âNever mind, eat as many cakes as there are words in the Kingdom language as well as the Imperial language.â
Rieta tried to make excuses by saying, âBecause itâs not my story!â several more times, but Noel didnât listen to her.
It was only after she had finished eating that she realized that the two of them were attracting the attention of all the guests.
Apparently, it seemed strange that two children came without an adult to eat cake and drink tea.
Besides, Noelâs mature actions must have looked interesting.
Anyway, the two left the pleasant gazes behind them and headed for their next destination.
It was a large place that was said to have worked with the Imperial family. If one were to go deep inside, there would be a greenhouse for flowers.
The children took off their coats, gloves and scarves and peered around the greenhouse in rather light clothes.
Of course, the purpose was to find the flowers that Noel gave her that day.
The flower shop owner said, âI heard that there is a flower you are looking for. Can I help you if you tell me the shape?â but the two shook their heads.
Treasure hunting was fun to do on their own.
âNoel, look at this. Itâs the same flower that Hugh McLean gave me yesterday.â
âWow, thatâs ugly.â
âReally? Itâs pretty in my eyes.â
âIt smells a bit musty. I donât like it.â
Noel said so, but his heart was very uncomfortable.
He thought that he had to slowly let out the words that were stuck in his throat.
He leaned over and stared at Rieta, who sniffed the scent of the flowers, and chose his words as to how to begin the story.
Then Rieta will ask what youâre sorry about.
After that, if I explain to her the situation slowly, Rieta wonât be angry with me.
Most of all, hadnât Rieta said that she had the âbest friendshipâ with him?
Therefore, Noelâs faults should be understood with an open mind.
Okay, Iâll say it around that corner.
He decided where to start his story, and followed Rieta nervously.
âOh, Noel, look at this!â
But when they got to the corner, Rieta grabbed his collar and pointed at a strange-looking flower, which prevented him from speaking.
âIt looks just like a lid top. Very interesting, isnât it?â
âYes. Itâs just like the top of the Princessâs hair.â
âItâs a head cover!â
âHmm? In the Empire, this is called a âtopâ.â
Noel spoke seriously, tapping the top of his head.
âAh, youâre not fooled. You used to be deceived all the time.â
Rieta slapped Noelâs arm. âThatâs too much!â
The unfair expression on her face was so funny that Noel forgot about the apology ahead and laughed out loud.
Noel spotted a familiar bunch of flowers.
As he pointed, Rieta quickly confirmed that direction.
âI think thatâs right!â
The girl was delighted and she hurried to the flower.
It was this flower for sure.
Ske had stared straight at it while she was lying sick in bed, so she couldnât be wrong.
Rieta buried her face between the large flowers and took a deep breath.
âIt smells very sweet. Itâs like candy . . .â
At the sound of muttering in a voice that seemed to melt, Noel also brought his nose closer to the flower.
The rustling petals touched the tip of his nose and it tickled. The scent was really good.
There was no comparison with the flowers Hugh McLean gave.
When he agreed, Rieta lifted her head slightly and smiled.
âThen Noel can answer the people now. Right?â
Because he said that the people of the Empire had asked him about Rietaâs favorite flower.
âActually, I had already decided on the answer.â
âOh, Princess Rieta likes cakes more than flowers, so Iâll ask them to buy you something to eat.â
Rieta was about to say he was too much, but she paused.
Come to think of it, he wasnât exactly wrong. Rieta did like to eat.
But she also liked flowers.
âAnyway, letâs go home now. You said you were using that card today?â
Noel asked the staff to pick up the coat, which Rieta had taken off.
After putting on her cloak, Rieta puts on her gloves and puts on her muffler as well.
The employee was almost surprised, and handed over the brooch that Noel gave her yesterday.
She actually tried to pin her brooch on the muffler.
With it in her coat pocket, she completely forgot.
Rieta nodded her head to receive the kindness of the employee.
When the employee put on the cute ribbon-shaped brooch, the muffler seemed to look even better.