(A/N Notes: So… This chapter was supposed to come last week, but I wasn't able to finish it on time, because I was writing, or rather rewriting something else. Hopefully the next chapter, I might be able to finish it on time)
On a rather quiet street, Edward and Florence stood in front of a store with several clothes and accessories displayed at its front window, all of which had pretty beautiful designs, but most surprising of all, was their prices, as the prices were extremely accessible.
"Here we are, Edward-sama. This is the shop where I believe you will find everything that you are looking for"
"Thank you, Florence-sama. Shall we get in?"
"Of course"
After that short exchange, the two entered the store, still with their arms linked, as part of the small deal that Edward had done with Florence so that she would bring him to this store.
"Ara? If it isn't, Lady Florence. Good afternoon, and I see that you brought your boyfriend with you today"
The person who greeted them was a middle-aged woman with short blonde hair in a cool style. She sat behind a counter and had quite the looks. And almost as if on par with her looks, she showed a rather playful personality, as she immediately toyed with Florence because she was currently hugging a boy's arm.
"Ahaha, I cannot say that we are quite there yet, owner"
"Yes, we are merely acquaintances as of now"
"… *Sigh* I already expected you to be a joy killer, Lady Florence. But for your friend to be one as well… Now that's just boring…"
Seeing that her joke didn't cause either Florence or Edward to act embarrassed or even blush, the store owner simply gave up and left the two to roam around her store as they looked at the products available.
Sometime later
A quite noticeable amount of time had already passed since Edward began looking through the various clothes articles available at the store, and yet…
*Checking clothes* "… … … Lysette would look great in this… And this one would fit perfectly on Nanako… While Atsuko would be really cute in this one… Ugh… So many choices…"
He couldn't decide which clothes to give to his wives because he found all of his options equally attractive, and due to his limited budget, he only found himself even more indecisive because he had to make the right choice to bring out the maximum potential of the girls and the clothes.
"Edward-sama, have you not found anything yet?"
"Ah! Sorry, Florence-sama, but I haven't… I simply cannot find the one that I think would fit my dear wives more than the other options"
"… I see"
Again, Florence felt an annoying pain in her chest, when she heard Edward talking about other girls in front of her, but she still managed to keep a gentle smile on her face.
"… Then, Edward-sama… How about this? You pick three of the options you liked the most for each of your wives, and of them I pick one, the one you buy. What do you think?"
"Hmm… I will go with your idea, Florence-sama"
"Fufu! I'm glad you liked, Edward-sama"
This time with Florence's suggestion, Edward once again looked at the clothes that he found to be the ones that would better fit his wives, and since he could pick three instead of one for each of his girls, Edward had a much easier time deciding.
"Florence-sama, I have chosen the clothes that I liked the most"
"Fufu, is that so? Then shall we start?"
"Yes, so first, these are the ones that I picked for Lysette"
"Hmm… I see, these are some pretty good picks…"
"…"
As Florence carefully weighed the options picked by Edward, the store owner who was watching the two from a distance, couldn't help but feel impressed at Edward's picks, as among her inventory, those three pieces of clothes were some of the best.
"Hmm… *Nods* Edward-sama, I think you should go with this one"
"This one?"
"Yes"
"Okay"
Following Florence's decision, Edward separated the clothes that she had recommended, while he put the other two back on the hangers, before picking three more.
"Now, these are the ones that I picked for Atsuko"
"Hmm… Those are pretty as well…"
"…"
Just like before, the store owner observed the two, as Florence carefully looked at the options available, until she eventually came to a decision.
"Edward-sama, you should go with this one"
"This one? Very well, Florence-sama"
Again, Edward separated the one that Florence had picked, while he put the other two back on the hangers. However, as he did that, Florence talked to herself inside her mind.
"Florence-sama, if you may, these are the three options that I have picked for Nanako"
"… … … Eh?"
"Hm?"
"E-Edward-sama… D-Do you perhaps have a t-third wife?"
"Ah! Yes, due to some circumstances… I did end up with three fiancées"
"…"
As Florence became stunned due to her surprise at finding out that Edward had a third wife, she began running her thoughts at how she could have missed such a rumor about someone like Edward, who had become quite a topic especially due to his engagement with Atsuko while he was still engaged to Lysette.
But as she did so, she remembered about the one time that she had first heard the name Nanako Nanako.
.
.
.
A few years ago
"Hm? Where is older brother going?"
The place that Florence was currently at, was a very expensive-looking hallway out of the many others present at the palace. Her appearance was quite different from the one that she currently had in front of Edward, to the point that one could mistake her for another person, and right now she was making her way to the palace's library for her studies.
And besides her, was her twin brother, Joseph, who was also going to the library for his studies, and the one who she had made the question to as she looked outside the window and saw her older brother, entering a carriage. A sight that had become a bit more common, ever since he went to Duke Neville's daughter's birthday ceremony.
"From what I heard, he is trying to woo some girl who is already engaged to someone else"
"Ara? Did older brother get interested in a girl? That is unexpected… Do you know what her name is?"
"… … … I think it was… Nana… Or maybe Nanako? I do not know for certain"
"I see, Nanako, huh? That is an unusual name… And what about the fiancé? Do you know who's the partner of the girl that caught older brother's interest?"
"As far as I know, he's the same count's heir who was engaged to a duke's daughter some time ago or something like that"
"The same person who was engaged was engaged to a duke's daughter and who's also the heir to a county, is it?"
"Yes, as far as I am aware. But, for all that I care, older brother can keep doing this, because that way I can prove that I am a better pick for the throne"
"Fufu. You really are ambitious, Joseph"
"Hmph! This is not ambition, I am merely showing to everyone that I am not merely older brother's shadow"
And with that, the two continued walking down the hallway in silence.
.
.
.
"…"
"Florence-sama? Are you feeling okay?"
"Ah! Y-Yes, I am Edward-sama!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"… Well, if you say so, shall we continue then?"
"Ah!… Yes, lets…"
After being brought back to her senses, Florence quickly dismissed Edward's worry about her going silent for quite a while. But once he dropped the matter, he ended up bringing Florence back to the whole reason why she went silent… The choosing of Nanako's clothes.
"I think you should go with this one, Edward-sama"
"You sure, Florence-sama?"
"Yes, I am. That's why I ended up going silent, because the option you have given me, was too much of a close race that I ended up losing track of time"
"… I see…"
To help divert, Edward's rather apparent worry for her, Florence used the clothes options as her excuse for why she had gone silent for so long, but Edward simply accepted with a rather dubious expression about what she was saying. Still, Edward heeded her opinion and picked the clothes that she had chosen, meaning that with that… He now had all of the gifts for his wives ready.
However, when Edward saw Florence's expression losing a bit of its brightness after choosing the clothes, he decided to ask her…
"Florence-sama, did you pick anything for yourself here?"
"Hm? Ah… No, I did not"
"Is that so? Then would like for me to find something that would suit you, Florence-sama?"
"Eh? Y-You do not need to, Edward-sama"
"No, I insist, Florence-sama. You have helped quite a lot today, so it is only natural for me to want to repay you, even if a little, and besides…"
"Hm?"
"I believe that I saw quite a few pieces of clothes that would perfectly fit someone as pretty as you, Florence-sama"
"… … … N-Now, you are just flattering me, Edward-sama"
"I am not, Florence-sama. I truly believe that I can find some clothes that would fit you"
"… W-Well, if you insist"
At Edward's blatant and honest words, Florence ended up giving in to his request as her cheeks turned a little red, but at the same time, she also felt rather happy at seeing that he was paying quite a lot of attention to her as well.
And so, the two again began walking around the store, this time together as Edward began looking for clothes for Florence and checking them with her, just as before, he always managed to pick the options that suited Florence, and they kept going until Edward stumbled on a beautiful yellow dress.
"Ah! Florence-sama, what about this one?"
"Hmm… I… Will have to humbly refuse this time, Edward-sama"
"Huh? Why?"
"Well… Edward-sama, do you know why my hair is this purple color?"
When Edward heard her question, he made a pensive expression as he thought about it, and then he remembered what one of the teachers had asked Florence when they were at the magic aptitude test.
"Is it because of your corrupted mana?"
"*Nods* And as a consequence of this, my appearance is completely different from the rest of my family, so as I grew up there were bound to be rumors about me being a bastard daughter of my mother.
So it became required of me to always maintain a disguise even at home, to avoid such rumors from being spread by new servants, and for me to also… Avoid wearing anything too eye-catching, to not let unannounced visitors get an interest in me.
And besides, that beautiful dress wouldn't look good on me. Especially, when I am disguised, and from also being a corrupted mana child that no noble house would want as a partner for their children"
As Florence talked about herself, and her condition, her usually bright expression, turned one filled with melancholy, as for Edward he chose to remain silent as she talked.
"So, what do you think now, Edward-sama? Am I still a girl who would be worthy of that dress?"
"Of course, you are, Florence-sama"
"… Eh!?"
"Florence-sama, you may not think this about yourself, due to the fact you need to hide your appearance for the sake of your family, but…
I truly believe that you're a really sweet and beautiful girl, and if I could, it would be my pleasure to have someone as beautiful as you by my side, Florence-sama"
"…"
"And besides… I truly think that your bluish-purple hair is a very beautiful one, Florence-sama"
"… … … E-Edward-sama, i-if you k-keep s-saying s-stuff like that… I-I really won't be a-able to h-h-hold myself back, d-do you u-understand?"
"Of course, I do Florence-sama. And I'll always be happy to welcome you (at my family's house) if you ever feel like (visiting) it"
"…"
At his response, Florence who was blushing due to a variety of emotions, could only remain silent as she wondered if he was being intentional or not with what he just said and if he truly understood what she meant or if he was just so clueless until he reached the point of no return.
"*Deeply breaths in*… Edward-sama, I will go wear these clothes that you picked for me… So please, don't try to buy that dress for me behind my back, got it?"
"… Okay!"
"… *Sigh*"
At his answer, which only came after a brief silence, Florence made an expression of someone who didn't believe him at all, but considering how he had acted so far, she decided to trust that he would keep his word. And so she made her way to the changing room, to experiment the clothes on her hands.
"… … …" *Crouches down*
After she had closed the curtain, and put the clothes on a hook, Florence immediately crouched down as she covered her face, which was now completely red, with both of her hands.
"…" 'it would be my pleasure to have someone as beautiful as you by my side' if you say that to me while you have three wives already! You'll only make me think that you want to get married to me as well!!! And the fact that you said that without any hesitation, really makes me think you want to marry me!!! I'm really on my limit here, Edward-smaa!!! Anything more, and I don't think I'll be able to hold myself back anymore!!!> Florence was currently letting out everything that she was feeling at the moment to herself inside the changing room. Edward made his way to the counter that the store owner was currently behind, and he looked at a few of the accessories that she had on display there. "… So? Aren't you going to get the dress for Lady Florence?" "Hm? I won't, after all, she asked me to not get it behind her back" "Tsk, You're so upright, that it's boring… Though, you're quite the flatterer, so I would really like for you to work here" "…" *Surprised face* "What? Is something wrong with me wanting to hire you because you're good at picking clothes" "No, it's not that. It's just that I heard something similar earlier today" "You did?… Well, whoever offered you a job earlier, I will pay you double whatever they offer you" "… I thank you for the offer, but I first must see if I'll pass the Royal Academy entrance exam and have time to work" "I see, in any case, just remember that I'm always with the job offer open for you" "Ahaha… Thank you, I guess?… … … Ah! This one hair clip is quite nice, is it a pair?" "That one? Yes, it is" "I see, then please could you get that yellow dress with these hair clips for me, please?" "… … … Hm? Wait, didn't you just say that you wouldn't be getting that dress for Lady Florence?" "I did, but I only agreed to not get the dress behind her back. I never agreed that I wouldn't get the dress alongside a pair of hair clips behind her back, though" "… *Nodding* That's one ingenious way of doing this, I'm impressed. Anyways, I'll go get a similar-looking dress to make sure that Lady Florence won't notice your little trick" "Thank you, owner" . . . "Whew…" After a while, Florence finally came out of the changing room. She had quite liked the clothes that Edward had chosen for her, but she also felt troubled at the fact that she wouldn't be able to use them for her day-to-day life. "Hm?… Did that dress look like that?… Huh? Ah! Did you already pay for everything while I changing clothes, Edward-sama?" "Yes, I did. And I also found a nice dress and hair clips for an acquaintance of mine. What about you, Florence-sama? Did any of the clothes I picked for you, catch your interest?" "Honestly speaking, Edward-sama… All of them did, but due to my circumstances, they would be a waste on me, since I wouldn't be able to wear them at all" "I see, that's a shame" "You don't look so sad from hearing that, Edward-sama" "That's because, just knowing that you liked what I chose for you, is more than enough for me, Florence-sama" "… You really are something else, Edward-sama… Well, shall we get going then? I believe that it must be getting quite late now, and you still need to make the trip back to your family's territory, don't you, Edward-sama?" "Yes, you are correct, Florence-sama" "Then shall I accompany you to the fountain closest to the train station, Edward-sama?" "I would love to, Florence-sama" "Fufu!" Just like how they walked into the shop, Florence happily hugged Edward's arm, and they both gave their farewells to the store owner as they left. The two walked side by side in a carefree manner until they returned to the busy main streets, that had now opened a little bit as fewer people were bustling around at this hour. And before they knew it, the two had already reached the fountain, near the train station. "Edward-sama, I think this is where we will be saying our farewells for the time being" "I think so too. Florence-sama" "… Edward-sama, thank you for accompanying me today on a date. It was really fun spending my time with you" "I also enjoyed walking around with you, Florence-sama. And Thank you for showing me such nice places in the capital" "Fufu. I am glad you liked it, Edward-sama" "Yes, so here's a little present from me as thank you, Florence-sama" "Hm? But isn't this for you acquaintance, Edward-sama?" "Yes, and you are one of my acquaintances, are you not, Florence-sama" "! Fufu… Very clever, Edward-sama. Now let's see what you got for me… Eh?… E-Edward-sama! Didn't I say that you couldn't get this dress behind my back!" "Yes, you did, Florence-sama" "Then why did you get it!?" "Because…" "!" Edward then stepped closer to Florence, which surprised her as she also felt him fondling her hair. "… And done! Fumu! As I thought, they really suit you… And you really do have a pretty face, Florence-sama" "Eh? Huh?" Confused at what Edward had just done, Florence touched her bangs, and there she noticed that they were swept a little to the side she also noticed two metal hair clips, one on each of her side bangs, holding some of her hair in place. "Florence-sama, you said that I couldn't get the dress behind your back. But you never said that I couldn't get it alongside a pair of hair clips…" "!" "And besides, I couldn't help but just want to present a beautiful dress to a beautiful and nice girl like you, Florence-sama. And the same also applies to the hair clips, I couldn't help but want to give them to you when I saw them" "… *Sigh*… Edward-sama" "Yes?…!?" At hearing Edward's reason for getting the dress for her, Florence finally had enough, so she just sighed and called for his name, and due to their close distance, she had little trouble doing what she was planning to do. As she just wrapped her arms around his neck… And pulled him for a kiss. It was a very passionate kiss that lasted for quite a while before Florence finally let go of Edward, who was now only able to make a surprised expression at the sudden development. But Florence, on the other hand… "Fufu… Edward-sama, I told you that if you kept acting like this, I wouldn't be able to hold myself back… and that I would have you take responsibility or the consequences, didn't I?" "Ah!" "Fufu! Now, Edward-sama. I will have you take responsibility for making me fall in love with you" "… … … Yes, Florence-sama…" When Florence declared so to him, she made a very seductive smile while her eyes looked like those of a hungry predator intently looking at its prey. To which, all that Edward could do was… Agree with her demands as he made a defeated expression while maintaining his gentle smile. "…" But as the two did that, another person was making a rather shocked expression at seeing the two kiss like that in front of the fountain, almost as if they had seen that exact scene somewhere before… And that someone was none other than Amanda Faerber… A reincarnator. "… Huh?" As Amanda was having something akin to a mental breakdown, Edward and Florence both gave their farewells to each other with a little of an awkward atmosphere between them due to what had just happened. While Edward entered the station, Florence walked back into the crowded streets. She swiftly moved herself across the sea of people, until she managed to arrive at an empty alley, and there outside of anyone's view, she held the pendant of the necklace she was wearing, and she put a little of her mana on it. Suddenly her bluish-purple hair changed to a blonde color while her heterochromatic eyes turned into an emerald green color, the two colors that were the most characteristic of her family. *Step step step* Then Florence heard the sound of familiar steps approaching, causing her to turn and see a person that she had known for almost her entire life. "Ara? Maria. You are right on time as usual" "*Bows down* Florence-ojou, the carriage is ready to pick you up. Is there anything else that you still need to do for your disguise?" "I just need to do my hair into the usual style" "I see, then we can do that inside the carriage" "I will be counting on you then as always, Maria" "Very well, Florence-ojou" And with that, the maid Maria led Florence back to the main street, where a carriage sporting the crest of the royal family on it, caught everyone's attention as it momentarily came to a halt due to another carriage crossing the street. Allowing the two to enter the carriage without anyone noticing them aside from the people assigned to the carriage and its security. . . . Sometime later, back at the Harding Family's territory "I'm back" "! Welcome back, Edward-sama!" "Ah! Atsuko! I really missed you today" "I also missed you a whole lot, Edward-sama… … … Hm? *Sniff sniff*" "Hm? What's wrong, Atsuko?" "… Edward-sama, why do you have the scent of another woman on you?" "… … … Well… Let's just say that some things happened, and… I might get engaged again" "… … … Haa… I should've guessed this would happen sooner or later. I will talk about this with Lysette-sama and Nanako-san. But first… How dare you spend your day with another girl when we've been waiting for you all this time today, Edward-sama!" "I'm sorry, Atsuko" "Hmph! Don't think I'll forgive so easily today, Edward-sama!" "…" "! Kyaaahh! W-what're you do- MMMNNN!?" When Atsuko declared that she wouldn't forgive him so easily, she also turned her back toward him, carelessly opening her for any advances that Edward decided to make, and that was exactly what happened as Edward picked her up in a princess carry and kissed her lips. As always, that was all that he needed to do to silence Atsuko, then he began making his way to their bedroom, where he gave Atsuko lots and lots of attention and love until she forgave him, which she did quite early on began begging for him to slow down, which he refused to do so. A short time later, Lysette and Nanako also make the same mistake as Atsuko and receive lots of attention and love from Edward, then by the morning of the very next day, the three were all regretting having said that they wouldn't forgive him.