Flora didn’t manage to provoke Moliyaer into returning to the villa to punish her, but she didn’t feel any joy about that.
After several days, Linko once again appeared with the maid squad surrounding her, showing her the dress someone had prepared for her.
“Are you sure Moliyaer wants me to wear this to the gala?”
She hadn’t planned to resist in this matter, but the evening gown designed for her was really difficult to accept.
“Miss thinks that you seem a bit restrained and wants you to show more of your own charm…”
Linko’s expression also showed hesitation.
From her perspective, the dress prepared for Flora did have some questionable elements.
For example, the dress included a collar embedded with a green jade carved with a hexagram pattern, and the upper part of the gown revealed far too much skin.
When she first received this dress, she had a lingering doubt.
Did Miss want Flora to become a respected noble, a true Lady, or did she want everyone to think she was just a plaything, carefully dressed up by the duke’s eldest daughter?
This question couldn’t be answered.
Carrying the duke’s orders, Linko had planned to deliver the information she received to the attending Second Miss Eimiya (or young lady )at the gala, but now she was completely at a loss because of this discovery.
What if Moliyaer simply had a niche, perverse hobby and deliberately introduced her “pet” to everyone?
Even those who cared about Flora’s movements would have wasted their efforts.
[This has to be a smokescreen.]
Linko thought to herself, urging Flora to release her crossed arms so she could help her take off her clothes and change into the gown.
Less than three hours remained before the gala began, and time was already tight.
“I’m getting more and more confused about what exactly she’s up to.”
Flora twitched the corner of her mouth, letting go of her arms and allowing Linko to command the maids to help her dress.
At least Moliyaer’s sense of aesthetics was still intact, which brought her some comfort.
And she was well aware that she could never have autonomy over such details as dressing—Moliyaer and the others were extremely particular about these things.
Showing reluctance but ultimately accepting was better than outright compliance, which might have prompted Moliyaer to devise even more outrageous ways to torment her.
[Don’t think this is me acting tsundere.]
Flora thought helplessly in her heart.
Her unwilling expression fell into Linko’s eyes, which achieved the sympathy she hoped for from the maid.
The dress was actually very elegant, a masterful creation made especially for Flora.
The sea-blue satin gown perfectly outlined the girl’s slender, well-shaped figure.
The silver rose embroidery at the waist matched the overall blue tone of the gown and complemented her half-up braided long blue hair, deliberately highlighting the noble dignity and coldness that Moliyaer wanted.
However, this dress was strapless, without even a single shoulder strap.
Both shoulders and collarbones were fully exposed, and the youthful curves at the front were accentuated.
Under these circumstances, the collar around her neck was inevitably very eye-catching.
Moliyaer had almost exhausted all means to leave her mark on Flora—not only the embroidery at the waist but even the earrings and white gloves she wore bore white rose patterns.
From head to toe, the only part without a rose design was the hairband holding her braid, which was dotted with star-like patterns that were likely rosemary or baby’s breath—the two flowers that carried the jade heart’s memories.
Such painstaking effort.
“Do I really have to wear white stockings?”
Holding the still-unworn collar, looking at Linko kneeling on one knee before her to help put on the stockings, Flora couldn’t help but ask.
“Miss thinks it makes you cuter this way.”
Linko said expressionlessly.
She was actually more troubled than Flora.
The image of the girl’s messy appearance that morning lingered in her mind, combined now with this pure and alluring outfit.
The diligent maid couldn’t resist the slight uneasy imagination that surfaced.
[If I had been the one entering her room last night instead of that elf… no,]
Biting her lip, she repeatedly told herself it was just Flora’s unnatural charm at work.
There was no way she really had those kinds of thoughts!
Miss must have noticed Flora’s special nature and deliberately dressed her in such a tempting way.
Yes, that must be it.
All to show off the beautiful Miss Flora to those nobles and princesses, thereby achieving some terrifying goal.
[What am I even thinking?]
She couldn’t accept such a ridiculous explanation herself, let alone convince herself.
The “assimilation” she worried about days ago had long since happened.
This wasn’t something that could be resisted by sheer willpower.
Unless she left this environment, any resistance would only provide Moliyaer with amusement and unnecessary torment.
She could only hope the gala would bring a turning point.
“So, can you put my shoes on now, maid?”
“This strap must also be fastened to prevent the stockings from slipping.”
“How considerate. But with this long skirt, no one will see the upper part of the stockings hidden beneath. Does that mean someone will be enjoying me after the gala?”
“Please don’t say such things. After you become a Lady, other nobles must at least maintain basic respect for you.”
Except for Moliyaer and the others, of course.
Hoping there wouldn’t be some indescribable party celebrating her becoming a noble, Flora shuddered just thinking about Elka clinging to her and biting her like that.
She felt extremely uncomfortable, as if she had become some kind of adult toy equipped with artificial intelligence.
Being treated that way by a beautiful girl would normally be a fantasy for a pure, innocent young man, but unfortunately, Flora couldn’t regard those three madwomen as suitable subjects for such fantasies.
She was already physically and mentally disgusted by them.
Just then, Linko, who had finished putting on the shoes, helped her to her feet.
Today, the maid’s attire was especially different; she wore a sharp butler’s outfit, carrying both a staff and a sword, clearly adopting a bodyguard role.
“This feels weird.”
Flora looked up slightly at the taller maid.
“I think if we changed clothes, I’d feel better.”
“You still long for neutral or masculine attire and dislike dresses as always. Perhaps after this gala, Miss will grant you this wish.”
Linko looked at the petite girl, still shorter than her even in high heels, with a strange feeling she couldn’t quite put into words.
“Now, let’s depart.”
She extended her hand.
Flora puckered her lips and placed her hand in Linko’s palm, which was gently squeezed.
The two left the villa and climbed into the carriage heading toward the gala hall.
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