Chapter 102 - : Flora
Prince Joachim nods his head. His wheelchair is beside the sofa that I am sitting on.
Can this guy give me some space? There's a lot of space on the other side. Why does he need to stay close to me? Does he think I am his friend?
"Flora is the owner of this flower shop, and this is the only flower shop you can find in the Saiven Kingdom. Some businessmen tried to build a flower shop here, but none of them cam grow flowers here. Only Flora can. She is a florist, and she used to study in one of the University of the Yesian Kingdom before."
I nod my head at him. This Flora is really interesting. How can she make flowers grow in here when the other people cannot? She must be a really good florist.
"Did someone call my name?" A feminine voice said behind the sliding door. It then suddenly moves, and a woman looks like she had come out straight from a webtoon walk towards us.
She isn't like Princess Paislee, who looks like a doll. This woman has long black hair with brownish eyes. She has an alluring aura. Not seductive but alluring. There's something in her that would charm anyone regardless of their gender. Where does this lady come from? She looks so different than those noble ladies in the Kingdoms who look like a fragile vase.
This woman looks like a poisonous flower. It is so beautiful that you would like to get near her, but because of its poison, you cannot touch her. She has this alluring beauty that is aloof. Something I haven't seen in both worlds, the fictional world, and the real world.
I didn't know a woman like this may exist. She looks like my age, Ysavel's age. Twenty two but she looks way beautiful and mature, unlike me. If my real countenance, Ysavel, will stand beside her, I would probably look like a teenager who is trying hard to look like an adult.
"Oh, if isn't this my favorite customer," she smiles alluringly at Prince Joachim. She then looks at me and smiles. "And you brought someone with you. Hmm. This is the first time you brought someone in here." She sits on the solo sofa in front of us and then looks at me. "May I know who you are, young lady?"
I gape at her for a moment. I still couldn't believe that a person like her exist. She probably looks more beautiful than Csille. Csille's beauty is gentle and is really pleasing to the eyes. But this lady's beauty is like Aphrodite's beauty. I couldn't even describe it.
I heard her chuckle. I shake my head to wake myself from the trance and look at her. "I am Csille Lauretré from the Vrawyth Kingdom. May I know who am I talking to?" I ask her politely. I don't feel any discomfort or anything wrong from her.
"Oh, so you're the infamous beauty among all the beauties in the Kingdoms? I finally met you. I've been dying to see you. Too bad I couldn't leave my babies. That's why I cannot visit you in your Kingdom."
"I still haven't know your name."
She covered her mouth and gasp. "My bad. Where are my manners? My name is Flora Marguerite. I'm half Yesian and half Saiven. My mother is originally from the Yesian Kingdom, and my father is a court official in the Saiven Kingdom. I am the only florist living in the Saiven Kingdom. I'm sorry, Lady Csille, it's just it's been a long while since I saw a beauty like you. True to their words, you are really beautiful, but I heard you have purple hair?" She looks at my head that is still covered by the scarf.
I immediately take it off, and my long curly hair bounced a little. "I just cover it since it attracts everyone's attention. Your name is Flora Marguerite?"
Flora nods her head. "Yes, my mother loves flowers. That's why when she had me, she plead my father to name me Flora. It's also a coincidence that my father's surname also means flower. I just forgot what flower it is."
Marguerite? It's the French name which means daisy. Is that really a coincidence?
"What do you mean, babies? You have children?" I look around, trying to find traces of children, but the place looks neat. I doubt if a child is here.
Flora laughs elegantly. "I am referring to my flowers. You do know how difficult it is to grow flowers in this Kingdom. In order to make them grow, you need to treat them like they have a life. You need to treat them as your own child."
I nod my head at her. It actually makes sense. Flowers are living things. They also need love and care to grow. It's probably because of Flora's love and care that's why these flowers grow up in this shop.
But this is a flower shop, and in order to make a bouquet, you need to cut the flower to their stems. If she treats it as her child, wouldn't it hurt to cut it?
Flora looks at Prince Joachim. "I didn't know you're close to the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Flora!" Prince Joachim suddenly snaps at Flora. I frown and look at Prince Joachim. Why does he sound mad just now? Flora is just asking a simple question. What's there to be angry about? Is he the same as Prince Fraser? Anger management issue?
Flora laughs at Prince Joachim. "What brings you here, Prince Joachim and Lady Csille? Don't tell me you're going to give Lady Csille a bouquet of flowers?" Flora looks at Prince Joachim with a teasing smile.
I look at Prince Joachim waiting for him to refused Flora's remarks, but he just sits there and scratches his nape. Don't tell me...
I sigh and look at Flora. "No, please don't misunderstand this. Prince Joachim only helps me to find a flower shop. I am planning to change the flowers in my room, and Prince Joachim only helps me find a flower shop."
Flora then smirks and nods her head. "If that's the case, then you find the right place. However, I will warn you that I don't sell bouquets of flowers here. As I told you, these flowers are my children, and I couldn't bear to just cut them from their stem just to please someone's eyes. If you want to buy one, then you need to buy the flower in its pot. If you see no problem with that, then I would gladly sell you a flower."
This Flora isn't a simple businesswoman. She also follows her own principles. It's a good thing she is the only one who sells flowers in this Kingdom. So even if people still prefer a bouquet of flowers, they would have no choice but to buy flower pots.
I stand in my seat. "If that's the case, I'll buy the flower with its pot, but can I see the flowers first?"
Flora stands up from her seat and smiles at me. "Sure, follow me. My babies are here," she then opens the sliding door again.
And my eyes immediately widen when I saw what's inside. It's an indoor garden. Everywhere I look, there's a flower, and they are not just simple flowers. They look so healthy. Even healthier than the flowers I've seen in the Vrawyth Kingdom.
I heard Flora chuckled. "Beautiful, isn't it? It's the reason why I don't want to cut them. I don't understand why they would want to shorten the life of these beauties if they could enjoy it for a couple of months. If you're good at taking care of them, I'm sure it can even last for years."
I walk towards a carnation flower. It looks so beautiful. I've never seen a carnation flower like this. Its color is so vibrant. I didn't know carnation could look like this.
I heard Prince Joachim laughs from behind me, and I almost jump out of shock. I look back and saw him ten meters away from me. I frown. Why does it seem like this guy is following me?
"Don't influence Lady Csille with all your nonsense Flora. We're here to buy some flowers, not to listen to your nonsense." Prince Joachim said to Flora, who is currently glaring at him.
"If you're not a Prince and a friend of mine. I would probably throw you out of this shop."
Prince Joachim just laughs at Flora's remarks. He then looks at me. "Don't mind, Flora. You can look around. I'm sure you can find the one you are looking for."
I am about to take a step when I remember something. I look back at Prince Joachim. "I agree with what Flora said. Why would you want something temporary if you can have it for long? Bouquet won't last a month, but if you take care of a flower, it can last more than a year," after saying those words, I continue walking to the aisle of flowers.
They are put on shelves. There are many shelves inside the indoor garden. The shelves are organized based on the different kinds of flowers. On each shelf, you can only see one type of flower with different colors. Take for example, the carnation I've been holding right now. There are colors red, yellow, purple, pink, white, and striped.
I look around, trying to find a suitable flower to warn someone that something terrible will happen.
I am about to walk to the next aisle when my steps halted. I look at the flowers at my side and frown. These flowers. It looks familiar, but where did I saw it?
"Don't touch it. That is poisonous. That is called a monkshood flower. Every part of it is poisonous. They said witches used it to make potions before. I advise you to pick something else. Anyone who doesn't know anything about this flower will definitely be harmful."
Monkshood flower? I now remember why it is familiar. I saw it before on a tv series. The female lead touched the foliage. After touching it, she becomes dizzy and nauseous.
And the meaning of Monkshood flower in the language of flower is 'beware, a deadly foe is here.' My eyes immediately widen when I realized the meaning behind the flower.
This flower is what I needed but based on how poisonous it is. I'm afraid if I use this, it will harm anyone from our team, and I cannot bear to hurt anyone. Not as long I am Ysavel.
"This flower is really poisonous even I take extra precaution when I take care of this. Please, pick another flower aside from this."
But if I didn't choose this and buy a non-poisonous plant, would they believe the warning I gave them?
I sigh. "I want this."
Flora gaped at me. She probably didn't expect I would still buy this. She cleared her throat and looked at me. "Are you sure you want to buy this? I'm warning you, Lady Csille, this plant isn't a simple one. Just by simply touching it can cause dizziness and nausea to a person. So, if you want to take it, I want you to assure me that you would only put this in your room."
I look at her and sigh. "I will. I promise you." I'm sorry if I lied. I just badly need this flower to warm Princess Paislee on what will the real Csille do in the competition.
Flora sigh and nods her head. "Okay, if you've decided, please wait outside the garden. I'll just have to say goodbye to my baby."
I nod my head at her and walk outside the indoor garden. Prince Joachim followed me behind. "Have you found what you are looking for?"
I sit on the sofa and nod my head at him. "I did. By the way, thank you for showing me the flower shop."
Prince Joachim smile at me. "If you're really thankful, why don't you treat me for dinner?"
My smile immediately froze. What? Dinner? Me and him? Is he kidding me? I already have problems with the male lead and the female lead, and this guy wants to add?
Can this world give me a break? Why am I always facing problems here? I'm not even the female lead. Isn't this unfair?
"Prince Joachim, can you give Lady Csille a break? She just arrived at the Kingdom, and you're already inviting her for dinner? Have you forgotten she is representing the Vrawyth Kingdom in the competition? She has a responsibility to win the competition. Please, don't bother her while she is preparing for the competition."
Prince Joachim is about to refuse, but Flora immediately cuts him off by talking to me. "Lady Csille, I'm afraid I cannot let you bring it today. Only I and my assistant can bring it inside your room to make sure it will be inside your room and nowhere else."
I nod my head at her. It's actually a good thing, though, since I don't know how to hold it without touching any of its parts. But I only have one problem. How can I put it inside Princess Paislee's room?