The Book Of Flowers

Leader

-- Eleanor House, Andromeda City --

These kids...

They are not shameless...

The noise of those who were devouring every drop of the soup was as if they had never eaten at all

I grimaced as their teacher for seeing their clueless manners that others would have to see like this...

"... You guys ate so well, huh? Until it spilled like that" Eleanor said in astonishment

Verdea immediately tried to say "This food is delicious", but I immediately patted her head so that she would clean her mouth before speaking

He immediately grumbled, then pulled out his handkerchief to clean the soup marks in his mouth

Forgive me for failing to educate them...!

Although I was indeed happy to see them still look spirited, I am really sorry with their attitude...!

And I also have to admit one thing...

This soup is delicious...! Shit...!

I wanted to sip this bowl like them, but my pride as a king made me have to resist that urge...

"This soup is delicious. It was only natural that the two of them ate voraciously"

"Why? Never eat anything good?"

"No-no! Not so Miss Eleanor... They've been like this since childhood..."

"What do you mean Vain?"

"You ate it amazing, Veskal"

Hearing my words coupled with a sarcastic smile, Veskal immediately frowned with an annoyed face to respond

His bowl also happened to be empty, so he immediately pulled his handkerchief out and cleaned his mouth while grumbling a little

"... If you may know, since when did His Majesty Oberon begin to be with the prince of Verdea and lord of Veskal?" Ask Eleanor

"Hm.... About 6 years ago. Then, subtract 5 years because we were separated since the disaster. I found this boy when he was kidnapped back in the days when I was traveling" I answered Eleanor while scrambling Verdea's hair, irritating her and shaking my hand

"abducted? Too bad..." Eleanor immediately looked lethargic from sadness. "What kind of person would do that...?"

"His family. It's easy" I replied again, scooping a mouthful of soup. "And I know exactly who"

"... Queen's Mother..." Verdea continued with a lethargic face, making the entire room slightly dark with her sad expression

"... Uh. We don't have to talk about this anymore. How about we just talk about your plan, Your Excellency Oberon?"

"Well, I'd like to discuss it, but there are two people from our group who are still busy working on my request"

"Ah. Mr. Alf and Mr. Zaphir. But, why are you asking them to do something at mealtime like now?"

"Everything we do is important to this plan. And that magic-circle of yours is the key to his success"

"Magic circle? You never talked about it before..." Verdea interrupted

Veskal also looks confused and curious about the meaning of my words

"I myself am actually surprised that you know the existence of that teleportation circle, your Excellency Oberon. That solution was actually put forward by Yuriel to avoid 'attacks' from you" Eleanor said

"And once again I say, it's easy to guess. There have been hardly any nobles out on the horse carriage since 1 year we tried to save the Elves

I suspect that so the nobles can go anywhere freely without the interference of our threat, or to save themselves when we attack their homes, they might use a teleportation magic. The magic circle itself must have been placed in a secret room as well" I replied in detail

Plus, I once barged into a Xiang royal noble house, and found that secret room, coupled with a-

...

With-with

...

...

My head hurts to remember...

At least I can endure my nausea from remembering that. But I still feel regretted not being able to sooner find that unfortunate Elf...

"Think that you're guessing exactly all of those things... You are indeed amazing, Your Majesty Oberon"

"... I just rely on my head. My brain is my biggest weapon"

"The word of the man whose magic power begs for mercy is strong" murmured Veskal ketus

"You're just focused on strength. It's only fitting that you can never defeat Zaphir in a duel" I replied

Veskal immediately charged in annoyance, as I stared at him with a triumphant gaze

Verdea, on the other hand, was silent between us with a flat face as if 'this has become everyday'

Eleanor gave a small laugh at our behavior, making us turn toward her

"You are funny friends. You even make the atmosphere warm for others around, even though you are focusing on each other. Even by looking, everyone will know that you are good friends" Eleanor said with a warm smile

"Is right? I just feel like the guy who's taking care of two bad boys" I replied

"HEY!" Sontak Verdea and Veskal responded while patting the dining table hard enough

"I'm kidding. You guys are cute and nice...

Like a child"

"That's worse!" Veskal exclaims

"... It's worse, huh?" Ask Verdea who is confused

"Do you want to be called a child?"

"... Didn't both of his denials mean the same thing?"

Verdea immediately pensively tried to find the right answer as Veskal continued to speak out loudly trying to tell him the difference between the two reproaches

I just shook my head ignoring them while continuing to finish the soup served to me

Until, I caught two people who had come back in the corner of my eye

"... Oho! The guests are waiting for us"

"Have you waited long enough, my son?"

Alf hurriedly ran towards the dining table and chose a seat beside me. But before that, Zaphir pulled out his chair before he took another seat

"Hows it? Already taken care of?" I asked

"It has. Albert was busy giving them all a lesson" Alf replied

"To simplify. We'll all be at a loss if the Crux kingdom finds out. And I'll also do a little trick around this town to make sure we can all be safe for the next 3 days"

"... You've really planned everything hm?"

"Well, that's how it is"

"... You are an amazing leader. If only our leader had been like that"

...

"If there is a word of yours that I disagree with, I will say the one just now, Miss Eleanor"

"Why? You are so talented to be a leader"

...

"... Talent is useless if we do not enjoy it. And because of the nature of me rejecting my talent, I am making all my people suffer right now"

All those Elves I can't save...

Can they also say that I deserve to be a leader just like Eleanor?

Of course not...

I was the most disappointing leader, despite not behaving badly during my time. Father is here now, and I'm sure he agrees with that statement as well

However, inevitably, I must now remain focused on protecting my people with all the effort I can make

My obligation had already started to feel like a suffocating chain, but the trust of the Elves in me should not be destroyed by ignoring them and focusing more on other things

In the end, my only act now is to clean up what I've made a mess

...

But, why does it sound like I regret having been adventuring for 20 years? Regretting that I have come into contact with the Hortensia kingdom? Regret that I have met Verdea and Veskal?

...

Huh... Perplexes

I don't understand what I'm doing anymore

Everyone also became quiet and looked confused because I was suddenly lethargic. I have to change the direction of the atmosphere right now

"Ehem. Thanks for the food"

I got up from my seat and went towards the exit of the dining room

"wait. Where are you going?" Ask Verdea

I looked at him for a moment after I almost walked out of the dining room

"You forgot that we have to train the magic user Fae? Or don't tell me you want to be lazy?" I said in a mocking tone

"Huh?! If you want to go tell me! I was waiting for you, you idiot!" He said as he ran and started walking with me

As long as we walked, he continued to protest at me as I replied in a mocking tone

And all the people who were still left in the room were still visibly upset, yet to move their moods

"Hmphc... He must have thought again that I made the mistake of choosing him as Oberon..." Alf said in a sighing tone, then stirred the soup in front of him

"... Sorry if I asked, but... Accordingly... How is he himself?" Ask Eleanor

"How what?"

"How is he, as a leader in your eyes"

...

Eleanor was only answered with silence from all the mouths of my friends

Except...

"I'm not going to hide this. He sucks" Veskal replied

"He didn't know how to arrange anything as long as we were still staying at Thyme Castle just yet. He divided up the tasks that cost us, he always obeyed Verdea's words about food even though it would be expensive, and he didn't learn from it at all. We have to help him do everything, that person" He continued as he turned his drinking glass slowly

"That's enough! I'll cut off your tongue if you continue, boy!" Zaphir interrupted

"But, he never chose to be a leader, as he said indirectly earlier"

"...!"

With one gulp that consumed the glass, Veskal again continued his words

"Just like Verdea. He did not choose to be a prince, but God said so"

"... What's your purpose in saying that, Mr Veskal?" Ask Eleanor

"Easy. A prince who does not want his status, and a king who does not want his power. They were both made to help each other, just as they do now

They indirectly encourage each other to love themselves. And I'm sure, if one of them had accepted themselves, the other would have followed

Not wanting to lose to each other is also the nature they have" Veskal again said at length

"... You sure as hell can help Oberon. What if it doesn't?" Zaphir interrupted again

"Hah~ How much do you want to bet?"

Zaphir can only be irritated because of the confident face shown by Veskal

"I knew he was going to change, but I'm sure it wasn't because of the boy. Vainzel is very adaptable in many ways, and I know very well the limits of his abilities, not like you, boy"

"No. I agree with Veskal in this situation"

"Great Elf?!"

Zaphir was surprised to hear Alf's response which did not support him at all

Alf only smiled with a gentle look, responding to Zaphir who was still in shock

"They are different, but have the same desire. The similarity will make them understand each other's mind, and in the end, they will try to equip each other to open themselves to each other

They can make friends quickly not by chance or sheer fate. That's because they can find people who can understand themselves. They need that guy. And without them noticing, they came closer to each other to help each other"

"The father of the Elves is indeed very extraordinary. Your explanation is as precise as my thoughts" Veskal said with a smile on his face

He then got up from his seat

"Well, I'll go catch up with the two of them. Verdea would be noisy if I didn't follow them"

Leaving the room, he left the three of them still sitting

"... You guys are amazing. I've been expecting it since the beginning" Eleanor muttered behind her fan

"I'm getting curious to stand between you guys"