The Book Of Flowers

Calendula city

--- 2 days later ---

It has been 2 days since we departed from Thyme castle. In the midst of this cold weather, they were still strong to walk

Even Veskal still walked without looking tired in the slightest. I was amazed by the resilience of the boy on the long journey. Meanwhile, Verdea was already sitting in my arms after half a trip in a day. He didn't even move a bit right now and felt like a puppet

I had already offered to hire horses for them, but they refused, especially Verdea who gave a long, vague reason. And when I look at him right now, I just smile a little because I remember why

...

I was still thinking with a suspicious presence a few days ago... But, as long as anything did not follow us anymore, I could feel relieved for a while

Also, the snow has started to fall back. Yesterday, we did not find any snow falling from the sky. The weather on this continent is strange for some reason

And look at this one. He seemed to have begun to have trouble breathing, even though it had been in my arms since a few minutes ago. Looks like this cold weather has started to get to his bones

He even planted his face into my chest for some reason...

"The little prince is tired~?" I'm being soiled

He just glared with an annoyed face at me. I chuckled after seeing her plant her face back in my chest

"By the way, we're close to the city of Calendula"

"Really!?"

Look at him, excited again. And also, it should be

We've been walking long enough from the city of Hortensia via the south to east line. In a moment, we should have seen the city walls of Calendula from a distance

Verdea immediately heard my words and now even raised her head back. My friends are also starting to look enthusiastic

We are in a forest right now. Even though all the trees were already leafless due to the winter, I could still tell the sign of this place just by looking around

"Stay out of the woods, and you can see the city directly"

Verdea immediately moved like he wanted to be taken down by swinging his legs. I who did not want him to kick that many times also immediately understood the sign and immediately lowered it

It didn't take long for him to immediately dart to look for the look of the Calendula city we wanted to enter

"Hey! Follow her!" Veskal called as he ran after Verdea

"Don't fall! You have to lift yourself up if you fall!" I called back, to both

We who saw then walked along quickly so as not to be left behind with the two of them

Verdea kept running. He didn't care much if he would feel tired again. His eyes sparkled like he wanted to get something he could get on this occasion alone. He sometimes almost fell down, but he kept running as if what he was going to do was more important than himself

"Verdea! Wait!" I sometimes call, but not ignored

"Slow-spirits boy! Don't leave us!" Luna even followed

But he ignored all our calls. He continued to run as fast as possible without any intention of saving his strength. A little more, he tried to convince himself

And finally, the exit from the forest was already visible in plain sight

He accelerated his pace. I even wondered why he did not feel any pain in his chest, running in this cold weather with irregular breaths. He could have frozen his lungs if he forced him to do so

But not long after being near the end of the forest, he stopped. His eyes still continued to sparkle and his breathing began to wail

And when we just got nearby, he was sitting on the ground, getting the scenery he wanted to see during this trip

His face looked happy to see the city. So did we, because this trip ended up giving us the little result we wanted. Calendula city

The city in the east of the continent was the smallest city belonging to the Hortensia kingdom. However, the city is also the most famous supplier of medicines worldwide

If not mistaken, they are famous since Artorius took the throne. I've heard he's been financing the city's shops since the Hortensian civil war ended, about 17 years ago from now

But, back then, I was in the continent of Sto Astra. When the war happened, I was wandering around and looking at other places

The city may have had a direct history with Artorius. And that history helped this small town prosper. Just look at the city walls and the green plants that still survive in it even though winter is underway

When he saw the walls of Calendula City before his eyes, Verdea turned to look at me with eyes filled with enthusiasm

"Take me there!" He said with a still stinging breath

I looked at him with many questions I wanted to ask him. However, I picked it up and remained silent as we continued our journey, slipping a smile between them to add some lightness to the situation

"Why are... So enthusiastic...?" Exhausted Veskal said to Verdea while walking by my side

Verdea answered with an empty head

"Mother"

...

"I want to see my mom"

...

So that's the reason why...

But, it was only natural that he wanted to meet his mother. Artorius told me that his mother died of illness and that his body was returned to his hometown. It has been since Verdea was just a few weeks old

So, this is her hometown and her mother's resting place. Calendula city. It is natural that Artorius feels responsible and nourishes this city...

Hmphc... At least something good came from the king

I intend to visit this city to buy some medicines for our trip. But, it seems like visiting this city cemetery will be our top priority right now. I hope Verdea can be happy with this little visit, as well as her mother there

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

Entering the city is no longer a challenge. With a passport and proof of honor of the Hortensia kingdom in the form of documents, I and all my friends could enter immediately without a long debate. Just show those soldiers, and they'll get out of the way

Somehow it feels good to see them bow like that to me

"Excuse me..."

We're approaching a drug store right now. The soldier in front of the gate advised us to visit this store as it is the best shop where the owner is an important person for the kingdom

I actually don't go to this place very often because I don't really need drugs. But, since this trip could allow for a lot of things like getting my friends to have a fever or the flu, it would be best if we bought some medicine that could deal with the illness

I mean, seeing Luxor and Ordelia shiver yesterday, I'm getting sure we need medicine. I had forgotten that the way my friends' bodies worked was different from mine

Putting that aside, for the shop whose owner is a royal person, the appearance of this shop itself is very surprising to me. She's so... Small and narrow, if I could describe it. Very inconspicuous in the eyes of people passing by, in addition to the sign that reads the name of the store, namely Gold Dust

"Please enter" Someone suddenly made a sound from inside the store

I was a little surprised, because I thought the owner might be going somewhere so no one answered our call from then on

But, if he is indeed inside, it would be better for us to enter

The door that had a wooden handle opened slowly, as a ringing bell rang out each time it squeaked and opened inward. And seeing from how small this shop was from the outside, I wasn't surprised by the insides

This wooden building is filled with only a few shelves, neatly arranged medicine, a cash register, and some hanging decorations on the roof. Everything was united in a small room that felt crowded, so I was not sure all my friends would fit when entering it

But in any case, it is better if we buy quality medicine from people like the owner of this store

"Welcome" A voice once again greeted us

An old man came from behind a door behind the cashier's desk. He walked slowly with his cane, although his back still looked upright

The man's hair was completely white, although there were some strands that were still black, as well as his facial hair. His entire skin had started to become wrinkled and he was wearing a thick pair of glasses that almost covered his blue eyeball

If I may guess, then he must be the owner of the shop. Looks like a very wise old man

"... We want to buy medicine" I said frankly

He watched us one by one without making a sound. I don't know what was on his mind, but his eyes then turned back to face me after he finished studying

"Please. Choose what you need" He said in a tone... Not very friendly

Yes already. Just do it and get this done quickly

I checked all the drugs that were on a shelf next to us

All my friends gathered near me as I examined the smell and shape of a medicine in the jar

"That's useful for wound ointment" The old man said

I actually already know. I'm just checking this medicine

His quality even exceeded my expectations. If anyone had made this medicine, that person would have already had many years of experience and was diligent in making medicine

I checked again, and finally found an extract drug that I needed. Medications that can treat colds and fever

"Is there ginseng in this medicine?" I asked while examining its composition just by looking at the contents

"You have sharp eyes. Such a drug is indeed necessary in the long journey in this season" the owner commented

"Then I take these 2 jars. His payment will be borne by his majesty Artorius"

His forehead suddenly shriveled at hearing that, making me wonder if I made a mistake that offended him. But he did not answer the question and only sighed

I put the jar and some coins on the cashier's table. He's probably upset that I didn't want to pay upfront. So I took the initiative to give the coin away directly without negotiation. The owner of this shop doesn't even look impressed by what I'm doing

He intended to receive the gold coins I gave him, but Verdea then added one more gold coin that I deliberately gave him to the cashier. Wh why? Because he wanted one piece of information and thought he had to pay for it

"And I wanted to ask you if you knew of the burial place of someone named Marianne Gold" Verdea asked

That person immediately flinched and did not flinch like before

He then put the coin down and took off his glasses, revealing the blue eyeballs that were inexplicably wide. His hands began to look trembling and he did not turn his head towards me in the slightest bit as he focused completely on Verdea

"I wonder what you need with him?" She asked

"I'm his son" Verdea answered selflessly. "Fifth prince of the Hortensia family, Verdea Hortensia. Marianne Gold is my mother's name" she even explained

The old man looked at Verdea's face closely. He then took a step back and revealed a face not seen before

A face that signified shock, as if what he saw before him was something he did not expect would be present for the rest of his life

"I didn't think you'd be here..." He said with tears that suddenly started flowing

"... Is it okay, dad?" I asked because I was worried

The atmosphere turned sad all of a sudden after the person's tears grew louder...

"His eyes are like his mother's..." He even said

...

I had this suspicion from the beginning. If Marianne is buried in this town, then that means her family is from this town too...?

"... Sorry if I'm not polite. But, who is this father?" I also asked the question

His still trembling face showed a smile towards Verdea. A smile full of feeling haru as if he had long been close to Verdea until he thrust his body to look at the child's face more closely

Or indeed, the owner of this store is very close to Verdea. Like a blood relationship

"I'm Marianne Gold's father. The granddad of this boy, Frank Gold" he confirmed it