Flora had just stepped through the castle gates when she saw someone standing in the great hall.
Ilya.
She stood there, wearing a deep blue casual dress that shimmered alongside her flowing dark blue hair. The hall lights fell on her, softening her silhouette.
Flora froze for a moment.
She hadn’t expected Ilya to be waiting for her here, to be so eager for her return.
When Ilya saw Flora walk in, she moved toward her.
As always, her steps were steady and dignified. But when she reached Flora, she stopped and looked at her for two seconds.
Then she reached out and pulled Flora into a hug.
Flora went completely stiff.
Ilya’s embrace was warm. Her scent drifted over—a lovely, soothing fragrance that made Flora feel relaxed. Her hand rested gently on Flora’s back, the hug not tight but intimate.
“You’re back.”
Ilya whispered softly in Flora’s ear, her breath brushing against it.
Flora’s ears turned red, and her cheeks flushed slightly. She stood there frozen, not knowing what to say.
After a couple of seconds, she finally reacted and wrapped her arms around Ilya.
“Mm…”
Her reply was just as soft. Her face was pressed against Ilya’s shoulder, so her voice came out muffled.
“I’m back. Even if it’s only for three days.”
They held each other like that for several seconds.
Ilya didn’t say anything more.
Then Ilya loosened her grip and stepped back, looking at her.
“Are you hungry?” she asked. “Want to go have dinner?”
Flora looked at her, warmth spreading in her heart.
But she didn’t want to go right now. She was too tired. After sitting in the carriage all afternoon, her whole body ached, her bones sore.
What she wanted most right now was to lie down on that familiar big bed and snuggle with the blankets for a while.
“I think I’ll go rest in my room first,” she said. “Long ride. I’m a bit tired. I’ll eat later.”
Ilya nodded.
“Then go rest,” she said. “Come find me when you’re ready. I’ll wait for you, and we’ll have dinner together.”
Flora nodded and turned to go upstairs.
A few steps up, she glanced back.
Ilya was still standing there, watching her.
Flora smiled, then continued upward.
When she pushed open the door to her room, Flora stood at the entrance and looked inside.
It was just the same.
The big bed with its soft quilt and fluffy pillows. The table by the window and the chair she usually sat in. The mirror on the vanity reflecting her image. The bookshelf in the corner, filled with the books she had read.
Everything was exactly as she had left it.
Flora walked in and closed the door.
She went over to the bed and sat down.
The mattress was soft, sinking a little under her weight.
She leaned back and flopped onto the bed.
So comfortable…
Too comfortable!
It felt like being wrapped in a cloud.
She lay there, staring at the ceiling, letting out a long breath.
The quilt was soft, the mattress was soft, and soon even the pillow felt soft. Flora closed her eyes in bliss.
Then she rolled over.
Rolled again.
And again.
She buried her face in the pillow and rubbed against it. Then she rolled to the other side, pulled the quilt over and hugged it, rolled once, then again.
Then she twisted her arms a little.
The bed was a mess from all her rolling—the quilt crumpled, the pillow lopsided.
She lay on her stomach, face pressed into her arms, and couldn’t help but smile.
So comfortable.
Nothing beats her own bed, hehehe…
She rolled a couple more times before stopping, lying on her back, staring at the ceiling.
Her mind was empty. She didn’t want to think about anything.
Just lie there and enjoy it for a while.
After some time—she didn’t know how long—her stomach suddenly growled.
“Grrr…”
Flora froze, then sat up and rubbed her belly.
Hungry.
She looked out the window. It was completely dark outside.
She didn’t know how long it had been, but it must have been a while.
She stood up, straightened her clothes, tossed the quilt and pillow back into some semblance of order, and pushed open the door to head toward Ilya’s room.
Ilya’s door was open.
When Flora walked in, Ilya was sitting at the table, reading a book.
“Oh? Hungry?”
She put the book down.
“Mm. Let’s go eat.”
“Alright, then let’s go eat.”
Ilya stood up.
The two of them went to the dining room. Soon several dishes were placed on the table, each covered with a lid, steam rising.
Ilya lifted the lids one by one.
A steak, a plate of mushrooms, a bowl of bone broth, and a small dish of pastries.
Steam burst out, and the aroma wafted over. Flora’s stomach growled again.
Ilya glanced at her, the corners of her mouth twitching.
“Eat up.”
Flora picked up a fork and stabbed a piece of steak.
It was grilled just right—crispy on the outside, tender inside, not too salty, not too bland. The flavor was absolutely delicious.
She chewed and swallowed, then scooped up a spoonful of mushrooms.
Ilya also picked up her fork and ate slowly.
The two ate in silence.
The only sound in the room was the gentle clinking of utensils against the dishes—soft, comfortable.
After a while, Ilya put down her spoon and looked at Flora.
“About that matter of you wanting to visit your teacher… have you decided?” Ilya asked casually.
Flora also put down her spoon and nodded.
“I have.”
Ilya looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
Flora thought for a moment, organizing what she wanted to say.
“I want to go to Silver Academy,” she said. “To sit in as a student again, listen to Teacher Xiali’s lectures, and see how she’s been doing all these years.”
She paused.
“Like an ordinary person. Just a regular, talented student.”
Ilya listened without speaking.
“I want to use this time to think about some things,” Flora continued. “And I also want to see Teacher Xiali, spend some time with her. Learn a bit while I’m at it.”
She finished and looked at Ilya.
Ilya was silent for a few seconds.
Then she nodded.
“Alright,” she said.
Flora let out a sigh of relief.
“But,” Ilya added, “you’ll need a new identity. Can’t use the current one.”
Flora nodded.
“I know,” she said. “The old identity is too conspicuous. Besides, the name hasn’t changed—it’s the same as the demon princess’s name. It would be too easy to get suspicious.”
Ilya looked at her and suddenly smiled.
It was a small smile, but a genuine one.
“You already have so many identities,” she said. “Flora, Flora… and now you need another one.”
Flora froze for a moment, then chuckled.
“That first one was a disguise,” she said. “And using the name ‘Flora’ at the academy—if someone got suspicious and found out, it wouldn’t be good.”
“Mm.” Ilya nodded. “Makes sense.”
Ilya paused, then added with a grin:
“Heh, I was just joking anyway. I’ll handle the identity matter, but it’ll take some time.”
Flora nodded.
“How long?”
“About a week,” Ilya said. “I need to create a clean one that won’t be easy to trace. That takes time.”
“Alright,” Flora said.
Ilya picked up her chopsticks again and grabbed a bite of food.
“During this time, just rest well,” she said. “You’ve been out for days. You must be tired.”
Flora hummed in agreement and picked up her chopsticks too.
They continued eating.
After a few bites, something suddenly occurred to Flora.
“What should… the new name be?”
Ilya thought for a moment.
“What do you want it to be?”
Flora was stumped.
She didn’t know what to call herself. Her mind was blank, but she didn’t want to just pick any random name.
What should it be?
She had used quite a few names already.
Owen, Flora, Flora.
Each name represented an experience, a story.
Now she needed a new one.
“Any ideas?” Ilya looked at her. “If you haven’t decided, we can wait. No rush. We can think of one together.”
“Let me think.”
Flora fell silent, her mind racing.
What should she call herself?
She thought for a long time, and suddenly an idea floated into her mind.
“How about Funai?” she said. “Still the same ‘Fu,’ and ‘Nai’ like in ‘naihe’—‘helpless.’”
Ilya considered it.
Funai…
“Sounds nice.”
Ilya nodded.
“Alright,” she said. “Then Funai it is.”
Flora listened to the name and felt a strange sensation in her heart.
A new name.
Accompanying a beginning she didn’t know.
This time, would she and Teacher Xiali still be as close as before?