The Book Of Flowers

For Our Future

a few days later ---

That day, it finally arrived. After being preoccupied with our respective activities, the morning for that day arrived, indicating that the meeting between the kingdoms of Sto Astra will begin soon

I hope the message through an eagle I sent to Julius has arrived. It would be very upsetting if he didn't make us a teleportation circle to get there

The Dark Elves were also busy making us who were about to leave a teleportation circle. It was almost over, just waiting for everyone to leave

"Are you ready?" I asked

Everyone looks lethargic, especially Verdea and Veskal who still remember my behavior to Natasha and her friends

Verdea found out after the night had passed, thanks to reports from Veskal. And as I thought, the two of them completely disagreed with my actions

If the two of them were Elves, I'm sure they'd say something else...

"Vain's. Is Veskal enough as my bodyguard?" Verdea asked me

"Edwin will be there, won't he? He was sent to Orion for-"

"I knew. I was just asking if one of our other friends might want to come along too"

I also gave him a questionable look

I mean, taking an Elf from Miralius while he's coming there as a Hortensia ambassador? Doesn't sound ethical, does it?

But Verdea then just shut up and clucked. He looks upset about something, I don't know what

"Babby!" A Dark Elf called out my name. "The magic circle is ready!"

Ah yes, he's right

When the Dark Elves had retreated, we were shown by a magic circle that started to emit white light and colorful patches. It was as if the person waiting on the other side was ready to welcome our presence with joy

It's time for us to leave

Uh-h?

...

I slowly turned towards the person who touched my shoulder. Someone who looks very upset about my departure

He's not usually like this. But, when I saw his face again, I again remembered that the true nature of my lover is indeed very sweet

I couldn't even help but kiss her palm that touched my shoulder just now

"Order. You're not what?"

Why would I ask that question? He clearly looks very lethargic

Well, but I want to hear the honesty right out of his mouth. He just needs to convince me

"... I still thought about your words that day, Vainzel" He finally explained. "That made me realize that the distance between us isn't as close as I thought"

Hm

My words were probably too sharp for them to handle on that day. Ivor even went so far as to ask Verdea for answers of what I wanted

But really. The answer is not as big or as big as anyone thinks

"We'll find out when Remina will perform the ritual offerings later" I said

His face came back down. From there on, I knew that he felt bad if someone other than the five of them got the answer first

Remina was indeed our friend, but the time they spent with me was the longest time among everyone. Unfortunately, even as that time passed, they still could not understand anything about me

"You're really weird. My lover somehow has a unique thought..." He said, plus a smile

Well, I'm unique

...

It's time to go. Orion is waiting

...

And for the first time in over a hundred years I was with her, I brought our faces closer to each other

In front of everyone at that moment, I kissed Ordelia's lips. After all this time we had just made regular physical contact, this time I ventured to take the initiative

Her lips were so soft that I felt that I could crush her if I were too pushy...

And when our lips slipped from each other, I could see Ordelia's completely flushed face while she was stunned. Everyone who saw even put on their own shocked faces, especially my friends who instantly stirred up as some started to shake each other

"Hm~ Sweet taste mint..." I said to distract him

Ordelia who had been sculpting had started to move back

"Whoa! Uh-! I-I did eat-up!"

"-- Your favorite candy. Yes yes, I understand~"

His expression made me laugh, as Ordelia instantly turned it into a frowning expression

But her cheeks are still red. Makes me want to hurt her more

I'd better stop bothering him now

"See you, Ordelia. I have to go now"

Before we could leave too, we were shocked by the Andromeda children who started running out of the Forest Gate as they approached me

Their faces that looked very carefree with great enthusiasm swarmed over my body that looked very small among all of them. The atmosphere even became very boisterous, when Verdea began to be mobbed while laughing with them. Veskal on the other hand, I can't say too happy or unhappy

And a child began to ask me to bow down, to speak for some who gathered near me

"We heard that the prince of Verdea will be king soon" the boy said to me

That sentence was enough to make me and Verdea gave a small smile admiring their innocence

"Albert told you?"

"Mr Zaphir. He told us last night"

Ah yeah. I heard from Verdea that Zaphir and Luna were having a night picnic with these kids and Claudia

Who would have thought that Zaphir would be able to be friendly with a bunch of kids?

"It seems like the explanation I gave was lacking" Zaphir said as I looked at him

Turning to Verdea, he also understood that I asked him to explain directly. So he just smiled, and started to get the kids' attention attracted to him

"I will be king. Not yet, but will" Verdea spoke

"Then, will our city also prosper under your command as a wise king?" A child asked

All of us who knew Verdea's true nature instantly sucked out a nose and held back a laugh simultaneously

Ahaha-h! Wise and Verdea? Two words that will never come together

Verdea was only pouting at a glance, before returning to the children

"I'm not sure I can rule you well. But at least, I won't bully you like Eloy" Verdea assured

"And I can say, he might be a good king" I added

Well, although not wise...

Veskal, who had been silent, began to smile at Verdea's side, closing his eyes in the middle of his bow

"We also heard that you're going to meet Eloy!" A girl then said. "If we may ask, at least beat him up!"

All the boys cheered in agreement to follow the girl, as if they were a rebel party motivated by the leader's speech

Technically, they are rebels...

"Then we promised" Verdea said again, making all those little eyes glow. "At least one punch would be enough to make Eloy sober, right?"

"Prince Verdea is cool!" A child starts to cheer

"We will always support you! Punish the evil king!"

"Life prince Verdea!"

Their cheers continued to reverberate, as we laughed in response to all of them who also started acting up. As the other 2 figures started to come out from the Forest Gate to pick up the children, along with a large crowd of people

"Kids! Oberon is leaving!" The voice of their original leader also made a sound, making them all gasp

In front of the crowd of parents, Eleanor and Albert were seen walking half-running as if they were late for something

When he arrived before us, the first person Eleanor looked at was Verdea, because she had a sentence for him

"Come prince of Verdea. Teaching them to be rude is not a good thing at all"

Verdea shrugged her shoulders with a smile, convincing Eleanor that it was just a joke to the children

"Be still the prince..."

"No need to worry, Miss Eleanor" Albert spoke. "The Crux proverb always says; Reply to fire with fire, don't you think?" He added

Eleanor only smiled wryly when she found out, talking would not convince us

"Oberon" Someone from the Andromeda crowd called out to me

They all looked here, with eyes filled with full hope. Hope to me, and the two friends standing by my side right now

The person who spoke earlier slowly stroked his son's hair, before he refocused on me

"We are so grateful for all your treatment for us"

...

Thank you huh...?

"We didn't do much other than provide a comfortable enough area for where you live in Miralius..."

Really, that's all. And the path we took was not at all difficult to make peace between Elf Miralius and the people of Andromeda

"That's why we'll always pray for you" a man continued the previous man's words. "We would not be able to live properly if you had not come that day"

I just fell silent. In my heart I felt so happy that my smile could not be restrained, but I did not have the right sentence to reverse the sentence of gratitude

So I just kept quiet, put on my smile for all of them to see

"Vain's. We have to go" Luna then interjected

We could only meet them for a short time. It's a pity, but we have to go now

There is a business to be done right now

When everyone who had approached earlier started to take some distance from being pulled by the teleportation circle, I stared at them for the umpteenth time before our departure

And if I say, I think of one thing. One thing to restore their gratitude, so as not to feel one-sided

So I raised my hand, making even my friends look at me in surprise

Looking at the cues of those who had calmed down, I began to call out one sentence to everyone present

"Wish the fight for our future to succeed!"

Everyone saw me, and I saw them too. The reflection of their eyes did not show a figure of their savior alone, but a figure that would lead them to the future

The figure they always look forward to, be it for the residents of Andromeda, Black Hunt, the Elves, or my other friends. Their eyes looked at me as if to say, that they were proud and happy to have chosen the best side between this cruel destiny war

"Goodbye Oberon!"

"Be careful! Return safely!"

"You too, prince of Verdea, lord of Veskal!"

"We will always be with you!"

Their cries all reverberated, as the wave of their hands began to look like a swing of grass that was being hit by the breeze

The sea of all those people made all of us who were facing them amazed. The three of us began to look at each other, as smiles were etched on each of our faces

And indicating that this was our last time to see them all this time, the light of the circle began to shine to a blinding point, slowly bandaging us inside

Immediately, the light took us flying into the air, while everyone was still waving their hands to usher us away

Yep. For everyone's future

Especially for you, my friends...

For you, this world...