Chapter 93

When I wake up in the morning, I look at the flower left as a specimen.

Tied with string and thinly layered on transparent panels, the narcissus hanging by the window spins around.

When I see that flower shining white in the sunlight streaming through the window, I can’t help but smile.

Anne’s day starts like this.

With the refreshing nostalgia brought by the narcissus.

Stretching to wake up my sluggish body.

Today, I want to rest.

There’s this underlying thought that I don’t want to work, but I forcibly push it aside when I think of Minho.

To keep pace with someone who works hard.

Because I need to become someone who makes an effort myself.

That was Anne’s principle.

To walk alongside someone, you need to be similar.

That’s why she opened the flower shop even though she didn’t have to.

She doesn’t particularly like flowers, but it’s a sign of her willingness to try doing something.

Gazing absently at the narcissus by the window.

The feelings then and now when I received the flowers.

“Hmm.”

Her expression softens because the subject that comes to mind through the flowers is tinged with happiness.

The fact that what’s associated with them brings joy means that what’s seen visually feels positively pleasant.

“Morning…”

The voice coming from her throat isn’t clear.

She finds lukewarm water and drinks a little.

The water smooths down her rough throat like lubricant and goes down.

Only then does she adjust her voice and recover her usual tone.

She doesn’t eat much breakfast.

Not only because she’s not hungry, but also because she’s been eating too well recently.

It’s because Evanjalin cooks so well when she goes to Minho’s house.

“Umm.”

The necklace given by Minho.

She absentmindedly touches the sensation of the golden gemstone shining.

Her nasal voice is slightly higher-pitched than usual.

For no reason.

Today, for some reason, her mood feels softer.

Maybe because Minho is gradually opening up more to us.

There was always this strange distance between us.

Minho has always been that kind of person.

Even before becoming a noble.

Actually, it wasn’t due to his social status as a noble.

When talking to Evanjalin, she shared similar feelings, so it wasn’t just her own perception.

Someone who will leave far away.

Or…

Someone who draws a line and seems not to give their heart fully.

Though not certain, there was always this vague feeling.

He was someone who gave off this indistinct wistfulness.

Perhaps that’s why he’s more attractive and appealing.

Like how a single flower blooming on a cliff is more captivating than one growing by the roadside.

But picking the flower doesn’t reduce or eliminate its appeal.

In fact, neither of us could pick that flower in the first place.

“Hi…”

For no reason.

Embarrassed, she washes her face with cold water to momentarily distract herself from these thoughts.

After washing, she carefully dries her wet hair with a towel.

Lately, this feeling has lessened.

Would it be accurate to say it’s gradually fading?

She hasn’t talked about this with Evanjalin yet, so she’s not sure.

Just…

She might be having these thoughts herself.

Thinking this way, Anne throws the damp towel into the basket with a “tuck.”

So it’s better this way.

The feeling of him gradually coming closer.

It’s like when you hesitate to take the next step, and he reaches out to pull you along.

Is there a woman who wouldn’t be swayed by that?

Especially when it’s clear she harbors affection and love for him.

Since he’s pulling…

It’s only natural to be drawn along and fly towards him.

Anne thinks this way.

There’s nothing wrong with flying.

Isn’t it the fault of the one who tied the knot?

It’s merely an excuse to hide her wavering heart.

It’s time to go to work.

Opening the flower shop is her sister’s job, but keeping to the schedule is Anne’s own promise to work hard.

Quitting time is non-negotiable. It’s freedom.

To go eat dinner.

Sometimes to see Minho.

If finding the reason to start working is going there, then quitting isn’t such a big deal.

Smiling openly, she heads to the flower shop.

Firmly opening the tightly closed door begins her day.

The fresh scents of various flowers greet her warmly.

The three most important things when cultivating plants are:

Water, light, ventilation.

Since the flower shop structure blocks the wind and ventilation is difficult, once a day she moves the flowers outside to bask in the sunlight and get some air.

If you don’t do that, the soil will dry too slowly leading to overwatering.

Continuous overwatering can cause the plant roots to rot, so it’s a necessary process.

It’s natural for Anne’s hands to get dirty with soil and for the scent of flowers to linger.

As always.

She enjoys her leisurely daily routine while tending to the flowers.

The townspeople are each busy with their own lives.

Engaging in their livelihoods and enjoying their individual daily lives.

Having this leisurely feeling, stepping back from the intense life they lead, sometimes feels a bit guilty.

However, the thought that having more free time allows her to see Minho quite often conflicts with that guilt.

Of course, the latter thought always wins.

Since her current feelings are clearly leaning one way.

It’s an unavoidable natural phenomenon.

While Anne hums and sings softly to herself, Luna sometimes visits.

Today was one of those days.

“Anne!”

The brightly shining girl.

Her sweet soprano voice like a cuckoo bird.

A description of pure and beautiful fits her well.

“Luna! Come on in!”

“I came to look at the flowers.”

“Yeah. Feel free to look around!”

One of the few people in the village who can enjoy leisure time.

Anne brightens at Luna’s appearance.

Being two instead of one reduces the sense of guilt.

Though Luna’s profession is unclear, not working right now makes her essentially unemployed.

On the contrary, in that regard, Anne feels a sense of pride.

Taking care of flowers and cultivating plants is a kind of livelihood.

Though it doesn’t provide much financial help, it helps mentally to have a job.

“The smell is nice…”

“Right?”

“What kind of flower is this?”

Da-dak da-dak.

The deeply fragrant flower.

A common flower that gently fills the autumn fields and can be seen anywhere.

“It’s called sweet clover. Also known as honeyweed.”

“Really? That’s why it smells a bit like honey?”

“That’s why bees love this flower.”

“Bees are scary though…”

Luna carefully puts down the flower she had been holding cautiously.

Then she actively sets off to find the scent of other flowers.

“Hey Anne.”

“Hmm?”

“Tell me a love story. Evanjalin always hides hers, she says.”

“Eeeeh!?”

“Hurry up.”

Urging her on,

Luna grabs Anne’s sleeve and stretches out the word.

Love…

It would be nice if it were happening, but it’s not really the case.

“We’re not like that.”

“No one will believe that. Really, no one in the world will believe you. So hurry up and spill the details.”

Subtly.

Luna approaches unnoticed and lightly taps Anne’s shoulder.

Only then does Anne slightly blush and shut her mouth tightly.

“Look at this! Look at this! You’re blushing because you were imagining, weren’t you?”

“…”

“Oh my goodness. Look at her. She must really like him. She doesn’t even glance at any other men.”

“It’s not true!”

“Not true?? How can anyone believe that?”

Luna’s expression turns a little mischievous.

Her eyes narrow while dimples form on her cheeks as she smiles wickedly.

Anne awkwardly smiles while saying “Ahahaha…” trying to evade the conversation.

It’s a difficult emotion to explain.

It started subtly seeping in.

Once it seeped in and became impossible to escape, there was a sense of longing for the strange distance.

And hope in the very small steps of giving space while getting closer.

Finally, thinking that they might share similar feelings now brings happiness.

Though still not perfect now.

Compared to before, they’ve grown closer.

And the fact that they’re getting closer day by day fills each day with joy.

How can she explain all this?

Private life.

Sincere affection.

It’s embarrassing to tell stories revealing all the fragments of that emotion.

Hesitating is all part of that reason.

Probably.

Evanjalin doesn’t talk about it for similar reasons.

They likely share similar emotions.

“Hehe. Make sure to invite me to your wedding, okay?”

“…”

“Look at this! You’re not saying no. Not rejecting it. You’re completely serious!”

“Yeah.”

“Hoohoooh.”

When Anne agrees, Luna takes a deep breath.

Then her eyes shine brightly as she bombards Anne with questions.

“When did you start liking him?”

“Later…”

“Aren’t you going to tell me?”

“Later…”

Trailing off the words.

Letting them hang naturally.

Why does she feel shy for no reason?

Just be straightforward.

As usual.

I like Minho.

Thinking deeper about it.

Yeah, I’m going to seduce Minho.

Why can’t those words come out?

Just vaguely.

Like a rainy day window, all she can manage are hazy, misty words.

They say love clouds one’s judgment.

Like the dripping rain obscuring vision, Anne’s heart gets moist with fog.

“Alright. Then I’ll tell you first?”

“Yeah.”

“Good luck!!!”

“Got it.”

“Promise!”

“Yeah. I promise.”

Obediently.

Like a puppy, compliantly.

“Waah. Anne has become a real person.”

“What does that mean?”

“Oh, you’re back to being the original Anne.”

“I’ve always been the same.”

“Just a moment ago, you looked like a twisted, wrung-out towel.”

“That never happened.”

“Huh?”

“Stop it.”

“Hehe. Alright. I’ll go now. See you later?”

“Yeah. Do you want some sweet clover?”

“Is it free?”

“Yeah. As a gag order fee.”

“Then I’ll gladly take it!”

Luna leaves.

Watching her whirlwind-like presence depart, Anne unnecessarily wipes sweat from her forehead that wasn’t even there.

It’s not yet lunchtime.

I wanted to come up with an excuse to visit during lunch.

More than the determination to work hard.

The desire to see him grows stronger.

It’s all because of Luna.

Mentioning that person made my feelings bloom uncontrollably.

Quiet water doesn’t boil the pot.

But when you light a fire underneath, it makes the lid rattle.

Luna played that role.

Then, isn’t the water blameless?

Since a fire was lit, shouldn’t it just follow its natural course?

That’s right.

After rationalizing this way, Anne closes the flower shop.

There’s only one path to walk.

Before long, I’ve been walking in the same direction.

The direction it points to is so obvious it doesn’t need to be searched for.

I can already see him from afar.

My heart is already fluttering.

There’s no hiding the pounding in my chest.

Every time, seeing him makes my heart race, so after doing deep breathing exercises for quite a while before entering, does Minho know?

Anne bites her lower lip halfway and closes her eyes, taking small breaths to calm herself.

The trembling heart.

Somewhere between happiness and tension.

Unable to gauge the turbulent emotions, she tries hard not to be swept away.

But every time, she fails in between patience and composure.

“Okay.”

Pressing down on her slightly calmed heart, she heads toward him.

The familiar scenery of autumn.

The suli soaring through the sky and the soft spirits hopping around on the ground.

The fairy giggling and adding chaos, and Evanjalin’s younger brother Jack playing below.

“Anne?”

As always.

In the same tone, he greets me.

“Hi!”

Nonchalantly.

As usual.

I’m not particularly excited.

The rising tone at the end is just because I’m happy to see him.

I’ve always been like this. Yeah.

“Welcome.”

Still.

At his gentle, sweet voice saying “welcome,”

I can’t hide the melting emotions.

My lips curl upward.

“I came for lunch.”

“Shall we go inside?”

“Yeah.”

For no reason.

I just want to be by his side, so I lightly grab his sleeve.

Previously, when I did this, he’d pretend not to notice and walk along with me.

Now, it’s different.

Minho’s head turns slightly, then he suddenly grabs my hand.

Anne’s breath stops and her heart drops.

This bad person.

Minho is the worst person in the world.

“Hi!”

Always the same.

In the same tone greeting me.

“Come in.”

Of course.

Even though I try to act normal.

The rising tone at the end is just because I’m glad to see him.

I’ve always been like this. Yeah.

“Welcome.”

Still.

At his gentle, sweet voice saying “welcome,”

I can’t hide the melting emotions.

My lips curl upward.

“I came for lunch.”

“Shall we go inside?”

“Yeah.”

For no reason.

I just want to be by his side, so I lightly grab his sleeve.

Previously, when I did this, he’d pretend not to notice and walk along with me.

Now, it’s different.

Minho’s head turns slightly, then he suddenly grabs my hand.

Anne’s breath stops and her heart drops.

This bad person.

Minho is the worst person in the world.

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