"Huh? B-Boss is going back to the Royal Capital?"
Nora, seated at the dining table, turned her head to Ron with a startled expression after he casually announced he'd be heading to the capital soon.
Yuna also looked at Ron in confusion.
However, with two others present, she didn't let her true feelings show, nor did she voice any opinions.
After all, she was just a new hire who had only joined the flower shop not long ago.
"Your Highness Ron, is this trip to the Royal Capital for some matter that requires handling, or are you planning to return for good?"
Sylvie dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a napkin, her expression calm and composed.
"Uh… you don't have to overthink it," Ron said honestly. "I'm just planning to open a branch of Ron's Wonderful Flower Shop in the capital, that's all."
But clearly, no one at the table believed that.
Still, no one questioned him further during dinner. Ron had given a reason, and they weren't in a position to press him—
even if, in their eyes, it didn't sound very convincing.
Opening a branch might be true, but it probably wasn't the main reason.
—
After dinner.
As usual, Nora and Yuna went to the kitchen to do the dishes.
Yuna could easily sense the gloom lingering around the girl beside her—a kind of hazy, helpless sadness,
as if someone had suddenly shaken her awake from a sweet dream.
—
Back in the study, Ron had just sat down when Sylvie followed him in.
"Your Highness, if you're planning to return to the Royal Capital, I'd ask that you wait a few more days.
I need to inform the Archbishop so that the Church can assign someone to accompany you and ensure your safety."
"Mhm, no rush. I'll leave it to you guys." Ron didn't object.
Now that the seventh prince, the Chosen of the Harvest Goddess, was returning to the capital—
There was no way it would be a smooth trip.
Probes, tests, and targeted encounters would likely arise one after another.
When Ron André's original self left the capital, no one paid any attention.
Now, however, he was at the center of a web of interest, a small vortex separate from the greater whirlpool of the capital,
but clearly visible out here in the City of Chaos.
"If, aside from opening the flower shop branch, you have other plans to attend to, please do let us know in advance so we can make preparations."
Sylvie lowered her gaze slightly as she asked gently.
"I really am just going to open a branch…" Ron said, exasperated, unsure how else to explain.
"Alright, alright, fine. Besides the branch, I might also stop by to check on Mia's hotpot restaurant,
and probably meet with Kiel to talk about elemental card sales."
"Understood. I'll make a note of it." Sylvie nodded serenely, then added with solemnity:
"Your Highness, the Church of the Harvest Goddess will always be your backing. There are some things you can pursue boldly—no need to hold back."
"I really am just…" Ron groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Fine, I get it."
He had zero interest in the throne!
Why did everyone assume he was aiming for it?
Could no one see his humble, peace-loving, nature-worshipping heart that longed only for a leisurely life in the south?
Or… was it because he unconsciously radiated that aura of a destined protagonist—the Chosen One—without realizing it himself?
This was getting ridiculous.
Feeling a bit annoyed, Ron stood up and waved his hand. "Alright, let's go. Mason and the others should be arriving soon.
Time for some War of the Gods."
Sylvie, who had still been maintaining her prim, nun-like demeanor, couldn't help but brighten at the mention of War of the Gods.
Though she quickly suppressed her excitement.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she lowered her head and said softly,
"If you're really short on players… I suppose I can play a few rounds."
Ron laughed at her blatant tsundere act.
Just say you want to play—no need to be so roundabout…
"Let's go. Time to win back the hundreds of copper coins I've lost recently."
—
Night fell.
Like Lady Moon pulling on a pair of black stockings, the world dimmed—everything hidden beneath the dark folds of her gown.
Though she was at least wearing leggings underneath.
Sylvie battled deep into the night, eventually transforming her few hundred coins in losses into several thousand coins in winnings.
She returned to her room with a calm expression, despite the smug triumph barely concealed in her heart.
Ron stretched and sent Mason and the rest off from the bar.
Back on the second floor of the flower shop, he took a bath and then returned to his room to prepare for meditation.
But just as he lay down, a shadow formed on the ceiling.
A moment later, it coalesced into a small loli, who promptly dropped down onto his bed.
Ron looked at the tiny foot that had landed squarely on his stomach and said with a deadpan expression,
"Your nightgown's riding up."
"Pervert!" Yuna snapped—but even though she shouted, she didn't move her foot.
Instead, her bones gave a few sharp cracks as she transformed from a petite loli into a curvy older sister.
This time, the nightgown that had once covered her thighs suddenly barely reached her waist.
Moonlight slipped past the clouds and into the window, lighting up Ron's vision with a blinding expanse of soft, snow-white skin.
Ron reached out and grabbed Yuna's ankle, moving her foot aside as he sat up.
"What are you sneaking in here for again? Returning something?"
"Hey! I'm your aunt, not your belonging!"
Ron's face darkened. "I meant my book!"
"Oh~ that." Yuna sat cross-legged on the bed, her long white legs twisting around each other like twin serpents.
She pulled out a book from her chest storage space and tapped it meaningfully, her expression a sly smile.
"I didn't care about the other stuff, but this one… care to explain?"
"I thought you were into Edith, but turns out you've got thoughts about her sister instead?"
"Or maybe you're aiming for both?"
Ron glanced at the cover and confirmed that it was indeed the Illya Special Edition Illustration Booklet that Kiel had given him.
Even with his thick skin, Ron's face twitched. Embarrassed and annoyed, he lunged to grab it. "Give it back!"
"Nope~ Haha~" Yuna reacted instantly, her flexible waist bending backward like a broken reed as she held the booklet far behind her.
Ron, sitting in front of her, couldn't help licking his lips as he watched her twist herself into that pose.
In that moment, even the moonlight outside seemed to glow brighter.
"Hey! Where are you looking, you perv!"
Yuna spotted his gaze and pretended to be angry, shooting a long leg out and kicking Ron in the chest.
He fell back against the headboard, realizing there was no way he was getting the booklet back now.
All he could do was remind her, "Keep your voice down. Nora's in the next room."
"Now you're worried?" Yuna rolled her eyes, straightened up, and tucked the booklet back into her chest storage space.
Ron watched one of her undergarments flash silver and felt his eye twitch.
Then he sighed. "Did you seriously sneak in here just to mess with me in the middle of the night?"
"Of course not. You're the one who brought this up first. I wasn't even planning to mention it."
Yuna shot him a glare.
Then she stretched out her long legs and tapped his calves with her toes, frowning lightly.
"So… you're really going back to the Royal Capital?"