#ahit nell

While taking care of her greenhouse, she was met with a knock at the door

She glanced over, and jumped, rushing to open it 

“He-hello, Lord Markus!” 

“Good afternoon, Miss Munchen.” The man smiled “I am in need of your assistance” 

“For what?” 

“I wish to make a special bouquet for my nieces party in a few days, but I require a rare flower that I believe you grow here” 

That immediately improved the florist's mood, showing a smile to him “Which flower?” 

“Alpine Snowdrops” 

“Oh, yes! I do have those!” She walked to the back of the greenhouse “Here. come see” 

He walked over to her, looking over her shoulder. 

And lo and behold, there was the plant, a baby’s breath- type of flower with lovely little bells in the shape of six-point stars - like snowflakes. 

“Perfect” He grinned “How do I pick these so they’re in full bloom by Saturday?” 

“Pick them in the morning then - come and I will clip them for you” 

“Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful” 

“Heheh, you’re very excited, Lord Markus” 

“That I am!” He admitted gladly “I honestly never thought I would have extended family!” 

Delilah chuckled, “I understand.” 

Markus smiled further, but before he could say more, there was the sound of a cleared throat behind them. 

They turned, and the doctor was standing there

“Oh, Hello!” Delilah cleared her own throat “Are you here for the Ummimi pollen?” 

Nell nodded “Am I interrupting something?” 

“Oh, no, not at all!” Delilah commented “In fact, you two stay right here, I’ll get back with the pollen, it was inside drying!” 

The florist rushed off, leaving the two alone.

Markus took a second “Ah, well, hello Doctor Buonacci. You’re looking lovely this day” 

Nell chuckled “Well thank you, My Lord. You are looking quite good as well. Getting ready for the party?” 

“Oh, of course! You will be coming, right?” 

“I will, yes” 

“Good! Good” Markus held his own hands, almost nervous “Are you going with someone?” 

“What? Oh, no” She laughs “You say that as if anyone has asked, or if I asked in turn” 

“I find it hard to believe that no one might request your presence with them” 

Nell let out a slightly bitter laugh “I don’t” 

Markus frowned, head tilted “Why is that, may I ask?” 

Nell gave him a skeptical eyebrow raise

He returned it, awaiting an answer. 

“Please, enlighten me, who in this village might request me as their date?” 

And before he can even say anything- before he could even offer -

“Doctor?”

The two turned their heads, and there was Delilah. 

“Uh… was I…” 

“No,” Nell coughed “no it’s fine” The doctor took the pollen “Thank you, Delilah” 

“No problem” 

“I must be on my way” Nell announced “I wish you both a good evening” 

And she turned on her heel, leaving as abruptly as one possibly could. 

Markus’ shoulders slumped

“... I interrupted you, didn’t I?” 

Markus sighed “It is quite alright. I wish that I had a gumption to just… ask her” 

“You have time!” Delilah encouraged “All else fails… you can ask her to dance the night of?” 

“I can certainly try” he straightened himself out “Well, no use being down about it now!” 

Delilah gave him an awkward nod

“I’ll be back for the flowers” he nodded back, offering a polite smile “Good evening to you!”