Xueli walked with incredible stability.
A true princess’s aura didn’t need to be practiced; it only required breathing.
She didn’t need to consciously straighten her back because it was naturally upright. She didn’t need to focus on her steps because her stride was already the most perfect rhythm.
Her skirt rose and fell with a natural beauty, like a meticulously choreographed ribbon. She didn’t need to mimic any etiquette because she was etiquette personified.
Meanwhile, her silver-red eyes inadvertently swept toward Flora.
That glance… was calm.
However, it also carried a faint sense of evaluation.
Unsteady steps.
Stiff shoulders.
Tense expression.
Even her breathing was too obvious.
She was completely like a little girl who had just been brought out of the countryside.
‘Is the demon princess really like this?’
Xueli silently gave her a rating in her mind.
‘This walk is unworthy of a princess.’
She wasn’t being malicious; she was simply observing the facts.
Although Flora didn’t look back, the feeling of “having all her flaws seen” instantly crawled up her spine. She could even imagine Xueli’s internal monologue at this moment.
‘This demon princess… how can she be like this?’
Flora nearly stumbled.
She quickly pulled her drifting attention back, forcing herself to return to the posture she had been taught in etiquette class.
Chest out, shoulders back, consistent steps.
Don’t move randomly.
Don’t breathe unevenly.
But the more she thought this way, the stiffer she became. It felt as if her feet had been hit by a binding spell.
She even heard herself step on her own skirt once. Although she covered it up quickly, she knew it had happened.
It was over.
Xueli had definitely seen it.
‘Would the Blood Clan princess think I’m an embarrassment?’
Flora felt terrible. She was suffocating under the unreasonable tension of thinking ‘I’m going to be hated.’
Ilya, walking in front, turned her head slightly and gave Flora a single look. That look held no reproach; instead, it carried a bit of encouragement, as if saying:
‘Keep going, don’t be afraid.’
Flora’s heart suddenly tightened, yet she felt a little more settled.
Finally, they reached the drawing room.
When they stopped in front of the door, Flora felt like she had just finished a marathon. Her shoulders were so tense they felt hard, and her legs felt light and floaty.
The door was gently pushed open by the maids.
The drawing room was large, but the decor was surprisingly low-key. The aesthetics of the demon race and the blood clan reached a strange consensus in this moment.
Deep base tones, cold metallic accents, and blue flames burning quietly in the fireplace created a shimmering play of light and shadow.
After Lias and Xueli entered the room, they were like two faint yet sharp moon shadows, easily absorbed by the space.
Flora, on the other hand, felt like a small-time actor who had suddenly been shoved onto a stage. She sat up straight, hands on her knees, toes together.
This was a posture she had practiced 300 times in etiquette class.
Xueli sat on the other side, her posture elegant, natural, and nearly perfect. The contrast between the two girls… the result could be described as disastrous.
Flora took a few slightly deeper breaths to make herself appear more composed.
Once Ilya and Lias were seated, attendants quickly served tea and snacks.
The Blood Clan’s tea was a pale red, while the demon race’s tea was a silvery gray. When placed together, the two colors complemented each other unexpectedly well.
Ilya spoke first. “How was the journey?”
Lias gently picked up her teacup, her posture graceful. “The distance isn’t far, so it was quite leisurely. As for your castle… it seems to have been renovated quite a bit since my last visit.”
Ilya nodded faintly. “Some areas were in disrepair from age, so I renovated them in passing.”
“Hmm, I can tell you personally put some thought into it.” Lias smiled slightly. “You’ve always been steady, so these changes are a bit surprising to me.”
Ilya replied, “Adjustments must be made when necessary.”
Flora listened from the side, feeling dazed. These two looked like they were just exchanging pleasantries, but every sentence felt like it had some deep meaning.
Especially Lias’s comment about “personally putting thought into it,” it felt like… an implication?
An implication of what?
Flora had no idea.
Lias took another light sip of tea, her tone relaxed. “The demon realm seems to have quieted down lately. I heard the beast tide at the north border has been suppressed?”
Ilya nodded. “The turbulence has indeed lessened. What about your side? I heard the fog in the sea of blood moon has returned?”
Lias sighed softly. “There are always some troubles that can’t be avoided.”
The conversation between the two rulers was like the meeting of wind and water—calm, yet with hidden undercurrents.
Flora’s eyes were vacant; she couldn’t keep up with the rhythm at all. She unconsciously shifted her toes slightly, trying her best to pretend ‘I’m listening, and I understand.’
Xueli didn’t even look at her, but her peripheral vision definitely caught that small movement.
Thus, Xueli silently made a note for Flora in her mind.
Etiquette score: -1.
Lias set down her teacup, her smile soft. “Speaking of which… I finally get to see her.”
The topic suddenly shifted to Flora.
Flora’s heart gave a violent thud, and her back immediately straightened to the limit.
Ilya looked at her, her voice steady. “Yes. She has only recently started adapting to this place.”
Lias’s gaze slowly fell on Flora. It wasn’t oppressive, yet it felt like it was illuminating the depths of her heart. “I can see she is still adapting.”
It was a very gentle sentence, but Flora felt as if she were being “seen through” completely.
She responded in a low voice, “Yes… I’m still not quite used to it.”
Lias chuckled. “That’s normal. Life in the demon palace is strict. To be able to learn etiquette and do this well within three days is already very rare.”
Flora’s cheeks warmed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
She hadn’t expected the Blood Clan Queen to be so… gentle.
Xueli gave her a faint look but said nothing.
Lias seemed to suddenly remember something. “I noticed her dress on the way in. Did you choose it?”
Ilya nodded. “Yes… I picked out a few myself. They’re light, comfortable, and won’t make her feel restrained.”
Lias let out an “Ah,” as if she had heard a funny little detail. “No wonder. That wasn’t your style before.”
Ilya coughed lightly. “It’s just… suitable for her.”
Flora wondered why they were suddenly discussing her clothes.
Lias continued to ask, “What about her diet?”
Ilya paused, her voice turning a bit soft. “It’s fine. She seems to like it, though sometimes she eats a bit… wolfishly when she finds something she enjoys.”
Ilya made a small gesture. Flora could tell she was talking about how she gobbled down food when it was something she liked.
Lias laughed softly. “They’re just kids. They’re all like that.”
Flora thought, ‘Did I just get categorized as a child by two rulers? How did I become a child!’
Then, the following topics became even more ridiculous.
Lias asked, “How does she sleep?”
Flora’s mind raced. ‘Where is this conversation going? Why are they talking about all this nonsense?’
Ilya coughed softly. “…She’s too well-behaved when she sleeps. She doesn’t dare to move.”
Lias spoke with a half-smile. “Are you raising her like some precious, fragile piece of glass?”
Ilya didn’t argue.
Flora’s head lowered slightly without her realizing it.
What kind of meeting was this? To her, it sounded like a family meeting between two adults, with the theme being “Can the new kid adjust to life?”