If Celitia knew what thoughts were currently spinning in Florence's head, she would probably already be researching how to twist her head off and kick it like a ball.

Under Florence's pushing and shoving, Celitia was forced to walk to the door.

The door reopened before her eyes, and Celitia felt a strong force from behind, forcing her to stumble out, nearly crashing headfirst into Sophia's embrace.

Accompanied by a "bang," the workshop door closed behind her again, not even leaving a crack.

"What's gotten into that woman..."

Celitia rubbed her head and sighed, having no choice but to start explaining.

"The workshop has defensive formations activated, so she didn't let you in because she was afraid you might accidentally trigger them. Florence is cleaning up now, so let's go in later."

Sophia understood Celitia's explanation.

But her thoughts weren't focused on any "defensive formations" at all.

Silently staring at the girl before her, Sophia struggled for a moment before speaking softly:

"You and Miss Florence seem to get along quite well."

Last time, Celitia had given an answer saying they were just in a cooperative relationship.

Sophia only occasionally saw the two collaborating, and from just those brief observations, she could tell that the atmosphere between them was actually quite harmonious and natural, as if they could talk about anything.

With Celitia's personality, this kind of interaction between them definitely wasn't just cooperation based on mutual benefit.

"Maybe."

This time, Celitia didn't continue to deny it.

Although Florence had quite annoying aspects, Celitia ultimately couldn't bring herself to dislike her.

Worried that Sophia might develop some prejudice against Florence, Celitia reluctantly explained a few things for her.

"Florence is always dancing back and forth on the legal red line, but she's not really a bad-hearted person."

After saying this, even Celitia herself felt it was a bit forced, and couldn't help but rub her forehead in distress.

To some extent, she and Florence were already accomplices.

At this point, even she couldn't convince herself if she said anything about keeping Florence in check.

Sophia remained silent, taking in Celitia's reaction.

The girl was frowning, seeming quite troubled about Florence's situation.

She might be overthinking it—she actually didn't have any particular opinion about Florence.

What she cared about was...

In Sophia's mind, the scene she had just witnessed flashed again—Florence lifting her chin.

There were more and more people around Lily.

Whether it was the mysterious elf maid and alchemist, Shanie and Benita who always stayed by her side, or those admirers who continuously sent confession letters to her...

Perhaps, to Celitia, Sophia was never the special one.

But...

For Sophia, it wasn't like that.

After much confusion and bewilderment, she had finally understood the emotion that had long since sprouted from her heart and grown into a towering tree.

Sophia had thought about it all night and finally made up her mind.

She wanted to tell her about these feelings.

Because she could no longer bear it.

"I didn't come for Miss Florence."

Thinking of this, Sophia gathered her courage and stated her purpose.

"I have something I want to say to you. Do you have time to listen, Lily?"

Looking deeply into those smoke-purple eyes, gazing at that misty haze, Sophia once again heard her own heartbeat.

One beat after another, continuous and unending, gradually becoming thunderous.

Celitia was slightly confused.

"Something you want to say to me?"

She rarely saw Sophia so serious, looking like she wanted to say something important to her.

Looking back at the still tightly closed door, estimating that Florence wouldn't finish tidying up anytime soon, Celitia thought for a moment and asked:

"Should we go back to the flower shop first?"

"Actually, I have a place I want to go," Sophia shook her head, her voice full of anticipation. "Would you be willing to come with me?"

Celitia said straightforwardly: "Let's go."

They walked side by side along the alley toward the outside.

The morning mist after the rain was slightly cool, seeping thread by thread into their lungs; the puddles on the cobblestones splashed in all directions, reflecting the girls' images inch by inch.

Facing the direction where the sea breeze came from, the two gradually walked to the trading port.

The bustling commercial district was already operating, with people's faces beaming with energy, preparing to start a busy day.

"Time passes so quickly," Sophia smiled as she spoke. "I can't believe nearly two months have passed just like that."

"Yes." Celitia responded.

In her time scale, two months wasn't long, but this time, she had a particularly dreamlike feeling.

Perhaps it was because too many things had happened in these short two months.

Sophia's smile became even gentler.

Her gaze fell on the dessert shop they had visited before, watching the staff open the doors, hang up the business sign, and display various pastries in the window.

"You still remember that shop, right? You ran out of there at the time and disappeared completely, which really worried me."

Sophia tilted her head, her voice light.

"You seemed quite weak physically, but you were surprisingly good at running—that's what I thought at the time."

Hearing Sophia bring up the past, Celitia still couldn't help feeling embarrassed.

Looking back at what happened then, Celitia had to admit that she had been way too stubborn.

Although she reflected on it, honestly speaking, she wasn't much better now.

"I didn't go very far actually."

Embarrassed as she was, Celitia remained stubborn, muttering quietly, "There were quite a few people around then, and I mixed into the crowd, so you just couldn't see me for a while."

"Is that so?"

Sophia didn't argue, continuing to walk slowly forward along the path from memory.

"When I finally caught up with you, you scolded me for being nosy. I still remember it clearly."

That wasn't just once—she definitely hadn't held back on calling Sophia "nosy" back then...

Celitia lowered her head in embarrassment, her long hair completely covering her cheeks, even her ear tips turning red. She wished she could destroy all the dark history.

Seeing that the girl was about to close her ears and become a shrinking turtle if they continued, Sophia blinked and gave Celitia a brilliant smile.

"Maybe I had already decided from that time." Her eyes brightened, her voice full of determination. "Your business is my business to manage."

Celitia was stunned.

Like distant ocean waves rushing forward, crashing against rocks and stirring up flying spray, the sound of waves echoing endlessly.

After a moment, she muttered quietly: "Why me specifically?"

"Because—" The girl drew out her tone, "there's someone who has no awareness of her own situation whatsoever, always acting so tough that people simply can't leave her alone!"