A Day Out with Flora (Part 2)
I could finally grasp just how immense Flora’s drive was.
The moment we made plans to head out together on Saturday, she immediately led me straight to Empress Cecilia’s room. I hadn’t even dreamed of such a possibility—no, not even by the width of an ant’s whisker.
“What is the purpose of your outing?”
“It’s because Lord Luke wants to bring gifts for his family and friends back home in Nedville! But I’m not sure what would make a good present, so I’ve come to help!”
Cecilia’s eyes, deep as polished rubies, fixed themselves upon me.
I bowed my head at once and answered without hesitation, “I shall allow it. Come to me tomorrow morning to receive the proper permit.”
And so, today—Saturday—I stood before Flora’s room, waiting for her to emerge.
Thankfully, I no longer needed to wear the imperial uniform.
The clothes I had ordered the previous week had finally arrived on Friday afternoon.
I chose a respectable beige outfit from the selection.
‘Will she think it strange?’
To be honest, when I had first glimpsed myself in the mirror wearing civilian clothes, the sight had felt a little awkward. I had picked it because I believed the black hair I inherited from my past life suited me.
…Perhaps the years spent in nothing but the imperial uniform have made ordinary clothing feel foreign.
“When will she come out…?”
I pulled a pocket watch from my pocket. Ten minutes past ten.
We had originally planned to meet at ten and leave the palace, but preparations seemed to be dragging on.
I knocked anyway.
–Knock, knock.
“Please wait just a moment. The young lady’s preparations are not yet complete.”
Flora’s maid answered in her place.
Well, I could understand that.
In this era, women generally spent a considerable amount of time getting ready for an outing. My mother and even little Cyril needed at least thirty minutes to an hour to prepare, so this wait was perfectly reasonable.
“……”
Of course, standing here for so long grew tedious, but I had no choice.
I turned away and leaned against the wall beside the door, only to spot Lady Mueria passing by down the corridor.
“!”
The instant our eyes met, Mueria stopped dead in her tracks.
“Good morning, Lady Fordward.”
“……”
I felt too awkward not to greet her, so I tried. But she offered no reply.
Well, she probably disliked me anyway, so it was only natural.
While I stood there ignored, Mueria actually bowed toward me. I suppose I should count myself lucky that she hadn’t completely passed me by.
Mueria swept past without another glance. I immediately lost interest in her and continued watching the closed door with the corner of my eye.
Moments later, the door swung open with a bang.
“Lord Luke! I’m sorry for making you wait so long!”
Flora flashed me a bright smile.
She clearly wasn’t apologizing out of guilt, but I didn’t mind. After all, she was far above me in status, and being late because of her own preparation was hardly unusual.
“Oh my, it’s finally Lord Luke in civilian clothes.”
Flora’s emerald eyes sparkled with genuine interest.
“Does it suit me? It feels a little awkward after so long in uniform….”
“Of course! The uniform is fine, but civilian clothes look just as good!”
Flora arched one elegant eyebrow and smiled. Her sincere praise made my confidence rise a little.
“Then how about my dress?”
Flora twirled lightly in place. The movement was graceful and lively, like a spring breeze dancing through the air on a warm day.
Today her dress matched the turquoise hue of her eyes, with a daring neckline that boldly highlighted her collarbones.
She had chosen something similar at the friendly gathering last time.
‘Is she the type who enjoys showing off her figure?’
Either way, the sight was fresh and unusual—something rarely seen among the women of this era.
“Lord Luke, your gaze is too intense.”
“It is natural to be drawn to something beautiful, Lady Simonian.”
“What a lovely compliment.”
The delighted look on her face told me my words had landed perfectly.
Incidentally, these were no empty flattery. My praise carried real sincerity.
“Today I shall personally escort you. Please follow closely.”
Flora extended her hand with a playful wink.
Normally, of course, a nobleman would escort a lady. But since I had been the one who asked for help, I gladly accepted.
“Thank you in advance, Lady Simonian.”
“Of course!”
Flora’s cheerful reply made me trust her completely.
* * *
We boarded a grand carriage that had been prepared for us by the palace and headed toward the bustling shopping district of Deleson.
The last time I had visited the Secret Bank, I had taken a shabby wagon…
But now, as the daughter of a marquis and one of Empress Cecilia’s ladies-in-waiting, Flora enjoyed privileges I could only dream of.
It made me keenly aware once more how insignificant my own status truly was.
Did that make me discouraged?
No, not at all.
Since being reincarnated, I hadn’t really complained about anything. Riding in a comfortable carriage with a young lady who outranked me was already astonishing enough.
On top of that, living the life of a minor character in a novel while also going on outings felt unreal.
‘When you live in the world, all kinds of strange things happen…’
The thought came to mind because the sky outside the carriage window was simply too blue.
Yet I couldn’t linger in such sentimental reverie.
Because,
“How old is your little brother?”
“What kind of jewelry or dresses does your mother usually wear?”
“What hairstyle does your childhood friend usually have?”
Flora’s barrage of questions continued without pause.
And unfortunately, I managed to answer less than half of them properly.
The longer I spent with her, the more I grew careless in conversation.
“I’m not sure I was much help.”
“Hehe. Don’t worry. I’ve got a good idea of what kind of gift to choose.”
I had definitely found the right person to help me.
Watching Flora’s confident eyes, I thought that to myself.
* * *
After roughly twenty minutes of travel, the carriage reached the central square of Deleson. I stepped out first and offered my hand to Flora.
She took it lightly and descended with careful grace.
“Now, follow me closely from here on.”
Flora poked my chest with her fist. As a result, my eyes were drawn straight to her chest.
The size was undoubtedly fuller than Cecilia’s, yet a bit lacking compared to Emma’s…
“All right, let’s get started.”
Only then could I finally escape the clutches of the lecherous demon in my mind.
“Yes. Thank you for escorting me.”
Flora set off with light steps, and I followed behind her. The direction she chose was the opposite of the street I had visited last week to buy clothes.
The streets were packed with shops here too.
I kept my eyes roaming across the lively streets of Deleson.
As befitted the capital of an empire, every corner was meticulously maintained. It was a world away from Nedville, where I had once lived.
“This street is your first time here?”
Flora turned her head toward me.
“Yes. There are so many wonderful places.”
“Hehe. This is one of Deleson’s shopping districts. There are plenty of other great spots too.”
“Please introduce me to them next time.”
“Of course.”
That playful wink of hers was always adorable.
Any ordinary man would have fallen for it in an instant.
I would never fall for it, so I was the exception.
“Let’s go in there!”
I followed Flora into the shop at a light jog. Inside, various pieces of jewelry and precious metals were tastefully displayed.
“First, let’s pick something for my mother!”
We carefully examined the jewelry on the display shelves. Then my eyes caught a finely crafted sapphire brooch.
When I lifted it, Flora clapped her hands.
“Oh, I was just looking at that! We’re meant to be together!”
“Oh. How interesting.”
Certainly, my mother would adore something like this.
I asked the shopkeeper for the price.
“It’s twenty-five gold.”
Twenty-five?
I only had thirty gold available…
While I stood there hesitating,
“Is the budget already over?”
Flora suddenly leaned in and whispered into my ear. The warmth of her breath made my shoulder twitch.
“Hmm? Why?”
Flora stepped back one pace, tilting her head in confusion.
What was that? Did she not realize?
I decided to play along.
“Yes. I’m afraid so.”
“Oh dear….”
Flora lightly pinched her own cheek with her index finger and let out a soft moan, clearly worried about what to do next.
“How about we look at another shop?”
Flora told the shopkeeper we were leaving. We thanked the owner for his hospitality and stepped out.
“Come to think of it, I didn’t ask how much you can spend.”
“I was thinking up to twenty gold.”
“Ah.”
Flora nodded with a grin.
“That should be more than enough to choose a wonderful gift. Follow me. I know this area very well.”
“You are indeed a trustworthy guide, Lady Simonian.”
“Hehe.”
We continued toward our next destination in a cheerful mood.