"Surprise her with a kiss!" I exclaimed, catching him by surprise.

"What?" He took a step back when I sprang up to him to say that straight to his face, even more so when the weight of my words hit him.

He was now staring at me with a distinct look that very much asks if I did say what I told him just now.

Crossing my arms, I added, "Girls like us don't believe in slow wooing at this age. Flowers? We have a whole garden of that in our own homes, come on. Sweet poems of love? Ew. Just tell us that we're a Goddess and that you love us directly, don't take detours..."

"How did our conversation get here?" Conrad mumbled as his face fell but I was already unstoppable.

"Waiting for the right time? Fvck that!–"

"... Wow..."

"–Grab the opportunity that the God of love gave you and don't dilly dally. Kiss her!" I took a step forward and he took a step back and it was as if we're dancing– "Did you two even kiss yet? For these three long years?" I inquired.

Conrad began to shake his head, "Nads, you're looking kinda crazy right now and had been saying outrageous things since a while ago..."

"I'm saying that Gwen is done waiting for your slow ass and she wants romance, you dummy!"

You know that feeling when there are two people in your group, who's clearly an item and then you ship them so hard but nothing's happening? Exactly. That's what I feel.

Conrad stared at me as if I had grown another head. He looked traumatized, period. But it's fine, I know that he's used by my crazy episodes sometimes. I still stand on what I said though.

For heaven's sake, they are a couple! I would bet my entire collection of jewelry that they still haven't held hands yet. What is this slow-burning romance? I don't want it!

Conrad didn't react and had remained tight-lipped, for that, my earlier enthusiasm crashed down to the ground.

I averted my eyes and changed the topic instead.

"You know, this garden is amazing. Especially this part," and smiled at the lovely roses– "Goodness, I have never seen a rose this big! Look at this shade of red, so pretty!"

Conrad cleared his throat, "Ahem... Well, these are called Grandiflora. I planted them myself..."

"You did? Wow..."

"I can give you some if you want..."

Hearing that, my eyes flashed brightly in excitement.

"Really? Thank you! I love them! I didn't know you're into flowers, Conrad."

There it was again, his lazy smile, "Hmm not really... These roses are the only things I planted and nothing else."

"Is that so?"

So he only likes roses? Or is this some sort of experiment?

Conrad leaned forward to the bushes and plucked one rose. I didn't bother paying him attention and was just looking at the roses and admiring them, obviously. And then suddenly, I was taken by surprise when I felt something was being put on my left ear. I straightened my back and patted the side of my head, only to feel the rose that Conrad had personally picked.

Wha...

I glanced at him with wide eyes, feeling rather complicated.

"Y-you don't have to do that... But thanks."

Damn, that was a little weird.

Conrad hummed as he stared at me with narrowed eyes.

"The flower does resemble your eyes."

"And?" My left brow raised from his comment.

"I'm planning to send a bouquet to Nathan as a joke for his birthday but... he would only throw them away," he then explained, looking rather serious for his supposed idea.

He wants to give Nathan flowers? Whaaaat? Hahaha, that's so stupid. My brother would really just throw them away as he said.

"He won't take anything unless it's from me so don't waste it!" I remarked.

What can I say? Nathan is a cold man that doesn't care about others except for his own people. I remembered back in the academy, the ladies can't even give him something because he refuses them all. But he takes what I give him.

'He better...'

Conrad's eyes thinned as he stared at me, "It's prettier than you, though."

"What the heck... That's so unnecessary!" and smacked his arm right there and then.

How dare he compare my beauty to a flower? Didn't he know that I'm called the Empire's Rose?

'Wait, eww. That title is cringe.'

On the other side, Gwen was standing beside a hydrangea bush, staring at the two people who were laughing in harmony. Her face didn't register what she was thinking of, only a blank slate of nothingness.

After a few seconds, her feet started bringing her to them. The two must have noticed someone else's presence, both turned towards the newly arrived Gwen. Nadia smiled brightly at her, showing that she's truly happy to see her.

"Why are you both having fun without me?"

"You're back!" Nadia called out happily.

Gwen glanced at Conrad and slightly curtsied, "Your grace."

"What. Why are you being so polite to this guy? Call him by his name. It's only the three of us here, no one will point out anything."

"I'm training to be a perfect duchess, Nadia. So I should uphold my values any time."

"Eh? Are you saying you're going to call him your grace even after you're married?"

Gwen sputtered, "T-That's..."

"See?" Nadia teased– "Anyway, we were just talking about these roses. Apparently, Conrad planted them."

Gwen stared at the rose bush and smiled.

"Yes. He also waters them every morning and before the sun sets..."

"Seriously? So dedicated..." Nadia mumbled and glanced at the subject.

"He really likes them," Gwen put an emphasis on the word really, enunciating it.

Conrad slightly frowned but had hidden it well by his usual no-nonsense smile.

"Now I feel bad for my garden. I don't really take care of them even though I always said I love them," Nadia voiced out, sounding regretful.

"Maybe you could ask Conrad for some tips."

Conrad's face soured, "Ugh... Why me?"

The three of them chatted for a while inside the maze garden. Nadia would regularly tease both of them while the two would only ignore her from time to time. Nadia was supposed to stay longer and wait for Beatriz to come home but as the sun gradually set on the horizon, she decided to leave before it got darker.

"Right... I will be setting up a small get-together soon. Wait for my invitation and make sure to attend," Gwen told Nadia.

"Of course. I'm leaving now. Tell Bea I said hi," Nadia responded as she waved at them.

"Mmmm. Have a safe trip!"

Before she climbed inside the carriage, she looked at Conrad pointedly.

"Hey, take care of my best friend, alright? And don't forget my advice."

Conrad only clicked his tongue, "Geez... Go now. Shoo."

The two of them watched the carriage leave and when it's already out of the gates, Conrad turned towards Gwen.

"What are you planning?"

Gwen's expression didn't even waver, "I don't know what you're talking about, your grace."

"Why did you tell her about–"

"But it's the truth," she then cut him off– "I didn't lie, did I?"

Conrad was at a loss for words while Gwen smiled at him.

"If you'll excuse me, your grace. I have more duties to attend," and started walking back to the mansion, leaving Conrad to stand there and stare at her retreating figure.

The smile on Gwen's face then fell as soon as she turned around and a cold glint entered her eyes.