🌸 Yuiyui 🌸

"Im so glad that you agreed, Amaranthe."

Amaranthe gave her a friendly nod before turning her head to ask Lyney a question.

"What are we going to do to spend this afternoon, Mr. Lyney?"

"Huh, i havent really thought about that. I didn't expected you to actually say yes to my offer." Lyney scratches the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.

"How about this, you can decide what we shall do today. Does that sound good to you?"

"That doesn't sound bad.. How about we take a walk at one of my family's gardens? I can show you around and i know a few activities we can do besides admiring the scenery."

Ah, the family gardens, one of the Deschamps family's pride and joy.

"Yes yes of course! That sounds amazing, dont you think so too, Lynette?" Lyney beamed.

"I think its sounds great." She replied with a smile once again.

The three then proceeded to finish their tea and confectioneries before departing to one of the Deschamps' many gardens.

Amaranthe led the way in front of the twins, a wide smile spreads across Lyney's face as he observed her walking figure. His cheeks grew a bit warm as he's laying eyes on her. Strange.

As their stroll continued, he noticed how the shining sun granted the lady with a soft golden glow which made her look like an angel descending from the heavens.

Oh who is he kidding? In his eyes, Amaranthe's already an angel. A beautiful, elegant, and kindhearted angel.

"Lyney, are you perhaps in love with her?" Lynette asked, her voice snapped out of his trance.

"In love? What made you come to that conclusion, dear sister?" Lyney asked with a smile.

"Its just that, you always look at Amaranthe like.. That."

"Like what?"

"We're here." Amaranthe called before Lynette could provide her answer.

The twins glanced upwards at the garden's gate. It's made of off silver iron with intricately decorated pearly white details with the Deschamps family crest carved on top. Tendrils of vines surrounded the gate with crimson red roses accompanying them.

Amaranthe opened the gate and gestured the two magicians to enter the garden. Upon stepping in the plot of land, they see myriads of colorful flowers and plants, trees that stand mighty and tall, and a breathtaking view.

The two are awestruck, they never saw such a view so mesmerizing as this!

"Its beautiful isnt it?" Amaranthe slightly smiled before leading the way once more.

During their walk, they see a plethora of flowers such as rainbow roses, lumidouce bells, even ones that are native to other nations like glaze lilies and padisarahs. Amaranthe plucked a few of these flowers and placed them on her hand carried basket while Lyney and Lynette does the same.

"Hey Amaranthe, what are we going to do with the flowers that we picked?" Lyney asked out of curiosity.

"Oh? We're going to make some flower crowns, dont worry i'll teach you both how."

Making flower crowns? Taught by the radiant lady herself? Now Lyney's excited. Now he must pick the perfect blossoms for his lady's crown, a crown fit for a princess. He gave her a wide smile before continuing their stroll.

They then stopped by an apple tree and sat down beneath its shade. Amaranthe then teaches the twin magicians the basics of making flower crowns, she first taught how to braid the flower stems together and then finishing the lesson with how to secure the finished crown.

Unfortunately for Lyney, he was too distracted by the painter's extravagant beauty that he couldn't find himself to pay attention. Lynette rolled her eyes as she noticed her brother's smitten behavior.

"—ney! Earth to Mr. Lyney!" Amaranthe belted, snapping her fingers to catch the magician's attention.

"Wh- huh? S- sorry do you need something, Amaranthe?" He asked with a flustered smile, his cheeks growing into a shade of pink.

"Your flower crown.. It looks like it got trampled by a boar. Here, let me help."

Amaranthe takes Lyney's poorly weaved crown, their hands slightly brushed against eachother, sending butterflies to his stomach.

"Here's how you do it, you take two flowers and twist one of their stems around the other like so.." The lady's eyebrows slightly furrowed, her dainty fingers delicately weaving the two stems together.

Amaranthe looks even more beautiful when she's focused, Lyney thought.

"Mr. Lyney, are you paying attention?"

"Huh? Y- yes, my lady." He cleared his throat, his cheeks grew even more pinker.

Amaranthe handed back Lyney's crown and gestured him to perform the steps that she instructed. He carefully weaved the flowers together, a smile of satisfaction appeared on Amaranthe's lips.

"Good, good. Now simply repeat the two steps until the moment when you think the crown is big enough for someone to wear."

Lyney smiled brightly, motivated than ever to finish his flower crown perfectly.

Some moments then passed, the three then finished creating their flower crowns.

Lynette's flower crown consisted of lumidouce bells, Kalpalata Lotuses, and Cecilias. Glaze lilies, Windwheel asters, and Sakura blooms donned Amaranthe's, while Lyney's included Rainbow roses, blue poppies, and sunflowers.

The youngest twin rested her flower crown on the top of her head, a small, proud smile crept up on her lips. Amaranthe looked at hers with a melancholic look, gripping on it tightly.

"My lady?"

"Hm?"

"The flower crown that i made, i made it for you." Lyney chimed.

Amaranthe's cheeks grew warm as he crept closer to place the crown on top of her golden hair gently.

"Thank you, Mr. Lyney.. Its a very beautiful crown."

"Hehe, no problem."

Comfortable silence filled the atmosphere as Lyney looked at Amaranthe with an adoring look. Oh Archons, Amaranthe's so beautiful..

The painter stood up from the grass and looked at the blonde, he looked at her confused.

"Hey, would you like to play a game?" Amaranthe asked with a playful tone.

He tilted his head, curious. "What kind of game, my lady?"

"Hmm its.. Tag you're it!" And there goes Amaranthe, sprinting towards the fields while Lynette followed, the two girls laughing as they go.

"Heyy! That's not fair!" Lyney protested before chasing after them.

Lynette and Amaranthe runs through the flower fields, joyous laughter escaping their lips as their hearts are filled with glee. The boy scurried swiftly after them, a pout formed on his lips, how are they so fast?!

He successfully managed to tap his twin's shoulder, making her the new "it". She turned and attempted to tag Amaranthe, the painter successfully avoided Lynette's attempt before turning around and grabbing Lyney's hand.

"Follow me! I have a good hiding spot!" She said with a smile.

Amaranthe's smile made the boy's heart flutter, her fingers intertwining his made his stomach feel like its on the verge of combustion. He happily nodded at her and together they dashed towards the sunflower fields with Lynette at their tail.

They hide within the tall sunflowers, laughing softly. Amaranthe turned to face him, a smile still present on her features. Lyney smiled back, pink hues spreads across his cheeks.

"Thank you for agreeing to hang out with us today, my lady." He beamed.

"No problem. You know, i havent felt this happy spending time with someone else besides father and Charlotte. It feels.. Nice." Amaranthe remarked, sincerity laced her words.

They look at eachother quietly with smiles decorating their faces, basking in the warmth of the sun and each other's presence. Their fingers brushed against eachother, sending jolts of electricity to Lyney's heart.

"Found you."

Lyney lets out a loud screech, jumping like a cat. Meanwhile, Amaranthe is slightly unfazed.

"Lynetteee!! You startled us!"

"Ms. Lynette, how long have you been here?"

"Long enough to see everything."

Shades of dark crimson quickly surrounded Lyney and Amaranthe's faces, the painter brought her hair to her face, attempting to hide her embarrassment.

"Ehaha i guess this is where our game ends.." Amaranthe nervously laughed before standing up and dusting off her skirt.

"C'mon, we have one final destination to go to. Th- this way." Lynette helped her brother up, curiosity present on their faces. The twins followed the lady through the flower fields.

After a 10 minute walk, they arrived at a Bulle fruit tree. The area's surrounded by Windwheel asters, fully bloomed Glaze lilies, and Lumidouce bells. Sakura petals scattered across the soft grass, leading to a gravestone lying under the fruit tree, words etched onto its surface.

Amaranthe approached the gravestone and placed the flower crown near it. She then knelt down and gazed at it with yearning and sorrow, the twins joining her to pay respects.

"Here lies Marianne Deschamps. The sun shined brighter when she was here." She read the text on the gravestone. "Yeah, it did..."

Lyney and Lynette touched Amaranthe shoulders and leaned their heads onto hers in hopes of comforting her saddened soul.

"You have no idea how much i miss her.. I would do anything to see her again. Heck, even just to hear her voice..."

The blonde man noticed the beads of tears trickling down the painter's freckled skin and scrunched up face, the sight clenched his and Lynette's heart.

Before they could react, Amaranthe approached the gravestone and wrapped her arms around it, letting out weeps of sorrow.

As much as the twins wanted to comfort her with a warm hug, they understand that Amaranthe needs the space.

When she's done, the lady wiped off her tears and caressed the gravestone with the same sorrowful look.

"Im sorry that you had to see me like this.." Amaranthe apologized with a raspy voice.

"Dont be. Its not good to suppress those kinds of things." The cat hybrid replied, the twins gave her a reassuring smile.

Amaranthe faintly smiled back, giving a sign that she's feeling a bit better.

"Would you like to have dinner with us at the estate? Im sure father wouldn't mind." The young lady offered.

"Really? That would be great, my lady! Dont you think so too, Lynette?"

Lynette simply nodded with a faint smile, agreeing with her brother.

"I guess that settles it, lets go."

The three stood up from the lime grass and started walking away from the Bulle fruit tree and towards the garden exit.

When they're nearing the exit, the painter saw two cats bumping their heads against eachother. She looked at the two felines, her expression softening at the sight.

"My lady, are you coming?" Lyney asked from afar.

"Coming!" Amaranthe responded, she took one last look at the two cats before jogging towards the twins.

"Oh Amaranthe you're here.." A man said, presumably Amaranthe's father.

"Yes i am. We just got back from taking a walk around the garden and i figured to might as well eat dinner while we're at the area." Amaranthe replied.

The man approached them with a warm smile on his face. "Im assuming these are the magicians that you work for?"

"Oh y- yes they are. Mr. Lyney and Ms. Lynette, this is my father, Antoine. Father, these two are Mr. Lyney and Ms. Lynette."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Monsieur Deschamps." Lyney said politely as he and his sister bowed down to show respect. Its the head of Deschamps family and Amaranthe's father that they're meeting after all.

"Oh no need for the formalities. Just call me Antoine." He said with a kind tone.

Antoine has a trapezoid build, long golden hair with leaf green tips that parted to both sides, and downturned, hazel eyes. He has a tan complexion with specks of freckles decorating his face, neck, and hands, and incredibly long eyelashes. He's also wearing a silk poet blouse and black tights.

"Come now to the dining room, dinner is almost ready." Antoine kindly said as he lead the way to the dining room.

The room is not too big but not small either. The walls are painted white with blue and gold details, the dinner table is big enough for twelve people to eat at, and the centerpiece of the table is a bouquet of Rainbow roses that rests inside a porcelain vase.

They all sat down on their respective seats, waiting for dinner to arrive. The atmosphere of the dining area is very sophisticated but very homey and comfortable.

At the door, multiple servants entered the room bringing kitchen carts filled with plates of food. They serve plates of Trout Amandine to the twins, Vessie Chicken to their master, and Mushroom Soup to their master's daughter.

Its not long before they all start eating their dishes. Once Lyney and Lynette takes a bite of their buttery fish, their eyes swirled with stars and sparkles as they hummed out of delight.

"This tastes amazing! The trout is cooked with absolute perfection!" The male blonde chimed with glee, his sister nodded in agreement.

"Well that's Pierre to you. Our head chef cooks the finest dishes in all of Fontaine." Antoine proudly stated.

He then looked at his daughter who is sipping on her soup quietly, wearing her signature monotone expression.

"Tournesol, what a beautiful flower crown you're wearing today. I take it that you made it? It has your favorite flowers on it after all." The man inquired.

"My flower crown?" Amaranthe is slightly stunned to realize that she's still wearing it.

"No i didn't made it. Mr. Lyney is actually the one who did made it."

"Oh? I see." He replied, slightly smirking at his daughter.

"Favorite flowers? Wait a minute, i thought you dont give a fig about rainbow roses, my lady?" Lyney asked with a playful grin.

"Oh she didn't. Amaranthe only started becoming fond of the blossom recently when she told me the story when you first gave her one-"

"Father!" Amaranthe interrupted, hues of pink surrounded her freckled cheeks.

"You talk about me to your father, my lady?" Lyney chuckled amusingly.

"Oh yes she does! Plenty actually. Tournesol always talks about the time that she spends with you with a big smile on her face-"

"Father please stop! They really didn't need to know about that.."

The two immediately stopped their teasing, playful expressions still present on their faces.

The painter exasperatedly sighed before wiping her mouth and standing up from her seat.

"I'll be taking my leave. Excuse me everyone." Amaranthe then immediately walked towards the dining room's exit. Lynette also finished her dish and proceeds to follow her, leaving Antoine and Lyney alone at the table.

Once the cypress wood door closed shut, the boy picked up his fork and started playing with his food. His chin rests on his gloved palm while a wide smile spreads across his face.

"My lady talks about me.." He softly giggled, kicking his feet back and forth.

Antoine noticed Lyney's giddy behavior. "You seem awfully happy." He softly smiled at the magician.

"Why of course i do! I never thought that my lady actually talks about me quite often."

"Amaranthe loves talking about you and your sister. She often talks about how spectacular your performances are and how much they give her solace. You have no idea how much the both of you mean to her.."

"Oh really? Im glad that she finds our shows enjoyable." Lyney mused, his cheeks grew pink.

"Say, what do you think of my daughter?" Antoine requested.

"What i think of your daughter. Well first of all, she's smart, capable, kind, and a woman of many talents! Not to mention beautiful.."

Antoine listened intently, happy about the things that Lyney is saying about his daughter.

"Amaranthe has a very special talent at evoking people with the emotion that her paintings portray! She's also strong and agile and her eyes- dont get me started with her eyes! They're like rare gemstones glistening under the night sky.. And her smile.. Her smile is as bright as the sun..."

Lyney dreamily sighs, his cheeks are completely covered with shades of pink, his cheek muscles ache as he continues to maintain his wide smile.

Antoine silently chuckled at Lyney's tone and behavior. He seems like he's incredibly fond of Amaranthe.

"Lyney, are you perhaps.. Smitten by my daughter? As in, in love with her?"

The boy was taken aback by his question. He felt the warmth of his cheeks spread to his neck.

"Wh- what? Haha what made you come to that conclusion, Antoine?" He nervously laughed, sheepishly scratching the back of his neck.

"Oh, its just that.." He paused. The expression on Antoine's eyes slightly changed, softly gazing at the sunflower bracelet on his wrist. Lyney didn't noticed the piece of jewelry before.

Antoine heaves out a sigh before looking at the window, noticing that it has gotten dark outside. The man opens his mouth to speak once again.

"On Amaranthe's stories, she always tells me how much you love complimenting her, infinite showering her with compliments. She also told me how often she catches you staring at her with a 'stupidly wide smile'."

Antoine softly chuckled, he thinks Lyney's methods of affection towards his daughter is quite endearing.

"Not only that, she also told me about how often you give her a Rainbow rose and a kiss on her hand upon greeting, and your efforts to lift up her mood." He continued speaking while wiping the corners of his mouth with a napkin.

Lyney's cheeks grew warmer. "Well, i do those things for Amaranthe because she's my friend. A friend that i deeply care about."

"Are you sure friend is the exact word, Lyney? Tell me, what are the emotions or sensations that you feel whenever you're around Amaranthe? Even just by seeing her from afar? Be honest with me here."

Antoine warmly smiled, patiently waiting for his reply."

"Well.. I feel my heart suddenly racing whenever i lay my eyes on her like its going to leap out of my chest. And whenever she looks back at me, her gaze makes my cheeks feel warm!" Lyney extolled.

"Whenever i see Amaranthe approaching me, i suddenly feel giddy and excited. She invades my every thought that i find it hard to sleep at night.." His voice slowly trailed off, Antoine smiled at the boy once more.

Lyney stared at his plate with his lips slightly opened. The feelings that he listed.. Could he be actually...

"Lady Amaranthe! S- she ran off!"

Lyney's trail of thought was interrupted by a servant's voice and the sound of the suddenly opened door.

Antoine quickly leaves his chair and approached the servant, worry can be found in his tone.

"What happened? What did she do?"

"She was giving her friend a tour around the estate u- until suddenly it started raining.. Lady Amaranthe told me to guard her friend and keep her from exiting the building before running off with her weapon!"

Lyney's face is painted with anxiety. Why would Amaranthe run off so suddenly? And why would she tell the servant to prevent Lynette from leaving?

Without thinking, he stormed out of the room, with the goal to find Amaranthe. He can hear the servant calling out for him but he doesn't care, he just wants to look for the lady and make sure she's okay.

It was cold and dark, droplets of water poured down from the dark and murky clouds. Lyney's eyes darted to at every single direction at the are of the estate, in hope of finding Amaranthe.

He calls out her name as loud and clear as possible, panic rising in his voice.

All of a sudden, he hears a familiar voice from afar, the water splashing as a response to his frantic treads towards the voice's direction.

"Amaranthe!" Lyney cried out.

The girl swifty turned around with her golden sword on hand, pointing it at Lyney's face.

Her anxious countenance slowly faded into a slight mild expression as she instantly recognizes those lilac irises.

"Mr. Lyney! It's you.."

"Yeah, it's me..."

Amaranthe lowered her blade, looking at Lyney with worry.

"What are you doing here?! Y- you should be back at the estate!-"

"Im supposed to be the one who's asking you that! What are you doing here in the middle of a downpour?!"

Her eyes darted left and right, her grip on the hilt of her sword tightening.

"Danger.." She replied, her voice shaky.

"Danger?! Did something happened? Is someone coming for us-?!"

"Yes! No. Probably... I dont know! Look im telling you, you have to go back to the estate now." Her tone's cold and firm.

He's confused, why does she think there's danger in a normal rainy night? Whatever it is, Lyney's not going back to the estate without her.

"Amaranthe everything is fine. No one's going to attack the estate i assure you-"

"Go back to the estate now."

"My lady—"

"It's not safe out here."

"Why are you acting like this?!"

"Because i don't want to lose you okay?!"

Amaranthe's response staggered him. The blonde boy watches her lower her head, soft sniffles can be barely heard thanks to the loud rain, drumming against the surface.

"I just.. Dont want to lose you and Ms. Lynette. Just like how i lost my mother..."

Lyney's eyes widened. "Your mother..?"

"It was raining.. During the night when she died... It was raining during the night when father and Charlotte nearly died! Bad things happen to the people i hold dear at a rainy night- I just dont want that to happen to the both of you too...!"

His felt his heart drop. The sight of Amaranthe holding back her sobs hurts him.

"Amaranthe, look at me."

Lyney gently cupped Amaranthe's face, brushing off her damp hair to properly see her golden sapphire eyes. Her body flinches at his tender touch but does not oppose it.

"I know that you're scared and i understand why you're acting like this. But there's nothing to be afraid about. No one is going to attack the estate i assure you that." He says while softly brushing her skin with his thumb.

"Even if there are people who's going to try to do such a thing, the gardemeks are going to take care of them. Look the point is, you're not going to lose anyone. Not your father, Charlotte, Lynette, not me, not anyone. Everything's going to be okay.."

Lyney pulled Amaranthe into a firm, warm hug. She was taken aback by his spontaneous action. She dropped her sword and hugged him back, burying her face on the crook of his neck as she choke back her sobs.

His hand rummages through her drenched golden hair, giving it gentle strokes. Whispering reassuring words to her.

The boy pulled away to look at her once more, giving her a comforting smile. "C'mon, lets go back to the estate. If we stayed here a bit longer we might catch a cold."

Amaranthe slightly nodded at him, slipping his hand and interlocking their fingers together. They then walked back to the estate hand in hand.

When they entered the building, Antoine approached his daughter, placing his hands on her shoulders. A few servants arrived with silk two towels, wrapping one around Lyney and one around Amaranthe.

"Are you okay, tournesol?" Her father asked with worry.

"Yes father, im fine.." Her hands finding its way to the towel that's wrapped around her body.

"That's good to hear. Now then, follow the servants, they prepared a warm bath for you." She nodded and did what Antoine told her to do.

Lynette made way towards her brother and hugged him.

"Lyney! Im glad that you're okay.."

The eldest twin softly patted his sister's back.

Antoine tapped Lyney's shoulder to catch his attention. He turned around to face him.

"Thank you for bringing back my daughter."

"No problem, Antoine." He slightly bowed at him.

"Here's some spare clothes, go wash yourself up and get changed so you wont catch a cold." Antoine gave two pairs of silk pajamas, one for each twin.

"You two should stay for the night, it doesn't look like the downpour's going to end soon. I'll be taking my leave then."

"Thank you very much, Antoine." The twins thanked in unison, the three bowed at eachother and went to attend their own businesses.

As Lyney's drying his blonde hair, a servant approached them saying that Amaranthe requests for his presence.

They led the way to the lady's room and left the two alone.

"My lady. Why do you want see me? Miss me already?" He teased.

"Definitely not. Here, sit down." Amaranthe patted a spot on her bed beside her.

Lyney sat down and locked gazes, her eyes glistening under the chandelier lights.

"I asked you to come here because.. I cant sleep." She reluctantly stated, her face dusted with pink.

"Oh? So me being here would somehow help you sleep?" His Cheshire cat smile spreads across his lips.

Amaranthe averted her gaze, using her hand to cover her face. "S- something like that.. Yes.."

Lyney sighed, placing his hand on top of hers, caressing it gently.

He chuckled softly. "Ok. What would you like me to do, my lady?"

The blue eyed girl nervously scratches the back of her neck, trying to maintain her composure.

"I want you to.. Hold my hand during the rest of the night. Please."

He must admit, Amaranthe's request surprised him a little.

"Of course, my lady. Anything to help you feel more comfortable."

"Really? You would do that?"

"Of course! It's you after all."

Her cheeks slightly turned more pink before giving him a small smile.

"Thanks Lyney." Amaranthe said in a soft tone, bumping her forehead against his.

Her sudden gesture astonished him, he didn't expected her to show affection. Amaranthe quickly realized this and pulled away, covering her crimson red face with both of her hands.

"Im sorry! I- i didn't mean to do that.."

The boy laughed. "No need to apologize, Amaranthe. Say, where did you get that gesture of affection?"

"I got it from two cats.. That i saw at the garden. Im sorry for doing that, it was stupid of me."

"Once again, there's no need to apologize. I quite liked it, we should do it more often." Lyney replied, removing Amaranthe's hands from covering her beautiful face before casually bumping his forehead against hers.

They stayed like that for a while. Specifically for 5 minutes. 5 minutes of basking in each other's comforting presence.

"Are you ready to sleep, my lady?"

"Mhm."

Lyney gave her a soft smile as he stands up and tucks Amaranthe into bed.

He grabbed a chair and placed it on the lady's bedside, taking her hand into his.

"Goodnight, my lady. Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight to you too, Mr. Lyney."

He traces comforting strokes on her hand and caressing Amaranthe's soft, yellow hair, lulling her to sleep.

Lyney's looks at her peaceful face. She looks like a sleeping angel.

No, she is a sleeping angel. The lady's peaceful smile makes his stomach turn and cheeks warm.

Lyney plants a soft kiss on her forehead, gazing at her with pure adoration.

Oh archons, he loves her so much.