Chapter 17 - Why does this have to be so complicated? (2)

The next few days we were just wandering around town sightseeing and shopping, and at the end of every other day, I would spend my time refining my martial arts and spear techniques.

One of the days I decided to go off on my own so that we both could finish our own errands faster, but Victor was reluctant to send me off on my own, "But what if you get robbed, or worse, attacked!"

"I know martial arts, plus there is a very small chance that that would actually happen, and you know that," I assured him, I was starting to get ticked off at him for not letting me go.

"Still I-" He started.

"Enough," I glared at him, "Who here gives the orders?"

"You…"

"Exactly so stop trying to order me around, now if you excuse me I'll get going," I then grabbed my bag and left, leaving Victor in the room alone.

'How annoying'

When I stepped outside the sun was shining through the branches and leaves of the trees, the birds were also chirping and the air was crisp from the morning dew. There was a light shower of rain the night before, so there were water droplets in the flowers and leaves, creating a beautiful rainbow on them. I took deep breaths in and out, getting a feel for the nice weather.

'It would be a good day today to go to a cafe and get some flowers, considering we'll be leaving in the morning.'

I had forgotten about the planned demon attacks the night before, so I was not prepared. So I decided to just leave a day before, especially since staying and helping would make an opening for my encounter with the Protagonist, which I didn't want.

Before heading to a cafe, I stopped at a brewery, to get myself a little souvenir from the trip. Back in my original world, I would collect wine bottles from every country I went to, whether I had bad memories there or not.

While I was in the brewery I was looking at the different bottles for any name that piqued my interest, I always tended to go for the cheaper ones, since they were stronger. When I went to reach for one that cot my eye, there was another hand there.

I pulled my hand back, "Sorry, you can go ahead and take it!"

"No, no, your hand was there before mine!" A man's voice said.

I looked up to see what the man looked like, his hair was black with a pale green underneath, and his hair was tucked into a braid. His skin had a greenish tint, and he had amber eyes. He wore what seemed to be a hunter's uniform and had elf-like ears with a full-ear earring around them. His cheeks were flushed, perhaps from a cold, or a few drinks.

"Pfft- HAHAHA!" we both laughed.

"Man, thats embarrassing!" I laughed.

"Agreed, sorry for startling you like that," He apologized.

"Oh, you're fine. I was honestly just going to look at it."

"Trying a new brand?" He guessed.

"Ehhh, something like that. I haven't tried Waden alcohol before, so I was curious," I expressed.

"Ho, then I shall recommend you something," He then walked down the aisle we were at, grabbed a bottle walked back, and handed it to me, "This is one of the best bottles of rum I've ever had, and it's surprisingly cheap."

"Hmmmm," I examined the bottle and its descriptions, "Wel then, I suppose I'll try this, anything else you would recommend?"

"Well the one the both of us were reaching for is one," He laughed.

"I guess I'll have to try that as well then, thanks. I'm Lev Varuna by the way, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

"I'm Rain Fulford, and likewise!" we shook each other's hands, "And if you ever need someone to drink with, feel free to come looking for me!"

"Will do! It was good to meet you, see you again?"

"Of course!"

***

After I paid for everything at the brewery I went to the cafe and had some coffee and a few sweet treats. After that, I decided to finally go to a flower shop. I planned to buy some seeds and a few potted plants.

I wanted to start my own garden and have some inside plants to take care of, even though we already had Ziven and a greenhouse. 

The outside of the flower shop had a cottage feel to it, and there were hydrangeas and other flowering trees at the entrance outside. There was a flowerbed at every window, and they were filled with Petunias.

Going up the stairs into the shop and opening the door, I heard a bell ring as soon as I opened it. Stepping inside, there was an instant smell of flowers and pollen, but it was rather nice and enjoyable. The inside was full of all kinds of flowers such as spider lilies, asters, roses, tulips, and some bellflowers. Though that was just a few of the flowers in there.

I could hear some soft humming coming from the back behind some flowers, walking around them I could see a woman making a flower arrangement. The arrangement had baby's breath, Hyacinthus, and Columbines.

"Hm- Oh, hello there. Sorry, I didn't hear the bell when you came in," the woman said to me and looked up.

The woman had brown hair with green highlights, her hair was tucked in a Dutch braid that was pulled over onto her shoulder. She had bangs covering the right side of her face, and I could just barely see a burn scar, her eyes were also closed. She had greenish skin like Rain, which I guessed was an indication of their race. She was wearing a white dress with a green overall skirt-like dress over the top and was wearing a tan cardigan. I noticed that she was carrying a pouch at her side.

"Heh, you're just fine, plus I kind of interrupted you while you were in the middle of your work," I said.

"I- haaaa, ok. But what can I do for you, sir?" She asked while tilting her head.

"Would you happen to sell seeds here?"

"Well that would depend on the type of seeds you're looking for," She smiled and tilted her head, I could tell that she was trying to act mischievous.

"Ha," I chuckled, "I'm looking for flower seeds."

"Then yes, I would happen to sell seeds here. What kind of flower seeds are you looking for?"

"Violets, Heathers, Lilies of the Valley, Daffodils, and some black dahlias." I answered her.

"Hm, we don't sell seeds for the black dahlia but we do have some pregrown. But if you're open for other flowers of similar shades, I do have a black iris and Black Barlow Columbine."

"I guess I could take your black iris and the pregrown black dahlias."

"Alright, is that all?" She asked.

"Could I perhaps order a flower arrangement, or bouquet at least?" I replied.

"Hm, well it depends on when you need it and the kinds of flowers in it, but yes of course." She explained.

"Would it be possible to have some snapdragons, gardenias, and hyacinths?"

"Heh, of course, would you like that as an arrangement or a bouquet?"

"An arrangement is fine."

***

"Wow! You're amazing, it looks absolutely beautiful!" I gasped, I was stunned by the workmanship, even though they were just flowers.

"Please, you give me too much credit, all I did was place the flowers in a certain order. If anything it was the flowers who should get the credit." She smiled with a look of gratitude on her face.

"Well, thank you anyway," I replied.

'Of course, and please do come again!" She called.

I then paid for everything, grabbed the bag my things were in, and went out the door. On my way down the stairs and through a small walkway I took to get there, I had a weird feeling of guilt. At that moment a small memory surfaced in my head.

In that memory I saw her, what looked to be Rain, and then the protagonist and myself, or at least, Lev. In that memory, the protagonist and I were standing diagonally from each other and River and the lady from the shop were about eight feet in front of us crouched near each other. In front of all of us was someone floating, they looked as if they were casting a spell at River and the Lady, but I couldn't make out their identity so I couldn't confirm.

After witnessing the scene of that memory, I realized the purpose of that surfacing. It was my body, or soul, trying to tell me something.

The womans name was Ophelia, and she was the trigger of a major character's death in the novel. In the novel, a character of the name Jace Everett was supposed to kill her, but instead, Rain jumped in front of her, and took the blow, resulting in his ultimetely death.

Rain was the protagonist's mentor, he taught him how to properly hunt, use a bow, and how to survive in the wild with nothing but yourself. He was the main source of the protagonist's anger towards the demon king, and the source of his survival.

After realizing that I wanted to turn around and run to Ophelia and go find Rain with her, and then tell them their future. But I couldn't, I knew it was for the best to let the original events for through.

I forced myself to keep walking, go back to the inn, pack up my things, go to bed at night, and leave in the morning.

***

We arrived back in Zyon about a week later, and it seemed that news of the attack on Vienna had reached here. It was gloomy in the city, and the weather was rainy, which fit perfectly.

"Welcome back your Grace," I was greeted by Alvaro and Diarmaid on my way back into the estate, "how was your journey?" Diarmaid asked.

"It was lovely," I said, "Could you give these to Ziven and place those Dahlia in my office, oh and bring me a vase while you're at it" I ordered a maid.

"BIG BROTHER!" I heard someone call.

I then turned my head to see who called me, "Avery! I've missed you," I said to her while catching her in my arms.

"How was your trip?" She asked.

"It was good, I brought you something from Vienna," I said putting her down, bending over, and handing her the arrangement I had ordered from Ophelia.

"..." Avery's eyes were wide with awe, "These are beautiful! Thank you, I'll have to use a rune of preservation so that they won't wilt or die."

"Ho? You're training seems to be progressing!"

"Mhm! Ziven has taught me lots of new spells!"

"That's good!" I then paused and saw that Victor was giving me the 'you have work to do' glare, "I wish I could talk to you about this some more, but I have work to catch up on."

"Okay, I understand." She then looked down and went upstairs, most likely to her room to go sulk.

"My lord, would you mind coming to observe the knights' training? I think you being there would put them in a good mood, and make them procrastinate less," Alvaro interjected.

"And I would like to show you the papers from the last 3 weeks, there is quite a lot, and I think it's best to get started now." Diarmaid interrupted.

"Enough, I will get to you one at a time, do not give me orders. That is my job, now Alvaro, I will go oversee your training tomorrow, my work is more important." I commanded, and then I walked past all of them towards the stairs, "Victor, could you draw me a bath, and Diarmaid come with me to my office."

"Understood," They both replied and followed me upstairs.

'Haaaa, obtaining the trust and loyalty of the servants of this house is going to take a while. Plus I need to get rid of their rebelliousness, which will take a while.'

A couple of days later while I was working in my office after overseeing the knights' morning training…knock…Knock…

"My Lord," Diarmaid called from the other side, "There is someone here to see you."

"Haa," I then got up and went to the door and opened it, "I assumed you told them to go to the drawing-room?"

"Yes, he is waiting there, and Eun Sim has already prepared tea and snacks for him," He confirmed.

"Alright," I then went down to the drawing room and ordered Diarmaid to come with me.

When I got down there and went inside, I was greeted by familiar crimson-red hair.

"Duke Casilda?" I asked as he turned to look at me, "To what do owe the unexplained visit?" I summoned my most friendly smile.

"I'm most terribly sorry for the sudden visit, but I have come here on an order from the Royal family." He then stood up and handed me a letter, "They have ordered me to be your escort to a ball held at the royal court a day from now."