Rudis’s face filled with curiosity at the unfamiliar place name.

“It’s where I used to live. I happened to plant a few things I had, and they grew well.”

“What? So Iska grew the shadow mushrooms?”

“Just a coincidence.”

“Where is Grimnoir? I want to go there too.”

Rudis’s eyes sparkled with excitement at the mention of a new location. She harbored a reasonable suspicion that she hadn’t completed her guidebook because there were still places she hadn’t visited. Shadow mushrooms weren’t common, and she had a feeling that visiting this new place might fill her guidebook to 90% in one go.

“I’ll take you there someday. I promise.”

Iska said.

Though it was gone now, he waited for the day when they would create a new Grimnoir together.

* * *

“What? Luluberries?”

Rudis nearly dropped the bag she was holding.

“Yes, Rudis. Could you get me 400 fresh Luluberries?”

Rudis’s face grew serious at Ralph’s request.

“400? Why?”

“Sandra needs them for the wedding.”

“But why exactly?”

“Sandra made the best dress of her life, and she says she needs Luluberries to decorate the wedding to match it. Rudis, will you help? There won’t be a wedding without Luluberries. Please help me. I’m begging you.”

Ralph pleaded, nearly bursting into tears.

[New Quest Generated!

Quest Name: Ralph’s Destiny – 4

Quest Description: Deliver 400 fresh Luluberries to Ralph to prepare for a spectacular wedding.

Deadline: One week

Reward: Bouquet of Unchanging Heart]

When the blue system window appeared, Rudis closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh.

She had been uneasy ever since receiving the “Invitation to an Extravagant Wedding” as a reward for delivering the Bahala Jelly, but she never imagined she would be responsible for creating that spectacle. To make matters worse, it was a rush quest.

Rush quests weren’t common, but they were what Rudis struggled with most. Like when Kuku had asked her to bring 1,000 freshly cut oak logs within a week, she had to dedicate an entire week to the quest to barely succeed. Getting 400 Luluberries in a week wasn’t impossible, but it meant collecting Luluberries from morning till night for the entire week.

Moreover, this was the fourth stage of the “Ralph’s Destiny” chain quest. In such cases, failing even one part meant starting over from the beginning.

Make that flower bouquet again?

Rudis felt dizzy at the thought. She remembered “Ralph’s Destiny – 1,” when Ralph had asked her to make a large bouquet for his confession to Sandra. Back then, she had to roam mountains and villages collecting all sorts of flowers. It was one of the quests she never wanted to do again.

“…Alright.”

Rudis finally answered with a sigh.

“Thanks. I’m counting on you, Rudis! I have to go prepare for the wedding now, so I’ll see you later.”

Ralph, having delegated the most difficult part of the wedding preparations to Rudis, left with a thoroughly relieved expression.

Fine. Let’s do this.

Rush quests only happened once or twice a year anyway. Besides, once this quest was completed, they would have their wedding, and she wouldn’t have to get involved with them anymore. So she just needed to grit her teeth and help this one last time. Rudis steeled herself with determination in her sparkling eyes.

But a doubt suddenly crept into a corner of her mind.

Is this really going to be the end when it’s over?

* * *

But there was one variable Rudis hadn’t anticipated: living with a beast-person who had just awakened to his senses. After spending all day combing the mountains for Luluberries and returning home, she suffered through Iska’s relentless affection all night. Rudis’s face grew more haggard with each passing day.

Yet she couldn’t really blame Iska.

The problem was that whenever Iska flattened his ears and whimpered while making himself small, she found it so adorable that she ended up reaching out first. Even knowing that once she touched him, things would spiral out of control, she simply couldn’t resist.

“Please try some more of this.”

The increasingly elaborate meals were another irresistible reason. Even in the midst of her busy schedule, she naturally stopped by home when mealtime came around because she got hungry. Each time, warm food with rising steam awaited her.

“Thank you, Iska. That was delicious.”

Who knew eating three warm meals a day could bring such happiness? This was all thanks to Iska.

“Are you going out again?”

When Rudis finished her meal and stood up, Iska pouted with displeasure. Finding his expression cute, she naturally patted his head. This was possible because Iska quietly lowered his head when she stood on tiptoe.

“I have to. Just a little more to collect.”

“Why do you help people so much? You’re tired too…”

Iska asked with genuinely concerned eyes.

“This will be over by tomorrow.”

Finally, tomorrow would be Sandra and Ralph’s wedding. All Rudis had to do now was search the mountains for the remaining Luluberries and deliver them to Ralph. Then this long rush quest would be over. She would finally be free.

“When it’s over, let’s play a lot!”

“It’s a promise.”

Iska’s blue eyes sparkled brightly.

“Yes!”

Everything would end tomorrow. Then she would have fun with Iska!

Rudis left home with a light step, unable to imagine what was about to unfold.

* * *

The long-awaited wedding day arrived. Sunlight gently broke through the forest’s quiet air, streaming between the trees. Following the narrow path winding through the trees led to a small clearing that seemed like another world.

The forest clearing, decorated as a wedding venue, was adorned with Luluberries. The small, golden-yellow berries, filled with midsummer sunlight, were intertwined along trees and vines. The scene resembled stars scattered across the night sky. When the fresh summer breeze blew, the sparkling light gently swayed. It was fantastical and beautiful, like a scene from a dream.

Under the watchful eyes of villagers seated at the forest’s edge, Ralph and Sandra appeared, walking down the flower path. Sandra wore a dazzling yellow dress. As bright as Luluberries, the dress reflected the sunlight, shining like a luminous flower. Her claim of creating the best dress of her life was no exaggeration.

Everyone cheered in unison. Ralph and Sandra, holding hands, bowed to everyone in the forest. Then they proposed a toast while gazing into each other’s eyes. Lively cheers and laughter filled the surroundings, and the villagers showered them with blessings. Though brief, it was a moving ceremony.

Even after the wedding ended, people lingered, engaging in animated conversations. Delicious food was laid out under the trees, and cheerful laughter filled the air. Rudis, still caught in the beautiful afterglow of the wedding, stared blankly at the bouquet in her hand.

“Looks like you’ll be getting married soon too.”

Xenon, who had approached without her noticing, spoke with a sly expression. Rudis was taken aback.

“Marriage?”

“Yes. You caught the bouquet. You know what they say—whoever catches the bouquet must marry within a year. Otherwise, they’ll never marry.”

At Xenon’s words, Rudis’s gaze shifted to the bouquet in her hand. She hadn’t known it carried such meaning. This wasn’t a reward but a burden.

“How about me?”

Suddenly, Xenon leaned in with a mischievous smile, showing off his handsome face. He was someone who knew exactly how to use his good looks. Because of this, even though she thought he was truly mischievous, she could never bring herself to dislike him.

“I think I’ve heard this before.”

Rudis calmly pushed away his handsome face. She had heard a similar approach on the first day of spring.

“Ah, that was just a joke then. But I’m serious now—will you accept?”

His reddish-brown hair gleamed in the sunlight like a burning flame.