It was mid-February, and winter was coming to a close. Flowers were generally a luxury item at this time of year. Few bloomed in February, and greenhouses were rare. The royal palace had one, as did the estates of some noble families, but the types of flowers that could be grown in them were limited. However, going to great lengths to gift these rare flowers was precisely why they showed the depth of one’s love.
I was touched when I first heard the explanation. I remembered it as if it were yesterday. However, it had already been late autumn at the time. If it had become known this was a custom in the realm of the gods, there would have undoubtedly been chaos as people fought to obtain flowers. Thus, I had decided to wait until just after the next February 14th before announcing it, so that people would have a year to prepare.
“Would it be all right if I personally gave Lieselotte flowers this year, though?” I felt my lips curve into a smile.
“Excuse me, Your Highness.” Lieselotte gracefully lowered her head. “You said you wished to see me?”
“Yes, thank you for coming. And I’m sorry, Lieselotte. I was going to visit you myself.”
“I am well aware of how busy you are, and there is also the security detail to consider. I thought it would make more sense for me to hurry here instead.”
I could only force an awkward smile at my overly serious fiancée. There were no classes today, and I had sent a messenger to inform her of my visit in advance. Yet rather than reply, she had come to my room in the palace.
Where to begin? Her unexpected visit had thrown off my plans. I thought carefully about what to say.
“Um, I heard from Lady Kobayashi before that today, February 14, is the day her world’s saint of love was martyred. They commemorate it with a festival called Valentine’s Day.”
“Oh, is that so? We ought to celebrate it here as well, then.”
“That is my intention, but there’s a small problem... Yes, I imagine it’d be better to tell Art so he can let the Church know, but he’s the one person who isn’t allowed to know today.”
If my playboy of a best friend knew, he would likely walk around scattering flowers everywhere. They were already hard to obtain at this time of year, so it wouldn’t be good if he were to buy all of them up on a whim. Probably.
“A...problem?” Lieselotte asked, puzzled.
I snapped back to attention. “Yes, today is apparently a day to profess and celebrate love. However, the way it’s commemorated in the realm of the gods is a bit difficult to replicate here.”
“Difficult...” Lieselotte muttered in a dark tone of voice, her expression stern.
I hurriedly put on a smile. “No, it’s not difficult for me. However, it would be a bit of a challenge for most civilians, and if everyone were to do it at the same time, it would disrupt the market.”
My fiancée tilted her head.
I grinned. “Today is...a day when men give flowers to women as an expression of love.” I held out the bouquet.
She gasped and turned bright red.
“Will you accept them?” I asked, nervous.
Lieselotte’s hands trembled slightly as she reached for the flowers. “I’m...so happy.” The moment she took them, her soft, barely audible voice suddenly became fierce. “F-Flowers during a period of time when they’re difficult to obtain? I’d expect no less from the gods! Even if that weren’t the case, there is no woman who would not be delighted to receive flowers, yet men do not give them unless they have a reason to! I think it’s an extremely wonderful custom! Yes, I’m sure there will be a scramble to procure flowers next year. Noblemen may even compete to see who can give the rarest flowers, making prices soar...”
Even without the Voices of the Gods, I could tell my fiancée was doing her utmost to hide her embarrassment.
Lieselotte glared when she saw me chuckle. “Are you listening, Your Highness? Personally, I believe a law must be enacted to prohibit excessive harvesting of wild plants.”
“Yes, I understand. The festival will be announced after thorough discussions with the related parties.” I laughed.
Lieselotte looked down, upset.
“I’m more interested in hearing your impressions right now. Did you like the bouquet, future crown princess?”
My fiancée blushed so quickly, I felt as if I had heard a poof. She bit her lip and averted her gaze. “The focal flowers are lirenes, I see.”
“Yes, I went for a white color scheme centered around lirenes. Um, I did consider if it would be better to use rarer flowers, but...”
Lieselotte shook her head. “Lirenes are more than rare enough. I’d never even seen one before Her Majesty gave me one. You can’t find them anywhere else.”
“Yet, strangely enough, they bloom all around the palace regardless of the season.” I chuckled.
My fiancée finally smiled.
“I feel proud that you always wear one of these flowers in your hair.” I touched her head and she froze. “You said it’s only a coincidence that it matches my royal seal, and that my mother gave it to you because it repels magic. However, I’m proud that my representative flower is protecting you. It’s as if I’m showing off you’re important to me, and that makes me happy. I feel that way every time I see the flower in your hair.”
Lieselotte said nothing, still blushing and frozen in place.
I slowly stroked her hair. “In order to express my feelings, it had to be these flowers. I’m sorry they’re no better than what you already have, but—”
She suddenly grabbed my hand that was petting her. “It’s not...a coincidence,” she said in a low voice.
Um, what is she referring to? What coincidence?
“I-I’m your fiancée...and I make an effort to wear your flower in my hair. Th-That...” She trembled. “That could only be because I love you, Sieg!”
She tugged my hand, pulling me into a tight hug. I instinctively wrapped my arms around her back.
“Everyone else already knew that! Obviously, I’m very happy to wear this flower. It’s my treasure! Ugh, I just...love you so much!”
Lieselotte continued to cry out as she held me tightly. I could see the tip of her ear, and it was terribly red. As I hugged my fiancée—who was as shy and adorable as ever—I secretly offered a prayer of gratitude to the goddess who had bestowed this happiness upon me.