He pointed to the handkerchief I had wrapped around my neck like a bandage.

I had tied it there because the burning sensation when my father snatched the necklace was so unsettling. This way, I wouldn’t risk injuring my neck again.

‘It’s funny since I’m not even wearing a necklace.’

Even though there was nothing to snatch, my defensiveness showed how deep the scars in my heart were.

‘But if I talked about this, Yuri would worry, wouldn’t he?’

Not wanting to reveal my anxiety to Yuri, I smiled and responded casually.

“Yeah, sometimes it feels prickly and itchy.”

Yuri squinted and stared intently at my neck. I noticed his fingers twitching, as if he was resisting the urge to touch it.

“It might be because Titi isn’t used to magic. Since the wound still lingers in Titi’s mind, you’re experiencing similar pain. It’s called phantom pain.”

“Got it.”

He knew a lot, and I nodded in acknowledgment.

Even after that, Yuri couldn’t take his eyes off my neck for quite a while. Eventually, he ground his teeth.

“I knew it… I shouldn’t have let him go so easily.”

There was a chill in Yuri’s demeanor. I shrugged my shoulders.

“My father will face punishment now, so it’s fine. I’m already satisfied.”

Considering the likelihood that he’d never leave prison, this was the best kind of isolation from my perspective.

Yuri pouted like a duck, seemingly displeased with my response.

“Titi is too kind.”

“Oh, please. You’re probably the only one in this world who’d call me kind. If people hear that a daughter sued her father, they’d call me ruthless.”

“If they knew what Titi went through, they wouldn’t criticize you.”

“Do you think no one in that small town knew I was being abused?”

At my retort, Yuri fell silent. I deliberately looked into the distance and spoke in a casual tone.

“It’s just how people are. They find it bothersome to get involved in others’ affairs and hate taking responsibility. But how entertaining it is to criticize based on predetermined answers?”

No one offered to hide me in their home when I was being beaten by my father. Likewise, no one condemned him for hitting his child.

‘But as soon as I stood up to my father, everyone pointed fingers.’

How do I know? Because I’ve been through it. In my past life, Yujin had both of them sent to a treatment center.

‘In hindsight, it’s really absurd. I only sent them to a treatment center, not even a prison, yet I was criticized so harshly.’

Even after they left the treatment center, Robi and my father didn’t change at all.

So, in my third life, I decided that if they behaved the same way, I’d send them straight to prison.

Because I knew they wouldn’t change anyway.

“Titi.”

Yuri, who had been quietly listening to my story, clenched his fist and asked.

“Don’t you want revenge?”

I glanced at Yuri and shook my head lightly.

“I’m already satisfied that neither my father nor those people can interfere in my life anymore.”

Helping someone out of pure goodwill and then seeking revenge for not doing so doesn’t make sense logically.

And above all, by my third life, I had achieved independence from my family, which was liberating. Although my answer left Yuri looking quite dejected.

“Titi is too easily satisfied, and that bothers me.”

I gave a wry smile. Talking about family was uncomfortable anyway. As I searched for another topic, I noticed a tree by the roadside.

“Oh? What’s that flower?”

At my exclamation, Yuri squinted and then smiled. He knew I was changing the subject but seemed willing to let it slide. Feeling exposed, I hunched my shoulders.

The tree was adorned with tiny white flowers, like scattered little stars. Fortunately, it was a flower I recognized.

I grinned and posed a question.

“Do you know what kind of flower this is?”

“I’m not sure. It looks similar to a spirea.”

Of course, he didn’t know.

“This is a cranberry tree. These are its flowers.”

“Cranberry? Like the ones in bread, like raisins?”

“Yes! The flowers look like this, and you can harvest cranberries around October.”

I chattered on about what I knew about cranberries.

Listening to my explanation, Yuri nodded with a smile.

“Titi really likes flowers.”

It was an obvious statement. I pouted and replied.

“Why do you think I run a flower shop?”

Of course, the main reason was my interest in rainbow roses and tulip bulbs… but I also decided to try cultivating them because I liked flowers.

In response to my answer, Yuri rested his chin on his hand and replied seriously.

“I need to study too.”

At that moment, I replied without thinking.

“No, don’t do that. I want to tell you myself.”

‘Huh, what am I saying?’

I covered my mouth, but it was already too late. Yuri, whose eyes had widened, soon gave me a sweet smile that was enough to melt my heart.

‘Oh no, I’ve messed up.’

Just as I considered keeping some distance, I accidentally revealed my inner thoughts.

‘Let’s just focus on work. It’s because I keep chatting that my feelings are slipping out.’

I shook my head and started walking again. Yuri followed me like a puppy, asking warmly,

“What flowers are you planning to buy at the flower market today? You could start by telling me that.”

“Unfortunately, I’m going to buy flowers you already know. I’m getting more tulip seedlings.”

Yuri tilted his head in confusion.

“But the bulbs you planted are growing well. They’re quite big already.”

“I need more. It’s just a hunch I have.”

I glanced around, then whispered softly to Yuri.

“I think tulips are going to sell well next. They’ll be as popular as blue roses.”

I expected Yuri to be surprised, but he just sighed deeply and spoke seriously to me.

“Titi, if you ever lose money to a scammer or lose everything, you must come to me immediately. Got it?”

Oh no, he’s saying the same thing.

“Did you plan this with Rosie?”

“Who’s Rosie?”

“The daughter of Duke Morphe, Rosemary Morphe.”

“You call her by her nickname?”

At the mention of “Rosie,” Yuri’s expression turned serious. I chuckled.

“Do you think I only use her nickname? She even proposed to me recently.”

“What? Really?”

“No, just kidding.”

Seeing Yuri’s face, I quickly clarified since he seemed to believe me.

What should I do? I think I’m worse at joking than Rosemary.

After I explained how the proposal came up, Yuri finally relaxed. Although, he only went from looking serious to looking sulky.

“That’s harsh, Titi. You call me Yuri so formally.”

His protest left me chuckling.

“What’s your nickname, Yuri?”

“I don’t really have one. How about you come up with one, Titi? How about ‘Yul’? Doesn’t it sound like a mage?”

How amusing. I replied coolly.

“Yuri.”

“That’s harsh.”

As I stood up, I reminded him firmly,

“Anyway, since we have a lot to carry, you better help me out. Got it? We need to buy a lot today.”

“But tulips aren’t quite in season yet. I’m not sure if they’ll be selling them at the market. They usually come out when they’re blooming, right?”

“That’s true.”

I was a bit worried about that too. I planned to buy up whatever was left.

‘Well, if that doesn’t work, I’ll look for flowers that make good dried flowers. They’re valuable too.’

While I was frowning in thought, Yuri leaned slightly towards me and whispered softly,

“Of course, even if it’s a wasted trip, I’m happy. It’s like a date with Titi.”

I pushed Yuri’s lips with my index finger.

“Let’s call it what it is—a business errand.”

“Titi, you’re really thorough.”

Yuri laughed lightly. I walked ahead quickly, not wanting to show him my flushed face.

‘What’s so harsh? You’re the one being harsh.’

My heart felt like it was about to burst.

***

Just as Yuri had said, there were hardly any tulips at the market. Even though I ordered every one I saw, it was far fewer than what I already had.

‘Oh dear, this isn’t easy.’

Things in life rarely went as planned.

At least I was able to buy a few flowers like golden balls, which I wanted to try drying as flowers.

‘As soon as I get back, I’ll carefully dry each one.’

We loaded the tulips I purchased onto the carriage and climbed in ourselves.