I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game - Chapter 98

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I thought this was a healing farming game.
Chapter 98

‘I hope I can stay here at least until winter ends……’
I prayed quietly to myself that my wish would come true.

* * *

“Hello. I’d like to order a Red Rose Bouquet.”
“How many stems would you like?”
I went to the Flower Shop and asked them to make a bouquet with deep crimson roses.
“Nine stems!”
“Nine stems? That must have special meaning.”
“Hehe. My friend’s birthday is in September.”
After a moment, I received the finished bouquet and left the Flower Shop with a light step.
‘Next stop: the Miscellaneous Shop!’
I picked out the gifts I’d already spotted without hesitation.
“The book is 3 Gold, and the plush doll is 1 Gold. Would you like wrapping?”
“Yes, please wrap them separately.”
I bought a book I’d never seen in Kaies’s bookshelf, and a soft plush doll to lean against.
‘I’m not sure how he’ll react!’
That’s the beauty of gifts—you never know until they’re unwrapped.
Still, I chose items in neutral tones to match Kaies’s Office style.
‘But now that I think about it……’
I pulled out the Cat Mascot Doll from my pocket and compared it side by side. It had just changed to a grey cat.
“Don’t they look a bit alike?”
Of course, the one I’d bought was much larger.
I put the doll—which was as tall as Kaies’s upper body—and the book into my Inventory, then headed to the Tavern.
“Is Kaies upstairs?”
“He’s not here right now, but he should be back soon.”
“Thank you.”
I exchanged a quick greeting with the staff and climbed the Stairs with ease.
‘I’ll hide and give him a surprise!’
Entering the Office, I lined up the gifts one by one on the glass table in front of the sofa.
‘The plush doll might be hit or miss, but he’ll definitely like the book, right?’
I waited for him, wondering what his reaction would be.
Having nothing to do, I looked at the framed paintings hung in a row on the wall one by one.
“The painting……changed?”
I could tell Kaies had switched them out himself, since the paintings were different from before.
‘The Sunflower Painting is still there, though.’
As I was examining each painting, I heard footsteps climbing the Stairs.
I rushed over to the glass table and grabbed the bouquet.
The door swung open.
“Hmm?”
I greeted Kaies warmly as he entered.
“Kaies!”
“Hello, Princess. You seem to be in a good mood.”
I hid the bouquet behind my back, and when Kaies stepped close enough, I suddenly thrust it forward and cried out.
“Happy birthday!”
He looked at the roses in front of him, then glanced back and forth between the bouquet and me.
At that moment, another figure appeared from behind him.
“Roses, is it?”
“Gasp. Siard!”
I’d been so focused on Kaies that I hadn’t even noticed he’d come in together. Siard gazed quietly at the rose bouquet.
“How romantic for a birthday gift.”
“Hehe. Did you come to celebrate too, Siard?”
“Unfortunately, I have some matters to discuss, so I came at just the right moment.”
“Oh, I see. Then let me give you the gift quickly and be on my way!”
I placed the Red Rose Bouquet in Kaies’s arms, then retrieved the book I’d left on the table.
“Your birthday gift is a book, Kaies. I found one that wasn’t in your collection and thought I’d bring it!”
“A book? Nice.”

Kaies’s Affinity +20

‘He does like it!’
The book had drawn the reaction I’d anticipated.
I hesitated, then picked up the remaining gift. Kaies’s eyes widened slightly as he faced the large plush doll.
“Is that for the Princess?”
I looked up at both of them timidly, opening my mouth.
“N-no, this is a gift for you too, Kaies.”
Both their expressions shifted in unison.
Kaies looked as though he’d heard something peculiar, while Siard appeared to be suppressing a smile with difficulty.
“It suits you well, Kaies. Quite fitting,” Siard remarked with praise in his tone.
It sounded like gentle teasing on the surface, but his manner remained characteristically warm.
I hastened to enumerate the doll’s virtues.
“You see, you like to lie down anywhere you please, so I picked it for you to use as a pillow. And when you hold it, it’s quite soft and comfortable!”
Kaies set the bouquet and book side by side on the desk, then took the doll in one hand.
The plush compressed gently in his grip.
“Cute.”
Kaies tossed the doll onto the Office chair with a casual flick. It bounced once and settled neatly on the seat.
“I’ll use it well.”
“What? Don’t you like it?”
“No, I do. It’s soft.”

Kaies’s Affinity +15

“Really? You genuinely like it?”
“Yeah.”
Even I was surprised—I hadn’t expected Kaies to take a liking to the doll.
“Hehe. Well then, I’ve given you the gifts, so I should be going. Please, have your conversation comfortably.”
“You’re welcome to stay longer. It’s nothing so urgent.”
“No, really, I need to get home and prepare dinner! See you next time.”
The atmosphere clearly suggested official business, so it felt right to slip away gracefully.
“Go safely.”
After a quick farewell, I stepped out of the Office, only to find Priam standing right outside the door.
“Gasp!”
I nearly had a heart attack. I was so startled that I couldn’t even scream properly.
Priam, who had been standing with an expressionless face, broke into a faint smile as our eyes met.
“G-goodness, you scared me. Were you coming to see Kaies?”
“No. I came to see you.”
As Priam peered through the open doorway into the Office, I quietly closed the door.
“Siard and Kaies have something to discuss separately, I think. That’s why I came out quickly.”
“I see.”
His response carried no particular interest.
Instead, the gaze that returned to me felt strangely sharp.
“What’s wrong, Priam? Is something the matter?”
“You gave flowers?”
“Flowers?”
“I saw you carrying them earlier.”
“Oh, the Red Rose Bouquet? Yes. It’s Kaies’s birthday, so…”
Had he followed me because he saw me going into the Tavern?
The moment I confirmed it, Priam’s complexion visibly darkened.
Sensing something was wrong, I trailed off—and then a clear notification window materialized above his head.

Priam’s Affinity – 20

I stood frozen, my eyes wide and my mouth hanging open.
‘Why? Why did it drop?’
I couldn’t figure out which part of what I’d said had bothered Priam.
While I fidgeted nervously inside, searching for clues in his expression, he asked in an even voice.
“Do you like Kaies?”
“Huh?”
“You gave me flowers too, you know.”
“……That’s true.”
In Priam’s eyes, I could see hurt and betrayal ripple across the surface.
“Liar……”
“Wait, what? What lie did I tell? What did I lie about?”
Looking at Priam’s reaction, it was clear I’d messed up something badly.
In my desperation, I grabbed his shoulders with both hands. At that, his voice grew quieter still.
“You said I was your closest friend.”
“That’s because…… I gave flowers today because it’s Kaies’s birthday.”
“You said I was the one you liked best……”
Had I really said something like that?
But there was no time to dwell on the past now.
Seeing that sharp edge appear for the first time in those normally gentle eyes, I felt a jolt of dread.
“Are you hurt? I’ve never thought of you as less close. It’s a misunderstanding.”
“You visit Kaies often, but you don’t come see me.”
The more our talk seemed to drift, the more it felt like I was crossing a river from which there was no return.
Afraid that things would go terribly wrong if this continued, I rushed to comfort him.
“I’m sorry for hurting you. I’ll visit you more often from now on.”
Priam took my arm with his slender hand. His eyes, which were always as gentle and docile as a puppy’s, now drooped so pitifully that he looked even more fragile.
“Do you like me?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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