Do Flowers Bloom in the Fallen Land?

Louis turned silent as if he had something in his mind, his head hung low.

“It would be great if you cook for yourself. There would be fewer risks of getting poisoned.”

“Most high-ranking nobles are resistant to poison. Even if poison was mixed with food, we won’t die anyway.”

“That’s right. You can’t risk your life with any kind of poison.”

Seira smiled and asked him, “Why is that? Is there anyone in mind you want to kill?”

“No, I don’t think so. There’s no way one should end another’s life with poison only,” he replied with a smile as well. “So always take good care of yourself, Seira. The ecliptic and the battlefield are the same.”

“Oh, you worry about me,” she gasped, “Why, thank you, Louis.”

“Of course.”

“Is this because you are my lover?”

“Yes, I am your lover.”

Seira pushed the empty bowl in front of her and looked at him with her chin propped on her hand. Louis’ expression remained calm even when she stared at him. All he did was quietly meet her gaze.

His impression at first glance was friendly with the smile he made like a habit, but his clear turquoise eyes were cold and without warmth.

Seira suddenly got curious. He didn’t know what she could see when she looked at him. Was that an act as well?

“After this, do you have plans?” his voice asked sweetly like a real lover.

“Why?”

“I was wondering if we could stay in Franto together until the day of the convention.”

Come to think of it, there were still four days left until the grand meeting Calrad called for. All family heads of high-ranking nobles who stayed outside of the ecliptic were arriving slowly each day.

‘He is trying to show us off.’

Considering Louis’ purpose, it was natural of him to propose such.

‘But with four days left, I don’t think I need to go to Franto.’

Seira was busy in her own way, too. She had to stop by and see how her knights were doing, and she also had to check if the bounties they received were put to good use.

“I’m afraid I have other prior arrangements to attend to. I’ll go to Franto’s mansion around the day after tomorrow.”

Even if she stayed from then on, it wasn’t against his intention that she’d spend two nights in Franto until the day of the conference.

“I don’t mind, but you’d better watch out. His Majesty might make a move to prevent you from attending. If you don’t mind, can you tell me what plans you have before coming to Franto? I’ll check if the family you’ll meet is pro-emperor or not.”

“Ah, the person I’d be meeting was a pro-emperor but…”

“Then…”

“It’s Baron Jeff.”

Louis, who was about to suggest something, stopped in his tracks.

“If I don’t meet him in time, he might sulk.”

Seira smiled awkwardly as she pictured the tiger-sized man sitting and grumbling on the floor. If she delayed their appointment any further, Baron might sneak into Franto’s mansion or anywhere she’d be at.

“The Duke Jeff… I didn’t know you had him as a partner.”

“It’s not that long.”

“So that was why he intervened so many times…” he mumbled with a nod as he recalled what happened during the banquet. “It wouldn’t be bad.”

“…?”

“It might even help with the plan.”

She was puzzled by his unexpected reaction, but Seira was relieved to hear him say that. To her, Baron was like her second lifeline. She had a reason to meet with him constantly, but it would’ve been troublesome if Louis had been against it.

“That’s great.”

He had nothing to justify stopping Seira from meeting Baron, not unless she was breaching the contract. It was comforting to know she could still keep a good relationship with Louis, who was the key to reviving Askan.

“But you could still spare me a few hours after eating, right?”

“Of course,” Seira instantly replied, “This is our first date after all, so it would be a shame.”

His eyes curled at her words, “I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

She didn’t know what they were going to do, but she was certain it was going to cause an uproar in town just like using the whole restaurant for themselves.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Seira leaned back on her chair feeling more comfortable. In the near future, there wouldn’t be anything to hope for if Louis showed her his calculating side as he did now.

Until they got what they wanted from each other, they would stay as they are now.

* * *

Baron, who suddenly opened the carriage door, reached out to Alec.

“Inhibitors. Quick.”

Alec always carried an inhibitor for emergency purposes, and he quickly took out the medicine case and handed it to Baron.

“Here you go.”

Baron swallowed three pills compared to which he previously only took one at a time during his rut period.

“What the hell is going on here?” Baron mumbled as he swept his hair backward.

Alec asked, looking nervously at his master, “That’s just the question I want to ask, sir. How did you end up like this?”