*Rose*
"Kine!" Alli yelled, rushing over to the Major. She jumped into his arms and hugged him.
"Hey, Alli! Out playing again?" Kine said, glancing at Salvias.
"We're going on an adventure!"
My mother-in-law snickered as she followed behind. "Sort of. We're heading to Momotaro for some tools."
"Tools?" I asked.
"Like a new rake! Our cousin Milo used to help us cut and rake the hay, but went ahead and joined the marines like brother," Salvias said.
"I miss Mi," Alli said, sighing.
I patted her head. "Was he fun to play with?"
She nodded. "Yeah! Tons of fun! He was like a big kid!"
Her mother giggled.
I thought about my big brother again. He was the only aspect of the palace that I missed. Ore always was fun to play with. Although, he would get scolded a lot by our tutors for skipping out on lessons. I couldn't always tag along as my health wasn't the best.
"Rose, ya comin'?" Alli asked, tugging on my dress.
I smiled. "You want me to?"
She nodded. "Ya part of the family now!"
My face felt warm. "Alright."
"Would you like me to take you there?" Kine asked.
"Oh, I can't impose on ya like that, Major," Mrs. Daikiri said, waving her hands.
He laughed. "You're not imposing. Besides, I'm heading back there anyway." The Major's gray eyes shifted toward me. "Plus, the walk might be harsh on your daughter-in-law."
I lowered my head. True. Traveling wasn't exactly healthy for me. While I'd gotten a little better, I still tired rather easily.
Mrs. Daikiri glanced at me. "Rose, is it alright with ya?"
I nodded.
Kine grinned. "Then it's settled!"
Alli cheered.
We returned to my driveway where Kine had parked his black sports car.
"Woah, isn't this a fast vroom-vroom?" Silvias asked, glancing up at Kine.
Kine chuckled. "Yeah!"
Salvias gasped. "Mommy, can I drive it someday?!"
Mrs. Daikiri frowned. "Boy, ya ain't getting behind the wheel of any vroom-vroom any time soon. For one ya too small."
Salvias crossed his arms. "But I heard Mi drove when he was ten."
Mrs. Daikiri shook her head. "Milo was a rare exception! Plus, you're only halfway there. And I won't allow Alli who is ten to drive either."
"Aww," Alli said, sighing.
Kine laughed as he opened the passenger door for me. "Rose, hop in."
I gave him a gracious smile. "Thanks."
Alli climbed into the back seat.
Salvias got in, taking the middle seat.
"Remember to wear ya seatbelt, little bro," Alli said, buckling him in.
He smiled. "Thanks, sis."
Mrs. Daikiri sat next Salvias and strapped him in.
Kine shut the door and hopped into the driver's side.
"Alright, everyone buckled in?" Kine asked.
I put mine on. "Now we are."
Mrs. Daikiri nodded.
Salvias saluted. "Ready to go vroom-vrooming!"
I giggled. What an adorable little scamp. Wonder if one day, I would have a little one like him. Hmm, hopefully he wouldn't be as high energy as his uncles, though. Not sure if I would be able to keep up.
Kine started the car and we headed down the path.
Salvias gasped as we drove passed the wheat fields. "Vroom-vroom sure is fast!"
Kine snickered.
"Uh, maybe slow down a little," I said, turning toward the window. I was starting to feel queasy.
"Sorry," Kine said, decreasing our speed.
"Aww. I was enjoying the speed!" Salvias said.
Mrs. Daikiri rubbed Salvias's head. "Boy, ya need to settle down."
"But vroom-vrooms are so cool!" Salvias said, pumping his fists.
His mother sighed. "They are cool, but ya need to take Rose's health in account too."
Salvias pouted. "Sorry, Rose."
I smiled. "It's fine, Salvias."
Mrs. Daikiri pat his head and smiled at her youngest son. "Boy, Rose forgives ya. No need to look so glum."
Salvias smiled slightly.
Mrs. Daikiri giggled and kissed his cheek.
I stared out of the window. It didn't take long at the speed we were moving at to see Momotaro, the city of peaches and the seat of Makkuroyama's Grand Duchy. The city was a lot bigger compared to our little countryside town. But paled in comparison to Kaguya.
Kine drove into Momotaro and grinned. "We're here. Now, which tool shop were you thinking of going to?"
Salvias gasped. His face pressed against the window. "Wow! So many vroom-vrooms!"
Mrs. Daikiri ruffled his hair and smiled. "You and your vroom-vrooms."
I snickered. Reminded me of Orlin and his swords. Whenever Ore brought one from Father's armory, Orlin would run around swinging it. Much to the castle staff's dismay.
Mrs. Daikiri pointed. "Major, turn left. The tool shop's right over there."
Kine drove us there and parked.
Mrs. Daikiri unbuckled Salvias and Alli. "Major, ya can wait out here if ya would like. Ya too, Rose, if ya not feeling well."
I unbuckled myself. "I'm fine. I actually want to get out." I laughed.
Kine looked down. "Sorry. Shouldn't have gone as fast as I did."
"I do thank you for slowing down." I glanced at Mrs. Daikiri. "Mother-in-law, lead the way."
Mrs. Daikiri nodded and grabbed Salvias's hand.
Alli ran over and took the other. Her mother led us into the tool store. It wasn't a big hardware store like I'd expected. It was about the size of a flower boutique instead. Still, it carried all types of farming tools.
Salvias gasped as he saw someone pushing a cart. "There's vroom-vrooms here too?"
Mrs. Daikiri snorted. "Those are carts, honey."
He tilted his head.
How adorable! Anything with four wheels was probably a 'vroom-vroom' to his five-year old mind.
Salvias tugged on Mrs. Daikiri's dress. "Mommy, can I get on one like that kid?" He pointed to a cart with a two year-old kid.
"We're just getting a few things, but alright!" she said, picking him up. She put him in a cart made to look like a car.
The little boy began making car sounds as his mom pushed the cart.
Alli giggled. "Salvias sure does like vroom-vrooms."
Mrs. Daikiri snickered. "Wonder where he gets it from. I thought he would be more into boats like his big bro and father."
I blinked. "Saffron loves boats?"
"Yeah. He has a large collection of model boats. Some which he got from his late father. They're still in his old room."
I smiled slightly. So even Saffron had a childish side to him.
Mrs. Daikiri walked over to a section with rakes. "Hmm, wonder which one would be best."
I stared at a 'fan' rake. "How about that one?"
Mrs. Daikiri smirked. "Rose, that's for leaves."
My cheeks reddened. Ugh, I was an idiot! "Sorry."
Mrs. Daikiri waved her hand. "Don't fret over it, dear. Ya new to farming."
Alli gasped. "Look at this rake, mommy!"
Mrs. Daikiri smirked. "Good find Alli!" She grabbed a wide blue rake whose teeth curved in a near perfect ninety-degree angle.
I tilted my head. Never seen a rake like that.
"Curious about it? This 'ere rake has many uses. In addition to being great for picking up a lot of hay at once, it's also good for spreading manure evenly, and even harvesting." Mrs. Daikiri smiled and patted Alli's head. "Good eye, sweetie."
Alli giggled.
Salvias frowned. "Time to go already?"
I looked around the place and noticed some flowers and plants. Hmm, maybe I could buy some.
Mrs. Daikiri smiled. "Want to browse some more, Rose?"
Salvias looked at me hopefully.
I nodded. "Sure."
Salvias cheered.
Mrs. Daikiri put the rake inside the cart. "Be careful not to poke yourself, honey."
He saluted. Had he learned that from his big brother?
Mrs. Daikiri snickered and pushed Salvias around.
Alli smiled and skipped alongside them.
I walked over to some pots. Maybe I could plant some flowers Saffron liked. But what did he like? I still knew so little about him. Hmm, maybe some roses? Would Saffron like those?
Mrs. Daikiri and Alli walked up next to me.
Salvias pointed at a watering can. "If ya gonna buy flowers, buy plant feeder."
Mrs. Daikiri picked Salvias up. "Watering can, honey."
He nodded. "Yeah, that!"
Alli giggled.
I laughed. So cute!
Mrs. Daikiri snickered. Salvias sure was enthusiastic.
I grabbed a rose pot. "Mother-in-law, think Saffron would like these?"
Mrs. Daikiri stroked Salvias's head as she pondered. "Well, my Saf is more the practical sort. So I doubt roses would interest him."
Salvias tilted his head. "What does that mean?"
"Means he likes thing that are handy!" Alli said.
I nodded. "Practical stuff have a usage beyond their beauty. Utilitarian we call it."
"Utili-wha?" Salvias asked.
Mrs. Daikiri giggled. "Rose means Saf likes useful things over pretty."
Alli sighed. "That's kind of boring, though."
I agreed, but I could also see my husband's point of view. Beauty wasn't everything. Practicality was important.
Salvias gasped. "Mommy, seed packets!"
Mrs. Daikiri pushed him over to where the packets were. "Oh, squash seeds!"
Alli groaned. "Squash?"
"Not fond of it?" I asked.
Alli crossed her arms. "Squash is yucky!"
"Don't say that. Ya older brother, father, and I subsisted on it when times were tough."
Salvias pumped his fists. "I think it's yummy!"
"See, Salvias agrees with me," Mrs. Daikiri said, grinning.
Alli stuck out her tongue. "Squash still yucky!"
Her mother shook her head. My mother-in-law turned to look at me. "Rose, wanna pick some seeds of plants ya think Saffron might like."
I hummed. What was something beautiful yet practical. Maybe some fruit bearing trees? But, it was pretty late in the season for that. Hmm, herbs maybe?
"Oh, rosemary!" Salvias said, pointing at some rosemary seeds.
Mrs. Daikiri smirked. "Well, Saffron does seem fond of a certain Rosemary."
He tilted his head.
Alli giggled at her pun.
My cheeks felt warm. Was he fond of me? It wasn't like we'd known each other for long. We just danced and spent a night together. Was that enough for two people to fall in love?
Mrs. Daikiri smiled. "Ya want to get some, Rose?"
I nodded. "Sure."
Salvias pumped his fists and grinned. "Yay!"
Mrs. Daikiri purchased the rosemary seeds I picked along with the water pot and the rake. Afterward, we walked back to Kine's car.
Kine got out of the car and helped put our items in the trunk.
"Bye, vroom-vroom," Salvias said as his mom took him out of the cart.
Mrs. Daikiri snickered.
Salvias saluted the cart goodbye as his mother put it with the other carts.
I picked him up and snuggled him. "You really like cars, huh?"
He nodded. "I adore them! Me wanna be a vroom-vroom driver when I'm older."
I furrowed my brow. Did he mean a race car driver? That was a rather dangerous career choice.
Mrs. Daikiri put her hands on her hips and sighed. "Boy, ya can drive vroom-vrooms once ya an adult."
He sighed.
Kine shut the trunk and glanced at me.
I blinked. "Something the matter?"
He shook his head.
I took a deep breath. "I know you're lying."
"I recall you used to be the opposite," he whispered.
My eyes widened. Right. I used to hate cars with a passion following the accident that killed Mother. Even now, riding them made me a bit queasy. And it wasn't only because of the trip itself.
Mrs. Daikiri strapped Salvias in.
Alli buckled herself in.
"Ready to go!"
Mrs. Daikiri gasped and looked at Kine. "Wait, but aren't ya going back to the base?"
Major Kine snickered. "Well..."
I crossed my arms and smiled. "You only used that as an excuse so we would accept your offer, correct?"
Major Kine scratched the back of his head and laughed. "Guilty as charged."
Alli giggled. "Marine knights sure are crafty."
Mrs. Daikiri smiled slightly. Was she thinking of her son and late husband.
I put a hand on her shoulder.
"You alright, Lady Daikiri?" I asked.
She nodded. "Yeah, I was just recalling a memory." Her eyes went to the silver ring in her hand.
So, she was thinking of Saffron's father. Wonder what their love life was like. Saffron said the age gap between him and his siblings was due to his father being off on missions. How did she handle being away from him for so long? I was barely apart from Saffron and already felt lonely.