The Book Of Flowers
No Need to Worry
'I'm not going to do anything, dad. Artorius is a good man'
'He can't even hurt a fly if he's not forced to. He also said that I would be well taken care of, right?'
'So no need to worry. If there is a day I will see you here again, I have become his legal wife and become an important person!'
'I'm even sure, you must want to see a cute grandson of your beloved son!'
...
Eyes open. I don't know why it should be open
It was the first time after a long while that she could listen to her son's voice again. A soft but jolly voice. Full of energy yet calming
I don't know why he had to wake up from the sound in the dream. A dream he never experienced again after years of resisting the death of his already calm son in another realm
His head feels heavy
His feet could not move
His whole body is numb. None of her could move an inch from where she was lying without feeling any excess pain
The only thing he could move at that moment was his eyeballs, even in limited motion
But he tried to look around as he could. Starting from the roof, the entire furniture of his room, the side of his bed, and more
Until he heard a door open, where he slowly began to look in that direction
The direction where a black-haired granddaughter who looked exactly like hers had appeared, had just come to visit with a face that was quite surprised to see her already awake
"You're finally awake..." Verdea muttered, slowly getting closer to her grandfather and sitting beside his bed
"... How long have I been unconscious?"
The question always comes before him whenever he awakens from this condition. But this time, he had someone he could ask by his side
"A few hours. It was already midnight, and I actually just wanted to take a quick look before returning to the room" Verdea replied, pointing out a book she had brought out of the library room
"..."
He doesn't know what to say anymore
In his heart he realized, that Verdea had certainly fully known of the disease he suffered for several years
Something she never told her granddaughter to avoid worrying was not necessary
"... I hope tomorrow your plan is always as smooth as ever, my grandson" Frank said, half hoping Verdea should rest soon
But Verdea was stunned, due to one disturbing thing
"... Then who will accompany you? Everyone was asleep" he said
"I haven't"
The sound from behind him surprised Verdea a little, until she spontaneously turned her head
But she immediately felt relieved when she realized the person leaning on the side of the door and watching her was me
"There's a normal way you can show up without being surprised?" Verdea asked, a little grumbling
"Maybe if you pay attention around better, you don't need a sign from me. I didn't even hide my whereabouts at all" I retaliated
"That's just your way of saying I suck..."
"really so. And you still remember that you wanted to become an expert in fighting?"
Verdea clenched her teeth and made a grin at my words, as long as I just smiled a little and stroked her head
My attention turned to Frank, so it indirectly made Verdea follow
"Thank God you are safe today. Really, if you do not immediately understand your illness, your present condition may be worse" I said to him
Although I also hate the fact that Yael and Rosalia helped save Frank...
"Huh. I'd rather die than have to thank one of the family members..." Frank retaliated later, turning his gaze the other way
"Your granddaughter remains a member of that family, Frank. Also, I hate the way you hide your illness from all of us. You even used Ivor to help you without his knowledge"
Frank also breathed. His expression really showed that he wanted the two of us to come out so that this topic would not continue
"It looks like I'll start being watched all day from now on..."
At least he understood
"Grandfather..."
Verdea who suddenly voiced out in a worried tone slowly made me take a step back so that she could become the center of attention of her grandfather
"Go my grandson. You still have a lot of work to do tomorrow" Frank refused to talk to Verdea
"Then let you who are still limp alone like this?" Verdea asked back
"My hands can move. It's just the effect of just waking up. If I could rest for a few minutes-"
"..."
He can't move, can he...?
His legs were completely paralyzed for some time as a result of that blood pressure. There was no need for further explanation from me so that he understood that he should not move a single bit out of this bed within a certain period of time
"Good news, you can move on later. But don't expect too much for now"
Yael said he could be cured, but how long?
"I'm actually curious, what did grandfather use to treat his illness?" Verdea asked me
Well, I was hoping that what he was using was very rare or something to make medicine...
But actually, he is smart enough to use one food regularly to treat his body condition
"Cucumber" I answered
"Me-Cucumber...?"
"Are you not, Frank?"
Frank just nodded listlessly in my response
"... It was only natural that the two people never suspected..." Verdea commented, completely surprised
Right no? Especially when you understand that Ivor is not very knowledgeable and Lyralia does not really care about anything that is not too suspicious
Huh... Frank also happened to ask for cucumbers in small quantities
"It looks like our menu in the future will be filled by cucumbers for the next few days. It doesn't matter, does it, Veri?"
Verdea just kept silent not answering. As a person who does not really like vegetables, he certainly wants to protest
"At least it's better than eating potatoes, right?"
This kid really hates all kinds of vegetables. If I don't force it, this kid's diet will become very messy because it's filled with meat as a whole
Verdea finally nodded despite seeming disapproving
"But it's okay if grandfather takes half of it, right...?" He tried to negotiate
"Can, can. But you also have to eat to stay healthy"
And talk about healthy...
This kid looks so tired. He better go to sleep for now
"What if you just go to bed? I'll keep Frank here before I go to my room"
But I guessed one answer from him
"No. I still want to be with Grandpa"
Nak. You're so tired. Even the light in your eyes looks dim as if you are drunk
I'm sure in a few minutes this kid will fall asleep on the floor if he doesn't get into his room right away and sleep
"Frank will be fine under my supervision. After all, it's better if you can talk to him when he has the intention, right?"
I'm sure Frank would also be happier if he slept first even if he still didn't want to talk later
Anyways...
There's something I want to talk to Frank about
"... You'd better follow grandfather's words" Verdea said, before coming out with a pouting face
He shut the door behind us, so he signaled to me that Frank and I were safe to speak with four eyes
...
"I'm sure you already know that this is going to be serious, right?" I opened the conversation to him
"Is this about my illness?"
He seemed to understand, even though his thoughts missed
"No. It's something that's beyond the thought of anything else for now"
And more precisely...
"I have a request for you, Frank"
Frank nodded small, without the slightest hesitation. Whatever I would ask of him, he would try to prepare himself as best he could
It gave me confidence that he could make this request
"I want you to be a surrogate on Verdea's Count's seat as we investigate the western island of Goeitias"
Frank's eyes widened to listen to my words, turning into a rage not long after
"You want me to be among those hypocritical nobles?"
"Absolutely. Verdea had only one person, and he decided he would go with us. So we also need an insider to be able to watch the movements of the nobles in Hortensia"
None of the Hortensia nobles can we trust or take advantage of. We can only use what we have at the moment, not what we can get but it is not guaranteed
They were all entirely and completely in the stronghold of the royal family. None of them had any doubt or desire to fight against the Hortensia family sitting on the throne at this time
In a sense, they were allies of Rosalia. It would be even worse if they understood Rosalia's plan, and were willing to go in to help her side in this game
"So I need someone who can at least keep an eye out. Verdea would also be very happy if you were the one who helped her, Frank"
"Well...! You used my grandson as an excuse apparently"
I just smiled at Frank's insinuation. Besides, he has a point
The people we approach more easily are the best people to help us
"It depends on you"
My answer is just that. It must be him personally deciding how he will keep an eye on the nobles here
"... Then that's enough. I'll try as best I can"
Goody. Offer accepted
I played my hand in the air as if I were doing some magic, which then brought up a small seed that Frank could see
"We'll be waiting for your report. At least do it a few days later or something"
"Raise it every day. I have absolutely no problem doing this"
"really? It's better if so"
And since he was going to fill the seat of a substitute Count, he could start by keeping an eye on some of his neighboring areas. Including...
Duke William Lantana's. The duke was lawful in ruling the Hortensian part of the state, encompassing the County to be ruled by Verdea and Frank
All the dukes in Hortensia were the main foundation of this kingdom. If we could at least shake one of them off the information we could get, we could finish off the entire Hortensia family at once, except Verdea
That way the road to the throne will be lighter, and Rosalia we can finish with the help of all Hortensia as a whole
And best of all, we don't have to resort to any kind of violence to destabilize them. Simply serve what they want most from someone, give it to them, and we'll get new allies
Then personally, I want William Lantana to lose his post as Duke. He is a man who will not be loyal to anyone, be they good or evil
Because like I said before. William Lantana was not afraid of anyone, not even Rosalia and Damien. He was too dangerous for us to take to our side
"You also understand what you should do to the Duke who rules over your territory, right?"
Frank tried to recall, before putting on a surprised face
A smile followed after that. It was as if he was a tiger who wanted to avenge the deeds of a hunter to him
"But this is not just for revenge. I didn't like that guy from the start, so I'd be willing to get rid of him for all of us"
To the man who had allied himself during the Hortensian civil war, he never seemed to like William Lantana
And yes. William Lantana was one of the men who supported Artorius to ascend the throne. But he himself arguably tried to control, based on the gossip of the nobles
The one who acts as if he is a ruler over a king and everything...
Such a person is very dangerous...
"I really hope you can overcome the problem of Hortensia for all of us"
Discussion over. Frank also has no sign that he will refuse
"And one more thing"
I slowly turned towards the entrance of the room that was closed from outside. There should be nothing strange, but...
"If you're still listening, save this from Veri and let Frank tell her in private
Understand, Veskal?"
I didn't see it, but I knew very well that Veskal replied to me with a smile, before the sound of his feet could be heard leaving slowly, away from this room
...
The boy was already starting to enjoy eavesdropping apparently...
"At least he won't talk" I assured Frank
Well, this also must be said by Frank directly. He was the one who approved my plan
"Then you tell Verdea, do not hesitate to tell her that the person who suggested this to you is me"
...
Frank nodded in understanding, before I followed for one nod
"Now you can go. I really need a break for this thought..." He said, pinching his forehead because it felt dizzy
I said goodbye before him, before going out to end the night
......................
"Vescal"
...
"I know you're on the roof. Don't make me go up there"
"Alright, alright. I also don't want anyone to disturb me while I'm lying down"
He tried to hide his existence while resting...?
That's the opposite of the most I've ever heard in my entire life. The technique of concealing the existence of the Moon Elves he had learned required a very deep concentration
But put that aside first
"How much did you hear of my conversation with Frank?"
Veskal initially kept silent and did not answer. Even his silence made me just stare out of the window while still waiting for his answer to come in and sound through the small gap I opened in that window
"... Everything was. Or at least the entire outline of the conversation" he replied, half in doubt
Everything huh...?
...
...
"Then, did I make the mistake of trusting Frank to do the job again?" I asked again
A question that comes from the heart. Something I doubt because of the fatal mistake I made
Even now, I still hesitate to distinguish what steps are right and wrong in this unpleasant game
I'm ashamed as a king, but I'm still trying to learn. I still want to learn to be a good king
So I need to know if I made the right decision
"... Don't know. Don't care. How do you think it is?"
...
"Morally, I feel wrong..."
I can't trust Frank in this job. He is not the type of person who likes to be bound by complicated problems like this
I don't know why he agreed. Though I myself am sure, even if I use Verdea as an excuse, he will refuse
"I hope he can help one day. But I didn't expect him to accept my offer straight away, even though I was just trying to get him to move along"
And also, he chose a very big role. It's so big that it feels fatal if we lose it on this board
Verdea won't be happy about this. But we also need players from our side on the Hortensia field
However, there were only 4 people in our group who really understood Hortensia. Me, Veskal, Verdea and Frank. The rest will not be able to be on this terrain for long
"... I don't know what Frank is thinking either. You have a point in being suspicious..." Veskal commented
Haha...
"So you admit that I was wrong this time?"
"Hm...
Yes and no. Right and wrong"
...
...
"If we're done with the outside business, I have one request for you"
One small request
"... I'm sure I told you"
"-- If you will only take orders from Verdea, yes I understand" I cut off Veskal before further explaining. "It's a mere request. And I just want you to keep an eye on Frank. Verdea won't be able to look at her grandfather in a bad setting, and I still have to look after the boy"
"Huh? I can protect Verdea myself, can't I?"
"Perhaps if you don't get caught next time, I'll believe you"
"Ugh...! Naturally Verdea doesn't like your sarcastic attitude..."
I still have a lot of things to take care of. Mainly, my debt to Black Hunt
In return for saving those two children, I would love to repay them with this new lease of life. A better and safer life for all of them until the end of life
"There's still a lot of things on this board. We haven't gotten rid of anything very important"
All we got rid of was pawns. The main pieces still did not move at all
Then I heard that there's a third party in this game. Neither side of us, nor the side of Rosalia. The new party who became the biggest threat due to their alienation
A player by our side might also be able to get in the way rather than help. That's why I want him to keep a close eye on his movements, so as not to get caught in a situation that's unfavorable to all of us
"Listen Veskal. I'm just asking you for a request"
...
Veskal. But his silence this time was enough of an answer, even though I could not see his face directly
It was late at night, so I immediately stepped away, leaving Veskal in the silence
...
...
...
"No need to worry, Vain" Veskal said, looking up at the distant starry sky above him
"I'll do whatever it is. Whatever, to make sure we all reach the future you both dream of"
His eyes were staring at the spot where he was lying, facing somewhere he was pointing
...
"... But you should know, too, that people like me or Frank...
It could have been a 'traitor', just to make the dream real. Especially if the greatest mission has been thrust before us..."
A soft sigh escaped from his mouth, as he began to descend and disappear behind the shadow of the night
