---1 month later---

"Aderyn!"

I looked back and saw Mrs. Guila. I smiled at her and hugged her the moment she arrived right in front of me.

"How are you faring child? Here, I baked some pies for you, knowing you, you must've been starving yourself in those unhealthy foods."

I chuckled and patted her shoulders "Ma'am, I am doing alright, I told you that everyone was as welcoming as you, they didn't let me feel awkward at all."

The middle-aged lady just sighed.

"Well if you say so, but if there's anything you need, come to my house alright? I'll be sure to provide you with anything that you need." I chuckled.

"Yes yes, and thank you for these pies!" The lady just nodded and headed off on her way home.

I sighed, it's been a month the time that I left Acrasia Empire for the Vatican. Now I'm living peacefully in the capital of the Vatican City, Calanthe.

Before coming here, I went to a guild to have them make me a fake identity card. It'll be hard for those who wanted to track me down because I am now of commoner status and my name is different.

Now, I am known as Aderyn. Aderyn, a florist...

I settled in a fine home, it was big enough for a family and I have a big yard in front, I planted various kinds of flowers there, while at the back, I have my growing vegetables there.

That's why I only spend a little amount of my money every month because I've been growing my food.

"Phew, I should probably open my shop now." I went inside and prepared my tools for gardening. I was about to carry them outside when someone knocked on the door.

I wonder who is it? I started to walk towards the door and then I opened it, only to be disappointed.

"Your Highness, Grand Duke..."

He smiled "Hi!"

I facepalmed and looked at his bright smiling face. "To what do I owe this visit?" I asked annoyed.

"Hmm? But I've been visiting you though?"

He's right, He caught me red-handed when I was boarding the ship to the Vatican. Coincidentally, he was also to go there to visit his Uncle which was a vessel of the Pope.

"I appreciate you hiding my whereabouts, but if you continue visiting me, there's a high chance that I'll be found in no time."

"Oh, I won't let that happen, from the moment you decided to run away, I make up my mind that I will take care of you and protect you."

I quit, convincing him was too much of a stress for me. I went to the kitchen counter and carried the gardening tools.

"Let me!"

"What!? H-How could I---"

Before I can even protest, he already snatched away the tools from me. He was the first one to go outside as if he'll be the one who will do the job. I sighed and followed after him.

"The roses bloomed beautifully." He commented as he watch me snip the other roses.

"Well, I took care of them carefully that's why..."

I was happy with my simple life, the neighbors were kind and caring. I'm so happy.

"Hmm, I wish I could be a rose."

"What?"

He pouted

"You know what, you have a bad habit of wanting someone to repeat their words even though you heard them clearly." I rolled my eyes.

"I'm just making sure if I heard it right."

"Excuses."

Glaring at him, I push him away "Aish! Go away already and do your job as the Grand Duke! Why're you even here wasting your time."

He stood up and stomped his feet on the soil "Hey!" Those soil that you stepped on is precious to me!

"Spending time with you will never be a waste of my time! Got it! Tch!" He suddenly stormed out of the front yard through my fence gate.

What is wrong with that guy?

I didn't mind him and continued to do my job diligently. I was almost finished snipping the dead roses and cutting the roses that beautifully bloomed when I noticed that it was so hot.

I looked up and saw the sun high up in the sky.

Before I can clean up the tools and the roses that I'm supposed to give away, I already find myself losing consciousness...

┈┈┈┈✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

"Hmm..." I opened my eyes and meet Ruslan's.

"Aderyn? How are you?" He asked.

Ruslan is a man, probably the same age as Regan.

"I'm okay, what happened? The last thing I remembered was fainting in my front yard." My head throbbed.

"Oh that, you collapsed due to heatstroke." He smiled.

"Don't you know how worried I was! Imagine seeing a person lying in their front yard as if they're dead!" Mrs. Guila exclaimed.

"Thank you for helping me."

She hugged me and rocked her body as if she were hugging a baby, I smiled as I hugged her back. She feels like my mother...

There were only three of us when Mrs. Guila decided to go on her way now since it was time to make dinner for her family. She also said that she'll send some for me so I don't need to cook for myself. I thank her and she only smiled brightly at me.

Now there's only me and Ruslan.

"Ahm, Aderyn?" He called, I looked at him, his face was cautious and he was a little bit nervous.

"Yes? What's wrong? You look sick, did you catch a cold from me? Then you should return now and head home."

"No, it's not that Aderyn." He looks like he's hesitating for some reason.

"Then... What is it that you want to tell me?" I asked. I saw him gulp down.

"I am well known in the Vatican for being a physician and as well as a priest. It was also well known that I had feelings for you the moment you appeared here. You also knew that right?"

I nodded.

"Back then, I don't feel anything out of ordinary the first time you fell ill. You still remembered that right?"

Yes, the first 2 days I moved here, I caught a cold. I remembered that Mrs. Guila took care of me with Ruslan.

"Yeah, why bring it up now?"

He frowned. He reached his hands towards my neck, his two fingers pressing the side of my neck.

He went back to his seat and sighed.

"It seems like you're pregnant..."

April 6, 2022