“What a fuss you’ve gone through. I don’t understand what you’re thinking, you troublesome young lady from the Duke’s family.”
Elka crossed her legs, her face full of annoyance as she looked at Moliyaer, who was leisurely standing by the window.
The person who had just been wildly furious in the room seemed to have nothing to do with the silver-haired woman before her now.
At least, the lady standing in front of Elka was the noblewoman she knew—always graceful and dignified.
Sometimes Elka really admired Moliyaer’s ability to switch faces so effortlessly.
For example, now, hearing her words, the silver-haired woman curled her lips.
“Of course it’s to make our Flora feel more urgency, to get her moving faster. If she doesn’t act soon, I might just eat her up.
Alright, don’t be mad. I’m sorry for disturbing your rest, but Elka, I have to find a way to make up for what you didn’t finish.
Honestly, I left the ‘good person’ role to you so you could easily get close to the adorable Flora, instead of me resorting to violence, hmph…”
She turned back, crossed her arms, and sat on the windowsill, grumbling at her.
“Taking advantage and then playing innocent—really, you don’t know how jealous I’ve been all these years watching you interact with her!”
“Give me a break. When the truth was revealed, I was the one she hated the most, not less than you. And the person I’ve been interacting with all these years was Fros, not your so-called adorable Flora.”
Elka rolled her eyes, correcting Moliyaer’s words.
She had been sleeping soundly in her room until the maid arranged by this woman woke her up and called her to the study for the performance.
If she weren’t in a good mood and genuinely upset about her estrangement from Flora, she would have already lost it and made a scene.
This woman personally acting out to prove that the help from this elf was genuine, and even willing to pay a price for aiding Flora, was meant to make the young lady trust her former teammate more.
Even after living for a thousand years, Elka had never seen such a tactic before.
She couldn’t help but respect her for it.
“Well, isn’t that perfect? You said you found it interesting and didn’t care how she would look at you in the end. Are you regretting it now, Great Mage?”
“Don’t test me. If I really find it interesting and go against you, everything you’ve painstakingly worked for will be ruined.”
Elka was used to Moliyaer constantly emphasizing their cooperative relationship.
She slid her legs off the table and propped her chin on her hand, gazing at the door.
“You trust your maid that much? She grew up with you, right…”
During the day, Elka overheard the interaction between Link and Flora.
She didn’t directly tell Moliyaer her plan but thought it necessary to mention it briefly.
“She’s my father’s person—knows everything inside out, so naturally, there’s nothing to worry about using her. The old man doesn’t trust me, so it’s normal for him to have people around me.
If I don’t point it out, there’s only Link beside me.
But if I do, who knows how many of his men might be around.
What? Did you hear anything suspicious about her? Even if she’s loyal to the old man, I’m a Deran and the top candidate for heir. She won’t go against me.”
Confidence bordering on arrogance was Moliyaer’s biggest trait.
It wasn’t blind confidence but the composure of a top-tier noble born and raised in such a family.
The unmistakable stench of aristocratic scheming made Elka frown.
She really hated all these power plays.
Thankfully, their conversation didn’t have to continue further—the door was gently knocked.
“Come in.”
Moliyaer slid down from the windowsill, keeping her usual cold demeanor.
Elka really wanted to know which side was the true face of this noble lady.
“Milady, Miss Elka.”
The maid who had completed her task respectfully bowed to both of them before facing Moliyaer.
“Miss Flora wants to go out and asked if I could provide the appropriate assistance. But I don’t know what exactly she intends to do; there must be someone outside she can turn to for help.”
She paused, then glanced at the absent-minded elf beside her and added, “She also asked me about Miss Elka’s situation. It seems she’s somewhat worried about the relationship between you two.”
“Who would my Flora seek out? Who else could possibly lend a hand when the whole city is after her?”
Moliyaer stroked her chin, looking troubled.
After a moment’s thought, she placed her hand on Elka’s shoulder again.
“Do you still want to help her get out? She’s thinking about you right now. Should I lock you up in the villa’s Dungeon and see if she sneaks out or comes to rescue you?”
Elka stared at her wordlessly.
Only Moliyaer could understand that expression—it was silent frustration at having to perform in front of the maid.
“Alright, I know you’re unhappy with what I’m doing, but you elves don’t understand the pure feelings ordinary people have. You, me, and Tatasimi all have the freedom to express our ideals. Just don’t do anything too extreme next time, okay? I’ve been watching her closely all along.”
Satisfied that her point was made, Moliyaer turned to Link.
“Relax tonight’s patrol. Give her about fifteen minutes to go out. I want to see what kind of tricks she can pull and let her fully realize the situation. I believe after tonight, she won’t be thinking about going out again.”
“Understood. I’ll make the arrangements right away.”
Link kept her usual humble demeanor.
As she turned to leave, her steps had barely taken two strides when a hand gently rested on her right shoulder.
She paused, expression unchanged.
“Does Miss have any other orders?”
“Link…” Moliyaer’s voice came softly from behind. The other hand gently pinched her chin. “My dear Link, how long have we known each other?”
“Since you were six years old, I have served you. Up until now, a total of nineteen years and four months.”
Her answer was calm, without the slightest flaw.
“You’re not my father’s person, are you?”
Moliyaer’s tone was equally unreadable, like a casual friendly inquiry.
“I am a servant of the Deran family. Following you means I am yours, naturally.”
“I want you to be mine even if you follow my father. What am I to do, Link, my dear Link?”
“My loyalty to you is absolute.”
At this point, Link could only respond with such words.
“No one doubts your loyalty. It’s just that I worry about you, and it pains me.”
Moliyaer said, turning her to face her, looking apologetic.
Her hands rested on Link’s shoulders.
“If you want to buy time and make her trust you, Link, remember to clean yourself well tonight, wear fewer layers. When the whip comes down, it’ll save you from the pain of the blood scabbing and tearing.”
“……”
Link’s expression remained respectful, unchanged.
“But she might not heal your wounds perfectly or without scars. In that case, my dear Link, you will still be as beautiful and dignified as ever.”
Moliyaer was pleased with Link’s reaction.
She cupped her face in her hands and gently stroked her cheeks, like lamenting a delicate work of art about to break.
Her eyes narrowed into slits with a smile.
“Thank you for your concern, Miss.”
Link bowed again and exited the study.
After five steps, she silently stared at the room at the end of the corridor and let out a heavy sigh.
【The ability to heal wounds perfectly without leaving scars—that ability is important. I’ve heard about it before. The healer from Emerald Heart had this skill, tsk…】
Along with the wanted posters plastered everywhere outside, she understood why the master was so concerned about Flora, and why the lady treated this girl so specially.
She also formed a rough guess about Flora’s identity.
No matter the guess, it only showed that the girl in the room was extremely pitiful.
Moreover, she was certain Moliyaer doubted her stance.
Even if she performed her duties well, Moliyaer probably would never fully trust her.
Getting whipped was just part of the job for both of them—being tormented was nothing unusual.
With this thought, Link walked slowly into Flora’s room, tidied up the tableware, and quietly said to the young lady,
“I can get you fifteen minutes. After that, you’ll have to decide what to do.”
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