The Book Of Flowers

Bereft

...

Frank Gold's. The father of a woman named Marianne Gold. A woman who became the mother of a child named Verdea Hortensia

The world feels narrow. I had not expected to meet Verdea's grandfather in person, when I entered the store. And since I explained our intention to visit Marianne's grave, she led us there happily on foot

I said gladly, but he still remained cold to me. Only Verdea alone could provoke a smile from this person somehow. Well, maybe because in fact, he's the grandfather of Verdea

Black hair that almost bleached. Blue eyeball. He has the same body features as his grandfather. But, he said that Verdea had a face like Marianne

But, even though he was cold to us, Frank turned out to be quite friendly to the townspeople. Every time we passed by, he did not forget to greet everyone. He even memorized their names and where they worked

From the inside, it turned out that he was very warm to the others. I understood why he was upset with me when I mentioned Artorius' name in front of him

Also...

Even though he had met his grandfather, this child still stood beside me as if still suspicious of him. Veskal even seemed to wonder why he was acting that way

"Wouldn't you go with your grandfather?" I asked too

He shook his head directly. Maybe because he was still worried and awkward about communication with his grandfather

Seeing her reluctant attitude, I just kept my mouth shut. If he's uncomfortable, then let him. I'll represent him to talk if necessary

"It's his funeral" Frank said as he turned to the right

Justright. A funeral stands there. Even though it was snowing now, the graves looked very clean and were not covered with it. They seemed to be cleaned regularly, and were seen once from some of the city residents who were wiping every tombstone there

I also saw some people there—in the funeral. They put flowers on graves that may belong to their family members. It seems like this time, this place is crowded with pilgrims

Some were telling stories and joking, some were crying sadly in front of the resting place of the dead

My heart was afraid to see that sight. When you see that, losing someone important in your life must be very painful. You can joke, but... The pain cannot be hidden

All things are implied in the eyes of a person. What they feel, and what they don't want to show

"You buy flowers to put on the headstone" Frank suggested

Frank then pointed to a florist's shop on the outskirts of the cemetery

"Your mother loves Marigold flowers, because it's just like the name says"

Marigolds...

The flower itself has a meaning that is very sad when taken to a funeral

I made Luna go and buy each of us a Marigold. The budget money is still half left, but it's better if we come with a tribute to Verdea's late mother. After all, we have come so far to visit him

Luna deftly bought and gave the bouquets of flowers to Verdea and Frank. Each of their hands now carried a bouquet of flowers, and Frank began to approach a tombstone. I offended Verdea so she would follow Frank if she wanted to see her mother

And the grave that Frank came to...

The cemetery is located right in the middle of this cemetery. Its size and shape are even more prominent than other cemeteries. On her tombstone it says, 'This is Marianne Gold lying. A beloved wife, mother, and son'. Simple enough for the grave of a king's wife, but very well maintained as if cleaned every day. There were hardly any cracks in this tombstone, and he looked shiny

Frank stood in front of his son's grave with a sad face. His head fell down until his eyes closed. And with a heavy heart, she placed a bouquet of flowers in her hand for Marianne

Meanwhile, Verdea who I pushed a little to advance was just standing in front of her mother's grave. Silence does not move, like a statue. His face showed a sad expression, but he did not cry in the slightest. He just stared at the grave of his late mother, as if he was looking back at someone

...

I'd better push this kid's initiative a little more

I took the yellow flower from the bouquet Verdea held and placed it over her mother's grave, to show her respect

Veskal then stepped forward and took a flower from the bouquet that Verdea also held. Then he put the flower over Marianne's grave, just like I did

And we both prayed, according to the tradition of Hortensia, to honor those who had not gone before us. Bend half a foot in front of a grave (for men), and pray fervently for his good in nature there

Until a few lapse Veri stared at us in confusion

"Aren't you going to put flowers?" Veskal asked Verdea, whispering small

Seeing that, my five friends stood behind Verdea smiling at her

Verdea then took a short breath and finally wanted to put the flower in her mother's grave. The whole bouquet he placed carefully, so that not a single strand would come off and spill onto the ground

Verdea's head quelus as he sat with the two of us to pray, and he only grumbled softly feeling a touch in his head

And somehow, when he saw Verdea in the middle of me and Veskal, Frank faintly smiled at him. He was happy when he saw that his grandson was fine, mobbed by a group of people who cared about him

She did not expect her granddaughter to come to visit her mother. And not just alone, but with his friends

"Sorry for my initial attitude towards you" He suddenly said as he walked from behind us

"It's okay, Mr. Frank. I understand how you feel when you hear the name Artorius" I frankly said, not hiding my thoughts at all

He laughed softly, as if he was mocking the person I called his name. "And as for the name, I don't know all of you yet" Frank said

"I'm Vainzel. And this kid is Veskal. Then here are Ivor, Luna, Ordelia, Luxor and Lyralia"

Everyone I've introduced, and they each give a unique greeting to Frank

"Hm... That's so..."

...

"You want to see your mother's face, Verdea?"

Hm. It came out of nowhere. But I'm sure Verdea won't refuse

Verdea was silent for a while, but then nodded slowly, confirming my guess as correct

Frank gets up from his place and takes Verdea back. Back to the shop that had been home to him all along

"Come on" Frank said, extending a hand to Verdea

He hesitated, but...

He nodded again too. His grandfather's hand he gladly accepted, and we all began to leave Marianne's grave. We'll let the boy spend as much time as he wants in this town

But, before Verdea went any further, she turned her head toward her mother's grave again. Since he wanted to say one sentence only, "I'll come again", then refocus forward and just walk

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

back to Gold Dust ---

When he got there, he closed the door. Then he walked to the back of his cashier and opened the door where he had appeared. As if we were honored guests, he allowed us to enter first, as he kept the door open

Only me, Verdea and Veskal followed Frank. I asked my friends to be quiet and watch outside, because I was sure we wouldn't fit in the back room of this store. But, they took the initiative to find a nearby inn, where I responded positively to that before entering the Gold Dust again

He showed us a room behind the door behind his cashier. The room turned out to be a simple room filled with some equipment for concocting medicine

Although it is wider than the store room, this place does not have a mattress at all. Apparently, Frank only sleeps on a rocking chair on which lies a pillow in his room

There was another door in the place that opened slightly, showing a very small bathroom. This place is very small, and does not exceed my expectations at all. I just wish Frank had been comfortable living in a place like this

"I'm sorry that this place is not as big as the palace you live in" he said

"Not to worry. We don't have a problem with that" I replied

He ignored us no more, and he began to duck looking for something in his drawer, while I found a paper he had on the wall of the room. A piece of paper that looks like it's starting to age

...'For dad, though,...

...I'm fine here. Artorius treated me well and there was no problem at all...

...But, seeing her marry the mistress of Celeste 2 days ago left me a little heartbroken. I know it's just a political marriage, but I still feel sick seeing it...

...He's always been forced here. Whatever he does is the word of others, not himself. I feel sorry to see it. That's because I love him...

...He always spent time in Thyme castle with me. I sometimes worried that our relationship would be known to his wife, but I myself could not help but spend time with her...

...He made me a painting today. I asked him to describe a copy to send to you. I want you to see how good he is at drawing. I want you to give him a compliment that makes him blush in shame. And also, so that you can see my face every time through the painting...

...I'm fine here. One day you will see me holding his hand with a ring. If he doesn't want to do it, I'll kick him right away and go home. I want to hear him call you father-in-law someday...

...Even if I love him, my father is still the most beautiful and handsome man in the world to me. I love him, but I love you more...

...I'm happy to meet him, and I'm grateful that you took care of me to be able to unite with him...

...Loved you...

...

"Ah, did you read the first letter from him?" Frank approached us with a canvas wrapped in cloth after unpacking his belongings for a while

He handed the canvas into Verdea's hands. And I knew immediately that it was a painting intended by this letter. A painting of Marianne

"They are paintings that he sent along with the letter" he continued

Justright. I'm sure Frank's canvas is being treated very carefully. It does look age-consuming, but I can feel that this thing is still sturdy just by touching it a little

Verdea nervously got the thing in her hands. And hesitantly, he began to touch the canvas to feel it first

For the first time, she would see the face of her mother whom she could never remember. A picture that would show the form of a much loved Marianne Gold

Verdea took her breath. Slowly, he opened the cloth and the three of us saw a figure inside the beautiful oil painting. A painting of a man who had captivated the king

A beautiful blonde girl with beautiful blue eyes sat politely. She wore a green dress and located a brooch shaped green rose on her head

'Beautiful figure' I thought

After looking at the image of Marianne once again, I realized that her appearance was very similar to Verdea. Frank didn't lie when he said that. They are so similar that what distinguishes them is only their hair color. Perhaps because it was more similar to the color of his grandfather's black hair

It was as if Verdea was just a male version of Marianne. Their facial structure is exactly the same, down to the tip of their chin and neck

Looking at the picture once more, I realized that Frank's gaze was starting to turn into a frenzy. His breath could even be heard clearly by the three of us, as we raised our heads after watching the painting in its entirety

"He's a bad boy. When he was a kid, he would roam all over the city and jump around like a cat. And when the day ends, he'll sleep in my arms in this chair while I sing a song" Frank explained

He sat on the chair and tears rolled back down his cheeks. The chair began to sway back and forth, as he chanted a song that made the heart go wrong

"Oh, my golden flower... Sleep well in my arms... My son menti... The prettiest fairy in my world..."

She tried to hold back her cries, but her tears were even more intense than before the more she chanted the song over and over again in a slow tone. And the more he continued, the sobbing he chanted the lyrics to the song

Me and Veskal must be sad to see Frank. Whatever it is, it doesn't feel good for parents to take away the child they brought into the world

Many people say that parents who bury their children is the most painful thing to experience. And I understood why, when I saw Frank firsthand mourning Marianne's death

And he just lives alone here. There was no one else who could accompany him in this small place. The only person she could love had been out of life for so many years, and she had no one like that anymore

This small place that only she and her son lived in immediately felt lonely, as I imagined her sadness for all these years

...

Verdea even cried. His tears began to be unstoppable, having felt a deep sadness during his journey within this city

He hugged his mother's painting tightly. It seemed unable to escape from his small grasp, as he began to walk forward towards his grandfather

He then sat on the floor while looking into his grandfather's eyes. But, she did not know what to say and just kept quiet while crying

I never felt the loss of the closest. My mother and father, my friends, and the Elves close to me are all still alive. And when I look at these two people, I feel like I shouldn't have to feel that

I don't want to, rather. My friends are half my soul. When they left, I didn't know what else to do

If I feel a loss later, how will I handle it, huh...?

"Losing is painful, right...?" I murmured softly

Veskal only responds by slowly pulling his veil to cover his face. The two of us just stood still, as if the world was beginning to thin into that room alone. None of us tried to get close to the 2 people who were still spilling their grief

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

-- In a Calendula City Inn----

"Did? Where's Verdea?"

Ordelia who greeted us in front of a room immediately felt anxious when she did not see Verdea's whereabouts

"... I thought leaving her with her grandfather would be better" I replied

Veskal on the other hand, directly slid into his room. He didn't know which room he was going to be in, but at that moment he just didn't want to talk about today's experience

Ordelia who saw Veskal tucking in without a word became worried, as the door that Veskal entered closed

"... I also cast protective magic so that no one would disturb them there. So don't worry" I added, to distract Ordelia

"... You two look tired" Ordelia said

I can't resist that—just nodded and gave a sigh in the middle of it. He had no idea what we were seeing inside the store, but he immediately tried to lighten the mood with a smile

He took my hand and turned around, saying, "I'll take you"

But...

Not yet had he stepped up and finished his sentence, I hugged him from behind and planted my face on his shoulders...

My embrace grew tighter as she grew quieter, as I pulled the bodies of the two of us closer to each other

...

...

...

"Order. Suppose that... I lost one of you, what am I supposed to do?"

That's a question that worries me, isn't it? But that's what I'm most afraid of right now

I don't want any of you to leave...

...

Ordelia. He also has no answer to that question. He was completely unprepared to answer her, until all he could do was slowly turn back and put his hand on my head

"Why say that?" Ask slowly. Our hands are out

He slowly pulled down my veil so that he could see my face. A face filled with sadness and worry—nyar want to grimace with all the thoughts in my head

I turned my face away from her, and I started to complain

"I'm scared... 7-year-old Verdea has lost her life. His face always showed pain when recalling that. I'm 151 years old. There are still thousands of years left for me. And in that moment, how about-"

if you leave my world...

...

...

...

"I know that you're still a long time old. But..."

He looked me directly in the eye with a firm look. The look that made him say that everything would be fine, as long as both of my hands he reached up

"I'm sure I'll be with you. Whether 10,000 years or more, I will remain with you" He said, calming my heart a little

The feeling of wanting to cry pierced my chest when I heard her words. It stabbed instantly like a sword

But those are the words I need and want. So I'm sure he can stay by my side. The elf didn't lie, and I knew that he wanted that too

"Promise...?"

"promise"

I started hugging her in that second, and we both started hugging each other tightly. For a moment, I wasn't sure I wanted to remove Ordelia from my side

"I'm a coward, aren't I...?" I also said again

Ordelia laughed softly. "Don't think so" He added a sentence

I smiled between his arms. I am grateful that I was able to find you that day, near the Great Tree. I am thankful that you love me

So please don't go too fast. Don't leave me alone

Thank you for promising to stay by my side forever

...

And I hope you get what you need in this world. I love you, Ordelia...