There were no cold words or biting remarks—only the sudden silence that fell over the grand hall, accompanied by countless eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.
When Flora, Linko, and Emia stepped through the main doors, this was all she received—and nothing more.
All eyes on her?
If it were just a crowd watching her, Flora didn’t find it all that bad.
She had spoken publicly before, and the nervousness she’d felt during her graduation defense under the teachers’ relentless questioning had been far worse than this moment.
Now, it was nothing more than the fact that she had become a girl and was wearing a somewhat delicate evening gown.
As for embarrassment—most of that had been stripped away the day she was forced to admit she was female, standing there half-naked and unwilling.
If she hadn’t accepted her gender then, she certainly had to now.
Not to mention, she was well aware that she could be reduced to a spectacle at any moment.
Flora didn’t linger with her gaze nearby; instead, she naturally scanned the entire hall, her eyes drifting toward the far end where she found exactly who she was looking for.
On the stage where a pyramid of wine glasses stood, a silver-haired woman dressed in a sharp evening gown laughed and chatted with a blonde girl beside her.
Noticing Flora’s arrival, the woman turned to look at her with a smile.
Even from several dozen meters away, Flora could see clearly that Moria didn’t speak.
Instead, she met Flora’s blank stare with a satisfied and intoxicated gaze, then raised the tall glass of amber liquid in her hand in a silent toast.
Flora felt as if she could hear this woman say to her: “How beautiful you are, my Flora. Your beauty pairs wonderfully with wine.”
From the moment Flora entered the hall, she had been expressionless, surveying the crowd.
To the nobles present, this demeanor appeared as that of a blue-haired girl arriving late, displeased by their somewhat rude stares, adopting a cold and indifferent attitude.
A noble who had not yet been officially knighted dared to behave like this—it was certainly bold.
But no one objected, because the evening’s main attraction was truly stunning.
Simply seeing such a proud and coldly beautiful young lady, embodying the nobility’s proper arrogance, was enough for them to accept Moria’s elaborate efforts in hosting this event.
The crowd remained silent in tacit understanding, waiting for Flora to speak, eager to see what she would do next—that was only natural.
However, it was not Flora who broke the silence.
“Big Sister Moria, was our lateness disturbing everyone’s mood? Why is everyone staring at us like this? This doesn’t feel like what a proper banquet should be.”
Emia wasn’t going to let the tense atmosphere drag on.
She knew this was intentional on Moria’s part.
As the second daughter of the Duke’s household, her purpose in attending the banquet was partly to cause trouble.
If her sister wanted to do something, Emia would naturally do the opposite.
Completely ignoring the dark clouds on Moria’s face, she smiled and took Flora’s hand.
“Or maybe the banquet hasn’t officially started yet? That would be wonderful. Being late would break noble etiquette, which wouldn’t sound good if people talked about it. But now that everyone is here, can we start soon? I’m eager to dance a waltz with the beautifully dressed Miss Flora.”
Flora had no idea whether the banquet had started or not.
But it seemed her troubles were about to truly begin—thanks to this second young lady’s actions.
The crowd that had begun murmuring shifted their gazes to Flora with a strange expression, and Moria’s ominous look made Flora instinctively pull her hand away from Emia’s grasp.
No sooner had she done so than Moria, who had been dozens of meters away, suddenly appeared before them.
“Miss…”
Linko instinctively called out, but Moria didn’t look at her.
There was no reproach in her expression, only a slight softening of the coldness as she seemed quite pleased with Flora’s reaction.
[What will you do next?]
Flora was just catching her breath when bold Emia tried again to take her hand.
This time, however, she failed.
Moria directly scooped up the healer lady she had been about to present to everyone.
“Uh—?!”
The sudden action made Flora exclaim involuntarily, and the noble attendees’ gazes toward her grew more ambiguous.
“Don’t make such cute noises so casually.”
Moria chuckled softly, speaking to Flora, whose cheeks were flushed and face scowling in her arms.
She cast a contemptuous glance at Emia, who was squinting in displeasure, then smiled slightly and addressed the other nobles: “It seems my dear little sister truly admires tonight’s main attraction. Indeed, who wouldn’t adore such a beautiful lady?”
Emia is right—as everyone is present, the banquet should begin immediately.
Change the record; play something more solemn.
“Let us have the bishop bestow the knighthood on her soon so we may all enjoy this rare gathering for young people. What do you all think?”
Her slightly frivolous tone was exactly what stirred the young nobles present.
The banquet, which had been somewhat restless, instantly became lively, like oil poured onto sparks.
In truth, nobles and commoners weren’t all that different—only clothing, status, and wealth set them apart, along with some ceremonial etiquette.
Put all that aside, and you’d find no fundamental difference between the two.
Moria’s casual display successfully drew a chorus of whistles and several malicious glances that made Flora deeply uncomfortable.
Was it jealousy or greed?
Flora couldn’t tell, but she sensed the hostility directed squarely at herself.
Moria clearly disapproved of her and Emia’s interaction and deliberately drew the nobles’ attention toward her.
[What exactly are you trying to do?]
Flora didn’t look at anyone else.
She stared unblinkingly at Moria, who held her in her arms.
The duchess lady responded to her gaze with nonchalance, speaking softly: “My lady of honor, what are you thinking? Are you scared? Nervous? Everyone’s watching you. Don’t be shy. If you truly don’t know what to do, why not hold me tightly instead?”
Flora could read no hint of ulterior motives in her eyes, only an air of effortless control, as if everything was completely under her command.
She said nothing, instead stretching out her arms naturally to wrap around Moria’s neck, burying her face in the duchess’s nape and shoulder.
This sudden initiative caused the composed duchess to freeze briefly.
All the nobles watching the exchange gawked, their gazes shining with a new curiosity.
[As you wish.]
Flora thought expressionlessly, feeling the malicious eyes like poisoned blades piercing her.
She silently noted their approximate positions and carefully observed these people.
“If you’re going to behave so obediently, then that’s good.”
Moria said softly, still smiling.
“You said if I was obedient, you’d respect me. You can’t back out now after what you said.”
Flora responded quietly.
Moria fell silent, leading her through the crowd as promised.
Held tightly by Moria, Flora was “safely” brought to the center of the hall.
There, she was gently set down beside the princess they had met a few days ago.
Before Flora could speak, Moria bowed respectfully to Lisette , saying with great reverence: “Your Highness, please allow me to introduce her—the star of tonight’s banquet, Flora Emerald, the newly appointed healer of the Emerald Heart Adventurer’s Guild, a knight recommended to Your Majesty by myself, Moria von Delan.”