𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓 ( wmmap )

00. Miss Florist

“Since when were you interested in flowers?”

Your nephew flinched. Startled by your unexpected appearance behind him. Well, it is your shop after all.

You walked beside him with a basket in hand full of fruits and bread to feed the both of you.

“What do you mean, Auntie? I’ve always loved your flowers.” Kaius awkwardly laughs it off. Continuing to arrange the set of colorful flowers he picked.

“Hah, stop joking.” 

You eye the trail of trimmed stems on the ground. It’s a mess in your shop. Thank the heavens it’s the holiday. There were also oddly cut papers, which you guess were saved for the wrap of his bouquet.

“Roses… Do you fancy someone, perhaps?” 

“Wha— No!”

“Wow. You used to be this small snotty boy that always hugged my legs for comfort. Now, you’re hitting the stage of puberty!” You clap as you shake your head with a teasing smirk. “My brother would be so proud of his son.” You added.

“ARGH— It’s for our neighbor. It was a man and his daughter. They just moved in, and I thought… maybe I could give them some sort of welcoming gift…”

“For the daughter?”

“...”

“Ahh, it must be nice to be young.” 

You giggle, patting his fluffy ash blond hair. From behind, you can see his ears and nape turn into bright red hues from embarrassment.

୨୧

To your dismay, the holiday would take a whole week of celebration. That means ‘no opening of the flower shop’ for you, and less income! Although, to be fair, many people hoarded your flowers to decorate their houses and stores before the festival happened.

It was because all the people in the city were bustling with happiness after the only star of the Obelia Empire was crowned to be the next in line to the throne. 

Mieta was indeed far from the Capital City, but it was still a city ruled by the royal family. It’s only normal for everyone to celebrate in joy for a prosperous future.

Though, you weren’t that interested. You only ever cared for your garden and your precious flower shop, anyways. Everyone knew that.

“—But why the heck did they have to live on top of the mountain…” Here you are, struggling to climb a mountain top to reach your favorite brother’s humble abode.

Not like you had any other younger brother.

It’s not like you’re friendless or anything. Your friends (read: acquaintances) are just currently not available to accompany your lonely day. Again, you’re not friendless, okay?!

Truth be told, may it be saddening, aside from attending and working at your flower shop — you had no other things to tend to! Especially now that it’s temporarily closed.

Whenever moments like this happen, you always end up staying over at your younger brother’s house. Keithlan, the father of your nephew who visited you just a few days ago.

Even though Keith would always nag you about your relationship status. He always told you that at your age, you should already marry a man and build a family of your own — in which you would frown at and ignore by sleeping in the bedroom your sister-in-law prepared.

I have my own job. I don’t need a husband! Tsk.

You can already see the houses from your distance, but your gasps were just too heavy that you decided to sit down on a large stone that was near you.