"Oh, those are peonies, aren't they?"

"Ah, yes, grown by the lovely Aurora here," Hood chuckled as the lass blushed from the compliment. She paused and took a whiff of the gorgeous, small bouquet she was cradling—the summer-like scent of the freshly-cut flowers was overpowering but pleasant. She wasn't surprised that Yat Sen eyed them so lovingly, so longingly. After all, the flowers would surely remind her of her homeland thousands of miles away.

Ning Hai only seemed mildly interested as she looked on. At least, that was the impression she was trying to give off—she'd occasionally steal glances at the flowers only to look away soon after as if she thought someone had noticed. In contrast, her sister Ping Hai eyed the flowers intently, but Hood couldn't decide whether she appreciated them or not.

"Are you giving them to someone?" Yat Sen inquired as she continued to admire the bouquet. To be given a gift by a lady as wonderful as Hood, the recipient would be most fortunate indeed, she thought.

Hood pursed her lip as she pondered about it. Indeed, she had someone in mind. But now she thought she could afford to share a few.

"Oh yes...more precisely, I'm giving them away to friends. Here, take some, my dears," she replied, plucking some of the blossoms and dividing them between the three.

"Ah? If it's alright, then I thank you," Yat Sen murmured, cheeks tinted pink. Already holding the alluring flowers filled her with nostalgia for home—especially the cherished peony gardens of Luoyang.

"Oh, it's just a small gift. Think of it...as my wish for your prosperity and abundance. Isn't that what the flowers mean to your people?"

"Indeed it is," Yat Sen returned the smile and bowed deeply. Upon hearing that, Ning Hai followed the gesture in haste.

"I...I th-thank you as well! Ning, go thank her too—what are you doing?" She glanced and then glared at Ping Hai, who was already nibbling on the petal she plucked.

"Mm? You can eat these, can't you?"

"Yes, you can, dear," replied an amused Hood while Aurora shook her head. Despite sharing the sentiment, she somewhat hoped the girl would see the more profound meaning beyond the fact that they are edible. Still, she seemed happy, so that was fine with her.

"In that case, thank you, big sisters," Ping Hai bowed along with her sister.

"Don't mention it. Well then, we shall take our leave," Hood waved them goodbye.


"So... that's one of the many meanings of peonies. Care to tell what else they represent?"

"Hmm…peonies have so many meanings, really…to some, they represent good luck… that's why sometimes people would give them to someone who's graduating or getting married. They could also represent bravery and honor, bashfulness…loyalty, beauty…happiness, and admiration. There are so many."

"I see," Hood nodded, just as she caught sight of one particular pair that she never thought she would see together.

Yamashiro and U-557 were combing through a patch of clover, their clothes dirtied by the soil—yet they were unusually focused. Certainly, they didn't notice Hood coming over to them because they all jumped in surprise, even from a simple, soft hello.

"Well, what are you ladies doing in that clover patch?" She asked as they grew sheepish and dusted themselves off—and eventually, Yamashiro spoke.

"Um, so U-557 wanted to...find some four-leaf clover for good luck, so I'm helping her."

"I see," Hood nodded. Even without asking, she could understand why. "Have you gotten any?"

"No, not yet," U-557 sighed. "I know they are rare...but..."

"Aw, we'll find one soon," Yamashiro soothed, rubbing U-557 on the back.

"Th-thank you, Yamashiro," U-557 allowed herself a comfortable smile at the kind words, not quite as beaming as the one her friend had, but a smile nonetheless. It was pleasing to Yamashiro all the same.

"Ehehe...Come on, let's do it again," Yamashiro led U-557 through the patch again while Hood was again deep in thought. Four-leaf clovers were indeed scarce. There was no guarantee they would find one in such a small patch. But she didn't have the heart to tell them so bluntly and crush their spirit—and not when she had a better idea.

"Actually, can you two come here for a bit?" Hood called out, gaining their attention. Though reluctant—but curious—they went to her.

"They are not four-leaf clovers, but these peonies represent good luck, too. Won't you receive them?

"Is it, really?" U-557 asked. She might seem reluctant before, and even with her apparent skepticism, she cannot remove her gaze from the flowers now. Hood thought she even sounded a little hopeful.

Unlike her confused friend, Yamashiro had a sunny grin when she heard the offer.

"Oh wow, can I, Hood-san?"

"Of course. Here's one for you and your sister," Hood chuckled as the flowers passed to Yamashiro's eager hands and when she held them close to her chest.

"Come on, U-557. Take one; it won't hurt, will it?" She egged her friend, who, at last, timidly reached her hand out.

"I guess...I would like one...for good luck."

"Certainly. Here you go, dear," Hood said, giving the girl a flower and gently ruffling her hair for good measure, getting a squeak and a bigger smile out of her.


"Are you okay with giving them away? What if you ran out before you—"

Aurora didn't finish as Hood wagged a finger before her.

"It should be of no concern. There's always tomorrow. And besides, seeing their smiles makes it all worthwhile."

"I...I see."

"Now, I wonder who else I should give them to..." Hood murmured as her eyes absently wandered. By chance, she caught sight of a certain person, apparently in a hurry. But she knew it was just that person's bad habit, not necessarily because she had something to do.

"Lady Bismarck, fancy meeting you here," Hood approached the woman, whose pace immediately came to a complete halt.

"Ah...Hood. You...seem well," she replied, glancing at the bouquet Hood was carrying but thought nothing of it.

"Oh yes, I'm well. I hope you do, too."

"Yes, I believe I am. Do you...need something?"

"Oh, just thinking of giving you this peony. As you know, they symbolize honor and bravery, and truly, you're one of the most honorable and bravest people I've ever known."

Bismarck received the offered flower in a daze and stared at it unblinking as she tried to delve into the meaning behind Hood's words. She didn't seem to be mocking, that she was sure. After all, Hood had assured her before that she bore no grudges. Perhaps the flower really was just a token of friendship, given with the sincerest of intentions, and she was just overthinking things for a moment. She had to admit she was touched—and then she realized she was smiling.

"Uh...then I shall receive it. Your words and gift honor me, and I thank you," Bismarck finally said, lamenting that she nearly fumbled it.

"You're welcome," Hood smiled back. Everyone who received her flower had shown a smile of varying degrees, but none were as pronounced as the one Bismarck had. Seeing such an expression on her usually placid features—her mask—was a worthwhile, pleasant sight.


"Hm? Aren't those peonies you have there?" Queen Elizabeth asked when Hood and Aurora stopped by her table as she was having tea outside with Warspite; it was unsurprising, given that the weather was lovely.

"You're right, Your Majesty," Hood replied, looking at the bouquet, which by now had gotten smaller.

"Nice flowers," Elizabeth remarked. "Aurora's work, isn't it? I'd say they look magnificent," she turned to the blushing girl.

"You are praising me too much," she replied.

"Don't be so bashful now, dear," Hood said, amused. "You're just like these flowers."

"They indeed look beautiful, lady Aurora," Belfast chimed in, while Edinburgh sneaked a peek.

"That said, I would like to share them with you all," Hood declared. She noticed that even the unflappable Belfast and Warspite were surprised.

"For me...?" Warspite raised a brow.

"Why, lady Warspite, you have followed Her Majesty for so long, so this flower would be fitting. After all, they also symbolize loyalty, and you are indeed a loyal knight."

"Um...well, I'm not really one for flowers, but I will receive yours," Warspite laughed. Once in a while, it feels good to be acknowledged, after all.

"And Belfast, too, is the same. Ever dutiful, never complains, always looking out for us," Hood turned to the maid, who, to her amusement, had a bit of color on her cheeks.

"Your words humble me," Belfast bowed as she received the flower. "I shall work harder from now on."

Hood nodded, then turned to Edinburgh, who seemingly was about to slip away.

"And to Edinburgh, too. A loyal maid...and even more loyal sister," she said, giving the maid pause. She spun around slowly, incredulous.

"Me...?"

"You are," Belfast nodded as she stood by Edinburgh and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Oh yes. Never ever think I don't watch over you people," Hood said. It was rather heartwarming to see Edinburgh gladly receiving what's rightfully hers and Belfast agreeing to it.

"Do I get one?" Elizabeth, who was feeling left out, piped in.

"Yes, Your Majesty. This flower, too, is a sign of loyalty. My loyalty. For you are a person I admire," Hood bowed before the queen as she presented her with one.

"Hm-mm, I will remember this, Hood," Elizabeth awarded her with an approving smile.

By now, as Aurora noticed, the bouquet was practically gone, with only two peonies left. Not that she thought what Hood had done was a waste—far from it. While she mulled over it, she found a flower in front of her face.

"And I've been forgetting you, haven't I, Aurora?"

"La-lady Hood?!"

"This one's for you," Hood egged her on when Aurora proved reluctant.

"B-but...why?"

"You see, they have made a lot of people...happy today. And it's all thanks to you, who grew them. So isn't it fitting?"

"...Mm...if you think so...then I'll take it," Aurora replied, to Hood's delight. She held her gaze at the sole remaining peony on her hand.

"How fortunate I have one left, and the red one, even. Now, there's someone I would like to give this to, so I shall take my leave," Hood bowed to the group and walked away. They noted how her steps had become a little springier as she headed for the port's office. There was no question about who she wanted to give them to, though Elizabeth couldn't help but voice her curiosity about the message she wanted to convey.

"Well...red peony...you see, it mainly represents...love," Aurora explained, and soon everyone was looking at her with varying reaction—Edinburgh seemed giddy, Belfast seemed only a bit surprised, and Warspite seemed proud—except Elizabeth, who appeared to be having a harder time to grasp things than the other three, until the belated realization hit her.

"You mean... she's going to...you know?"

"I believe so, Your Majesty," Aurora confirmed.

"WHAAAAAAAT!"