Do Flowers Bloom in the Fallen Land?

Franto’s luxurious carriage stopped at the heart of the commercial district of Viseltium, in the middle of the most expensive Rodem street. One could say it was the most suitable date spot for their first day as pretend lovers.

Louis held out his hand to escort Seira out of the carriage.

“Hey, look at that,” she heard someone say, “It’s the Duke of Franto and Askan.”

“I heard they appeared at the royal banquet together…” another whispered.

“Did you see that? The ring…”

Louis and Seira walked leisurely, seemingly showing off and fanning the blazing murmurs that rose from the crowd around them.

“Welcome! We were waiting for you,” a middle-aged man dressed in a suit greeted them politely. Seira assumed he probably was the manager of the restaurant they entered.

‘Did he make an advance reservation?’ she thought as she glanced at Louis.

As they followed the guide inside, Seira noted the tables were empty. Considering that lunchtime had passed, it was still questionable how there were no customers in sight. But somehow, Louis didn’t find it strange at all.

Seira climbed the stairs and saw a colorful hall that seemed to look wider than the first floor thanks to the open terrace. Unlike below, there was only one table here. The man who guided them directly to the table went down without even taking their orders.

“Sit down.”

Seira sat in the chair that Louis pulled out, feeling puzzled.

“You must come here often,” she finally commented.

“Rather than that… it’s a family-owned restaurant. I usually use it when I have appointments outside.”

Seira’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets, and Louis continued.

“Rodem alone has quite a few Franto-owned shops. I don’t know anything else, but I’m quite sure Franto is ahead of other families in terms of wealth.”

“I see,” Seira hummed.

Magic engineering, which developed rapidly in recent years, was certainly a lucrative field. When one got used to using magic tools, it would be hard to revert back to a life without them. For example, telegraphs. It was very expensive, but most noble families and a lot of upper-class residents had them installed.

A magical faucet that allowed the use of hot water at any time, and a power supply that didn’t need to be filled with gas. They provided convenience that quickly settled into everyone’s daily lives.

‘Askan don’t have any of those yet.’

But now that she allied herself with Louis, Seira thought it would be better to have a few things installed. He’d give her a discount if she bought some while they pretended to be lovers, right?

Slowly scanning the hall, which was more ornately decorated with luxurious decorations than Askan’s mansion, Seira raised her glass to her lips and drank lightly.

‘Anyway, I think it would be better to empty my bowels one more time before the food arrives,’ she thought.

Although it had somewhat calmed down, a fishy smell still came up her throat. It was impossible to eat food in her current state.

“Louis, if you’ll excuse me for a moment,” Seira said as she got up.

“Sure, take your time,” he nodded as he gave a slight glance toward the bathroom’s location.

Seira walked gracefully this time, maintaining the right posture without faltering. She walked around the pillar and out of Louis’ sight and then heaved a heavy sigh as her shoulders slumped.

‘I want to go home…’

Was there any way for her to escape the dining room without violating their contract and hurting Louis’ feelings? She’ll have to trudge to the bathroom, rolling her head, in the meantime.

Suddenly, Seira got dragged by her arms. She didn’t shake it off, as she immediately recognized who it was.

“Seira.”

The narrow space, which seemed to be used as a closet, didn’t have a single shed of light. But the darkness was no obstacle for them.

‘Baron!’

She swore Seira didn’t know the day would come that she’d be pleased to see Baron Jeff.

‘Oh… oh, my God.’

At her most desperate moment, it felt like a miracle for him to show up in front of her.

Baron didn’t even have the time to explain when, how, and why he hid there. Seira stretched out her arms and hugged him around his neck. His eyes widened, seemingly caught off guard by her unexpected behavior, but he readily hugged her back.

He put his hand behind her back after staying in the air for a second of hesitation. Seira could feel his hot body beyond their thin clothes.

The warmth that dug into her skin felt comforting, and she ended up getting emotional.

‘It’s his fault. He suddenly showed up,’ she convinced herself.

Relying on the big hand that firmly supported her, she leaned forward and their lips touched.

“…!”

Her usual personality wouldn’t have been this reckless, but she couldn’t afford that now. Enchanted by her instinct to avoid pain, she bit Baron’s lips until they bled.

She was thirsty as if she crossed the desert without a single drop of water to drink and sucked the blood that bled from Baron’s lips.

Baron moaned with a low hum and didn’t mind that he was bleeding. He slipped his hands from supporting her back slowly down her hips, lifted her, and pinned Seira between his body and the wall.

“Mmphh…”

Seira licked Baron’s lips to her heart’s content. She was nestled comfortably between his body and the wall. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling that her internal injury rapidly recovered soon afterward.

“…”

Baron stared at her gently. The close proximity between them made Seira see clearly his bright yellow eyes.

Various emotions mixed together in a complex whirlwind that melted into one. Boiling silently at high temperatures, they longed for something more.