For a moment, countless speculations flashed through Flora’s mind.
Was Erka someone she had specifically arranged to use against her, and that statement was just meant to shake her?
Or did Erka genuinely intend to help her, only to be punished after the plan was leaked and discovered by Moliyaer?
The image of the elf this morning, tears streaming down her face, and her lonely posture when Flora had kicked her out of the room, all settled into those guesses.
No matter which it was, both were incredibly troublesome, and Moliyaer’s words undoubtedly suggested the latter was more likely.
After whispering that, Moliyaer propped herself up again, looking down at her with delight as she enjoyed Flora’s stiff expression.
Every reaction Flora had was exactly as this woman had anticipated.
“What?”
Flora’s only response was to feign ignorance.
Normally, answering “I don’t know” could avoid a lot of trouble.
But clearly, someone like Moliyaer didn’t operate under normal circumstances.
“Nothing, did I say anything just now~”.
She gave a meaningful smile and chose not to continue the topic.
Then, straightening up, she took advantage of Flora’s complicated gaze to unfasten the binding around her waist, lifting her dress and revealing her pale skin.
“What are you—?!”
Flora, still hesitating whether to ask further, immediately turned her head away at this action.
Every step this woman took was from a perspective Flora couldn’t read, leaving her with nothing but anger and helplessness.
“Hey, little healer sister, aren’t you going to check if my wounds are better? That’s your privilege, you know. Are you shy? It’s okay, the whole team is girls.
Now that you’re our cute little sister, you can look all you want.
This will make treating us a lot less troublesome.
It’s a huge advantage—you can’t waste it just because you’re shy.”
Seeing Moliyaer’s gentlemanly performance, she teased her mockingly.
That instantly ignited Flora’s anger.
She turned her head sharply, glaring fiercely at the woman who had already let down her skirt.
“Moliyaer, if you’re crazy, you should see a doctor soon. Does what you’re saying even make sense?”
“Ah?”
Her angry rebuke was met only with Moliyaer tilting her head in confusion, then looking at her with a baffled expression.
“Did I say something wrong? Before, when you came to treat some injuries, and we didn’t show a hateful attitude, you would even choose to seek help yourself. That was such a hassle.”
“Hateful attitude? Moliyaer, are you trying to say everything you did to me was just an act?!”
Flora swung a fist at her face but, unsurprisingly, Moliyaer caught it with one hand.
The force threw Flora off balance, spinning her around until she was pinned on the bed once more.
Moliyaer grabbed both of Flora’s hands with her left, placed her right hand on Flora’s chest, and pressed her right knee precisely against her abdomen, completely locking her movements.
“Violence doesn’t solve problems. If we want you to obey, we have no choice but to get physical. So, the prerequisite for a chat is to relax.”
As if proving Flora’s helplessness, she loosened her grip and stopped pressing down on the girl lying beneath her.
Her hand lightly stroked Flora’s abdomen.
“You just kicked me here a moment ago, so I’m just returning the favor.”
Flora remained silent, frowning as the touch at her abdomen stirred a wave of nausea.
Moliyaer continued with a bright smile:
“Besides, if I’m sick and not cured, you have to treat me. I can’t trust anyone else.”
“Incurable…”
Flora closed her eyes in pain.
She couldn’t understand how someone could be so unreasonable.
“There’s no choice then. You’re our healer, so of course, I’m going to cling to you.”
Seeing this, Moliyaer adopted that familiar coquettish pose again, rubbing against Flora’s chest.
Probably realizing she had teased enough, and further play might go too far, she stopped smiling and looked at her seriously.
“Alright, no more messing around. I came to tell you about the squad’s future plans. After all, having the new healer of the Emerald Heart be some unknown rookie adventurer would be really unseemly.”
“Then why don’t you just get some famous priest from the Clergy?”
Flora shot back, but Moliyaer didn’t even furrow her brows.
Instead, she nodded and resumed her usual indifferent tone.
“But you’re the best healer. No one compares to you, not even Fros Camille. That man’s miserable, failed life proves he’s useless, but our Miss Flora Emerald will prove her brilliance. Didn’t you feel your abilities fundamentally change when you helped me just now?”
“…”
The pain-transference effect from healing was much less intense than before.
She had even developed an active skill that could accumulate pain and transfer it to others.
Through treating Moliyaer’s wounds, she had gained some of her battle memories, slightly improving her swordsmanship.
This was indeed a fundamental change.
Yet, considering her situation, hearing such words only chilled Flora’s heart.
They never asked for her opinion.
They treated her like a tool.
Even if the results were good, was she supposed to be grateful?
Ignoring her expression, Moliyaer spoke on her own.
“Rinko should’ve told you that in a few days there will be a banquet. I’ll introduce you to many people then. You’ll become a rising star among the nobles and undoubtedly the core of the Emerald Heart, surrounded by admiration…”
“What if I don’t want that?”
Flora gave only this response.
She didn’t understand Moliyaer’s intentions in explaining these plans, but she knew they all aimed to sever her completely from Fros.
Not loving him, but loving her?
What nonsense.
It was unbearable to even look at.
“You will want it, Flora. Only this way will you not waste your current face, this body, and your ability to heal others’ pain. Only this way will you become the brightest person in this world.”
Moliyaer finally stopped smiling, her face showing some displeasure.
Flora sneered inside, mocking mercilessly.
“You could sell me off, and I still wouldn’t waste it. How about being the brightest prostitute? Is the duke’s daughter really addicted to this celebrity packaging game? If they treat me like a highly moldable doll, then the best way would be to erase all my troublesome memories.”
Oh…
Flora quickly understood why Moliyaer was doing this.
Because of her sharp words, the usually smiling noblewoman now wore a rare dark expression.
She looked at her captive bird with disdain and mockery through pitying eyes.
“You want me to accept your actions so you won’t feel guilty, right? Moliyaer, all my tolerance and kindness were just used by you to make me your loyal healing tool? And you even want me to be grateful? A rooster raised in a farm doesn’t thank the one who castrated it by saying, ‘Thanks, master, my meat’s more tender now,’ do they?
Cut the hypocrisy, and maybe I’ll give you a better look.”
Moliyaer’s gaze at her changed, finally becoming the cold stare Flora was familiar with.
“Do you think you’re very clever?”
“You…”
Flora realized something was wrong.
Before she could speak again, the silver-haired woman no longer pretending gentleness, brutally pinned her down.
“So what if yes? So what if no? I really can’t act against Erka, but do you really think her sweet talk will save you? In this team, I have the highest authority over your treatment. Don’t think just because she still cares about your past, you can go back to how you were.”
The sound of fabric tearing echoed clearly in the room.
Flora didn’t know if she was more afraid or angry.
She only knew her breath grew faster under this seemingly mad woman’s pressure.
“How does it feel, calling me a beast… ha… do you know how a real beast deals with its prey?”
Moliyaer pinched Flora’s chin, forcing her to look at the now grotesque expression on her face, enjoying her chaotic emotions.
“Rinko and the others haven’t been harsh enough with you. Flora, there are many consequences for disobedience. I can start by making sure you never feel like you’re still a man. Castrated rooster? I like that analogy. Now let me taste how tender your meat really is.”
As she spoke, she bit heavily into Flora’s neck and shoulder, who was struggling with all her might.
Just as all her clothes were torn off, leaving only her undergarments, the door was suddenly knocked.
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