Being forced by a woman?
Such a thing, at most, Flora would only ever think about in her dreams, but now—it was happening for real.
And it was happening to her, as a woman.
The whirlwind of emotions inside her, tangled with hatred toward Moliya, relentlessly battered her mental defenses, pushing them to an unprecedented peak.
Her mind went blank to the point that even when the knocking sounded and Moliya stopped, she still hadn’t fully recovered.
“Miss Flora, it’s time to eat.”
It was Linco’s voice.
Moliya’s expression stiffened slightly—her displeasure at being interrupted was obvious.
But when she saw Flora grit her teeth, her eyes glistening with a hint of tears that stirred sympathy, a teasing smile tugged at her lips as she lowered her voice.
“My dear Flora, after a whole day of etiquette lessons, do you know what you’re supposed to say now?”
“The etiquette of nobles is to kill the beast that harms you outright, isn’t it?”
Flora gasped for breath, barely managing to finish the sentence.
Moliya completely shed her fierce demeanor, chuckled softly, and said loudly, “Linco, she’s not hungry yet. Save her dinner for later.”
Hearing this, Flora closed her eyes.
She understood Moliya’s plan—to give her a harsh lesson.
She had been reckless with her words.
Well, then she’d endure it.
No surprise—this body was made by them, so whatever torment came, it was expected.
Besides enduring and putting up a half-hearted struggle, there was nothing else she could do.
These people were simply punishing her for clinging so desperately to her original identity.
Her clothes had been torn off three times already today.
Honestly, when she calmed down and thought about it, she was almost getting used to it.
What a mess.
“Ah, Miss, so you’re here? Miss Erka is looking for you. She said it’s urgent.”
“Her? Tch, of all times—what a downer.”
Moliya sounded annoyed and impatient but still released her grip and moved away from the bed.
“Tell her to wait in the study. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Understood.”
The footsteps of the maid faded away, and Moliya glanced at the disheveled girl still lying on the bed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“Having a partner like her is really troublesome. She can only try little tricks… Well, whatever, I promised to respect you. Oh dear, I just couldn’t resist earlier. Our lovely Flora is just too tempting, too delicious.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t force myself on you recklessly. No one will—unless you’re willing. That earlier was just a small lesson. Besides, you don’t like this outfit anyway, so it’s a good time for a change.”
She returned to her usual calm, neutral expression, gave Flora a slight smile, and just before touching the doorknob, as if suddenly remembering something, she looked back.
“Oh, right, you have a supervision magic on you. Don’t even think about running. Escape won’t work. But like I said, if you behave, we can get along nicely. You’re the core of Emerald Heart. We respect you and will make you the center of attention, fulfilling your wish. Isn’t that good for you?”
After leaving Flora to mull over that pointed remark, Moliya pushed open the door and stepped out.
The room fell silent again.
Flora quietly propped herself up, hugging her knees, ignoring the shredded cloth on the bed.
Chin resting between her knees, she stared blankly ahead.
She wasn’t sure if it was Linco and Erka working together that stopped Moliya’s assault, but from the current situation, Moliya’s volatile mood meant what happened today was bound to happen again.
Mental abuse hit her harder.
But if it escalated again to physical torment, especially that kind, she couldn’t imagine what kind of state she’d be reduced to.
She had to act quickly.
Planning to move on the night of the ball was already unrealistic.
[Mei Fei… she must appear at the ball.]
Moliya’s promises were unreliable.
At least, the price to get the promised “reward” would surely cross her bottom line and principles.
[Crazy woman. No matter what your reasons are, I will never understand or forgive you.]
Moliya was her first love—the white moon she once adored.
Flora never denied this.
She used to think that this duchess’s eldest daughter was a moon that didn’t belong to her.
In her insecurity, Flora only felt gratitude for the brilliant moonlight that shone upon her and dared to call her friend.
Now she saw how naïve and foolish that was.
Moliya wasn’t a moon at all.
The light Flora once saw in her eyes wasn’t a radiant starry sky.
If she had to describe it, Moliya was more like a black hole, greedily devouring others’ light, volatile and vicious, hiding her venom like a snake.
The pitch-black darkness she had shown in their first meeting was her true face, not the waning crescent moon’s dimness that Flora had hoped would someday be replaced by a brilliant full moon.
As for the light in her eyes—it was probably just the excitement and anticipation of seeing Flora as prey.
The door creaked open slightly.
The steady footsteps told Flora who it was immediately.
“Your relationship with Miss is indeed unusual.”
“What you two do isn’t much different either. Truly fitting, master and servant.”
She wasn’t going to give anyone a friendly face—not even the ambiguous head maid.
Linco didn’t care.
She was just an ordinary worker who, as long as she wasn’t in “etiquette teacher mode,” was a reasonable person who could communicate.
That was why Flora could interact with her with a relatively normal mindset.
Seeing Flora not look her way, Linco placed the food on the table nearby, keeping a respectful distance.
“Feeling like wearing a dress now?”
Flora looked up with a sullen gaze at this scheming woman, but Linco smiled more naturally.
“It’s better than being half-naked, right?”
“You come to help me dress, you lowly maid!”
Flora didn’t care about the so-called “principles” she should observe.
She fired back with the aristocratic pride Linco had just talked about.
“Yes, Miss Flora.”
Linco’s tone was like a butler resignedly playing house with her young mistress.
She replied briefly, then naturally moved to the wardrobe to pick out a nightgown for Flora.
“Will you bathe later? I can help with that too.”
“Don’t bother.”
Flora rolled her eyes.
She knew the maid dared to speak like that because Moliya’s surveillance wasn’t currently focused on her.
She had no idea what method this woman used to counter-monitor her mistress, but considering her ties to Duke Deran, Flora was certain this was a privilege granted by the Imperial Chancellor.
[No wonder I’m so spoiled.]
She mocked herself quietly as Linco arranged her clothes.
“Next time, please be more careful. I can’t offer much help, only just enough.”
Linco softly said this as she brushed Flora’s long hair standing behind her.
After all, she was a servant.
The most she could do was to use whatever flexibility her authority allowed to make things turn out the way she hoped—like gaining Flora’s trust.
“You help me.”
Flora looked at the maid in the mirror and spoke softly—not questioning the help offered, but asking for more cooperation.
“I’m just a servant.”
“What does he want you to do?”
Right now, the only person she could use was this one.
She wasn’t going to let go.
Gritting her teeth, she continued, “This isn’t for you to decide.”
Linco’s unusual expression meant she could easily tell Moliya, and the maid wouldn’t have an easy time either.
The duke’s plans would be ruined—that was Flora’s bargaining chip.
But when she said that, Linco’s expression softened.
“You’re more like a proper noble now.”
“Disgusting. Don’t say such nonsense!”
[I hereby declare, I hate these black-hearted, smiling faces the most.]
Flora raged silently.
Linco’s hand stroking her hair slowed down further.
“The staff at the ball are all servants from the villa.
If you’re worried about your manners, Miss Flora, we can cover for you—overlooking some small slips.”
“How much freedom will you get me outside at the ball tonight?”
She’d worry about the ball when the time came.
Right now, she wanted to send a message to make sure Mei Fei would 100% show up—and come for her.
Linco quietly watched her, then chuckled softly.
“What if everything I’ve done was your plan, Miss?”
“Then I’ll treat all your talk about noble duties and so-called kindness as a pile of rubbish.”
Flora trusted her own judgment—and believed this maid had her own limits she wouldn’t cross.