“Hhhoow is ittt?”

The zombie wobbled its head, as is its wont, its rotten eyes staring at its unfamiliar master.

Arthur was half-kneeling and inspecting the cramped place. Were it not for the torch he had brought, there would be no illumination. Nevertheless, taking into account its limited faculties, the zombie did an impressive job.

“Very good. There’s only one more left and we’ll be done.”

“Wwhaaat? Onne morre? Buttt I wannt to have ffun!”

“I already told you. We will.. soon.”

Arthur the hard-working zombie’s shoulder and urged him to continue, which it did, though with apparent reluctance.

Once his daily inspection was done, Arthur went back to the basement and checked the rabbit.

With the use of his skill: [Blood Succor], Arthur had the ability to transform other beings into half-vampires. However, the procedure was much more difficult than the magical System let on. So far, he had only tested it on living rabbits and figured out that a specific amount of Blood was required. Too little or too much will eventually lead to the death of the subject, unfortunately.

The only successful subject so far had been this imprisoned rabbit. It had calmed down from its initial erratic and highly-aggressive, but it still needed to be fed Blood on a regular basis. Arthur had the option to obtain animal blood but, ultimately, sacrificed his blood instead.

In hopes of seeing improvement, whether in the animal’s behavior and physical prowess. Sure enough, his experiment did not disappoint for the rabbit became docile though still slightly unfriendly. As for its strength, Arthur has yet to see it in action and did not want to expose it to other people. Evelyn knowing about its existence was enough for now.

Once he was feeding the rabbit, Arthur went to have lunch then left the estate. Of course, he was accompanied by his loyal maid, Evelyn.

"Any destination in mind, Master?”

“Not particularly. I’m just taking a tour to relax.”

“...”

The way she looked at him made it clear that she did not believe him. Nevertheless, she did not insist as she deemed it pointless to make him talk.

In fact, it was not uncommon for nobles to visit the Commercial Street of Wilsden Town, which was bustling with all kinds of people. The markets were lucrative even to the wealthy as they hold flashy artifacts, luxurious clothes, and slaves, though the latter were located at the edge of the settlement.

Arthur wandered the busy streets, paying very little attention to the stalls or the food. Before long, he stopped in front of a shabby florist shop situated in an alleyway between two large buildings.

The shop wasn’t properly decorated and there was barely any room to display the colorful flowers and roses. Arthur did not seem to mind, however, as he fixed clothes then stepped inside only to get assaulted by a strong scent of plants.

“G-greetings, customer.”

An elderly woman politely bowed and welcomed the noble and his maid inside. Instead of offering some advice, she only kept a friendly smile and let him look for himself. After all, it was not uncommon for Nobles to get irritated when shop owners butt into their affairs while trying to display their products.

To make matters worse, Leonis Sanguis, although he rarely leaves home, was still a recognizable person. His striking dark red hair was unique, thus every time he actually goes outside, words swiftly spread and some fearful shop owners and merchants would go as far as temporarily closing their businesses.

Arthur spent two to three minutes carefully inspecting each stack of flowers, seeming invested, much to his maid’s surprise.

“Excuse me.”

As he called for the shop owner, the old woman sprung into action. She cautiously approached him and kept her head bowed.

“Y-yes?"

“Do you perchance have the Sky Blooms?”

“A-ah… I think I might have a couple at the back, my lord.”

“Great. I’d like to buy one.”

“Yes!”

Glad that she was going to sell something, the elderly scurried to the back of the shop and hastily returned with five flowers. They were grey and seemed withered, almost about to die out.

“These are all I have.”

She put them on the counter and, with newfound excitement, hopefully looked at Arthur.

“How much will it be?”

“I-it’s… 10 coppers for each.”

Evelyn was about to step up to pay but Arthur raised his hand.

“I will take one. You can keep the rest.”

Arthur took out a small leather pouch from the pocket of his vest and softly put it on the counter. The woman stretched her hand to take it but he stopped her by saying,

“I assure you it’s the right amount.”

He smiled at her, grabbed one of the flowers, then excused himself along with the maid. Only when she was sure that the man was done did the woman stretch her hands again and checked the pouch.

A gasp escaped her mouth as she found ten gold coins resting inside, shinier than the expected copper. Although tempted, the old woman chased after Arthur only to find the alleyway empty.

With the pouch still in her shaky hands, she mumbled something while staring at the remaining Sky Blooms.

…

“This is for you.”

Caught off-guard, Evelyn stared at the Sky Bloom then at her master.

“Master?”

“A gift of our, as of yet, unofficial friendship.”

“Master, you do know that Sky Blooms are bad omens, right?”

“Bah! Such sayings are rambling of ignorant drunkards, but I digress. You will accept it, yes?”

The maid, for quite a while, stood there without any kind of response. Only when he stuffed it into her hand did she snap out of it. She seemed hesitant but eventually wrapped it with a clean cloth then carefully put it in her largest pocket.

“Did you come all this way to buy this flower, Master?”

“Hmm, I wonder? If you have time, maybe you should read about it. It’s good to vasten your knowledge.”

“...”-Evelyn

****

“Good job, you two!”

Upon returning to the manor, Arthur greeted the two young guards, Sakker and Joshua. The two responded with a friendly wave as they opened the gate.

“Don’t wear yourselves, it’s quite sunny today. I’ll ask Chef Holms to prepare cold drinks for you.”

“Thank you, my lord!”

“Thank you!”

After his little chat with the youngsters, Arthur holed himself in his office and only left at dusk.

“Master, all documents have been signed and sent to Lord Lerandal. You should receive the full payment tomorrow morning.”

"Good.”

With his eyes still on the book, Arthur nodded to the maid.

“What about the wine we brought already? All sold too?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Mind telling me the recipients again?”

Evelyn bowed, left for a minute before returning with a bunch of papers. While her master was engrossed in his book, she started,

“The Baron bought 40 bottles, each for 45 gold for a total sum of 1800 Blakin Gold Coins. Lord Lerandl bought 20 bottles, each for 40 Gold for a total of 800 Blakin Gold Coins. Lord Baltyr bought 25 bottles, each for 50 Gold for a total of 1000 Gold Coins. Madam Samsa bought 10 bottles, each for 50 Gold for a total of 100 Blakin Gold Coins. Lord Tarson and Lord Erson were, as you ordered, denied to buy any.”

“I see… 4100 Blakin Golds. I have 2200 in my Vault and 3500 will come from the Wine Farm, is that right?”

“Yes, Master. The total will be 9800 Blakin Gold Coins. However, we have yet to account for the valuables you put for sale.”

“If they are sold quickly then that’s good. If not then…”

“Then?”

“Haha, nevermind.”

At last, Arthur put down the book and shifted his undivided attention to Evelyn.

“Have you completed the Servants’ ledger? With full names and ages?”

“Yes. Shall I bring it now?”

“I’m quite hungry right now. We’ll do it after dinner.”

“As you wish, Master.”

…

“The breeze is cold tonight.”

Arthur was relaxing on his balcony with Evelyn. Despite his insistence, the maid refused to sit down, she kept piercing him with her inquisitive gaze, ever demanding answers with her brooding silence.

“You have an exceptionally good handwriting, by the way. Were you taught how to read and write?”

“Please stop asking about my past, Master. It is getting tiresome.”

“I was not, though. ‘Twas but a question born of honest curiosity.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that it’s concerning my past.”

“Fair enough. I apologize.”

Not expecting him to actually apologize, Evelyn mumbled quiet and inaudible words. Their conversation did not last long as Arthur read the ledger and started writing down on it after making sure the maid could not see anything.

Eventually, Evelyn gave up on trying to see and disappeared for a bit only to return with a warm coat, one which she put on Arthur. However, he was so focused on the ledger that he did not notice.

Time slowly passed but Evelyn did not seem tired or bored. She kept looking at her master even after he unconsciously fell asleep with one arm holding the pain. She contemplated her choices then softly nudged him till he woke up and properly went to bed…

****

“M-mother?!”

Astonished to her elderly mother standing near the manor’s gate, Elyna freaked out. While frantically looking around, afraid that someone might spot her.

“What are you doing here?”

“My sweet daughter, it’s been a while since you came home. You’re eating well, right?”

“Yes yes! I’m working now so It’s not a good time to tal-”

“I know I know!”

The elderly woman did not want to cause trouble but she had to come here and inform her daughter. After getting pulled to a quiet corner a distance away from the manor, she recounted to her daughter what happened yesterday; About how Leonis Sanguis, the man her daughter works for, visited her shop and paid ten Gold Coins for a single Sky Bloom.

“Are you sure it’s him?

Elyna had a deep frown on her face as she looked at her joyful mother.

“Where is the gold now?”

“Why?”

“...”

“You can’t be thinking about returning it, are you?”

As she figured out her daughter’s thoughts, the mother snorted and said,

“It’s too late for that now. I spent half to buy medicine for your father… his health has been deteriorating as of late. If we spend it sparingly, the rest should allow us to live like normal people, at least.”

“Mother… if you need money I’ll give yo-”

“What nonsense! You should spend it on yourself and think about the future. Your father and I are living well. Anyway, if you have the chance then thank Lord Leonis.”

The mother did not give Elyna time to react as she kissed her on the cheek and scurried away while chuckling.

The maid stood there for a long time, thinking back to her private conversation with her master.

***

Once she tucked her master to bed and made sure the ledger was put on the desk and the balcony doors closed, Evelyn retreated to her room, but not after ‘borrowing’ a certain book from Leonis’ library in his office.

She did not immediately go to sleep, she sat on the desk, in which a singular torch illuminated most of the tidy but shabby room.

Before checking the content she seeks in the book, the maid looked at the Sky Bloom, which sat inside a glass cup filled with a bit of water.

‘Botanist and Scholar Antony Jairto Of Donkrig: Introductory book I: Herbology.

The Sky Blooms: A peculiar type of flower, one rumored to change colors in specific circumstances related to its owner (However, non-documented information that is still not verified will not be taken into account in this introduction.).

This flower was first discovered in the 3rd Era, year 57, at the blasted Northern wastes of the Demon Continent(though it should be noted that its appearance precedes the naming of the continent subsequent to the arrival of the Demon Race).

The Sky Blooms are, almost always, in a withered state and colored grey. Due to its- I quote- ‘ugly appearance’, it is often said that it is a bad omen to any and all who accidentally stumble upon it.

However, that could not be farther from the truth. Sky Blooms are, in fact, a unique type of flower imbued with a minuscule amount of Spiritual Magic, thus rendering it susceptible to the emotions of its owner.

A study done in the 5th era, year 10147, Botanist and Archeologist Edward Boulard discovered one of the unique properties of Sky Blooms. During its lifetime, speculated to be between five to ten years, the flower will choose a person in its proximity and design it as its ‘owner’. If it gets too far away, it immediately turns into dust, but if it is well nurtured by said individual, it could bloom brightly and change into a resplendent green color.

Edward Boulard said that the Sky Blooms depict its owner’s emotional state through the Spiritual Magic lingering inside of it. Once it chooses an owner, an intangible connection will be formed between the two, though there is no way to know when this ‘connection’ is actually made. Some would spend their lifetimes near the Sky Blooms and never notice a change.

Like many flowers, Sky Blooms hold meaning to those knowledgeable enough about it: In its neutral and natural state, it means nothing, but once it blooms and shines, it portrays its owner's emotions and- most specifically- love. Love for oneself and the world.

(Personally, as someone who agrees only with facts and evidence, I tend to believe in those rumors and sayings. Not because it makes me feel hopeful but because I have witnessed the beautiful sight of an ‘active’ Sky Bloom. Oh! How its owner was happy at that time… to think a flower could convey emotions in such a breathtaking way.’)

NOTE: We have yet to determine the origin of the name ‘Sky Bloom’ and while the second word makes sense, the first one still confuses all Botanists.’