Flora wasn’t arrogant enough to judge someone’s temperament based solely on her own guesses, but relying on this understanding to interact with Emia allowed her to maintain a relatively proactive rhythm in their conversation.
“Your sister probably doesn’t like hearing you say things like that.”
Since the Second Miss liked to use such reasons to sugarcoat her intentions, what reason did she have not to go along with it?
Aside from the possibility—undetectable to ordinary people—that Emia harbored some twisted feelings toward Moria, Flora simply didn’t believe this young girl truly liked Moria as a sister.
Therefore, she was certain that even if she said such pointless nonsense, Emia wouldn’t get angry.
“That’s right. Who would share what they love? Anyone who could accept the existence they love being coveted by others—that’s unimaginable. Even the Lord God said that love is a kind of twisted curse. Of course, my sister wouldn’t like me saying things like this.”
That was why she said such things; she didn’t need Moria to like her.
Living in the same family as such an outstanding and dazzling sister, being compared by others every day—who would be happy about that?
The independent sister never once thought about how much pressure her actions over the years had placed on her brothers and sisters.
No matter what they did, they could never earn recognition from others, except for comments like “truly the child of Duke Deran,” or “Moria’s little sister.”
Moreover, even though she had done her best to be different from her sister and obey their father without question, for some unknown reason, her father was still not satisfied.
So, really, all the problems stemmed from her sister.
It would be better if her sister disappeared.
Then she and her siblings would surely be under far less pressure.
【Strange, why are these emotions stirring up inside me? I usually manage to suppress them so well.】
Emia couldn’t help but feel confused, quickly attributing the cause to the girl before her.
Yes, it must be because of Miss Flora.
A person with such a special ability, as beautiful as she was, with a character and demeanor that moved others deeply—how could she have fallen into her sister’s hands?
She was truly so jealous.
Her sister would hate it if the things she loved were coveted by others; surely it must be painful to have what she cherished destroyed.
The more Emia thought about it, the more she felt that no matter what she wanted to do, Flora would be a perfect entry point.
“……”
Flora didn’t respond.
She hadn’t sensed the brewing emotions and malice within the girl’s heart, but she was very concerned about that statement that love was a twisted curse.
【She’s not wrong, though. Love often ends up used to bind others or restrain oneself.】
But she would never accept such a notion.
That was undoubtedly a distortion and desecration of love—a cowardly excuse to justify selfish acts.
She looked at Emia earnestly.
“Don’t you think saying something like that to me makes it hard for me to trust you?”
“Eh?”
Emia blinked, clearly not understanding what she meant.
“Why’s that?”
“Can I take it to mean you want to make a move on me?”
Flora immediately interpreted Emia’s response as the girl intending to use her against Moria.
And that just happened to align with what Emia was thinking.
However, no matter what, Emia was also a duke’s child who had received an elite education since childhood, just like Moria.
She wasn’t going to be rattled by a few words.
She lifted her smile.
“Flora sister is so beautiful, of course I want to make a move on you. Whether it’s dancing together or sharing an intimate embrace, I’d be very happy to. But Flora sister, are you trying to say you want to trust me? So we’re already at that kind of relationship just having met—how wonderful.”
Troublesome.
Not much different from Moria.
This was Flora’s judgment of Emia, but she still had ways to deal with it.
“I just want to trust everyone I meet, but no one returns that trust to me.”
As she spoke, she glanced subconsciously at Linko beside her.
The maid noticed her gaze and lowered her head slightly.
Flora sighed inwardly and continued to look at the smiling Emia.
She had encountered many frivolous talkers before.
In the past, she might have been easily manipulated by such people, but unfortunately, her innocence had long been discarded thanks to Moria and the others.
Emia’s attitude didn’t faze her at all.
“Miss Emia, if you’re so curious about me, why not just ask your sister? If she lets me move freely, she must be confident you won’t get what you want from me, so don’t bother.”
“Really? Maybe. After all, my sister is so far-sighted. But Flora sister, you might be overthinking. I’m not especially eager to know anything. Father told me to attend the ball, and since my sister’s plans are so elaborate, I just wanted to get involved—that’s all.”
Emia’s tone shifted as she looked at Flora, the smile vanishing from her face.
She said seriously, “Besides, you suddenly appearing without any background, with no leads to investigate you—my sister allowing you to interact with me must mean she has the confidence you mentioned. Other than going along with her arrangement, what else can I do?”
No response.
Flora had to admit Emia’s style and way of thinking was very similar to her own.
At least in liking to act according to how things unfolded, they were alike.
Seeing that her words had left Flora speechless, Emia smiled again and continued.
“Well then, no need to worry about this or that. Your current attitude says a lot. Wearing something like a pet collar around your neck, interacting so intimately with my sister just now—most here already see you as her lover.The reason the prince’s attendant was so angry is probably that she thought my sister was trying to present you to her as a pet, hahaha…”
The girl’s silvery laughter made Flora frown in frustration.
This matter was truly a headache—partly caused by her own misjudgment.
Now that things had become so awkward, the old her would have long ago found a hole to crawl into.
“Fortunately, His Highness was merciful and forgave your foolish behavior. Heh, I’ve made myself clear—you can rest assured I genuinely want to build a good relationship with you. It’s only because my sister cares deeply about you, that’s all.”
Emia paused.
Is it really just that?
Her heart felt otherwise, but this wasn’t the time to think about it.
Her mission at the ball was to establish some kind of relationship with the person in front of her.
To hide the strangeness she felt inside, she continued.
“And I’m certain the others attending this ball have the same mindset, so no one is trying to make things difficult for you. Instead, they’re observing you from all angles, paying attention to everyone who interacts with you. Do you understand?”
Flora took a sip of wine, her gaze falling on the clear liquid.
Using the reflection on its surface, she stared at her own expressionless eyes.
【She’s telling the truth. There’s really no need to overthink. Better to focus on the original plan.】
“Miss…”
While she was still thinking, Linko’s voice sounded softly by her ear.
Flora looked up and saw a brown-haired girl walking straight toward them.
Her pupils contracted involuntarily.
Meifei?
She hadn’t even gone to seek out this supplier girl herself, so why was she taking the initiative to come here?