21 — Continuing Our Stroll

Lunch at the sidewalk cafe consisted of bread and a salad containing lots of local Le Pied vegetables, plus yet more veggies simmered in consomme. It was a delicious meal. Mr. Fisalis added a little meat to his portion.

Being seated at our table did nothing to quell the banter and comments that were directed at us, though.

“You really showed them what for! Plus, you and the Captain of the Guard clearly do know each other. You a knight from the capital or something?”

“All our guards went off to the war, so what say you move here?”

“You’re so pretty, miss.”

“You two make a great couple!”

But when our plates arrived, the incessant remarks naturally petered out as they left us to our meal. The mood in the air was actually quite nice and cozy.

But I’ll have that there gentleman know that Mr. Fisalis is indeed a knight. He’s more than just a knight, in fact—his rank is closer to the top! It’s crazy you don’t know that.

Just as Mr. Fisalis said, eating delicious food really does wonders for one’s mood. I didn’t exactly forget all about my deep self-reflection, but I definitely wasn’t feeling so down anymore.

“Where to next?” he asked, enjoying his post-meal tea.

“What else is there that’s worth seeing?” I had no idea what Le Pied was like; the scenery I’d viewed from inside our carriage was all I’d seen so far.

“Hmm, well...” He gave it some thought. “There are all the state churches, and small shops here and there. But that’s about it.”

“The whole town is so picturesque, so I don’t think it’s a bad idea to wander around while we take in the local architecture!”

“As you wish. Let’s just roam around soaking in the architecture before heading back to the villa.”

“Okay!”

And so we took our leave of the cafe. In the midst of our aimless stroll, I happened to spot the flower shop from earlier. Come to think of it, I never did finish looking at the flowers. And I never apologized to that girl for drawing those thugs to her shop. I maybe ought to apologize by buying some flowers off her.

“Mr. Fisalis, may we go check out that flower shop again?”

“Oh, that one? It’s fine by me. Let’s go.”

I pulled him by the hand toward the florist. The girl there remembered me (though I suppose it’s only natural she would, after all that). I’d been fretting over what to do if she gave me the cold shoulder, but she rushed over the second she saw me

“Miss! I’m so happy you’re okay!”

“I’m sorry about earlier. I caused trouble right in front of your store.”

“That’s all right! You two came out of it okay, and you beat those guys to a pulp for us! I can’t tell you what a relief it is that they finally got what was coming to them!”

She’s a nice girl, but she’s surprisingly full of energy, too! Arms akimbo, she snorted with derision and cursed them out. And she looked cute doing it.

“I didn’t get much of a look before, so I thought I’d swing by again to see what you have.”

“By all means!”

I once again stopped to admire the rare flowers. There were plenty besides the andreanums that I’d never seen before.

“You sure do like flowers,” said Mr. Fisalis, taking a look inside as I eagerly eyed the flowers, chatting with the girl all the while. “Do you have any favorites?”

“Well, um, they’re all brand new to me, and I think they’re really pretty, but we can’t take them with us all the way back to Rozhe... I mean, the climate in Rozhe isn’t right for them, and they’d just wilt, which would be a shame.”

“We can decorate the rooms in the villa with cut flowers, and any potted plants we buy we can take back to the manor in Rozhe. If the climate is a concern, we can just use the greenhouse. As for how to grow them, I’m sure if we talk to Bellis about it, he’ll help us out somehow.”

Mr. Fisalis coming in with the save! “Oh yeah! We’ve got Bellis! Our titan of an ally! ...And yet...”

We do have the Dark Prince himself— Er, the consummate professional that is Bellis! If we discuss it with him, he’ll tell us the right way to grow them! ...And now I really feel like buying them. And yet, to no one’s surprise, I haven’t got the pocket money. I plum forgot☆

Mr. Fisalis didn’t fail to notice me there, caught in my train of thought. “There you go worrying over nothing again. That’s so like you. So, which of these flowers speak to you?”

He was chuckling at me like I had a screw loose again. Déjà vu. The same situation happened when I went on that outing at the capital.

I knew arguing any further would be pointless, so I figured I’d just go ahead and point out the ones I liked. “Uhh, I think the andreanums—the ones with the heart-shaped leaves—are really cute.”

“Look at that! That leaf shape really is something. If we go back to the manor with these, everybody will be delighted, don’t you agree? I think they’ll make for splendid souvenirs, since I doubt they’ll have ever laid eyes on them.”

You knew just what to say, Mr. Fisalis! You’re a regular flower salesman! You’re absolutely right—we have the servants to consider! I’m sure most of them have never seen any flowers remotely like this, so they’ll love them for sure! And I did say I’d bring souvenirs. Mission accomplished!!

“Good thinking! I have a feeling they might take a shine to them.”

“Of course they will. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

“I just had a thought—while we admire the flowers, we can tell them all about Le Pied! About how lovely it looks, how big the market is with all those fruits and veggies... I just know they’ll be utterly delighted by these flowers!” My mind had already jumped to the travel stories we’d recount at the servants’ dining room back at the manor.

Now, where do I plant them? According to the florist, they can be grown in the capital if they’re getting enough sunlight. In which case I won’t need a greenhouse; my garden ought to be just fine. It’s just a corner of the garden, but it gets plenty of sun, and it’s nice and open! Speaking of my garden...

“Oh yeah! The flowers you bought me were planted in the garden!”

“Really? They were?”

“Yep! I figured you’d appreciate it if they were in bloom when you got back, so I planted them with Bellis and Mimosa. They’ll be so pretty! Damn, I totally forgot to show you them.”

“I’m happy to hear that. In fact, let’s go to see them first thing when we return to Rozhe.”

“Okay!”

While half of me was occupied with thoughts of our manor at the capital, the florist girl watched us chatting with a sunny smile and said, “Hee hee, you look like you’re on cloud nine, miss!”

The florist’s remark snapped me back to reality. Mr. Fisalis and I looked at each other, and then I glanced her way. She was gazing at us with flushed cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes! Oh no... I’ve gone and done it again. I can’t be doing such things in front of a corner store florist! What am I even doing?

For a brief moment, Mr. Fisalis actually seemed a bit taken aback, but he smiled warmly all the same. “Could you send ten of these potted ones to our manor in Montjuc?” he asked the florist.

At first, she was captivated by his winning grin, but his mention of the manor startled her. “Huh? Your manor in Montjuc, sir?” After hearing those words, she now seemed dimly aware of who Mr. Fisalis actually was. She suddenly straightened up, wide-eyed. “...Ah! Of... of course, sir!!”

After requesting the flowers be delivered to the villa, we took our leave of the shop, after which we whiled away many an hour window-shopping at the neighboring row of jewelry stores (without buying anything, of course) and taking in the local sights, such as the church located in the direction opposite the villa. Look at the time! I think it’s already almost teatime. Plus, Mr. Fisalis did tell the Captain of the Guard to come to the villa later, and we can hardly make him wait for us to show up.

I was lost in thought as we walked, so our idle chatter had petered out. Mr. Fisalis must have thought I’d gone quiet because I was exhausted. “Shall we head back? Our stroll ended up taking quite some time; you must be tired, surely?”

I still had more energy than not, but it was true we’d had a full day. In fact, the day had been a little bit too full. We’d witnessed a street fight, seen a thief get nabbed, and to top it all off, I’d almost gotten kidnapped! I was exhausted more emotionally than physically.

“I suppose I am tired. Guess we ought to return home,” I replied.

At that, Mr. Fisalis took my hand once again, and we set off toward Montjuc Hill.