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Coming out of the flower shop, while casually enjoying some snacks and wandering the streets.

We unexpectedly ran into Sion’s group.

“I heard he was still at the Academy. Didn’t expect to see him with Evan.”

Maybe it’s because both have been troubled by the cultists. Rather than a cheerful atmosphere, they seemed to be conversing in a calm, subdued manner.

In the midst of their conversation, the emblematic expression of the Count’s House appeared as they weighed their words and thought things over. The contrasting expressions of Sion, who maintained a somewhat expressionless face, and Evan, who wore a serene smile, were quite striking.

“It seems like they’re discussing something important. Let’s ask where they’ve set up accommodations once they’re done talking.”

I nodded in agreement with Shione’s comment.

Generally, when nobles are so quietly considering something, it’s best not to disturb them. Since they came out to relax, it would be awkward if they got caught up in work again.

I waited quietly nearby for their conversation to conclude.

“It seems like Sion has found us after all.”

Before we knew it, Sion broke his static expression and was looking at us with a cheerful demeanor.

He quickly murmured something to Evan before walking over to us calmly.

In turn, Evan and the lady momentarily checked us out and then quietly slipped away to the opposite side. It seemed they were about to leave, as their discussion wrapped up.

When Sion approached us, he looked at my sister with a curious expression.

“Sister, you look lovely here. Since I’ve never seen you in a one-piece dress, I almost thought you were someone else.”

Indeed, it was rare to see Shione in a one-piece. She mostly wore comfortable clothing at home, and it was only during the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony that she wore a dress for the first time. After that, every time Shione dressed up, Sion often happened to be away.

It seemed like it was Sion’s first time seeing his sister dressed up nicely.

“Sion, I thought you would have returned to the family by now. Didn’t expect you to still be at the Academy.”

“I had to treat some injuries and deal with a few remaining matters, so I had to book another place to stay for a bit longer. I should be able to return to the family in about three days. And—”

Sion’s voice picked up a bit.

He seemed to try not to show it, but a shadow of a smile that danced across his cheek revealed that his mood had lifted.

“If it weren’t for your magic, the students and Yeongshik would have suffered a lot with the delayed healing, right? Thanks to that, we got a chance to close the distance with the Feiosha Marquis House.”

“Ah—”

I thought he was going to say something serious, but it turned out he was discussing the valley incident where they went with Shione.

Sion cared a lot about our welfare. As he said, without Shione’s magic, we would have struggled amidst the increasingly potent magic, merely trying to heal. If that had happened, Evan would be groaning in a hospital instead of being here.

“Ray, good to see you. You’re always working hard as my sister’s bodyguard.”

“It’s nothing to call hard work. It’s only natural.”

“So you are the Deputy Commander, as I expected. A response just like you.”

As Sion mentioned that, his gaze drifted downward, landing on the bouquet I was holding.

Not the purple flowers Shione referred to as “Statitis” but the striking white rose that stood out prominently in the center.

He tilted his head and asked.

“By the way, Ray… why are you holding wilted flowers?”

Well, it was strange he didn’t ask before. With wilted flowers so openly displayed, it would be odd to gloss over them.

“Um—”

You see, as I glanced out of the corner of my eye to gauge Shione’s potential reaction to receiving the bouquet from me.

“Hem hem…”

It seemed that Sion’s sudden appearance had thrown her off a bit.

Our flower language villain cleared her throat unnecessarily while avoiding my gaze.

I decided to throw a white lie to Sion out of consideration for Shione.

“I picked them up while wandering the streets. It was a thank you for saving me….”

“Still, giving wilted flowers from a man as a gift isn’t very thoughtful.”

Sion hit Shione quite hard with that.

As Sion suggested, I too felt the same way, so Shione began to fret.

“Still, the very act of giving such a gift is quite nice, isn’t it?”

“Of course, I appreciate the sentiment, but wilted flowers are another matter.”

Despite that, Shione kept her mouth shut and had to endure her brother’s innocent attacks one after the other.

“Now that I think about it, sister, you do like flowers. Don’t you agree, Shione?”

“…That’s true. It’s always happiest to receive beautiful flowers, after all.”

Come on, brother-in-law, give her some breathing room. At this rate, she might suffocate.

While Shione was being pounded by Sion’s words, thankfully before she passed out, Sion managed to change the subject.

“Shall we move on to the topic regarding the Feiosha Marquis House?”

Sion mentioned how a bridge had been built between the Count’s House and the Marquis House.

“Evan’s support within the family isn’t strong yet. He’s not in a position to represent the Feiosha Marquis House.”

However, he didn’t hold enough power to independently involve himself in matters between the two houses. All he could do within the family was inform the head of the family and suggest changes.

As an individual, Evan couldn’t promise us anything certain.

Thus, the role he expressed was merely that of a bridge. He would serve as a medium for conversation between the head of the Marquis House and the Count’s House through this incident.

“However, among the nobles, Evan is different.”

“The cult?”

“Evan often goes to the cult to enhance his reputation among other nobles.”

In the gathering space enjoyed by nobles, it seemed to be somewhat different.

“If you want, he mentioned he could write a recommendation letter for the upcoming central noble social gathering this fall.”

He seemed to refer to the recommendation letter.

Invitations and recommendation letters were fundamentally different. To obtain a recommendation letter, you must maintain a close relationship with the household and have confidence in their trustworthiness. It’s something akin to vouching for an uninvited guest by putting your name on the line.

Unless there’s a solid trust established with either family or the host, obtaining a recommendation letter beyond just an invitation would be quite the endeavor.

Furthermore…

“The host is Leona, the eldest daughter of Duke Rephelia. Though the current head isn’t directly hosting the gathering… it should still be a decent event.”

“Since it’s being arranged by Lady Leona rather than the Duke, if the Count’s House receives an invitation, it will likely be directed to Lady Siabel, the next head. However, I think it would be a good idea for you, Princess Shione, to attend the gathering.”

“Mostly, invitations to the Duke’s social gatherings are limited to central nobles. They are renowned for gathering the most crucial information within the kingdom… especially concerning the ongoing concerns about demons.”

Even though I wasn’t overly keen on social gatherings like Shione, this one seemed quite notable, given Evan was willing to write an invitation.

“Well, Ainel mentioned the Duke’s House before.”

During the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony, Ainel mentioned Leona Rephelia among the nobles Shione must engage with.

Creating a connection with a significant figure in the kingdom like that bears enormous merits for a noble.

Since the topics of demons might arise, too, it could provide opportunities to gain information beyond what the status window reveals.

While I was idly listening to the conversation between Sion and Shione, Sion suddenly remarked.

“By the way, regarding the meaning of Balsam flowers, Evan mentioned that he’s grateful for your help, and he’d appreciate it if you could convey his thanks…”

“…”

“Sister, what does the Balsam flower mean?”

“It has good meanings as well as bad. Which do you want to hear first?”

“…Huh? There’s a bad meaning?”

“Yep, ‘Don’t touch me.'”

“Ah—”

It was amusing watching Shione, without hesitation, standing up against her brother, who was crumbling under the weight of her words; time had passed quite a bit.

“Well, I’ll head out ahead. I had a great time today.”

Sion, having shared the location of the accommodations, excused himself but seemed to have something to do.

When only Shione and I were left, the sun was starting to set.

The vibrant streets radiated a lively energy fitting for the sunny weather, but the shaded areas also provided a sense of comfort and coziness.

“Ray, could you wait here for a moment?”

With those words, Shione disappeared in an instant.

It’d also be nice to find a little gift for Shione while this opportunity presented itself. Hiding it and then giving it to her would be even more fun.

When shooting arrows, a ring might be a bother, and a necklace was already in possession, so I had a hairpin in mind since it was the only thing left to give her. I took pride in saying that the hairpin I bought, using my deputy commander’s salary, was the prettiest among the things I had prepared until now.

‘This is taking longer than expected.’

But even after I finished shopping, Shione hadn’t shown up yet.

Just when I thought I might have to go looking for her, she finally appeared, thoroughly exhausted and carrying a shopping bag, as if drained.

However, what caught my attention was her usual habit of walking with her hands behind her back, which was absent now. Instead, she was hiding her shopping bag behind her back.

“I’ll carry that for you.”

I reached out, intending to help with her shopping bag and satisfy my curiosity about what she had bought so quickly.

“I’m fine…!”

The ends of her dress fluttered beautifully in the wind.

Shione, flustered, spun around to avoid my reach.

“What did you buy?”

“Well… it could be mine or it could be yours?”

With that, Shione hugged the shopping bag tightly.

With excitement radiating off her smile, she said cheerfully.

“It’s still a secret.”

 

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