At the flower stall, Thomas sits alone behind the wooden counter, slowly rearranging the bouquets on the shelves. He adjusts each stem with his hands, straightening them carefully, occasionally bending down to check if any bloom has withered earlier than expected. The street outside is noticeably quieter, with only a few hurried passersby.
Thomas lets out a soft breath and leans back against his chair. He waits for Cassius and Emily to return with the flowers, already thinking about what he will cook for the two of them tonight.
Not long after, the wooden door leading into the stall opens.
Thomas immediately looks up, his expression easing.
"You're back already? Did anything dangero-"
He stops mid-sentence.
Standing before him are not the two familiar children, but a middle-aged man dressed neatly in a butler's attire. The man stands straight, composed, his hands folded neatly in front of him.
"I hope my sudden appearance does not cause you any displeasure" the man says, raising his right hand to his chest and bowing slightly.
Thomas sits up straighter, his expression turning cautious.
"You look like someone who serves a noble" he says.
"What business brings you to a small-time flower seller like me?"
"Good day, Mr. Thomas" the butler replies with a polite smile.
"Since we are both adults, allow me to speak directly."
"Today, I come because my young lady is very fond of the bouquets you create"
"She wishes to invite you to become her personal caretaker of flowers"
Before Thomas can respond, the butler continues
"You will be in charge of the flowers at the residence of Marquis Prisce"
The name makes Thomas freeze for a brief moment.
'Prisce?' The words catch him off guard. 'Isn't that the noble house ranked just below the ruling Duke Eclipse family of the Northern region?'
Thomas remains silent for a few seconds, then shakes his head.
"I am only a small flower seller" he says plainly "I do not believe I am qualified to manage a marquis's garden"
"You will not be working alone" the butler replies immediately
"The estate already has staff. You will only oversee the main arrangements, those that concern the young lady"
"I am not young anymore" Thomas adds. "My health is not what it used to be. Work in a noble estate is not something I can easily keep up with"
"The workload can be adjusted" the butler answers calmly "The schedule and responsibilities can be arranged to suit you"
Thomas frowns.
"I have two children to take care of" he says more slowly "I cannot be far away from them."
"The estate provides accommodations" the butler responds "The two children may come with you"
He looks at Thomas and continues, no longer circling around the matter.
"Your salary will be ten Gold per month"
Thomas inhales quietly
Ten Gold
Familiar numbers flash quickly through his mind. No matter how carefully the three of them budget, they have never spent even one Gold in a single month. Ten Gold… is more than ten times what they need to live.
Thomas lowers his head slightly, his hands resting on his thighs, tightening almost imperceptibly.
He thinks of Cassius and Emily. He thinks of their simple meals, the inexpensive but familiar dishes. He thinks of his own body growing slower each year, his hands sometimes trembling when the weather turns cold.
He knows he will not have the strength to care for the two children as he does now… not forever.
"Mr. Thomas" the butler says, his voice softer than before. "My young lady does not simply like flowers. She values things that are nurtured with patience. And I believe you are such a person"
Thomas lifts his head.
After a long pause, he exhales, as if making a very heavy decision.
"…Give me time to think"
The butler shakes his head slightly.
"I am afraid my young lady desires an answer soon."
Thomas looks toward the flower shelves, then back at the man.
"Very well" he says, his voice low but firm. "I accept"
The butler smiles and bows once more.
"I believe you will not regret this."
The man then takes a neatly folded sheet of paper from inside his coat and places it on the counter before Thomas.
"This is the contract I have prepared for you" he says. "Please review the terms and sign."
Thomas takes the paper and slowly unfolds it. His eyes move across each line, each number written neatly and clearly.
'Duration… three months'
He pauses.
'That's short'
'Short enough that it does not resemble a long-term invitation at all'
Thomas continues reading, but an uneasy feeling has already settled in his chest. The contract is too neat, too temporary, as if they only intend to "try using" him for a short while.
Then the image of the noble girl from yesterday suddenly surfaces in his mind, the way her gaze lingers far too intently, never leaving Cassius.
'Prisce…'
'She must be a daughter of that house.'
'And perhaps… this is because of Cassius'
Thomas folds the contract lightly and lifts his head to look straight at the butler.
"As you said" he speaks, his voice calm but firm
"We are both adults. There is no need to go around in circles"
The butler remains standing upright, showing no surprise.
"Looking at the term of this contract" Thomas continues "The most reasonable conclusion I can draw… is that your young lady has taken an interest in my nephew"
The air falls silent for a moment.
The butler neither denies nor confirms it. He simply says
"The young lady has interests of her own"
Thomas tightens his grip on the paper in his hand.
"He is just a child" he says more quietly "I have no intention of taking him to a place where he will become an object of scrutiny"
"I understand your concern" the butler replies "But please, look at all the clauses that follow"
Thomas looks back at the contract and opens it again.
"The young lady has no intention of directly interfering in the boy's life" the butler says. "There are no clauses related to Cassius. No requirements for private contact, no compulsory conditions"
Thomas reads more carefully. It is exactly as stated
"Furthermore" the butler continues "During the contract period, you and the two children will reside in a separate wing, isolated from the main estate. You will have full authority to refuse any request that makes you uncomfortable"
Thomas remains silent.
"If after three months you find the arrangement unsuitable" the butler adds "You may leave immediately, taking all the wages you have received. There will be no further obligations"
Thomas looks down at the final lines
Ten Gold per month.
Accommodation.
Right of withdrawal.
He closes his eyes for a brief moment.
"Do you guarantee it?" Thomas asks. "That the boy will not be forced to do anything"
"I guarantee it" the butler replies without hesitation.
After a long pause, Thomas opens his eyes. He takes the pen prepared on the counter and signs his name at the bottom of the contract.
"Three months" he says. "Only three months."
The butler bows his head.
"As agreed."
—
On the forest path, Emily walks a little ahead. She moves slowly, watching the small stones under her feet. The ground is still damp, carrying the scent of dry leaves and moss
Rimi pads along behind her. Emily hears the soft rustle of leaves behind her and knows Cassius is still walking with her, even without turning back.
After a while, Cassius comes up to walk beside her. Emily feels more at ease. She keeps a steady pace, her arm swinging lightly with her steps.
Rimi soon climbs up onto her. Emily looks down at her arms, Rimi is being held against her chest, sprawled out like a lazy child.
"You're getting heavier and heavier, Rimi"
"Meow?"
Rimi looks up at Emily, her golden eyes narrowing slightly.
"What is that look supposed to mean?"
Emily adjusts her hold to make it more comfortable. The black cat does not cooperate much.
"You're really heavy" Emily continues "At this rate, you're practically a third of my weight"
Rimi's face looks even more displeased.
Emily finds it funny. Using one hand, she carefully gives a light squeeze to Rimi's slightly round belly.
Immediately, Rimi jerks. Her front and back legs flail in the air.
"Hey-"
Emily has no choice but to let go. Rimi drops to the ground, landing neatly as if nothing has happened.
The black cat lifts her head and stares at Emily, golden eyes flashing with anger. Then she crouches and launches herself straight at Emily's legs.
Emily does not dodge.
"So cute" she murmurs.
Rimi's headbutt does not hurt at all. Emily lightly kicks a bit of sand toward the cat. This time, Rimi avoids it. She steps back, lowers her body, and prepares to pounce again.
Then Rimi suddenly freezes.
The cat stares intently at something behind Emily.
Seeing this, Emily turns around.
Cassius is no longer walking beside her.
He stands a few steps back, completely still. His gaze is fixed on the ground, as if he is staring at something far away.
Emily immediately turns and walks quickly toward him. She lightly pats his arm.
"Hey, Cassius, what's wrong?"
There is no response.
Emily pats him again, a little harder this time. Rimi also comes closer, lifting her head to look at Cassius.
This time, Cassius startles. He blinks, as if waking from a dream, then looks around.
"What day is it today?" Emily asks at once.
Cassius thinks for a moment, then answers,
"Tuesday… right?"
Emily shakes her head.
"No. Today is Thursday"
"Oh… is it?" Cassius scratches his head.