Truly, this dress didn’t have gaudy colors, nor did it have that sense of high-and-mighty majesty and inviolability.
“Is… is this really still me?” Flora stared straight into the mirror at the stunningly beautiful and charming person looking back, her soul shaken once more.
Even Flora herself seemed a bit captivated.
“How could it not be? This is you, Flora, just a version of yourself you’ve never imagined,” Ilya spoke as she looked at Flora with a smile. “Take a few more steps and get a feel for it.”
Flora took another step, and this time, even her stride seemed to have become more confident.
After walking a few steps, Flora couldn’t help but evaluate it in her mind. ‘This dress is truly wonderful. The whole thing is quite light, and the fabric is form-fitting yet comfortable.’
“This dress is truly wonderful, and it’s so comfortable to wear. Thank you, Mother!” Flora was pleasantly surprised and spoke excitedly.
“As long as it’s good. Change out of it now, and you can put it back on when the banquet starts tomorrow. I’ll take my leave then.”
“Yes. Goodnight, Mother.”
Flora carefully changed out of the dress and put it into her storage ring. ‘Actually, I don’t need to be this cautious. Since it’s a dress of this grade, it certainly won’t be easily damaged.’
‘Mother is so good to me.’
After all that excitement, Flora felt much happier. But now it was time to go to bed; she had to wake up early tomorrow to cross thousands of miles and reach the Vampire Royal City.
Flora quickly climbed into bed and soon drifted off to sleep.
***
The next morning.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
“Ugh, I’m awake, I’m awake. I’m getting up right now.” Flora woke up to a flurry of knocking and rubbed her eyes.
“Good. Please come out quickly, Your Highness. We’re departing soon.”
Flora got out of bed, changed into an ordinary princess dress, and went through her daily washing routine. Once everything was finished, Flora left her room and saw Lena waiting outside the door.
“Your Highness is still as fast as ever.” Lena checked the time and realized not much had passed, so she couldn’t help but praise Flora.
“Well, haven’t I always been this fast? What’s there to be surprised about? But Lena, aren’t you getting ready?”
“Your Highness, this is your banquet. I won’t be going. I’ll stay here in the castle.” Lena smiled as if she found the idea of her going slightly amusing, though there was no hint of mockery in her tone.
“But the banquet needs staff too.”
“That won’t be me. I don’t know how to do any of those banquet preparations, and besides, it’s being held over in the Vampire territory.”
“Most of the staff will be from their side. I can stay in the castle and handle some odd jobs,” Lena said, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness.
“Alright.” Flora sighed, a small gap seeming to open in her heart, feeling a bit bitter.
Lena couldn’t come with her, which made Flora feel a little dejected.
“It’s fine. Just tell me about any interesting things that happen when Your Highness returns.” Lena’s smile was pure.
Flora was moved by Lena’s innocent smile and no longer felt sad.
“Okay, I’ll tell you all about it when I get back.” Flora’s tone was noticeably lighter.
“There we go. Come, I’ll take you to the carriage. Her Majesty should be waiting already.” Lena turned and walked ahead.
Flora followed by Lena’s side. Soon, they went downstairs and arrived in front of the carriage.
Since they were attending a banquet between two nations, they were using the royal family’s dedicated traveling carriage.
Compared to the one used for the trip to White Stone City, it was night and day; the Royal Carriage was much more magnificent.
The body was made of dark brown magic wood, with fine silver patterns flowing across its surface, faintly emitting a hazy, warm light.
The window was a single piece of ice crystal glass; one could see the interior through it.
This crystal glass had been specially processed so that the inside could see the outside clearly, while the view from the outside was blurred and indistinct.
In front, four tall Shadow Steeds were draped in silver chains that sparkled like stars. Pale purple mist swirled beneath their hooves as they stood ready to go.
“I have to say, it really is magnificent,” Flora whispered to herself as she looked at the Royal Carriage.
“Of course it is.” Lena had already reached the carriage door and pulled it open for Flora.
“Flora, you’re here. Come in,” Ilya said after the door opened.
Flora boarded the carriage.
“Remember to tell me what happens when you get back!” Lena said expectantly before closing the door.
The door closed, Flora sat down securely inside, and the carriage set off. The carriage’s soundproofing was excellent, and the sounds of the outside world basically vanished.
However, this silence instead brewed a strange atmosphere within the cabin.
“We should arrive around 5:00 PM,” Ilya said, looking out the window. Her words broke the strange silence.
“Yeah, it’s really going to be a long ride.”
“If you’re bored, you can look at the scenery outside. I’ve always found it quite beautiful.” Ilya’s voice was calm and sincere; it seemed she truly enjoyed looking at the scenery and wanted Flora to see it too.
“Alright then.”
Flora looked out the window, watching the scenery continuously move backward.
Trees and streams — they were both repetitive and diverse, yet they all seemed to possess some kind of mana that allowed one’s heart to unconsciously blend into them.
It was very relaxing.
Looking at the scenery, Flora’s heart felt much clearer. She didn’t feel irritable on the carriage, nor did she let her thoughts wander.
Of course, sometimes Flora and Ilya would chat or even take a short nap, rather than staring out the window the entire time.
After sitting for a long time, Ilya suddenly said, “Flora, we’ve entered the Vampire territory.”
Flora instinctively looked up at the sky. The sky seemed to be covered by an ever-present veil of dark red, with almost no sunlight visible. The whole world appeared dim.
The tones of the earth were also gloomy. The vegetation wasn’t as rich as in the Demon forest, and it was as deep in color as the ground, like silent shadows. Only a small portion of the plants looked slightly brighter.
The mana lingering in the air was also completely different. The mana in the demon race territory felt cold or profound, whereas the mana here carried a chilly and viscous scent.
“So this is the Vampire territory…” Flora muttered to herself.
Flora had never been to the Vampire territory before. Because the part of the Vampire territory that bordered the human territory was very small and far from Flora’s hometown, she had never visited.
Everything she knew about the Vampire territory came from books and what others said. Now that she was experiencing it herself, it was indeed somewhat different.
“Yes, quite unique, isn’t it?” Ilya said.
“Indeed, it feels very different from our place. If I had to say, this place feels ‘eerie’ to me, while our home feels more ‘tranquil’.”
“Your feelings are similar to most people’s.”
“Hehe, then my intuition is pretty spot on.”
“The royal family has a keen perception of this kind of atmospheric energy. It’s only natural that your description is appropriate,” Ilya said plainly.
“That is our talent, after all.”
After hearing this, the corners of Ilya’s mouth tilted upward almost imperceptibly.