After accepting Sid’s apology out of unnecessary sympathy in a moment of anger, Nigel’s daily life became boring.

No… It was about to become boring.

“Nigel! What should we do for the Flores Festival?”

The Flores Festival, just two days away, was the very culprit.

This damned academy, which meticulously cares even for the students’ social circumstances, declared a holiday just because the Imperial Ball is held during the festival period.

If it were on a Friday before the weekend, it would be understandable, but on a Wednesday right in the middle of the week!

“…Study.”

Nigel answered with all her heart.

“Come on, it’s a festival that only happens a few days a year.”

But Allen never seemed to understand her feelings.

“You’ve been studying in the library all weekend last week too. You shouldn’t just study all the time, you need to take breaks and refresh yourself occasionally.”

That was true, but coming from Allen who spends all day relaxing and refreshing, it wasn’t very convincing.

And there was one thing Allen misunderstood. Last weekend, Nigel did go to the library, but she couldn’t concentrate on studying and came back.

It was because of a letter in the pocket of her robe.

That letter was from Tilin, which Nigel had been waiting for eagerly, but Nigel could only read the first paragraph and couldn’t read any further.

The reason was…

“Nigel! We’re going to have fun, okay? Got it?”

“…Okay, okay.”

“Noah is also having lunch with his parents tomorrow and coming right after, right?”

Allen pointed at Noah with his thumb and index finger extended.

“Yes.”

Noah raised the corners of his mouth. Seeing Noah smiling brightly, a sigh came first.

That, that pu… No, that child who’s too kind for his own good.

The Flores Festival was a celebration of thanksgiving for the arrival of spring, with new life born after the harsh winter passes, thanks to the blessing of Goddess Kirelia.

During the festival period, flowers were used to decorate everywhere, inside and outside buildings, to receive the goddess’s blessing. There was also a custom for lovers to exchange flowers during the festival, as it was said that couples who exchanged flowers during this time would end up getting married.

…What goddess’s blessing, it was clearly a festival created by the author for Meriel and Noah to legally exchange flowers and flirt.

And what? Just having lunch with parents and coming right after?

He’s truly the filial son of the century.

“…You don’t need to skip the Imperial Ball because of us, Beselion.”

Nigel said sincerely once again. It was already the tenth time today.

“No, it’s because I want to spend time with you two.”

Noah expressed his refusal for the tenth time. Once again, the sincerity wasn’t conveyed.

‘…Why? Is there something wrong with my expression?’

Nigel seriously considered for a moment whether she should practice her expressions in front of a mirror.

“We have to be back at the academy by 10 PM at the latest, so let’s play until 9! I’ve already made all the plans!”

Allen held out a notebook full of writing. It was in stark contrast to Allen’s history textbook, which still looked new even though it had been almost a month.

Still, not wanting to ruin those sparkling eyes, Nigel just chewed on her lips.

Tap tap.

Allen tapped the desk with his pencil.

“Hmm… The dinner time might be a bit awkward. Noah, is there anywhere you want to go?”

“I’m fine with anywhere.”

“Alright, pass! Now it’s Nigel’s turn. Nigel, how about you?”

“No, I don’t…”

Nigel stopped mid-sentence and closed her mouth.

Ah.

There was one place.

A place she really wanted to visit again.

Nigel smiled slightly and opened her mouth again.

[This is the timeline separator]

Clop clop. Clop clop.

“Wow. Guys, we haven’t even reached the square yet, but I can already smell the flowers!”

Allen lowered the carriage window and stuck his face out, sniffing the air.

A faint scent of flowers wafted through the fresh air.

“…I feel dizzy.”

“Are you alright, Nigel?”

“Ah, yes… I’ll be fine after resting a bit.”

Meanwhile, Nigel was half-lying in the carriage, groaning.

She felt carsick because she had eaten poorly in the morning.

“I thought you were eating less than usual. Were you planning to eat a lot for dinner?”

Nigel didn’t even have the strength to respond to Allen due to her dizziness.

Allen closed the window and scurried over to Nigel. Then he took Nigel’s hand and gently massaged it.

“This is what my dad used to do when I got carsick as a child.”

With Allen’s touch, the tension in Nigel’s brow gradually eased and her eyes closed.

“It’s okay, just sleep comfortably, Nigel…”

Allen’s voice became fainter and fainter.

[This is the timeline separator]

Nigel blinked, waking up to an unfamiliar ceiling.

The wallpaper on the ceiling had gold threads mixed in, and the wood used for the border molding looked at least 200 years old.

In other words…

“…Allen?”

It was a place reminiscent of Allen.

“Ah, you’re awake, Nigel.”

Creak.

The door opened and a familiar voice was heard.

“Sebastian…!”

“It’s been a while.”

Sebastian smiled warmly as he set down a tray of refreshments on the table in front of the sofa.

Nigel sat up abruptly on the sofa.

The soft touch that comfortably enveloped her entire body naturally relaxed her.

Sebastian poured well-brewed tea with a pleased expression.

Slurp.

The tea had a rich taste of money.

“Where is this, and where is Allen?”

“This is Young Master Allen’s villa, and the young master has gone to his personal safe for a moment. He’ll be back soon.”

“Ah, I see.”

Even if she had overlooked it because Evans was such a common surname, she should have realized it from Allen’s spending habits of buying things immediately if he liked them.

That the ‘Evans’ in Allen Evans was the ‘Evans’ of that Evans Trading Company.

“Ah, Nigel, you’re awake? How are you feeling?”

Even if she had known that fact, nothing would have changed. Allen was just Allen.

“I’m better, thanks to you. Let’s go out after I finish this tea. You said we’d play until 9 PM, right?”

Allen’s face brightened at Nigel’s words.

“Young master, be careful not to get distracted and hit by a carriage, and on a day like today there are many pickpockets, so always check that your bag is securely fastened…”

“Sebastian, I got it! I said I got it!”

“I’m glad that on a day like today, you have an excellent friend like Nigel with you. Well then, I hope you have an enjoyable Flores Festival!”

Nigel and Allen waved goodbye to Sebastian and left the villa.

“Wow… Look over there, Nigel! We haven’t even reached the square yet, but everywhere is full of flowers!”

As Allen said, with each step they took, flowers decorating mailboxes, door handles at entrances, and signboards caught their eyes.

And finally, when they arrived at the main square, it was overflowing with fully bloomed flowers everywhere.

Just by turning their heads, they could easily see carts loaded with flowers and stalls lined up with bouquets displaying various colors.

“Buy flowers~ They’re freshly picked and vibrant~”

Young children wearing flower crowns went around here and there with flower baskets on their arms.

Although the Flores Festival was also held in Tilin, it was limited to making or buying flower crowns or bouquets to exchange at best, but the Flores Festival in the mild capital was truly different, far too different.

With flowers and their fragrance following every step they took, their eyes and noses were endlessly delighted.

“…It was good to come out.”

“I told you so!”

Allen placed his hands on his waist proudly.

“Today is the last day of the festival, so it will be the most crowded. So be careful not to get separated. Got it, Nigel?”

As soon as Allen finished speaking, his arm subtly slipped into Nigel’s arm.

“…Yes.”

Even if she didn’t want to admit it, she had to objectively accept her situation.

That if she wandered around alone today, she would get lost and wouldn’t be able to return to Sienna on time.

Nigel tightly gripped the arm that Allen’s arm was touching, and a giggle sounded in her ear.

Thanks to Nigel always linking arms with Allen, she didn’t get lost and was able to safely eat lunch.

But there were also drawbacks that followed.

“Haha, how cute. They must be young lovers.”

“Have they just started dating? Look how tightly they’re linking arms? So fresh~ I remember when I was like that.”

It was that people misunderstood Nigel and Allen as a couple.

‘How on earth do we look like a couple?’

Regardless, people smiled warmly at Nigel and Allen.

Some didn’t let Nigel and Allen leave empty-handed.

As a result, currently.

Nigel and Allen had flower crowns on their heads, flower rings on each finger, flower bracelets on each wrist, and their hands were full of bouquets.

“Allen… Isn’t this going too far?”

“Come on, everyone gave these with good intentions, so just enjoy it, Nigel.”

Allen answered while waving his bouquet.

Nigel’s nose had long since turned bright red from the suffocating flower fragrance.

But the bright faces of the people who had handed her the flowers kept coming to mind, making it difficult to throw them away.

“…Alright.”

Just then, she thought she knew exactly where she could dispose of these flowers.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Ah, Nigel, Allen. Over here!”

In front of Andy’s inn, Noah waved his hand happily.

Nigel let go of Allen’s arm and strode over to Noah.

“Beselion, hold out your hand for a moment.”

At Nigel’s words, Noah obediently held out his hand.

Nigel placed a crudely wrapped red bouquet in the large palm marked with calluses.

With that small gesture, Noah’s body stiffened.

“Lower your head a bit.”

Next, she placed the flower crown that had been on her head onto his.

This time, his face froze.

Seeing that face reminded her of Jack complaining about what a flower crown was for a boy.

“It’s okay, Beselion. It suits you very well.”

Nigel raised the corner of her mouth slightly.

Now it felt like her stuffy, congested nose could finally breathe.

“…Pfft!”

Allen, who had been watching, burst into laughter.

Did Nigel know what her actions meant? No, she probably didn’t. If she did, she wouldn’t have that relieved expression like she had just finished overdue assignments.

It really is interesting, I tell you.

“Well, shall we go in now?”

At Allen’s words, Nigel nodded with a bright face.

Creak.

The three entered the inn with Nigel in the lead.

…But something was strange.

The inn, which should have been noisy, was as quiet as if there wasn’t even a mouse. No, it was beyond quiet; it was chilling.

“Julie? Andy?”

While trying to hide her rising anxiety, Nigel carefully examined the inside of the inn.

“Julie…? Andy…?”

Creak.

It was then.

Julie, with a reddened face and crying profusely, appeared from the kitchen.

“Nigel… my child… Andy… Andy has disappeared….”