As the Flower Capital Festival drew near, decorations put up by officials and residents alike turned Istrat into a city of flowers, filled with their fragrance.
But there were always people who disliked it.
"Achoo!" Aquinо rubbed his nose as he walked into the house. "Good thing this damned Celebration doesn't happen every year..."
The living room was lively. His parents were by the window, trimming the buds of their potted flowers.
"Why did you bring those inside?" Aquinо said with disgust.
"Didn't you used to steal flowers from the neighbors and plant them in pots when you were little? Then they all died, and you couldn't stop crying..." His father brought up the childhood story, and he and his wife laughed.
"You said it yourself. I was little."
Their laughter grated on Aquinо, and he turned to leave again.
"Where are you going?"
"I still need to go to the City Lord's Mansion and deliver the bad news from Strange Tales City."
"Bad news? Aren't the Oddities all gone?"
"There isn't a single living person left in the city. How is that not bad news?"
"As long as the Princess is all right, isn't that enough?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I explained." Aquinо waved a hand impatiently. "Don't make dinner for me tonight."
He had just opened the door when a small figure rushed in and collided with him.
"I got some Happy Water!" his nephew shouted excitedly, holding up two glass bottles.
"Happy Water?" Disgust crossed Aquinо's face as he was about to step outside. "Didn't I tell you that stuff's no good? Drinking that stimulant potion is bad for your health."
"How can it be a potion? Lots of nobles drink it..."
"If it isn't a stimulant potion, why does everyone want to drink it so