The sound of Callis’s hardened heels eting with the cobblestone resonated on the path as she repeatedly tapped one of her shoes on the ground.
Previously, she had been sitting at the café for quite so ti, patiently waiting for Kiev and Elis to return, but they were still nowhere in sight.
After finishing several cups of her drink, a sense of boredom overca the derian Princess, prompting her to leave the café and wait for them outside.
She looked left and right, her eyes scanning the surroundings, wondering where they could be. Frustration crept into her voice as she sighed, realising she would have to continue waiting.
"Where could they be?" she muttered to herself. "They can’t have left already, can they?"
Just then, an announcent caught her attention, emanating from the stall opposite the café.
"Fresh flowers for sale! Very cheap price!"
A dwarf woman holding a small basket filled with vibrant flowers was waving a rose stalk in her hand to attract passersby. Despite her efforts, none of them seed to stop and take up her offer.
Nevertheless, the woman maintained an unwavering smile, enthusiastically waving and exclaiming her offerings.
The sun hung high in the sky, its rays intensifying, and beads of sweat ford on the florist’s forehead. Taking a montary break from her persistent efforts, she carefully placed the rose back into the basket, setting it down on the ground.
Retrieving a handkerchief from her apron’s pocket, she gently wiped away the sweat that trickled down from her temple to her flushed cheek. The warmth of the noon sunlight had caused her freckled face to turn a rosy hue.
Impressed by the florist’s dedication, Callis crossed the cobblestone path and approached the flower stall. The florist quickly extended a warm welco upon seeing a potential custor approaching.
"Greetings, Miss! I’m Flora, the florist," she introduced herself with a joyous smile. "I have a wide variety of newly picked flowers here to brighten your day. Choose the ones you like based on your preferences, and I can create a beautiful flower arrangent just for you!"
Callis’s eyes wandered over the array of flowers, taking in their vibrant colours and the enchanting scent that filled the air. The stall was a captivating sight, both breathtaking and calming.
"Greetings to you too, Ma’am," Callis began, her voice filled with admiration. Your flowers are truly exquisite and undoubtedly fresh. I must say, they are a sight to behold. How much would a regular bouquet cost?"
Flora’s face lit up with a warm smile as she replied, "Just call Flora, Miss. It’s not expensive at all. Since you’re my first custor today, I would be delighted to offer you a special price. A regular bouquet is only fifteen Doras, and if you prefer a larger, more special arrangent, it would be thirty Doras."
"Fifteen Doras?" Callis exclaid, her disbelief evident in her voice.
Her sudden outburst caught the florist off guard, causing her expression to shift to one of concern.
"It’s quite a reasonable price, Miss," Flora responded, her worry evident.
She didn’t want her first custor of the day to think that the prices were too high.
"That’s incredibly cheap!" Callis exclaid.
The affordable pricing startled her in a good way. Since the coin was composed of bronze, everything in Doras was considered inexpensive in her eyes. She only had a cursory understanding of the continent’s currency thanks to Arl, who constantly grumbled at her wasteful spending during their first arrival at Gantz.
"How many flowers per bouquet?" she asked.
Relieved by the princess’s positive response, Flora gratefully answered.
"The regular bouquet consists of twelve stems of flowers of one type, along with so greenery and filler flowers. On the other hand, the larger bouquet would have twenty-four stems from two or three types of flowers, greenery and filler flowers. You may choose one filler flower type, and I shall give a recomndation that complents the main flowers. If you’d like to include more stems, there would be additional costs between two to five Doras for each addition, depending on the type of flowers," Flora explained, providing detailed information.
Callis smiled, impressed by the options and the prices.
"That is still remarkably affordable. Please prepare a bouquet for with a mix of pink Gerberas, hot cherry pink Roses, and pink Carnations. For the filler, use Baby’s Breath and Berries. Make the main combined flowers eight stems each so that it will be a well-balanced bouquet of twenty-four stems. I’ll pay extra for the Berries," she requested.
"Oh, my! You certainly have a good eye for flower arrangents! The types and colours you’ve chosen complent each other beautifully!" Flora exclaid with genuine admiration.
Callis smiled.
"My mother has a flower garden back at our ho, and arranging flowers is her favourite pasti," she explained. "I’ve observed her doing it many tis, so I’ve picked up so knowledge along the way. I can determine which flowers are well-suited to be combined in a bouquet but still lack the skill to do it myself."
Flora nodded understandingly.
"That’s wonderful to hear. I’m sure your mother is talented in flower arrangent," said Flora. She then continued, "Well, I’ll quickly arrange the bouquet for you, Miss, and since you’re my first custor today, I’d like to give you a candy as a token of my appreciation. Also, the Berries are on ," Flora said happily.
She walked over to the counter, retrieved a candy from a jar, and handed it to the derian Princess.
Callis accepted the candy graciously with a smile.
"Thank you! I love candy so much. I really want to taste it now!" exclaid Callis appreciatively.
Flora’s gaze fell upon the derian Princess’s right hand, noticing the sling beneath Callis’s long robe.
Concern filled her eyes as she spoke, "Your hand seems hurt. Let help you unwrap the candy."
Callis nodded gratefully. The florist unwrapped the candy, allowing the derian Princess to savour the sweet treat in her mouth with ease.
Flora then began gathering the flowers from the baskets arranged on the ground. Callis stood nearby, patiently waiting for her bouquet to be prepared while enjoying herself with the treat. The candy brought a sense of contentnt, montarily distracting her from the wait for her brother and maid.
Flora, a chatty and amiable florist, took the opportunity to strike up a conversation as she skillfully cut the stems and arranged the selected flowers.
"I’m so happy you beca my first custor today, Miss. I’ve been waiting since morning, but no one ca by. I was starting to feel a bit disappointed with the wait, you know," she confessed, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.
Curious, Callis inquired, "Why didn’t anyone co? It’s the festival’s first day, and there should be plenty of visitors."
The florist sighed softly, her hands continuing their graceful movents.
"Well, as you can see, this spot is a bit isolated from the main festival area. Most people gather near the plaza entrance, where the hot spots are. There are more attractions like the stage and other accommodations set specifically for the celebration. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford to rent that spot as the prices are much higher than the one I’m in right now," she explained.
"Yes, you’re right. This spot is a bit isolated from the rest. It must be challenging to compete with the more prominent locations. But your flowers are lovely, and I hope things will get better for you soon," Callis remarked, empathising with the florist’s situation.
Flora’s face lit up with gratitude.
"Oh, thank you, Miss, for your kind words and well wishes. I truly appreciate it," she replied warmly.
Curiosity sparked in her eyes as she continued the conversation.
"So, are you from around here, or did you co from elsewhere?" she asked.
"I’m actually from a different kingdom, quite far away. I ca here with my brother as we have so business in Gantz," Callis responded, sharing a glimpse of her journey.
Flora’s eyes widened with intrigue.
"Ah, a visitor from afar! How exciting! Well, in that case, you might not be familiar with the myth of the mid-autumn festival," she said.
Curiosity piqued, Callis leaned in attentively.
"What myth are you referring to?" she asked, her interest evident as she savoured the lingering sweetness from the hard candy rolling in her mouth.
"It is said that if you make a wish with the flowers of your choice on the first day of the festival and then wear them on your hair, your true love will co!" the florist exclaid, her eyes shining with excitent as she shared the story.
"Really?" asked the derian Princess interestedly. But then, she sighed. "It sounds too good to be true."
Her thoughts imdiately drifted to Rafe, the healer. She couldn’t fathom how her love would ever reach him, especially with the complicated dynamic surrounding Anna and the fact that it was a one-sided crush. Additionally, she knew that her brother, Kiev, would likely disapprove of her choice if he were to find out.
"Moreover, I can’t participate in that tradition," Callis added slowly, disappointed. "There is a specific custom in my people that forbids maidens like from wearing flowers on our hair."
Flora looked genuinely surprised, her brows furrowing.
"Why is that? Many of my custors back in my hotown were successful in their wishes after doing it!" she exclaid. "Didn’t you notice the maidens around wearing flowers on their hair?"
Callis pondered montarily, recalling the sight of nurous young won wearing wreaths and flowers on their hair at the festival. She hadn’t realised that it was connected to the myth until Flora ntioned it.
"Do you truly believe it will work?" Callis asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"It’s a myth, but I have faith that it holds so truth! Of course, you must genuinely make your wish and keep in mind that the person who appears in your life may not be the one you expect, but he will undoubtedly be your true love," Flora reassured her.
Callis bit her lower lip, contemplating the enticing myth. The candy’s sweetness still lingered in her mouth.
"I do want to give it a try... but I’m bound by the customs of my people. It’s frustrating," she admitted.
Flora sighed sympathetically, her expression reflecting the disappointnt.
"Oh, how unfortunate! Well... I suppose we can let go of the idea then," she said with resignation.
"Wait..." Callis paused.
A spark of determination flickered in her eyes as she reconsidered her options.
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