“You… are you really serious about what you’re saying?”

“Of course I am!” Lucas answered without hesitation.

“If I’m hiding even half a truth from you, may I be struck down by–”

Before he could finish, Aurora rushed forward and covered his mouth. The rest of his words were cut off. Her eyes were wide with urgency. “Don’t say things like that. You have to avoid bad omens, do you understand?”

Even though she knew Lucas meant every word, hearing him make such heavy vows made her uncomfortable.

He gave a muffled “mm,” but didn’t remove her hand. Instead, speaking softly against her palm, he said, “I just want you to believe me.”

“Aurora, I’ve always been serious about you. I never meant to hide anything. Aside from before… just think of it as me losing my mind. I can’t believe I deceived you like that.

“I’ll make it up to you. I truly realize my mistake. As long as you’re willing to forgive me, no matter what you say after this, I’ll follow it no matter what.”

Aurora let out a sudden laugh. The way Lucas looked at her so earnestly, every feature falling perfectly in line with her taste, left her utterly defenseless.

“Alright, stop swearing. I believe you.”

A spark of joy lit up Lucas’s gaze. “So, does this mean… you’ve forgiven me?”

Under his expectant look, Aurora gave a small nod.

“Yes, I accept your apology.”

Her smile softened as she added, “So stop making those curses. What, do you want me to become a widow ahead of time?”

“Don’t even say that!”

This time, it was Lucas’s turn to cover her mouth. “Don’t talk nonsense. I’m very much alive.”

Aurora didn’t resist. Though her lips were covered, her eyes gave her away. The laughter in them was practically spilling over.

“Alright, let’s eat.”

Aurora’s lifted tone showed just how good her mood was at that moment.

Lucas finally let out a full breath of relief. He hurried to the switch and turned all the lights back on. Aurora shut her eyes for a second, unaccustomed to the sudden brightness. When she adjusted, she finally had the chance to admire the roses before her. They were vivid and lush, dew still clinging to the petals–proof of the care put into keeping them fresh.

“Thank you, I really like them.”

The heavy weight on Lucas’ heart was completely lifted. “If you like them, then I’ll bring you flowers every day.”

“Don’t waste money like that.”

Aurora liked flowers, but to her they were fleeting–beautiful for a moment but never lasting.

Lucas almost asked, “Don’t you like them?” But before he spoke, he remembered the advice from Desmond’s strategy. When a woman said something was a waste, it meant the gift was pretty but not practical. So, he could still give them, but not too often. Not never, just less.

“Alright, if you think it’s a waste, then we’ll buy fewer from now on.”

Lucas now placed unconditional trust in Desmond’s guidance. Without it, he probably wouldn’t have won Aurora back. He might still be lying alone in his room, staring at the ceiling with tears in his eyes. Every bit of credit, Lucas kept in his heart for Desmond.