"No need to continue, son. Just wake up"
I woke Remina up from that position, showing that she was grimacing but trying to hold it back
"You did your best. At least you know that there will be people defending you, right?" I said
"And also, I didn't think that my grandson needed a girl's help" Frank added, as he embraced Verdea sitting beside him
"Grandfather..."
"Why? I wrong? You still have to learn self-control"
I also followed Frank's words
Remina simply chuckled and said, "It looks like your grandson can't do anything without someone else, Mr. Frank"
"Hey! You are not polite! Who taught you to try?"
"Hm, I wonder who my master is? He's the one who should be in charge when I work under him huh?"
"Stop that sarcasm! And your master is Vainzel, isn't he?"
"He is my king and I am his people. Your argument is invalid because I'm not his assistant"
"You two really can't get along?" Frank interrupted
"You just realized that, Frank?" I followed with a sarcastic question
"You two don't have to come along either! This is my business with this short boy!"
"Who are you calling short try, short bottom?! If you're not as tall as Veskal, you'd better shut up!"
Nothing could be as tall as Veskal, not even Ivor or Luna. That height is absolutely fantastic
...
I feel something. And that's why I walked slowly towards the door of the closed room, the place of 'something' I felt
"And talk about Veskal..."
I quickly opened the door, and the person behind it fell down. Not only that, a few heads could be seen peering inside, especially shocked by the person in front of them falling
My tongue was clucking at him, as he groaned in pain trying to wake up
"Do you guys not have a job until you have to peek, Ivor?" I asked him who was still on the floor
"It's not my fault you know?? Veskal brought us here"
He who initially wanted the protest stopped, so his eyes widened as we both looked out
But Veskal was nowhere to be seen, among the many people there, making Ivor seem like a liar
"WHERE IS THAT BOY?? DON'T TELL ME HE RAN BEHIND THE SHADOWS AGAIN??" Ivor shouted in annoyance, before quickly running out
"I'll help you find, so I'd better go too, haha~!"
"Me too~!"
Luxor and Lyralia who were afraid of getting into trouble with me also went to follow Ivor, while Luna who had to watch so that there was no chaos followed with a sigh of fatigue
I just shook my head at all those people
"Everybody here hm? Even you, Eleanor and Albert?"
I'm not surprised by the likes of Cyth and Black Hunt or Claudia and my five friends. But these two people didn't look like peeping at all
"Well how else? We are worried about the prince of Verdea, the noble Oberon" Eleanor replied casually
"It just so happened that they were also starting to get crowded in front of the door. I was wondering why Veskal wanted to peek at you" Albert added
So there really was Veskal earlier hm?
"But at least Verdea's fine, isn't it?" Ordelia asked
"Well, besides you guys putting her to shame under the covers even making Remina melt on the floor, I'm sure she's fine" I replied, looking back inside
Ordelia just laughed a little at my response
...
Why are they still here trying?
"Yes already! The point is don't gather here anymore! Disperse!!"
I pushed everyone away to make Verdea feel more comfortable. Not forgetting to close their doors as well, while the three of them were still inside trying to make sure things were safe
...
...
...
"Well, it's better!" Veskal exclaimed, making the hearts of the three men scream in shock until their hearts were almost dislodged
How not? He suddenly appeared head first from under Verdea's mattress. Not to mention he did it without any sign
"How did you get in without anyone noticing try??" Frank was still surprised to ask
"Because I realized Vainzel was approaching, so I immediately fused with the shadow. After all, it was wrong that I wanted to meet this crybaby and sad friend of mine" Veskal said, as well as touching Verdea's forehead
"Should you call me a crybaby...?"
"Am I wrong?"
Verdea also put on a sullen face because he did not want to argue with Veskal
Veskal sighed softly looking at Verdea's pouting face like that
"You've asked me why humans don't become like Elves to me, right?
Now I'm sure you understand the answer" he said again
...
"That's how it is" Verdea replied softly
Frank and Remina just stared at each other confused by the intent of the conversation
"... But that would be another matter the other day first. And for now, I will not try to dispute this anymore" Verdea said again
Veskal nodded in understanding, then touched Verdea's forehead until she groaned again
"What do you intend to try?"
"none. I'm just being nosy because there's someone whose face is too serious"
"Then I have! Let me sleep and go there!"
"..."
"..."
"What about those two?"
"Yes, please take them out. Why do you have to ask the obvious answer?"
Veskal only sighed, before ending his visit by taking Frank and Remina out
"Ah, I forgot to say something too" Frank said before heading out
"Hm? What's?" Verdea asked
"How can you not be so tense anymore, we take a walk in the city of Hortensia? I'm sure Oberon will be happy too"
