Chapter 1

A Blooming Beginning

The scent of flowers always felt like a promise — gentle, fleeting, and full of stories waiting to unfold.

At the corner of a busy intersection stood a cozy little flower shop, its charm impossible to miss. The soft aroma of fresh blooms drifted through the air, blending into the surroundings like a gentle whisper. Behind the glass display window, an elegant arrangement of colorful flowers stood proudly, adding life and vibrance to the shop’s atmosphere.

Inside, the soft notes of a soothing melody played in the background. The bell above the door chimed sweetly every time it opened, followed by a warm, welcoming voice. At the heart of this gentle haven was a girl whose smile could light up the room like the glow of fireflies. She greeted every customer with quiet kindness — a calm presence in a busy world. Despite being a foreigner, she felt at home here. And perhaps it was fate that her name fit this place so perfectly: Lily.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in soft shades of orange and pink, Lily locked up the shop, waving goodbye to her staff. “Finally! I can go home!” she sighed, stretching her tired arms. It had been a long, busy day — but there was still work waiting for her.

Lily was a woman with too many things on her plate. A research student in a foreign country, a freelance artist, and a part-time employee at the flower shop — she was always balancing one thing or another. Yet the hours she spent surrounded by colorful, fragrant flowers felt like a little escape from her demanding life.

But today, she was rushing home for something far more exciting — her art. She had been working on a drawing for the past two days, stealing moments from her busy schedule to bring her vision to life. It was a drawing of a man — a warrior. Strong, beautiful, and fierce. Her ideal man. And tonight, with just a few final touches left, her perfect creation would finally be complete.