After being attacked by a healer possessed by an evil spirit, Sel had been avoiding going out.

The excessive attention from the villagers was overwhelming, and the memory of that day made her hesitant to leave.

“You promised yourself on the day you left the cabin that you wouldn’t hole up like this.”

Sel calmed herself and prepared to go out.

She draped a black cloak borrowed from Philip over her shoulders. Philip had once worn the same size uniform as her, but he must have grown because the cloak was now a bit loose.

“…You’re supposed to cover it! I told you to cover it!”

A sharp voice struck her right ear like lightning.

Pale with fright, Sel clutched her ears and whipped her head around.

The ringing in her ears, which had vanished after she took off her mask, had returned.

Sel, frozen like a stone for a few seconds, lowered her hands from her ears.

Only her heavy breathing lingered in the air.

It’s okay. It’s nothing. You’re fine.

Adjusting the hem of her cloak, Sel pulled her hood down.

With a few hops in place to steady herself, she stared straight ahead.

She brushed the cold sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

Then she remembered her first encounter with Lavi.

Mimicking his confident stride through the village, she took a step.

With each step forward, she hoped her own weight would feel as grounded as his.

It was late evening, so the first floor, now closed, was quiet.

As Choro was about to close the wide-open front gate, a slender woman in a hooded cloak appeared, asking for the mercenary guild.

A wide smile spread across Choro’s typically stern face.

“Flora!”

A woman as lovely as her name, like a flower in this stark, male-dominated guild, had arrived.

Choro, shrinking his large frame, quickly ran his fingers through his hair.

“Choro, how have you been?”

“What brings you here at this hour? My, you’ve grown even more beautiful these past few days.”

Usually only shouting orders, the macho mercenary turned into a bashful youth in front of Flora.

“Ha-ha, you’re teasing. I came to see the guild leader.”

“Oh, sure. I’ll let him know. Please, have a seat on the sofa over there.”

Choro, who usually never showed kindness to clients, blushed and guided Flora to the sofa.

Just then, Sel returned from her walk.

“Perfect timing, Sel. I need to fetch the Commander. Could you bring a cup of tea for our guest?”

Leaving Sel with a promise to be right back, Choro hurried up to the fifth floor.

Sel, a bit bewildered, took off her cloak and draped it over the back of a nearby chair.

She entered the pantry in the corner and prepared black tea.

Choosing a dainty teacup to match Flora’s appearance, she carefully checked it for any cracks before pouring in the tea.

Sel cautiously placed the teacup on the table in front of Flora.

“Please enjoy this while you wait.”

Sel gave Flora a polite smile and stood by her side.

Flora lifted her head, her hood falling back as she looked at Sel.

Every movement was as graceful as a feather, and Sel couldn’t take her eyes off her.

Flora’s thick, auburn hair cascaded past her shoulders, reaching her lower back.

Her glossy, unblemished hair radiated a soft scent of roses that made Sel resist the urge to reach out and touch it.

Her small face, framed by a graceful, slender neck, had delicate features that were almost fascinating.

Her red-painted eyes held a slightly flirtatious gleam.

If a rose became a person, it would be Flora.

Sel stared at her, entranced.

Flora chuckled softly, tilting her head toward Sel.

“You must be new here.”

“I’m a new recruite, Sel.”

“Oh! So you’re the famous Sel.”

Flora’s red eyes scanned over Sel’s face and body slowly.

Then, raising her gaze back to Sel’s face, Flora spoke again.

“I hear you’re quite extraordinary. Your looks, that is.”

Flora’s gaze dropped again, this time to Sel’s lower half.

“Yes, well…”

For a moment, Sel felt an urge to hide, crossing her legs self-consciously.

Flora let out a pleasant laugh and turned her attention back to her teacup.

She removed her coat and hung it on the chair next to her.

Sel’s eyes followed her hands, captivated by her delicate movements.

“Lavirus speaks of you often. I’d heard he rarely mentions work around women, so I found it quite intriguing. I was curious.”

It wasn’t just a polite comment; she was genuinely curious. Having spent time with Lavi, Flora knew that Sel was the first person he’d ever discussed with her.

And now, seeing Sel like this, Flora understood why Lavi had spoken so much about him.

This man, standing as tall as herself, was extraordinarily beautiful.

His white skin and slender limbs were more characteristic of a woman than a man.

His round shoulders and thin neck even more so. Though his hair was unkempt, the roots shone with a soft sheen.

Flora recalled Lavi’s comment about scouting a “ragged boy.”

A strange discomfort stirred within her.

Narrowing her eyes, Flora studied Sel’s reaction.

His lips quivered, offering only a simple reply.

“…Yes.”

With nothing else to say, Sel gave an appropriately polite answer.

Flora raised her eyebrows and looked at Sel again.

“Usually, when I show interest, men are pleased.”

“That’s not how it appears to me.”

“Yes.”

“Apologies. I don’t know what to say.”

“Hm. You don’t look flustered. You don’t seem indifferent either, given the heat in your gaze. Playing coy—is that your approach?”

“Approach?”

Sel, only familiar with paperwork or repair work, tilted her head in confusion.

Flora let out a soft snort and picked up a weekly magazine from the table.

However, she remained standing, continuing to hold her place.

She wanted to observe the woman named Flora a bit longer.

Something nostalgic would come to mind whenever she looked at her.

“You said you weren’t interested in me. So why are you still by my side?” Flora asked her, eyes still fixed on the magazine.

“I thought I’d stay close in case you needed something.”

“Your gaze is very intense.”

“Apologies if it’s making you uncomfortable.”

Flora laughed heartily, feeling quite amused.

She was sure that Sel was interested in her.

It seemed she was simply pretending to be indifferent.

Flora swept back her hair and smiled seductively.

“You’re cute, you know,” she said.

Flora, staring intently at Sel, smirked as she picked up a teaspoon.

From a delicately crafted glass bowl, she scooped a cube of sugar and dropped it into her tea.

The way she stirred, her straight posture, her softly lifted chin—each part of her was graceful.

Sel’s gaze, focused on the teacup, unconsciously shifted to Flora’s fingertips.

Her fingers and wrist movements, every subtle motion of her arm, felt strangely familiar.

More graceful and refined than a noblewoman’s, like a dance moving to slow music, Sel’s mind drifted far away.

“Sel, come outside. It’s a wonderful day with the sun shining and rain falling. Shall we dance?”

“Mom, you’ll catch a cold if you get wet.”

“So serious. Children should know how to have fun too.”

“If you don’t wash and get wet in the rain, it makes you itch more. I’ll just stay here and watch you, Mom.”

Young Sel, crouched under the eaves, stretched her arm out.

The sensation of lukewarm raindrops gently hitting her hand wasn’t unpleasant.

The raindrops, falling all around, sparkled like glass shards in the afternoon sunlight.

The sound of rain tapping the ground and the earthy scent of green grass enveloped Sel like an incoming tide.

Her mother gracefully stretched her limbs, letting the rain pour over her.

Keeping rhythm with her soft humming, she stepped gracefully with the tips of her toes.

Her face was faint, but her hand and foot movements were vivid.

Though one of her arms was missing, the beautiful curves her remaining arm traced in the air made for a picturesque scene.

She remembered moments with her mother she had forgotten, drowned out by a sharp ringing in her ears.

She hadn’t been a person of harsh words alone. A warm feeling spread from one corner of her chest, like a bonfire lit inside her.

Sel watched Flora’s every movement intently.

The song her mother hummed came out of her, unknowingly.

“From Rahden Symphony, 3rd Movement: A Girl’s Longing.”

Sel, lost in memory, snapped back to reality at Flora’s words.

“Pardon?”

“That’s the name of the song you were humming. You must like Rahden Symphony. It’s a rare tune to hear; your tastes are unexpectedly refined. And your pitch is precise too.”

Flora smiled as she sipped her tea.

Sel felt somewhat embarrassed, as though a side of her she didn’t want to show had been revealed.

Blinking quickly, she lowered her head deeply.

Just then, Lavi, having received a message from Choro, came downstairs.

Lavi saw Sel, standing by Flora with her head down, blushing deeply.

Lavi muttered under his breath, furrowing his brow, ‘Bet the ladies love him.’

“I thought I told you not to come, Flora.”

“Lavirus,” Flora rose from her seat and bowed to him.

Even the way she bowed resembled an elegant dance move, and Sel couldn’t take her eyes off her.

“This new mercenary of yours is quite adorable.”

“…What?”

“Though he acts cold, he insists on staying by my side. It was a refreshing approach.”

At Flora’s words, Sel, eyes widened, quickly shook her head.

But Flora, glancing at Sel, chuckled, “See? Isn’t he cute?”

Lavi’s face grew even more rigid.

“Flirt.”

“…Pardon?”

“You’re also seeing that woman, Karin or Karen, right?”

Why bring up Karin here? Sel’s eyes opened wide.

“Even Edel seems completely taken with you. Wow, you sure have popularity that spans ages. Must be nice, huh?”

Lavi scoffed, at a loss for words.

Sel frowned deeply. Yesterday, and now today, she couldn’t quite grasp Lavi’s words.

“I told you yesterday not to handle any tasks on the first floor. But now you’re down here because of Flora?”

Flora, assuming Lavi was jealous of her, chuckled softly and tried to calm him down, but Lavi wasn’t stopping.

“Why? Seeing a pretty lady makes you want to chat her up and stick around, huh? Does my word mean nothing to you anymore?”

“That’s not it. Choro—”

“Supporting tasks on the first floor were forbidden! Don’t you remember?”

“I’m not here for support. I just happened to pass by and offered her tea. I was taking a walk and…”

“I told you to reflect in your room for a few days!”

Flora’s face hardened, realizing Lavi wasn’t just jealous.

Lavi’s excessive excitement struck her as strange. Her eyes narrowed. It seemed as though…

“No. You made it clear later that it wasn’t my fault. Therefore, the punishment issued you is also void,” Sel said, putting strength into his voice.

It was very different from his usual, gentle tone.

‘Big words for such a weakling!’ Lavi muttered, gritting his teeth as he jerked his head aside.

For some reason, his chest heaved as if he were fuming.

Flora approached Lavi and placed a hand gently on his shoulder, stroking it soothingly.

“Lavirus, you’re getting too excited. Please calm down first.”

“Damn it,” Lavi cursed, running his hand through his hair and closing his eyes.

Sel couldn’t understand why Lavi was getting so angry at him again.

It felt as if an icy block of his heart had just dropped to the ground.

With rough movements, Sel gathered her cloak, pressed her lips together, and bowed to Lavi and Flora. She then turned and walked out.

Lavi’s gaze was harsh as he watched Sel’s retreating figure.

Then, roughly, he grabbed Flora’s wrist and led her upstairs to the fifth floor without a word.