Chapter 31 (1/2)

I instantly took a breath. I hadn’t expected this name to come out here and I started to listen to her with a serious expression.

“Flora, he killed your lover. What does that mean...”

I didn’t know what to say. The unified empire. King of Atlan. I could guess that the name of the empire Zalmergus told me about was ‘Atlan.’

“He killed his colleague and my lover.”

Her tears made my heart sink. She closed her eyes and looked like she was reminiscing about the past. She continued speaking with a mixture of anger and self-scorn, “I was only 20 years old.”

An image started to flash before my eyes. A man in a unique outfit and a young man with white hair could be seen entering a store with colorful flowers.

“This is the hidden restaurant of Anemos, right?”

“Yes! That's right. I’m Flora, the chef here!”

The owner of the store was Flora. Her youthful appearance was shining white like a lily. My heart was pained as I remembered my youthful days.

“It is good we came. What is the best dish here?”

“Um, let’s see? They’re all delicious?”

“Haha. Then I’ll have to eat something that the chef recommends. Give me anything.”

They sat down in a corner of the store. Flora prepared the dishes right away, making wind flower soup and mixed wind flower salad. I admired her skillful cooking ability. By the way, who was that person...? The face of the man in the unique clothing was blurred. The white-haired handsome man had his face revealed but it was constantly cracking and turning invisible. I was curious about their identities but the video continued.

“Now, eat up.”

The finished dishes were placed on their table. I felt the smell piercing my nose. My tongue clicked at Union’s technology. I never thought I could even smell it. I shook my head and focused on the video again.

The two people ate the food and nodded, declaring it was delicious. Flora smiled as she served them. Suddenly, there were sparks. A momentary panorama passed and the screen showed the next day. It was Flora’s house.

“That’s enough for today.”

She was stroking an Aiolia flower like it was a baby. Every time she stroked it, the Aiolia shook and moved with gratitude. At this moment, someone knocked on the door.

Knock knock!

“Who is it?”

The door opened and the white-haired beauty who had just eaten Flora’s dishes appeared. The word ‘Aiolos’ was clearing floating above him. It seemed to be his name.

“Excuse me, this...” He placed a rainbow flower in her hand. His face was red and his hands trembled shyly. I could see he was nervous.

“Why are you giving this to me...?”

“I have fallen for you.”

“Oh my.”

He was a bold guy. He just made a confession like this. The video that followed was Aiolos confessing to Flora every day. However, Flora continued to push him away. “I’m a high elf. It isn’t my destiny to be with you.”

I didn’t know what a high elf was but it clearly wasn’t human. Nevertheless, Aiolos didn’t give up. His subsequent answer was worth seeing. “I’m also not human.”

Huh? He also wasn’t a human. Then the Flora in front of me wasn’t human? A question mark floated over my head as time passed on the screen and they became lovers. The lover she spoke about was Aiolos. They seemed happier than anyone else in the world. They loved each other. They weren’t human but they were more human than humans. However, it was only a matter of time before the atmosphere reversed.

“I'm sorry, Flora. I have to leave now. This is my destiny. However, I promise you. I will definitely come back. Even if I die, I will be with you for the rest of your life.”

Aiolos promised as he held her hand and Flora wiped away her tears as she handed him a heavy leather pouch. There was a question mark on his face.

“This is a wind flower seed. I named it after you. The flower is called Aiolia. Isn’t it a great name? I’ll wait. Whether it is 10 years or 100 years, I’ll wait for you. So don’t forget me.”

Thus, Aiolos left. Flora cried and had to bury her longing for the other person in her heart.

The panorama appeared again along with the sparks. 10 years passed...

Flora was still beautiful despite the changing mountains. She was doing her chores and her laundry when someone knocked on the door. “Who is it?”

The door opened and it was a man in a familiar outfit. His face was obscured and Flora made an uncertain look like she was searching through her memories.

“It has been a while, Flora. Do you remember me?”

“Are you Alexus...?”

My eyes instantly widened. Flora said ‘Alexus’ toward the man with the blurry face. Flora’s eyes grew wider and her expression was exactly the same as mine. “Where is Aiolos?”

Flora turned her head to look for Aiolos but she couldn’t find him. The only thing she could see were the soldiers standing behind Alexus in an orderly fashion.

“That person... isn’t here.”

“Huh? What...”

A soldier approached her and held out a fluffy cushion to her. On top of it was a rough, brown egg. Flora’s eyes shook ominously.

“...Please accept this.”

“Aiolos...?”

“I’m sorry. He has become an egg.”

Shit... I couldn’t help closing my eyes.

Flora slumped down in her chair. She was crying and wailing like her world had collapsed and I bit my lips.

“I’m sorry. Aiolos tried to save me and...” Alexus’ fists swelled like they would burst. His voice was full of regret and sorrow like he couldn’t believe the current situation. “He spoke to me. ‘I want to be by your side...if I die, know that I want to be with you. I’m sorry for being late... I will protect you by your side even if I die... I love you.’ He asked me to tell you that.”