Episode 20

Episode 20: The Wizard Who Loves Flowers

A few days later.

The Emperor’s birthday banquet, which had been lively for various reasons, ended without incident.

Niklad, a Marquis and Jerome’s secretary, came to the Emperor’s office to report on the banquet’s outcome.

“Considering everything, I believe the banquet was a success,” Niklad said cheerfully.

But Jerome’s reaction was cool and distant.

“…A success?” Jerome murmured coldly, raising one eyebrow. “The most important guests didn’t even attend and returned to their country.”

“Ah, well…”

The most important guests were the newly crowned king of Calus and his delegation.

Of course, Marquis Niklad hadn’t expected this at all; it was an unheard-of situation.

He had been quite surprised when he first heard about it.

“Apparently, an urgent matter came up.”

“Urgent?”

“Yes. I didn’t get the full details, but they expressed regret about not being able to attend until the end. The gifts prepared by Calus were quite rare, too,” Niklad explained in a calm tone. “The new king is known within their kingdom for being quite impulsive, so I don’t think you need to worry too much.”

Niklad recalled the Calus delegation leaving.

Indeed, their expressions weren’t those of people upset about leaving early; rather, they seemed somewhat pleased.

“Oh! And they asked me to be sure to tell you they had a great time at the pre-banquet event, whatever happened there.”

Niklad added with a smile.

Jerome furrowed his brows.

“What on earth happened at that pre-banquet event that was so amusing?”

“I don’t know the exact details, but with a reaction like that, I think the empire’s honor was maintained.”

“Honor?” Jerome scoffed coldly. “How can the empire’s honor be maintained when the captain of the Imperial Guard publicly declares an intent to become the Empress’s consort in front of many foreign dignitaries at the banquet?”

Niklad pressed his lips together tightly.

Jerome was clearly in a bad mood.

No, it wasn’t just a bad mood—this was the first time Niklad had seen Jerome so angry since becoming his secretary.

It didn’t seem to be just because the Calus king hadn’t attended.

Could it be because Sir Leonard asked to become the empress’s lover?

No, that couldn’t be.

He already had the Empress by his side; Jerome wouldn’t be concerned about such things.

What on earth is bothering him?

Niklad had no idea.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“Your Majesty, it’s Gabian,” Gabian, the commander of the Imperial Guard, stood at the door.

“What is it?” Jerome asked.

“He has arrived.”

“He…? You mean… the wizard?” At once, Jerome’s expression softened.

“Yes. That’s right,” Gabian nodded, and Jerome stood immediately.

“Bring him in.”

“Once again, your help was invaluable,” Jerome said to the man sitting opposite him.

He had soft silver hair and wore a white mask covering half his face.

He had recently resolved one of the palace’s important issues—and this wasn’t the first time. He had solved many problems that even the palace officials and magicians couldn’t handle.

“Without you, this might have been impossible.”

“You flatter me.”

“Not at all,” Jerome replied firmly. “It’s more accurate to say the empire has been greatly helped by you. We would like you here in an official capacity.”

The man looked out the window, where bright flowers swayed and butterflies fluttered nearby.

He seemed to gather his resolve and turned back to Jerome.

“Perhaps this position is too much for someone like me.”

“…?”

“I am just a wizard who loves flowers, not power and influence,” he smiled simply. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think what I want is here.”

After leaving the Emperor’s office, the man sighed deeply as he washed his face.

Maybe it’s time I stop coming here.

The Emperor would likely continue making offers like this, and although he had managed to refuse this time, he couldn’t keep doing so forever.

Of course, the Emperor’s offer was very tempting—almost more than he deserved.

But he couldn’t accept it; doing so would mean losing the reason he had left that place in the first place.

He had helped the palace all this time purely because of his love for flowers.

So, he could just find another place to enjoy flowers.

He felt he would miss this place—he had so many fond memories here.

Now that I think about it, I have memories beyond flowers.

He recalled a past meeting.

Planning to sneak me out disguised as a maid…

A smile escaped him—such a strange but unforgettable experience.

He looked down at his right pinky finger, the mark of a promise.

He had sworn never to act recklessly again.

Though today wasn’t like before—he hadn’t snuck into the palace this time.

What would her reaction be if she knew I came again?

He chuckled again.

Could he see her again?

“…Probably not.”

He muttered.

She was someone far beyond his reach.

Then, suddenly—

“Ah! Your Majesty the Empress, there’s dirt on your dress!”

“It’s alright, Lady Mary.”

The voice caught his attention, and he turned his head.

“Ah.”

He sighed softly; his eyes trembled slightly.

At the edge of his vision was a familiar figure surrounded by countless flowers.

“…I didn’t expect to see you.”

“Your Majesty! Let us handle this; these things can be quite messy.”

The maids spoke worriedly.

“Yes, there’s too much dirt.”

“It’s fine. I can do this myself,” I shook my head.

I understood their concern; my dress and hands were covered in dirt from planting flowers in the garden.

After all, the Empress shouldn’t be doing this—maybe the maids were about to faint.

I was sorry, but since the flowers were a gift, I wanted to tend to them personally.

I put down the shovel and picked up the flower beside me—a delicate violet-hued bloom.

“The more I look, the more beautiful these flowers are.”

I heard the maids’ admiring whispers behind me.

“How many times have we received these flowers now?”

“I stopped counting after the tenth time. They come every day.”

“Who could be sending them?”

I wondered the same.

These flowers were from an anonymous sender.

One by one, they had started appearing at my door.

Each day brought a different kind.

The maids were busy guessing who might be the sender.

“Could it be Sir Leonard?”

“Sir Leonard? He did declare he wanted to court Her Majesty before; it’s possible.”

“Oh my! That would be incredible!”

My maids’ imaginations ran wild.

“Or maybe it’s someone who admires Her Majesty.”

“That could be it. Ever since Her Majesty attended the banquet, everyone’s been talking about you.”

Hmm, is that so?

Maybe I do have a secret admirer.

As I planted the flower, a deep voice spoke from above.

“That flower shouldn’t be planted in direct sunlight.”

Startled, I looked up.

“You?!”

Golden eyes gleamed beneath a white mask.

He bowed slightly; the earrings on his ears jingled.

“We meet again.”

“Flower lover?!”

“To see you here again… no, um…?” He looked flustered. “Flo-flower lover?”

He pointed at himself.

I nodded.

Yes, that’s you—the one who sneaks into the palace to see flowers, the hero of a romance for the ages.

I quickly glanced around; thankfully, no guards were watching.

“Your Majesty, do you know him?”

The maids’ eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Oh my, how do you two know each other?

I shooed the maids away and whispered.

“What on earth are you doing here?!”

Could it be… he snuck in again to see flowers?

And it happened to be in the garden this time.

What am I going to do? He must really be crazy about flowers!

“You promised not to be reckless again. And now you come openly in broad daylight?”

I wanted to help but couldn’t.

He spoke calmly.

“There is nothing to worry about.”

“Huh?”

“I kept my promise.”

“Kept it?”

I looked at him skeptically.

He pulled a small item from his pocket.

“This time, I entered through the main gate—properly.”

“…!”

It was true.

In his hand was a palace access badge, only given to officially invited guests or authorized merchants.

He had snuck in the first time, but now he had a proper access pass?

I was dumbfounded.

“Who exactly are you?”

Was he some kind of spy? Forging passes?

Wow, he was scarier than he looked.

The flower lover said nothing; his face was serious, as if making an important decision.

After a moment, he spoke slowly.

“…Cedric,” a faint smile bloomed on his lips. “From now on, I will greet you as Cedric, a royal palace magician.”

“…!”

Wait a minute.

A royal palace magician?!