Flure Garcia card story “Offering a Black Rose”
※Note before reading the butler story
This story contains spoilers for the "Black Rose Wedding" event story.
We recommend reading up to Chapter 13 of the event story before proceeding.
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The wedding, prepared with the help of the other butlers, concluded successfully.
At the request of the bride, Lady Melissa...
It seemed the cleanup would be put off for a while.
"Until then, you Devil Butlers should stay at the mansion."
"...No, I want you to stay." Given the client's earnest wish...
We ended up staying at the mansion for several days.
Incidentally, Lord Seldor—who is terribly shy when it comes to romance...
...still hadn't managed to properly confess his feelings to Lady Melissa, even after the wedding.
And so, even after the ceremony...
...it seemed he was seeking romantic advice from the butlers staying at the mansion.
I spotted Flure, who looked rather exhausted.
You: What's wrong, Flure?
Oh... Master... Good morning.
I ended up showing you a rather gloomy side of myself.
You see, Lord Seldoar has been asking me over and over...
...for advice on how to propose.
You: So that's what's been worrying you.
Flure: Yes. I mean... I don't really know the "correct" way to propose...
...so I couldn't really give him an answer.
But seeing Lord Seldoar so desperate...
...I couldn't just turn him away, either.
So, as we tried to figure it out together...
...I found myself getting worn out, too.
...is taking Lord Seldoar's dilemma very seriously.
However, it feels like both Lord Seldoar and Flure…
...are wearing themselves out overthinking the "perfect proposal."
"If they're just going to agonize endlessly searching for the right answer, why not stop thinking and just take action?"...
Just as that thought crossed my mind...
...an idea occurred to me.
...that we try a "mock proposal."
Flure: Huh...? W-What...?!
You: If you decide to do it, I'll help you out.
Flure: Th-that means... I'd be staging a mock proposal...
Does that mean you'd be willing to play the other role?
You: Yeah—if I’m okay for the part, that is.
Fleuret: Of course! There’s absolutely nothing lacking if you are the one playing the role...!
In fact... It’s almost too perfect—it’s actually making me nervous...
It’s true that lately... I feel like I’ve been overthinking the whole proposal thing...
And if that just means nothing ever moves forward...
...then maybe I should just put my thoughts into action. Right?
You: So, want to give it a try?
I would really appreciate your help!
…If you look at it a certain way, this opportunity to stage a "mock proposal"…
…means I get to spend time with you, My Lord, in a way that’s different from usual.
…Which means I might be able to express feelings I normally couldn't…
Flure: Oh, no. Um… it’s nothing.
As he says this, Flure still seems a bit flustered by the idea of a proposal…
…but he also looks somewhat happy.
…I found myself receiving a mock proposal from him.
At Flure’s request—"I want to go out together before the proposal"—…
Actually… for the time being, may I call you (Name)?
After all, right now we’re…
…sort of playing the part of a couple about to get engaged…
To make it feel more authentic...
I was hoping we could go on a date where we call each other by name...
You: Yeah, let's definitely call each other by name, Flure.
Flure: Hehe.. Thank you, (Name).
I'll do my very best to ensure you have an even better time than usual!
After that, the place Flure guided me to was...
A vast garden filled with blooming flowers.
You: It's a really beautiful place.
Flure: Hehe... It certainly is.
I'm glad you like it, (Name).
By the way, in this garden...
We actually hold something like a "treasure hunt."
Apparently, there’s a single black rose hidden somewhere in the garden.
There might be a prize, or perhaps it’s part of a riddle...
Well, it’s not really about that, though...
But finding it would make you happy, wouldn't it?
It’s like... finding a four-leaf clover in the middle of a field.
You:: Then let's try looking for it, too.
Flure: Yes! Let's definitely look for it together.
We kept a sharp eye out for the black rose...
...while strolling along and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
All around us, there were plenty of people—
couples and married pairs—spending their time just as we were.
Flure: There are so many people here with their partners.
I suppose it’s because it’s the season for "June brides," isn't it?
Well... actually, that probably has nothing to do with it.
After all, you don't need a reason to stroll through such a beautiful garden.
I feel like I'm just hyper-aware of anything related to marriage right now, with the proposal coming up.
You: I think it's fine to be thinking about it.
You: Let's just enjoy the moment.
Flure: ...Understood. If that's what you say, (Name).
Our conversation naturally continued to center on the topic of marriage.
Flure: Huh... My "ideal married life," you ask?
You: I wanted to ask you this...
You're right; we don't really get many chances to talk like this otherwise...
If I were to get married, I plan on making breakfast every day...
And once the cooking is done...
The first thing I'd want to do is wake my partner up.
Well, part of me wants to let them sleep in as much as possible, but...
If we're living together...
I really want to talk a lot right from the start of the day.
Flure: Y-You think so...? Hehe...
It makes me happy to hear you say that.
You see, with my partner...
I want to spend as much time together as possible.
It felt like you accepted those feelings without dismissing them...
You: I’d never dismiss them.
"That’s why I want to hear more about it..."
When I say that, Flure’s eyes light up with happiness.
He shares so much of what’s on his mind with me.
Flure: When it comes down to it, I just want to spend as much time as possible with my partner...
and see their smile as often as I can.
I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Even... long after the honeymoon phase is over.
I also want to make sure I never forget...
to tell my partner just how happy I am to be with them.
You: You said that in front of Lord Seldoar, too.
Flure: Y-yes... Now that you mention it, you're right.
After all, I believe that someone who values me enough to become my partner...
...is someone I should take responsibility for...
It’s a bit embarrassing to say that out loud, though.
I’ve been the only one doing the talking so far, haven't I?
You: That's true... Sorry.
Flure: Oh, no. It's not that I'm angry or anything...
Having (Name) listen to me talk about all this...
...I’ve suddenly started to feel a bit shy about it.
I found myself feeling shy, too, as if catching the mood from him..
A silence settled between us.
Along with the scent of the earth, the patter of raindrops began to be heard.
Flure: Oh—is this a sunshower...?
It started pouring all of a sudden...!
Shall we move somewhere with a roof?
...and started looking for a place to take shelter from the rain.
Flure: Phew... It’s a relief we found a covered spot so quickly.
There’s a bench here, too...
We can just sit and relax until the rain lets up.
It’s a shame our date has to be interrupted by the rain like this... I’m sorry.
You: I'm still having fun, so I don't mind.
Even with you here, Flure...
Just as we were talking about that...
Something caught my eye in the corner of my vision.
I looked up at the underside of the roof while remaining seated...
Following my gaze, Flure looked in the same direction...
...was a single, large, beautiful black rose.
So it was here all along. You really have a sharp eye.
As expected of you, (Name)!
You: It's thanks to you, too, Flure.
You: Because you brought me here.
I was simply looking for somewhere—anywhere—to get out of the rain...
For interpreting it so positively...
And for encouraging me like that...
You really are kind, (Name).
I'm so glad I could find the black rose with someone like you, (Name).
Actually, in this garden...
They say that the person who finds the black rose...
...will be able to stay together with their beloved forever.
Flure: Yes, so... I... I'm so happy!
I'm definitely going to...
I'll write this in my diary today.
"I found the Black Rose together with someone special"... that's what I'll write!
Flure’s face, already faintly flushed with joy...
...deepens to an even darker shade of red.
Flure: Ugh... I got carried away and talked too much.
...At the very least, until the proposal was over...
This is all your fault, you know?
Flure: ...Why do you look a little amused?
You're making me feel happy too, so please stop.
You: You're honest, aren't you?
Flure: ...At this point, there's no use trying to keep up appearances.
So, I'll just go ahead and admit it.
I'm the type who wants to clearly convey my feelings to someone special.
Even as Flure declares this with confidence...
...his cheeks are flushed bright red.
Seeing his attitude, I smiled a little shyly...
And gradually, Flure returned the gesture with a soft smile.
Flure: Hehe. I ended up talking about all sorts of things...
But if it makes you smile like that, (Name)…
I'm glad I shared it all.
Oh... wait? The rain has stopped before I even noticed...
You: It's a good thing it let up so soon.
Flure: Yes. Now we can resume our date!
If we're lucky, we might even see a rainbow.
As we stood up and stepped out from under the shelter...
A beautiful blue sky peeked through a break in the clouds.
It seemed we still had...
More happy times ahead of us.
After spending a blissful time in the garden...
We returned to the mansion.
Flure wants to stage a "mock proposal" to me
right here in this "Chamber of Vows."
I came to this spot alone and waited for his arrival.
You: (I wonder if Flure is coming soon...)
Flure: ...Sorry to keep you waiting, (Name).
Hearing his voice, I turned around...
...and saw him approaching, holding a large bouquet of black roses.
Flure: Hehe... Were you surprised?
You see, just in case I couldn't find a black rose in the garden...
Even if I hadn't found that black rose, I... I simply wanted to be with the person who matters most to me—forever.
I wanted to give this bouquet to you.
...Could you please listen to how I feel?
And if, at some point, you feel you might be willing to return those feelings...
Once again... please accept this bouquet.
From me, to the most important person in my world...It’s a gift.
Overwhelmed by his heartwarming words and the magnificent, massive bouquet...
Flure took a deep breath...
Then, with a serious look in his eyes, he spoke.
I think you are a wonderful person.
You are so kind and warm...
Your presence has always given me strength.
...I’m not exaggerating at all.
Your words and actions...
They’ve saved me more times than I can count.
Heh... well... Hearing it put this way...
You might find it hard to believe. After all, it’s incredibly difficult...
To see yourself as a kind person.
But the way I see it, (Name)…
You are a truly wonderful person.
Whether you’re consciously aware of your own kindness or not...
All those warm words and actions of yours...
...whether intentional or unconscious, the fact remains that you are someone who treats me with genuine thoughtfulness.
As I whispered his name...
Flure: Of course, (Name), you have plenty of wonderful qualities...
...beyond just your kindness.
The reason I singled out the warmth of your heart is that, as I spend more time with you...
...I want to be just as kind to you in return.
There might be times—like during our date today—when you make my heart race...
...and I end up acting a bit aloof or distant.
I don't mind spending time like this at all...
The time I spend with you, (Name), is always filled with happiness...
To the point where I feel a sense of emptiness when we aren't together.
That’s why... I need you in my life.
...Please let me pledge my eternity to you.
Because I will never...ever let you go.
...held out the bouquet of black roses he had been carrying.
From his hand—which was trembling slightly with nervousness...
...I gently took the bouquet.
You: I won't let go either, Flure.
Heh... I'm so relieved...
I was incredibly nervous...
But... I'm so happy to hear such a wonderful answer.
You: I was happy about it too.
I'm glad I went through with this "proposal" today.
We had originally talked about doing a "mock proposal," after all...
But the feelings I just shared with you, (Name)…
...they were completely sincere.
That you wanted to clearly convey your feelings to someone who matters to you.
I know how you think, Flure.
...he briefly looked away, his eyes darting about.
Flure: W-well, that is true, but...
Hearing you say it like that is actually pretty embarrassing.
...more than that, I'm happy.
That’s how it was... the fact that you—(Name)—trusted me.
You believed that I would speak my true feelings... if it were with you. Heh...
You are the most important person in the world to me.
Flure smiles gently and cheerfully, even as he looks a bit shy...
It conveyed how much I was cherished—more than words ever could.
I sweated to get this card.
buuuut in the end Flure and I got married😚
English is not my first language, so I apologize for any errors.