Chapter Text
Tomorrow finally came, way too quick in Mydei's opinion. He couldn't sleep well, mind rife with worry about this mission and of Castorice. She's still upset about something and he wants to fix it desperately. He didn't want her to be mad with him but he doesn't know what he did, mind cleared from restful sleep still couldn't tell what happened to make Castorice sad. He's thinking too hard about this but a fierce stab of anxiety grips his chest at the mere thought of her hating him and becoming distant. The attack so visceral he feels it in his stomach, he's never felt this feeling before even during the start of battles and is a little lost, he really wants to clear things up with her.
Maybe he should bring something to Castorice later and get her to open up to him about why she's so down. He wants her to be comfortable with him after all. So he started to get ready, packing what he needed for the trip. Honestly he doesn't have much in the way of belongings so his load is quite light, he just needed food, water and clean clothes in his bag. Opening the door he almost smacked right into Phainon who held his fist up ready to knock on his door. Startled by the Deliverer's sudden appearance he opened his mouth to speak. "Phainon?!- what are you doing here I almost walked into you?!?"
"Ah Mydei there you are~" the white haired man smiled and lowered his fist like he didn't almost caused an accident with him standing so close to the door and scaring the Kremnoan half to death. "I'm so glad I caught you before you left cause I needed to speak with you!!"
"How did you even find where I was staying??" Mydeimos continued exasperated, he genuinely almost jumped out his skin seeing him there.
"Miss Castorice! I saw her earlier and asked where you were."
At the mention of her name Mydei's face visibly fell and he looked deeply troubled with something. Phainon looked a bit concerned. "You okay man?"
Mydei looked he struggled to even say it for few seconds before sighing and giving up. "No..." he responded honestly because he really isn't okay since Castorice is upset with something and it's his fault.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Phainon asked. Mydei gave him a stare that said he rather not.
"Do I have to? Its not like my face shows what I'm thinking." The Kremnoan didn't feel like opening up to a guy he just met yesterday.
"Mydeimos with all due respect you look like a kicked puppy right now and your face visibly looked sad when I mentioned her name. Which is frankly shocking, I didn't know you liked Miss Castorice this much~"
At that Mydei scoffed and turned from him, blush visible on his cheeks. He won't deny nor confirm that statement. Seeing that its Phainon's turn to be suprised. "Wait so I guessed correctly?? You do like Castorice like that....I guess it makes sense after all you're probably the only one in Amphoreus she can't kill with her touch..."
"Think whatever you wish." Mydei sighed.
Phainon's smiled turned smug. "Its okay you can be honest with me Mydei, you don't have to be pouty like this~ its good to know she has someone that has a crush on her~ because she's usually very lonely and having someone who likes her romantically or otherwise would be great for her."
"I'm not‐ why are you even here Phainon??" He decided to ask him because frankly he's not going to answer the questions if he has a crush on her.
"Hm? Oh that! I kinda forgot now...." Phainon scratched the back of his head. Mydei gave him a deadpan expression.
"What?"
"Look I wanted to see you off before you left butttt seeing you with love trouble with our resident mortician is very cute and I want to help!!"
"Why though..." the Prince asked perplexed by such a thing. "We only just met yesterday Phainon, you don't know me why would it concern you....also its not love trouble."
"Thats the point!! I would like to better friends with you Mydeimos~ I have to ask though was it love at first sight? And you don't care about the fact she has the touch of death? Bold I say."
"I just told you its not a love trouble, Phainon!!!" He seethed. "Its just....she's upset with me or is upset with something about me and I don't know how to fix it."
"Upset with you?" Phainon parroted back to him. "What did you do for that to happen? Did she look pouty and sad like a wet cat? That usually happens when she overthinks about something she's worried about, she'll tell the reason later when she gets the courage to do so, so just wait~"
"How did you-??" Mydei asked stunned because he didn't expect Phainon to understand her so well.
"I was her classmate remember and I remember Miss Castorice's behaviour quite well she's quite easy to read."
"I see..." Mydei spoke sceptically.
"....you really want to fix this rift huh, Mydei? I can see how much she means to you, which is honestly suprising since you also met her yesterday and now Lady Aglaea has sent you on this mission. How do you feel about it?"
"Of course I do, I want to be her friend even if we have just met I can clearly see she's so lonely and desperately needs a close friend...also I don't mind this mission. You Okheman's clearly don't trust me as the Kremnoan Crown Prince, its for precaution and a test of loyalty to the Flame-Chase thats why Aglaea asked me specifically."
"Its not like we don't trust you, I definitely do. So does Miss Hyacine and Miss Castorice~"
"Thats probably because you don't know me very well that you trust me blindly..."
"Even so I think you're trustworthy Mydeimos~" he giggled. "Alright to show your sincerity you can get flowers for her~ lets pick some out."
"Flowers? I've never bought any before...."
Phainon looped his arm around Mydei's own to pull him towards Marmoreal Market quite excitedly. "I imagine you haven't, but since Castorice really likes flowers you can give them to her~ it should make her happy enough to not be mad with you."
"Wait- Phainon you HKS do you know if it will work??"
"I'm ninety five percent sure it will work so just follow me Mydeimos!!!"
With Phainon already having a vice grip on his arm Mydei had no choice but to follow him. It was the second time someone has shown him around the market in the last twenty four hours, though this time he's not really inclined to enjoy it so much. Not that he doesn't like Phainon's company he's just so....bright, his energy is gentle but blinding to the Crown Prince who's only known suffering and darkness. Though now that the Prince thinks about it he finds Castorice's energy to more gentler and nice to be around, though there's an underlying sadness to it. Finally coming to a stop Mydei finds himself at a familiar store, the fresh herbs one that he went with Castorice yesterday.
"They sell flowers as well?" Mydei asked suprised, he didn't know they had something like that.
"Well yes, all manner of kinds!"
"....I guess herbs do count as plants, that does make sense." The strawberry blonde haired man shrugged off Phainon's arm and walked to the stand again, fortunately for him the vendor from yesterday was there today. He smiled dangerously when the vendor saw him and visibly paled, Phainon however didn't notice this interaction as he was prattling on about different plants.
"We meet again." Mydei said as he walked up to him.
"Y-You're the guy that was with Miss Castorice yesterday?"
"Good thing you remember me." He replied with a slight smug grin on his face, he was having a bit too much fun messing with him, he still remembers the audacity he displayed by saying Castorice should pay for him. He's feeling a bit petty about that and wants to get petty revenge. Phainon however didn't notice the exchange and thought they were getting along great.
"You're already acquainted?" Phainon smiled.
"We're familiar...." Mydei replied, his smug grin still on his face.
"Perfect then this should be easier for you Mydeimos." Phainon then turned to the vendor. "My friend here is looking for flowers as an apology gift, do you have something like that?"
".....Phainon do you even know what kind of flowers she even likes??" Mydei asked him incredulously, he couldn't believe they didn't think of that earlier. The Deliverer paused.
"Uh...any type shall do?"
"You don't know do you?" Mydei raised an eyebrow, his disbelief is palpable.
"Look I've never asked her what kind of flowers she likes Mydeimos....she usually keeps to herself y'know." Phainon tried in vain to explain himself but Mydei's disappointed in him face makes him embarrassed he doesn't know his own friend flower preferences.
"Since you don't know I'll just ask for any kind." He said gruffly and turned back to the scared vendor. "You're in luck today, I will forget about what you said about Castorice paying for me if you tell me about what flowers to get for her."
"C-Can she even hold them....??" He trailed off as Mydei's stare turned murderous. "H-How about you describe the feelings you have with her it should help me."
"Hm...?" Mydei paused to think, could he even perfectly encapsulate everything he feels about her into words? Try as he might there isn't a single phrase or sentence he could use for the depth of his feelings. He recognised her the minute he saw her come to the Kremnoan camp but he pretended not know who she is....then they spent time together on a date around Okhema where he learned some more things about her and finally his wish and asking her to help him end the Kremnoan cycle of dying in battle. Even when he met her as a boy and right now he still doesn't know much about her but what he felt then and now is a deep affection and wanting to be this lonely girl's friend. Maybe something more in the future too if that happens because he knows his feelings for her runs deeper to become even romantic love. But that's wishful thinking about possible future scenarios right now he just wants to be friends with her and show his appreciation for her resilience and gentle, loving nature.
"Friendship....I want to show her how much I appreciate her." Mydei settled on. "I would say more but that would take all day....also I'm a man of few words."
"Is that so....how about a bouquet of Yellow Roses, Snapdragons, Peonies, Sun Flowers and Violets; Yellow Roses symbolise friendship, Snapdragons symbolise grace, resilience and strength, Peonies symbolise romance and bashfulness, Sunflowers symbolise unwavering loyalty, adoration, and longevity and Violets symbolise modesty, faithfulness, virtue, and innocent love. I think this works for you Lord Mydeimos...?" The vendor said with some twing of fear in his voice.
The Kremnoan Prince actually started blushing hearing those descriptions. "Romance, innocent love...?"
"Why do you sound so spooked at those Mydeimos? Too nice and prissy for a rugged Prince such as yourself?" Phainon smirked at him which just further embarrassed Mydei.
"Its just....if some of those flowers mean that wouldn't I just be giving her the wrong message that I have these sort of feelings for her and futher upset Castorice with it? I don't want her to hate me for presumingly leading her on..."
"Wow you're thinking really hard about this man, if you want to remove them be my guest. But if it were me I would leave them in because the other descriptors of the Violets and Peonies do represent Miss Castorice very well~ maybe she doesn't know the full meaning."
"....you're a very bad influence Phainon but fine I'll listen to your...advise." He sighed. "Its not like its particularly wrong anyway." He added more to himself.
"Perfect!! So a bouquet of those flowers please for my friend here." Phainon smiled and the vendor went to do just that.
Mydei still looked kind of worried so Phainon had to say something. "You'll be be fine, she'll definitely appreciate your gift."
"....I do hope you're right."
"Of course I am, thats why I'm friends with her and you're friends with me~"
"Ugh..." Mydeimos rolled his eyes. "You don't even know what her favourite kind of flower is."
"That is slander Mydeimos, I know plenty of other things about her."
They continued this pointless bickering till the vendor came back with the bouquet. Mydei paid for it and held it gently in his grip before they left. He and Phainon argued continously till they parted ways at the baths entrance which did alarm some bystanders. Phainon had some work assigned from professor Anaxagoras, he wished him good luck on his mission and on his blossoming romantic relationship with Castorice. Mydei almost beat him to death there for that last comment but did punch his arm and sent him on his way while he went to where Castorice stays. Which he actually doesn't know so he's just standing there at the baths waterfall trying to figure out what to do.
"Lord Mydei?" A familiar voice called out from behind him, looking back he saw the Twilight Courtyard healer studying at the Grove, Hyacine right? He must look stupid just standing here aimless. "Is there a reason why you're standing here lost in thought? You might get accidentally hit by the bathers while they are on their way out!!" She then saw the flower bouquet and brightened considerably. Mydei looked concerned at that.
"Are those for Cassie?! Are you looking for her?"
"Yes, for both accounts..." Hyacine awwed and Mydei cleared his throat to remove any blush from his face. "I can't seem to find where she stays in Okhema..."
"I actually saw her earlier outside her residence, she's currently at the Garden of Life watching Chimera's from a distance, she seemed a bit down and a little sad."
Mydei fought the urge to wince and say it could be his fault for that. "I can show you where she stays in Okhema when you come back from your mission with Cassie~"
"Thank you...." he said gratefully and finally went to find her.
Hyacine sighed fondly and was about to leave when she saw a familiar tuft of white hair in the corner, a pink eyebrow raised at this suspicious behaviour. "Lord Phainon what are you doing?"
"Ah Miss Hyacine. I was originally going to go but then I saw you approach Mydei and I, eavesdropped? But this confirms what I said about him yesterday, about how much he cares about Castorice, to a degree which is a bit suspicious and odd. He's only recently met her for the first time but he's acting like he's known her before..."
"I see what you mean but I think its sweet. He clearly cares about Cassie to the point in getting her flowers!!~ I think him being slightly in love with her will do no harm."
"No harm," Phainon repeated sarcastically as they started walking. "Also slightly in love isn't the word I'd use, he genuinely seems like he's obsessed with her."
Hyacine hummed. "I wouldn't say obsessed per say, its more like he cares deeply about Cassie and her feelings, which is very cute so he wouldn't do anything to harm her. First and foremost he desires friendship with her maybe then the feelings will deepen from there. But you're right about Lord Mydei seemingly acting like he knew Cassie already....we shall continue observing from a distance!! Lady Aglaea also mentioned that to me~"
"Okay fine." The Deliverer conceded. "Maybe he'll tell us if we ask...Mydeimos thinks he's not obvious with trying not to be love sick with Miss Castorice but his behaviour says otherwise."
The healer giggled. "You're correct but I don't think he'll open up to you Lord Phainon because of your teasing words about him~"
"HEY?!"
...........................
It did not take long for the Kremnoan to read the garden of life and almost immediately spotted her watching a few Chimera's playing, keeping her five pace distance from them. It seemed Castorice was lost in thought, Mydeimos took note of her appearance as she wore her hair back into the pigtails and no substantial makeup on her face today which isn't a bad thing but he kept imagining running his fingers through her hair. Gathering his resolve and hiding the flowers behind his back he walked up to her.
"Castorice?" He called out to her. Immediately she jumped and turned back to look at him in suprise, clearly not expecting him. She blinked and snapped out of it. "...Lord Mydeimos, good morning how was your sleep?" Mydei could tell she still has that careful distance she has put back between them he doesn't like, but he can't say anything like that so he'll just answer her casually.
"It was adequate." He sighed and stepped closer to her, closer that she didn't like because Castorice started to look alarmed however Mydei didn't give her the chance to speak. "Before you say anything I want to give you something as an apology to what I said yesterday that upset you. To whatever I said to made you upset with me I hope you can forgive me..." he held out the bouquet in her face, looking away from her as he's embarrassed beyond belief.
Castorice stared at the flowers in front of her, then at Mydei's red face then back at the flowers, repeating the motion a few times to make sure she's seeing this correctly. She almost can't believe it that he's giving her flowers, one of her favourite things to make it up to her. That just added to the guilt she already feels for being jealous over a mysterious woman that she knows nothing about, for a man who doesn't understand the depth of her feelings because she doesn't say anything to him out of fear. That's was what she was kept thinking about sitting here in the garden of life which just saddened her. "Lord Mydei I....you didn't have to...." her heart is beating so loudly in her chest it might leap out from it.
"No, I definitely had to." Mydei said back almost immediately. "Thats why I bought these, I have to make it up to you anyway I can Castorice. I'm a bit sad you're being distant with me so I thought getting you flowers would make you happy considering," he gestured to her flower adorned dress. "You like flowers so I hope you like these and maybe forgive me." He pushed the bouquet a little closer to her. Again Mydei is starting to feel like he's harassing her by practically begging to accept his apology and gift like its by force, he really hopes he isn't coming off like that he just wants Castorice to be comfortable with him.
"....I already said that the problem lied with me, you're aren't at fault Lord Mydei its just me and my feelings!!" She said in a rush. "But thank you for the flowers, I'm sorry for being slightly distant with you Lord Mydei I'll tell you about it later. You don't need to be forgiven by me its not your fault and I don't blame you in the slightest."
Mydei sighed with relief, well she hasn't exactly opened up but she did say she'll tell him later and that's good enough for him, at least for now. He then noticed she still hadn't taken the flowers from him, Mydei looked at her expectantly waiting for her to take it. "Castorice, aren't you taking the flowers from me?"
She looked at him befuddled. "....Lord Mydei have you forgotten about...." she looked down at her hands which she held tight against her lap, her eyes holding pain of seven hundred years because of them. "My curse, I can't hold flowers they will wilt and die from my palms. Just because you can't die doesn't mean the plants can't either even if you hold them and touch me."
Mydeimos blinked a couple of times, "Oh." He said unhelpfully, he genuinely forgot about her curse since he is immune to it. Well its not like Castorice knows he has complete immunity, unless she remembers their first embrace. "How should I give these to you then?" He asked, again unhelpfully and a little desperate. "I certainly can't take them with us."
"Uhh, I have flowers vases in where I'm staying in Okhema. They are completely empty ready for them."
"Why are they empty?"
"I fear, even my presence will cause flowers to die, and while that actually does not happen my subconscious seems to think so. I don't like thinking that so I don't keep living flowers in my spaces....the already dead flowers on my clothes are the only flower like thing on me. But you got this bouquet for me Lord Mydei I have to accept them!!" She tried to sound up beat about it.
"Oh." Mydei repeated dumbly, every new information he learns about this girl makes him more and more sad for her. Can't even enjoy life to the fullest because of this power she has, that's why he wants to be her friend and be able to give her normal human experiences like the simple act of touch.
"Please Lord Mydei don't look at me like you pity me!! We can drop the flowers off and be on our way to the assignment."
"I don't-" Mydeimos tried to say but Castorice stood up and briskly walked past him. With little choice in the matter he followed her. At least with Mydei behind her he won't be able to see her flushed red cheeks. Whilst staring at the flowers in his hand she actually catalogued what type they are and the meanings. Since she can't hold real flowers she just reads books about them in her spare time, she loves them too much to try and hold them but she is very knowledgeable about them. And she couldn't help but notice the meanings of all these flowers in the bouquet, she finds it cute he really wants to be her friend and he admires her. The other meanings of Peonies and Violets though, romance and innocent love, won't leave her head.
Does he...desire that with her? She's probably overthinking this again and jumping to conclusions, plus he already has another woman he probably loves. She shook her head she can't be thinking about this again and get sad she has got to concentrate on Lady Aglaea's assignment. Luckily enough her residence isn't actually that far from the garden of life, quickly they reached it and Castorice opened the door for him to enter her humble abode. Mydei stood at the door admiring her space she was kind enough to share with him, it was cozy with lots of plushie's everywhere but felt strangely empty like she doesn't let anyone in here in case she'd accidentally touch them.
"Please don't come inside, I would have liked you to do that but I feel its safer for you..."
Mydei cocked his head. "Are you worried about me accidentally harming your plushie army?" He joked, reveling in the way her face gained a new shade of crimson, she's really so fun to tease he could do this all day.
"L-Lord Mydei please don't tease me I just wish to not hurt you, I'll get an empty vase for the flowers." Castorice quickly retreated deeper into the place. Mydei stood awkwardly waiting at door, noticing the different plushie's scattered in the place and looking quite familiar to him despite having been in the city for two days. At least, he can recognise plushie's of Aglaea, Phainon and Hyacine....and is that also him? It didn't look finished, no tattoos yet. Wow she's really adorable.
"I managed to find a vase...." Castorice trailed off the minute she returned and saw what Mydei was looking at, and she froze looking highly embarrassed before she started to explain herself. "I-I can explain!! I usually make dolls of people close to me to embrace since I can't hug the actual people and I started making you Lord Mydei I'm-"
"Its okay you don't have to explain yourself. I'm not upset I was just thinking how cute and chubby it is." He said seriously, really looking at her to show his sincerity, he's trying not to make Castorice uncomfortable with him again. His eagerness is honestly quite endearing she thought bringing the vase over and taking a step back so Mydei can place them inside.
After making sure the flowers were compacted securely in the soil inside the vase Mydei stood near her. "That should be everything, lets finally get going." Mydei said before walking past her to get to the gates of Okhema.
"Yes lets...." Castorice responded quietly when he walked past and followed behind him sliently. Hopefully she'll be able to help him on this mission, in limited capacity. She's still not sure why Aglaea chose her of all the people but she'll try her best.
Standing in front of the Okhema gates again when she already saw them the day before. She's really nervous, saving people from the black tide was of course one of the important duties of a Chrysos Heir, but Castorice had never been normal and thus has never done it before being the hand of death and all. She really wonders if she can actually save anyone. Almost feeling her anxiousness Mydei spoke up. "I can practically feel your nervousness from here, you'll do fine. I'll make sure of it. Even with your curse you should be able to help people."
".....death doesn't help anyone Lord Mydeimos but I'll try to believe you." Castorice responded neutraly, it seems she still doesn't think that she can. Mydei sighed, he should concentrate at the task at hand and not his complicated but very positive feelings for her.
"In any case, I'll protect you from any dangers you shall face coming up Castorice. Let's get going." He smiled at her.