CH 72

“How have you been, Bella?”

“Welcome, Lady.”

“Did you have a lot of trouble? You must have had a hard time because we have had more orders than usual these past few days.”

“No. I put the flowers I ordered from the main store in the booth over there.”

“Thank you. That’s the last one, right?”

“Yes, Lady.”

Bella, the maid who had been sent in Elusiana’s stead from Grand Duchy Sestein, greeted her again.  “Then, I will be on my way now.”

“Yes. Thank you always. Ah, you can rest for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.”

“I understand.” Bella greeted her without saying anything and left the store.

Elusiana immediately moved to the back of the store. It was the place Bella had said earlier that she had packed the flowers.

“Since it’s magically processed, I have to make sure about it, right?”

As they were flower decorations used for noble parties, it was necessary to handle them carefully. In particular, using the flowers treated with preservation magic was the basis of the basics.

The store’s reputation could slump down if something went wrong with the order from the noble family. As long as the flower shop members were commoners, no matter how much they suffered unjustly, they couldn’t overcome the nobility’s status. If there was a problem, the florist would eventually have to take all the responsibility.

“I have to make sure. So that not a single mistake can be found.”

Elusiana closely examined the flowers’ condition and confirmed the order from Count Eragost.

* * *

It was sometime later in the afternoon. Elusiana, who raised her arms up, stretched them.

“Uuaargh. It’s sore.”

Elusiana, who lowered her arms, tapped with her fist on her shoulder.

“There’s no place that isn’t sore.”

There were dark circles under Elusiana’s eyes as she groaned. But it was all over now. The flowers for Count Eragost’s party were more perfect than ever.

When she properly mixed and arranged white and purple flowers, it created a mysterious atmosphere because of their unique color. Seeing the flower baskets filling her store, Elusiana smiled brightly. “Now all I have to do is deliver them well.”

She had taken days off for tomorrow because she had work to do. Elusiana had no choice but to tell them what she was asked to do, but thanks to that, she was able to get another day off.

“But you’re giving me something like this.” Elusiana grinned as she looked down at the glass bottle on the work table. The contents inside were already used up, leaving only an empty bottle.

Preservation potion. The magic potion she used was made by Grand Duke Sestein himself, and its effect was extremely excellent. Moreover, since it was not yet on the market, it was an item that couldn’t be purchased right away, even if you wanted to buy it. The grand duke gave this precious thing to her, who was taking days off.

“This is the preservation magic potion I made this time, but it has some enhancers mixed in. The effect is certain, so it will help.”

She had already agreed to receive the order of the magically preserved flowers, so there was no reason for Elusiana to refuse it. Because not using the cheat key given by a strong backer was no different from kicking the fortune that has rolled in.

Elusiana smiled with satisfaction, glancing at the baskets full of flowers in the room. “Let’s get off work early today for tomorrow’s sake.”

Keeping in good shape was also one of the requirements of a professional. It was just when Elusiana, who took a closer look at the roughly arranged interior, touched her hands and brushed them off. Suddenly, the sound of the door being opened was heard.

Diring, diring.

“Lusi!”

The gorgeous blond hair fluttered softly through the open door.

“Noel? What’s going on?”

Elusiana, who had been happy inside, turned her head when she remembered what happened a few days ago. I was so worried because he just sponsored and disappeared without a word.

Noel was as friendly as usual in front of her, as if he had completely forgotten what had happened at Angel’s house. Like a cute dog wagging its tail, Noel rushed in front of Elusiana.

“Didn’t you miss me?”

“Didn’t you miss me? Not at all.”

Elusiana, who predicted what he was about to say, talked at the same time as Noel spoke, then shook her head and passed him to go outside.

Noel, who followed after her, whining, “How can you answer first without listening to me? Huh? Stand there for a second, Lusi. Where are you going? Huh?”

Elusiana, who came out of the door, turned around and faced Noel. “It’s time to close the store. Could you please come out? Customer?”

Noel naturally looked up at the sky and responded to the harsh words. “The sun hasn’t set yet, but you’re already closing the store?”

“What does the sun have to do with closing the store? If the owner wants to close it, they close it. What are you doing? You won’t come out? Stop hanging around in front of the door and get out quickly.”

Noel slipped out, pretending not to win due to Elusiana’s grasp. Then he clung close to her and whispered in her ear. “I came here to tell you something important.”

As his hot breath hit her, Elusiana trembled and touched her ear. “What, what are you doing?”

Elusiana trembled and touched her ears as the hot breath caused her.

“What, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing? I’m talking.”

Elusiana, who was about to say something, stopped and bit her mouth shut. It was because when she saw Noel’s innocent eyes, she realized she had overreacted. She pressed him on the shoulder, caressing her bright cheeks.

“Lusi? Are you sick? Your face is red.”

When Noel approached again, Elusiana stretched out her hands and screamed. “Please get away from me!”

“Wait, what did I do that made you scream? Can’t I even worry about you?”

“Yes! Don’t do anything! Don’t talk, don’t come near me, don’t worry about me. Just! Don’t do anything!”

Noel was immediately saddened at her firm answer. Several people passing by the store stopped walking and started whispering.

“Oh my, that man must be dumped.”

“He looks handsome. But how did he end up like that?”

“I witnessed, and I thought that woman was a little too much. That man worried about her, but she just screamed at that man for not liking it.”

Elusiana, who was shouting, trembled her shoulders as she heard their whispers.

Just in time, Noel looked around, his eyes drooping as if he was brokenhearted. Sure enough, the people gathered there whispered to each other.

What should I do with this handsome man anyway?

His golden hair and handsomeness, which attracted everyone’s attention, had the magic to make both men and women look at him.

At this time, Noel turned his head to the other side and smiled softly. It was a smile that couldn’t be seen by people.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to do anything? What are you worried about?”

Elusiana, who had a bewildered look on her face, turned her head and stared at him. “…What do you want to get by doing this?”

“I told you. I have something important to say.”

Elusiana snorted. “Is this what the person who has something to say should do?”

Noel shook his head as if it was unfair. “I’m very embarrassed too, Lusi.”

“If you think this embarrassing, you should know how embarrassing this is for me.”

Elusiana folded her arms and looked at him discontentedly. She didn’t know how many people would come if she dragged out time like this. That’s what human psychology was like. Even those who weren’t interested could get curious too if people flocked there. Moreover, the whispering that came and went in real-time—

“Huu— Okay. Let’s hear it first. What do you want to say?”

“Did you really mean it?”

Noel paused for a while, licked his red lips, and gave her a meaningful smile.

* * *

The next day at dawn, she was supposed to deliver the flower decorations to Count Eragost. Elusiana got up earlier than usual and headed to the Fragrant Garden. She arranged the wagon in advance to load the flowers quickly.

“I think we can start if we move this.”

Delivering the last basket of flowers to the coachman, Elusiana locked the door of her store and climbed into the wagon.

It was then.

“Lusi!”

A look of deep dismay on Elusiana’s face, who flinched. I couldn’t believe he would really come to me at dawn! Perhaps, he had been running for a long time, so he was out of breath.

“Gasp, gasp. Lusi, you didn’t forget the promise you made to me yesterday, did you?”

“…”

“Why aren’t you answering? Were you thinking of leaving me alone?”

“…First of all, get on.”

As Elusiana silently climbed into the carriage, Noel quickly followed and got into the carriage.