It was unexpected.

As someone who spends most of their time on the battlefield, I thought Kaern would prefer such active events rather than a ball. Indeed, judging purely by skill, I had never heard news of him representing the Empire and winning a hunting competition.

“I feel the same way.”

Even though I wasn’t particularly interested in the hunting competition, I felt very pleased that Kaern and I shared the same thoughts.

While doing so, I decided that, as a gesture of wishing him luck again this time, I would gift him a pouch.

Afterwards, I enjoyed a stroll and chatted with Kaern for about an hour. Then, we returned to the inn and went straight to bed.

The next morning, after a simple meal, we headed to the bustling downtown area with everyone.

“Miss, look over there.”

Amy, who was walking beside me, pointed excitedly in a certain direction.

As I turned my head, a square filled with colorful flowers came into view.

“Wow.”

“It’s really beautiful!”

“That’s right. Amazing.”

Countless flowers filled the street we were standing on, extending all the way to the square.

I stood still for a moment, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.

The sweet fragrance of flowers filled the air, reaching deep inside.

‘Is it because of Kaern that even the flowers I often see look more beautiful?’
I looked at Kaern, who was protecting my side with constant admiration.

However, just like everyone else here, I thought he would be looking at the flowers, and our eyes met in an instant.

“They are really beautiful, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, beautiful.”

Feeling happy, I smiled broadly at Kaern, and a smile appeared on his lips as well.

We continued to stroll through the streets towards the square.

Perhaps because of the flower festival, the voices of merchants selling flowers echoed from various places.

“Buy flowers!”

“Get beautiful flowers as a gift for your lover!”

“These flowers make love come true!”

Moreover, women who came out to enjoy the flower festival with their lovers held flowers in their hands.

As I watched them with a content heart, suddenly Kaern stopped in his tracks.

“Just a moment.”

“Yes?”

Without saying anything more, he headed towards a flower shop on the other side.

I stood still, dumbfounded, waiting for him to return.

After a short while, he came back holding a large bouquet of flowers.

“Did you buy this many flowers?”

I was curious about who he bought them for, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

As I was finishing my sentence, unexpectedly, Kaern handed me the bouquet.

“Here.”

“Did you buy it for me?”

“Yeah.”

With his answer, Kaern nodded his head up and down.
Surprised, I accepted the bouquet and held it preciously in my arms.

After slightly burying my face in the flowers and inhaling their fragrance, I looked up again and smiled brightly at him.

“Thank you. I’ll cherish it.”

Just like the head accessory he gave me last time, I hadn’t expected the flower gift today at all, making it even more astonishing and joyful.

Unable to wipe the smile off my face, I headed to the square with the flowers he had gifted me.

As we arrived at the square and entered, an incredibly large tree welcomed us.

Centered around that tree, flowers of the same color clustered in each direction, creating a magnificent sight.

After enjoying the view in the square, we returned to the streets. This time, we strolled along the opposite side, exploring various places. Amidst the calls of merchants, one distinctive voice caught my attention.

“Come and see the flower fortune-telling! A magical flower fortune that reveals if your crush likes you!”

“Do you have concerns? Flower fortune-telling can solve them all!”

The sound was not exclusive to me, as people crowded around the flower fortune-telling shop.

“Miss, there are so many people.”

“Indeed. Shall we give it a try?”

“Sure!”

Meaningfully gesturing to Kaern that we would be back, I headed to the flower fortune-telling shop with Amy.

“For just one penny, experience an exciting flower fortune-telling. Predict your fate for only one penny!”
“How do we go about getting the flower fortune-telling?”

“Oh, come on in.”

Perhaps due to the festival, the owner seemed to be in a particularly good mood, as business was booming more than usual.

“It’s very simple. Just think of what you’re curious about, then pluck the petals one by one.”

As the owner explained, there was nothing difficult at all.

“Give me a flower.”

“Give me another one.”

As I tried to hand a penny to the owner to buy the flowers, I heard Kaern’s voice from behind, and he stopped my hand.

Then he handed two pennies to the owner on my behalf.

“Here you go. Thank you.”

Receiving two flowers from the owner, Kaern handed one to me.

“Oh, wait. Amy, hold this flower for me.”

“Yes, miss.”

I handed the flower he had given me as a gift to Amy.

Then Kaern handed me the new flower he had just obtained.

“Are you going to do it too, Kaern?”

“Trying something like this once might not be a bad idea.”

It was quite unexpected for him, of all people, to be drawn to such superstitions.

Nevertheless, I felt joy in sharing even such small moments with him.

“What do you want to ask?”

“You shouldn’t tell me. Typically, these things should be kept to yourself.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Of course, I was curious about what he wanted to ask.

But since I couldn’t reveal my question to him, I endured and steadfastly kept the secret.

“First, let’s leave this place.”
The crowd was overwhelming and chaotic, making it difficult to focus.

So, to avoid mingling with the crowd any longer, we decided to get on the carriage.

“How was the flower festival? Was it as you imagined?”

“Yes. It looked beautiful when I glimpsed at it last night, but it’s even more beautiful in the bright daylight. And… thank you for the gift. The flower fortune-telling as well.”

“When should we do it?”

Kaern pointed to the flower in my hand and asked.

“I’d like to try it now. How about you, Kaern?”

“I think doing it now is a good idea.”

So, we had a moment of silence.

‘What question should I ask?’

Actually, I had a question in mind when I decided to do the flower fortune-telling, but I hesitated for a moment.

Then, as I glanced at Kaern, I noticed that he was already plucking the petals one by one.

What could he be thinking?

I scrutinized his face closely, but there was no change in expression, making it impossible to figure out.

And it remained the same until the last petal fell.

When Kaern finally looked my way after detaching his gaze from the petals, I quickly lowered my head.

‘It’s just for fun.’

So, let me ask the question I really wanted to know.

Even if I didn’t hear the answer I desired, there was no reason to be disappointed.

With that mindset, I directed my question towards the flower and began plucking the petals.

But no matter how much I said it was just for fun, my fingertips trembled more as I approached the last petal.
A moment later, after plucking the last petal, I clenched my fist tightly in silence.

My question was about Kaern’s changing feelings towards me.

And the answer from the flower fortune-telling was ‘no.’

Well, that’s expected.

There’s no way it would change.

Even though I had said it was just for fun, it was inevitable to feel disappointed and sad.

Before raising my head, I quickly composed myself.

Then, with a playful smile as if nothing happened, I jokingly opened my mouth to Kaern.

“Hey. This one didn’t match at all. What about Kaern? Did Kaern match?”

“I didn’t match either.”

“Right? I guess superstitions are just superstitions.”

I tried my best to maintain a smiling face until the end.

Otherwise, I would have looked calm, but honestly, I felt like tears might well up a little.

I shouldn’t have done it.

Just doing it made my mind dizzy, and what’s this about?

If I hadn’t expected anything, the problem was secretly hoping.

Kaern doesn’t like me these days.

He just thinks of me like a younger sister.

As always, I recited a spell to myself.

Fortunately, it was quite effective, and my mind became somewhat calm.