How could this possibly be cured?
Even though none of the guests at this banquet were true experts in the field of healing, they were at least considered outstanding among young nobles, or leaders of various factions.
Skin ulcerations, organ failure, limbs mangled.
Patients left in such a state after taking the drug—unless a miracle happened, how could they possibly be cured?
The underlying logic of healing magic is this: use mana to enhance the body’s self-repair ability and quickly mend injuries.
Usually, corresponding medicines and magical instruments are required to boost the effect; not every wound or illness can be resolved by a single spell.
Even if it was just about removing the side effects caused by the drug, with no materials at hand for Flora to use, how could she possibly manage it?
And even if the materials were provided and Flora succeeded in removing the drug’s lingering effects, it still wouldn’t be the strongest proof of her skill as a potion maker.
Yet, no one raised a single doubt.
No one even looked on with the attitude of watching a show.
Because if Flora were to heal all these people back to their original state without using any other medicine, never mind a knighthood—even if she were directly granted the title of Marquess or higher, not a single person here would object.
After all, that would mean Flora Emerald possessed a power without irreversible limits, a power to easily heal others.
No person of power or standing would ever wish to offend such an individual.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for her to act, hoping that she truly possessed this miraculous ability.
“I can’t guarantee success. Their conditions are already very serious.”
Flora knew she needed to demonstrate her healing power.
But she had no intention of letting Moria have her way, even if the only resistance she could offer was to downplay her own abilities with these words.
She wasn’t a fool; how could she not understand the mindset behind this sudden silence from everyone?
At this moment, all she felt was irony.
In the past, using this ability hadn’t caused much of a stir, so she naturally assumed that in this world of magic, her healing skill was nothing special—so of course others wouldn’t care much.
Later, she gradually realized that this thinking was wrong, but by then she had grown content with her circumstances, lost all desire for fame or gain, and stopped caring about what this ability could bring her.
But looking at it now, something about her past was very odd.
Whether it was the effect her power had on others, or her growing lack of ambition, neither was normal.
It was Moria, intentionally downplaying the shock her abilities could cause, and subtly instilling in her the idea that chasing fame and profit wasn’t worth it.
Just when did this woman start formulating the plan to turn her into what she was now?
The more she thought about it, the more chilling it seemed.
But what Flora found most laughable was that this woman wanted her to be in the limelight, yet chose to reveal her power to the world in such a way.
How hypocritical.
Did Moria never consider, if such an ability could make someone a star, why did she need Moria help to do it?
What exactly was her childhood companion so obsessed with pursuing?
Flora sighed in her heart.
The more she pondered, the less she understood; the more she thought, the clearer it became—these were not things she should concern herself with right now.
Saving people came first.
No matter whether these gravely ill patients were actors created by them with fake medicine, or actual victims caught in the crossfire, she needed to heal them seriously and carefully with her ability.
Not to prove herself, not to satisfy anyone, just to make herself feel at ease.
With life slipping away before her, and the power to save it in her hands—doing nothing would be unbearable.
Adjusting her mindset and convincing herself, Flora walked to the side of the stretcher.
She paid no attention to the patient’s pitiful state.
Under the nobles’ watchful eyes, she removed her gloves, ready to grasp the hand of the most seriously ill person.
But just then, someone interrupted her.
“Wait.”
Flora glanced at the person stepping from the crowd, confirming it was the same Lady of House Laird who had previously voiced doubts.
“What do you want?”
Being interrupted while treating a patient, Flora found it hard to keep a gentle expression.
“Before you begin your so-called healing, I must confirm—were they really turned into this state, or are they merely disguised?”
A reasonable question.
In fact, she was one of the few present with enough status and clarity to stand up to Moria.
But Flora did not like people like her.
“Does Lady Laird think the Bishop’s judgment is untrustworthy?”
Without waiting for Moria to respond, Flora countered.
At this moment, she was thoroughly vexed.
It was precisely because of anticipated difficulties from people like this that Moria arranged for this unnecessary treatment.
Now she had to suffer through Moria’s meticulously planned pain, and endure the struggle of hiding her true self.
These nobles hurt her, too.
Although such thinking was unhealthy and might lead her to resent Moria, Flora couldn’t be bothered to care.
She no longer had the patience or energy to play these underhanded games.
From start to finish, she was never a strong person.
To attempt suicide over family betrayal was truly weak.
To flee home after being bullied by companions—utterly incurable cowardice.
For someone so timid, her specialty was never resistance, but rather blaming her ugly dissatisfaction on those who hadn’t harmed her directly, or venting on innocents or even those trying to help.
Lady Laird in front of her was just such a person.
“I didn’t…”
Confronted by Flora’s questioning, Laird wanted to retort, but when she saw the girl—who had seemed timid moments before—now gazing at her with eyes that seemed to pierce the soul, she found herself unable to speak.
“So you think Lady Moria dares play tricks before Her Highness the Princess, just to let me put on some farcical healing performance for you?”
“This…”
“Or do you think, if Moria tried such a thing, Her Highness wouldn’t notice? Lady Laird, are you doubting His Majesty’s recognition of me as shown by my letter of ennoblement, or are you dissatisfied with the authority of the test even the Bishop approved?”
Power is a wonderful thing.
Nobles always had to give the Emperor face.
As a representative of the royal family, the Princess’s dignity could not be slighted.
Taking this angle, Flora rebuked Laird, who could offer no rebuttal even if she had enough evidence.
“If Moria really did something like that and we failed to discover it for Her Highness, that would be the real mistake. What… could it be that Miss Flora is feeling guilty?”
Lady Laird, by now, had lost her confidence.
But still, she stepped closer to Flora, clearly stubborn by nature.
Yet no one stopped her, indicating Flora’s words had been highly effective.
Seeing this, Flora couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.
“Fine, be my guest. In fact, even if they were all dead, I could still prove myself.”
“What…”
Laird faltered, the whole crowd staring at Flora in astonishment.
Not that her words were particularly frightening, but the formerly docile girl now radiated palpable malice.
Among the crowd, only those closest to Flora reacted little to this change.
But not everyone could stay calm.
In Flora’s eyes, Linko, who had always worn a blank expression, lowered her head further.
Her fists clenched, nails digging into her palms.
Hidden in the crowd, she clearly saw the young mistress’s satisfied smile, knowing full well that this change in Flora was exactly the result Moria wanted.
She had always told herself that Flora was nothing more than a moon whose light happened to shine on her, so she should suppress any mixed feelings.
But faced with this situation, she found it hard to stay calm.
It was like watching a flower wither away—Linko simply couldn’t accept it.
[You’ve influenced me too much, Flora. Sorry, but I might have to run away now.]
Whether or not Flora was just putting on a show, Linko no longer wished to stay by her side.
In the end, she was just a maid.
If she couldn’t do her duty because of Flora, she would only meet a tragic end.
So she could only apologize in her heart, unable to be Flora’s dependable support.
She quietly slipped to Moria’s side, whispered something, and, out of Flora’s sight, left the banquet.
“You really didn’t think of this?”
Unaware that someone had just chosen to leave, Flora, still keeping to her rhythm, moved another step toward Laird.
Moments ago, Lady Laird had steeled herself, but now she instinctively backed away.
Humans are such strange creatures—if they see a tiger baring its fangs, they may be terrified, but since it’s expected, they can accept being attacked.
But if a harmless sheep suddenly bared fangs like a viper, even though the threat was less than a tiger’s, the fear it caused would be far greater.
That was the effect of a violation of common sense.
Right now, Lady Laird was chilled by just such an effect.
Her instincts screamed that this beautiful lady would do something truly cruel.
Her rational mind told her, too, that Flora wasn’t the sort of person to say such things.
It was as if someone else had possessed her.
In a daze, she seemed to see Moria’s cold, mocking smile on Flora’s face.
Unable to help herself, she looked at Moria, only to find the latter standing with her arms crossed, smiling at her.
Compared to Flora’s expression, Moria’s seemed almost gentle.
And there was a strange, motherly satisfaction there, as if pleased at a child’s growth.
Lady Laird’s heart clenched.
She realized she might have inadvertently helped the very person she disliked the most.
“Gentlemen, ladies.I’m very angry to see such people at today’s banquet. Using fake medicine and ending up like this, only to be sent here to prove my abilities instead of being truly healed—this is a disregard for human life, not the attitude nobles should show toward the people.”
Flora didn’t care about the crowd’s reaction to her words; she only watched the flustered Lady Laird.
“If you want proof, why bother with all this trouble? Bring out some of this so-called fake medicine, and use it right here in front of everyone, Lady Laird. Then let me heal you—if I succeed, wouldn’t that prove everything?
Whether the medicine is fake or not, whether my ability is real or not, you would know it better than anyone.
Anyone who doubts can do the same.
And didn’t Her Highness just admonish everyone to show the blood and courage befitting nobles?
I’m sure anyone willing to take such a risk will be praised as the most courageous noble.”
“You… but what if you can’t…”
Realizing that letting things proceed this way would only please Moria more, Lady Laird tried to seize the momentum and pressure Flora, but Flora gave her no chance.
“I have confidence in my ability. But you, Lady Laird, have no confidence in your doubts. Then please, step aside and don’t delay my treatment.”
She made no attempt to hide her contempt, turned away, naturally took the patient’s hand, and began to cast her healing spell.
Lady Laird, angered by Flora’s attitude, wanted to say more, but Lisette, who had been watching the whole time, yawned.
“Lady Laird, I trust Lady Ya’er wouldn’t bother staging a farce for us.”
“But…”
“If you really have doubts, I’ll do as Lady Flora suggested—take the medicine myself and let her heal me. Then you can judge for yourself if it’s just an act.”
“Your Highness! This is…”
With these words, Lady Laird completely lost her will to argue.
She stamped her foot, bit her lip, bowed to the Princess, and returned to the crowd, utterly humiliated.
After all this commotion, no one else dared to question anything.
Lisette glanced at Moria, who remained perfectly composed; Moria smiled back at her.
She closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts about everything she had seen and heard today.
Lisette was curious—would Moria, who seemed so unfazed and in control, be able to keep that calm expression a little while longer?
The royal family’s agreement to allow such a grand banquet to recommend a new lord was not simply because Moria was the eldest daughter of House Delan.
There were many considerations involved.
And she, too, had prepared a great gift.