I grow stronger by making my wife happy.

Chapter 138: 138:Flowers.

Silver and Ravenna stepped into a flower shop tucked between two elegant storefronts. A small bronze bell chimed overhead as they entered, welcoming them into a room filled with the gentle fragrance of fresh blossoms.

Rows of flowers stretched across polished wooden shelves and stone displays. Roses, lilies, orchids, tulips, carnations, and dozens of varieties Silver couldn’t even name filled the room with every color imaginable.

Soft light filtered through the large windows, making droplets of water sparkle on the petals. Unlike before, Ravenna didn’t immediately reach for a flower.

Instead, she wandered slowly through the shop, hands folded behind her back as she examined each arrangement with quiet curiosity.

Silver simply followed a few steps behind.

There was something strangely relaxing about seeing Ravenna take her time. She would occasionally lean closer to inspect a bloom, gently brush a fingertip against a petal, or pause to admire a particularly unique arrangement before moving on.

Silver found himself smiling.

It wasn’t often that Ravenna showed such open curiosity. Most of the time she carried herself with calm confidence, but here she looked... peaceful.

After nearly ten minutes of wandering, Ravenna finally stopped before a display filled with blue flowers.

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"Blue again?"

She glanced back at him before returning her attention to the flowers.

"I suppose."

"I thought you might choose something different this time."

She carefully picked up one of the flowers, turning it slightly in her fingers. Its petals were a deep sapphire blue that gradually faded toward a lighter shade near the edges.

"It looks calm," she said quietly.

"Calm?"

She nodded.

"It reminds me of a clear sky."

Silver blinked.

"I was expecting you’d choose something fiery red today."

Ravenna looked at him with mild amusement.

"Because my affinity is fire?"

"Exactly."

She smiled faintly.

"Not everything has to match my element."

Silver chuckled.

"Fair enough."

She continued examining the flower for another moment before finally handing it to the shopkeeper.

"I’ll take this one."

The elderly woman behind the counter smiled warmly.

"Excellent choice."

Within a few minutes, the flower had been wrapped in simple decorative paper tied together with a thin blue ribbon. After paying, Silver accepted it before immediately offering it to Ravenna.

"This one’s officially a little bit late but still on time."

Ravenna accepted it with a quiet laugh.

"I’ll remember that."

"I certainly hope so."

"You’ve created a routine by now."

"Unless we get into a fight, I don’t think I’ll ever skip."

She shook her head with an amused smile as they stepped back outside.

Rather than immediately returning to the hotel, they continued strolling through the city. Neither of them had anywhere particular to go.

The streets were beginning to quiet as the late afternoon drifted toward evening. Families browsed market stalls while children chased each other across the plazas. Street musicians filled the air with gentle melodies that blended naturally with the distant conversations of pedestrians.

For once, Silver wasn’t thinking about beasts, contractors, training, or systems; he simply enjoyed walking beside Ravenna.

Eventually, the golden light of sunset painted the city in warm shades of orange and gold.

Silver glanced upward.

"We should probably head back."

Ravenna nodded.

"Before it gets dark."

Back at the hotel, they changed into lighter training clothes before making their way to the private gym reserved for premium suites.

Compared to the communal contractor gym, this room was smaller but far quieter. Several weight machines lined one wall while treadmills, free weights, and stretching mats occupied the rest of the space.

Silver walked toward the bench press while Ravenna began warming up with stretches. Silver noticed Ravenna approaching one of the adjustable machines.

Without thinking, he stepped over first and lowered the weight stack.

"You usually use this setting."

She looked at the machine before giving a small nod.

"Thank you."

He simply smiled before returning to his own exercise. A few minutes later, Ravenna crossed the room carrying two towels.

Without saying anything, she casually handed one to Silver as she walked past. He accepted it just as naturally.

"Thanks."

She nodded once.

Silver focused on controlled strength exercises while Ravenna worked through flexibility drills and core training. Every now and then one of them offered a brief suggestion.

"Keep your shoulders down."

"You should slow the lowering movement."

"You’re leaning too far forward."

Nearly an hour later, they finished their workout. Silver wiped the sweat from his forehead before stretching his arms overhead.

"That felt good."

Ravenna rolled her shoulders.

"It did. I think I’m finally starting to get used to training every morning and evening."

"You’ll enjoy it eventually."

"I suppose."

She looked at him knowingly.

"You kind of have a partner now, so don’t wake up alone and leave me in bed."

Silver smiled.

"...Yeah."

After showering and changing into clean clothes, they headed downstairs for dinner. The hotel’s restaurant had become pleasantly familiar over the past several days.

They chose a quiet table near one of the large windows overlooking the evening streets. Candles flickered gently between the tables while soft instrumental music played in the background.

Dinner arrived soon afterward. Grilled meat, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, mushroom soup, and tea. For a while, they simply enjoyed the meal; eventually, Silver rested his fork against his plate.

"So..."

Ravenna looked up.

"So?"

"What was your favorite part of today?"

She considered the question.

"There were several."

"You have to choose one."

She remained silent for a few moments before answering.

"I liked the walking."

"Walking?"

She nodded.

"It’s the fact that we weren’t trying to reach anywhere."

She looked through the restaurant window toward the softly lit streets.

"We simply wandered around. "

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"It was... peaceful."

Silver found himself smiling as well.

"I can understand that."

She tilted her head slightly.

"What about you?"

He didn’t answer immediately; instead, he laughed quietly to himself.

"I think..." He looked directly at her. "...hearing you laugh in the boutique."

Ravenna’s eyes widened slightly.

"The boutique?"

"You laughed more than usual."

She thought back to earlier that afternoon when he’d struggled to decide between several outfits after the employees insisted each one suited him perfectly.

"I suppose I did."

"It suited you."

A tiny hint of color appeared on her cheeks.

"...Thank you."

Silver leaned back comfortably in his chair.

"Today was nice."

"It was."

Ravenna smiled.

"It was certainly quieter.

"I wouldn’t mind having more days like this."

She looked at him for several seconds before quietly replying, "Neither would I."

By the time they returned to their suite, night had completely settled over the city. Silver placed the wrapped blue flower into the same glass vase of fresh water sitting near the window.

The petals caught the moonlight streaming through the curtains, making the blue bloom appear almost luminous. For a moment, both of them simply admired it.

Silver folded his arms.

"Looks good."

"It does."

He looked at the flower for another second before suddenly grinning.

"Well..."

Ravenna glanced toward him.

"At least I remembered before tomorrow."

She couldn’t help laughing softly.

"I’ll let you off this time."

"How generous."

"You shouldn’t expect it to happen often."

"I’ll try not to test my luck."

She smiled warmly before walking toward the bedroom.

"Good night, Silver."

"Good night, Ravenna."

The room gradually fell quiet.