The same person, in different situations, requires completely different ways to respond.
Though she looked exactly like the innocent little girl from that day, only dressed differently, when Moliyaer addressed the blonde girl before them as the Imperial Princess, and the nobles all looked at her with respectful gazes, Flora naturally felt a rising sense of reverence toward Lisette.
She didn’t know whether she should bow as a commoner or as a noble at that moment.
During the past few days of training, Linko and the others hadn’t told her how to handle this situation.
Should she just improvise?
Lisette cast her gaze upon her, and Flora could only helplessly bend slightly, intending to greet the princess in the same manner as Moliyaer had done.
“Your Highness…”
But before she could finish, a small gloved hand reached out in front of her.
This only made the already confused Flora even more perplexed.
【Could it be that such etiquette exists in this world as well?】
She began to suspect this.
It made sense; after all, this was a medieval-like world, so the hand-kissing ritual must naturally exist.
Since Lisette wanted such a ritual, Flora decided to go along with it.
She took the hand Lisette extended with her right hand, knelt on one knee, and gently kissed it.
“Flora Emerald, your faithful subject greets you.”
But when she stood up, that hand didn’t retract and still stayed in front of her.
Flora looked at Lisette with confusion, only to see the princess staring back at her in surprise, and Moliyaer’s expression was similarly strange.
The most obvious reaction was from the lady attendant standing beside the princess—her face darkened.
“Absolutely not—”
The attendant was about to scold her, but Lisette shot her a glance.
Warned by the princess’s gaze, Liz, despite her anger, could only glare at the bewildered Flora.
If Flora couldn’t understand that she’d just made a fool of herself, then she was far too slow to react.
【Did I just make a joke out of myself? No way…】
She broke out in a sweat, but Lisette blinked and withdrew her hand.
“Flora Emerald, is it?”
The princess’s voice carried no confusion, only genuine curiosity toward her.
“Yes, that… is my name.”
Bound by the name and the week-long adjustment, Flora subconsciously gave that answer, feeling a touch of emotion that she had indeed accepted the identity Moliyaer had bestowed upon her.
Fortunately, this subtle display in her heart didn’t show on her face for Lisette to notice.
The princess merely nodded slightly and continued at a leisurely pace: “Then I shall call you Lady Flora. Now, tell me, what was the meaning of your earlier gesture?”
Flora glanced at the other nobles, who looked at her with a mixture of emotions.
【This is not good.】
Growing increasingly uneasy, she still forced herself to answer: “I haven’t been knighted yet, so I didn’t know whether I should perform the etiquette of a commoner or that of a noble. When you extended your hand to me, I assumed you knew the hand-kissing custom of my hometown, so…”
She wasn’t sure if this explanation would satisfy Lisette.
Floro noticed Moliyaer’s gaze toward her held more meaning than before, making her even more uncomfortable.
“I see, that’s understandable, and quite novel. But unfortunately, although I would very much like to be closer to you, Lady Flora, and to show the royal family’s kindness… I haven’t been to many places and don’t know many local customs.”
Her words sounded strange but didn’t make Flora feel displeased.
It was a pardon for her rudeness.
Flora wanted to thank the princess for her kindness, but Lisette smiled again: “I have a good impression of you. Someone as lovely as you, treated like this by Lady Yaer, I’ll grant you a special privilege. From now on, when you see me, greet me using this so-called hand-kissing ritual.”
“Eh?”
Flora was somewhat taken aback but saw the sly, harmless smile on Lisette’s face, and she couldn’t help but be touched.
“As you command.”
She whispered softly, secretly thinking:【Much better than Moliyaer.】
“Your Highness, this is too—”
Hearing the princess speak this way, Liz couldn’t hold back.
Even under Lisette’s warning glance, she bluntly said: “No matter how tolerant you are, you can’t allow this exception. Local customs are local customs. The one-knee kneeling hand-kissing ritual is only appropriate for proposals. What you’re doing is very inappropriate.”
Flora’s expression darkened along with hers.
What she had just done—in the eyes of these nobles—was a marriage proposal to the princess?
This was no longer just about embarrassing herself!
“It’s a party, lighten up. It’s rare for everyone to gather. Being too serious would ruin everyone’s mood. Besides, does anyone really think I’d accept a lady’s proposal?”
Lisette said as her gaze swept over the various expressions of the nobles.
No one dared to make a sound.
Liz, seeing this, didn’t say more but looked at Flora with a hint of blame.
Feeling even more embarrassed, Flora wanted to know what the young girl’s hand gesture had meant.
But soon, Lisette made her intentions clear with her actions.
She stepped forward, rose onto her toes, cupped Flora’s face with both hands, and gently pinched it.
“Y-Your Highness?”
“Just thought you were pretty and wanted to take a closer look. I forgot about etiquette. Now that’s cleared up, lower your head so I can see properly what kind of person could cause Lady Yaer to make such a fuss.”
Flora glanced at Moliyaer, who showed no displeasure, and seemed quite pleased by Flora’s gaze.
She couldn’t figure out what this madwoman was scheming, but Flora obediently lowered her head as Lisette requested, meeting the princess’s eyes.
The girl looked at her intently, without any arrogance typical of a higher rank.
At least she didn’t make her kneel for this.
Could royal upbringing be much healthier than a duke’s?
Flora found herself growing quite fond of Lisette.
Only then did a voice echo in her mind.
【Even looking into your eyes like this, I can’t read your heart, Lady Flora. You have such strong convictions. I want to hear your plans. Can you tell me?】
Flora’s expression stiffened; she hadn’t expected Lisette to ask her this way at this moment.
【Relax. This is probably the only time I can catch you off guard like this. Could your soul be eavesdropped on? That’s impossible. Tell me. That wicked Moliyaer surely has ill intentions, and you don’t seem willing to cooperate with her.】
Wicked woman?
Was there something wrong with that term?
Flora didn’t know how to respond to the princess, but she was now sure that the person before her could be a partner she could cooperate with.
Out of caution, she silently thought:【I want to die. If possible, it’d be better if they all died together.】
Lisette’s gaze flickered before she released her hands.
“Lady Yaer, please invite the Bishop. I want to hear more reasons why Lady Flora should become a knight.”
Her expression showed no obvious change, revealing no hint, but Flora knew the princess had gotten the answer she wanted and felt relieved.
Moliyaer seemed unaware of the oddity and nodded.
“Understood. I suppose Your Highness has heard many interesting things recently. I won’t recklessly recommend talent to His Majesty.”
She said this, then seemed to suddenly remember something and looked toward the other nobles.
“But after all, we’ve gathered everyone to witness this. If you don’t know her well, holding the ceremony now wouldn’t be appropriate. How about this: we’ll start the knighting an hour later. In the meantime, Lady Flora can arrange things herself, so everyone can get to know her first?
“After all, tonight’s party isn’t just for us nobles. There are also guests from the Adventurers’ Guild and the Merchant Association, all supporters of Emerald Heart. New members should meet them first, so everyone can accept the knighting.”
After speaking, she cast a meaningful glance at Flora.
【A test?】
Flora kept her composure and looked at Lisette, waiting for the princess’s reply.
“Leave it all to Lady Yaer.”
It seemed the princess had no objections.