After the Treasure Hunt competition ended and Irtyss returned to the Viscount’s residence, he immediately sought out Prodia.

Confirming that there were only the two of them in the office, he unexpectedly presented something to Prodia.

“Here, a gift.”

It was a Lasil flower found in the royal hunting grounds.

As it had been enchanted, the blue star-shaped petals looked fresh, as if they had just bloomed.

“Why do you suddenly have a flower?”

“Oh… just because.”

While Irtyss seemed quite awkward, she accepted the flower with an indifferent expression.

“Thank you.”

“… Well then, I’ll be going.”

However, as soon as he left, Prodia stared blankly at the Lasil flower in her hand.

She didn’t particularly like flowers.

Yet, her mood felt somehow strange.

It was the first time she had received a flower as a gift in her life.

Just then, a knock was heard, and Ed came into the room.

“Lady Prodia, I will tell you about the next competition…”

At that moment, Ed noticed the Lasil flower in Prodia’s eyes.

Smiling, he asked, “Did you pick it from the royal hunting grounds? I didn’t know you liked this flower too.”

The royal hunting grounds. Prodia had a bad feeling about those words.

It shouldn’t be what I am thinking about.

She circled around the issue for the time being.

“Yes, I brought it because it’s pretty. But is there someone else who likes this flower?”

“It’s Princess Arlin. One of the treasures to be found in this competition was this flower.”

This is driving me crazy.

As expected, the worst-case scenario I had anticipated had come true.

Irtyss had given me the treasure for the competition.

But suddenly, a question arose in her mind.

‘Why would he give it to me of all people?’

As she had that thought, Prodia’s body was already moving outward.

“Ed, sorry, but something important came to mind. We’ll talk later.”

“La-Lady Prodia?”

Prodia hurriedly left the office.

Watching her retreating figure, Ed muttered disappointedly, “Ah… I should have asked about her favorite fruit.”

Prodia quickly found Irtyss.

It was in front of his room.

Seeing her approaching rapidly, Irtyss was surprised.

But suddenly, she pushed him into the room and, instead of locking the door, she pushed the Lasil flower into his hands.

“This, it was a task for the Treasure Hunt.”

He frowned.

Surely, that bastard Ed must have said something.

She asked, “You safely submitted it to Princess Arlin, right? This is what’s left after using it.”

However, Irtyss gave a surprising response.

“How could I give you something that was left after using it? I found many other treasures and submitted them. It’s okay.”

In other words, he cleanly gave up the points that could be obtained by submitting this flower.

If it had been the usual Prodia, she would have asked why.
However, from her lips, for some reason, a different question was flowing.

“Why… are you giving this to me?”

At that question, Irtyss was left speechless.

He, too, didn’t know the exact reason.

The moment he found the Lasil flower in the hunting grounds, he felt the urge to give it as a gift not to the princess but to Prodia.

Just that, nothing more.

“…Just because it’s a gift. You’ve worked hard teaching me all this time.”

Ah, that’s right. It was a reward.

Prodia sighed at his response and said, “If that’s the case, there are other gifts. Why give an item needed for the competition?”

“Right, there was something else you liked.”

Irtyss immediately reached out towards Prodia.

Upon doing so, with purple smoke, a huge bouquet of flowers appeared in her arms.

The beautiful flowers, a combination of green and white, were none other than…

Folded bills.

Prodia’s eyes widened at the sight.

“W-What is this?”

“Your favorite gift.”

Prodia picked up one of the flowers and unfolded it.

It was indeed the empire’s currency.

She furrowed her brows.

“Don’t tell me these are counterfeit bills…”

“I took them from my personal safe. Don’t worry and use them as you like. You probably haven’t received anything from other students while we were teaching.”

Upon hearing his words, Prodia was slightly surprised.

She didn’t realize that Irtyss was paying attention even to such things.

In fact, preparing for the Buma Festival had strained the family’s finances.

However, the situation had changed completely not long ago.

This was because 90% of the copyright revenue had become enjoyable.

Still, she couldn’t honestly confess that to Irtyss.

Nor could she refuse the gift twice.

“…Thank you, Irtyss. I’ll use it well.”

Upon saying that, Irtyss took the Lasil flower from Prodia’s hand and inserted it into the center of the money bouquet.

“Since you’ve received it, take good care of this one too.”

In response to his words, Prodia glanced at the center of the money bouquet.

The Lasil flower with a blue star shape.

At that moment, the pleasant scent of the Lasil flower brushed against Prodia’s nose.

It was a refreshing yet sweet fragrance.

Not only the appearance of the flower but also the scent resembled the person who gave the gift.