Flora finally snapped out of it.
“Princess Xueli, hello.”
“It is fine.”
Xueli looked at Flora, but her gaze seemed different than before, containing a hint of admiration.
“Princess Xueli… did you know about this?” Flora asked tentatively. She was mostly certain, but she wanted to confirm.
Xueli’s appearance was too timely to be a coincidence. She had felt a strange sensation while talking to Horn; Flora didn’t believe Xueli was just passing by.
“I saw everything. However, there were some flaws.” Xueli’s tone was much calmer.
“May I ask, what were the flaws?” Flora’s heart tightened slightly. She wasn’t sure what the issue was, considering she did not know much about these situations.
“You were too ‘direct,’ Princess Flora. That will bring a lot of trouble,” Xueli said with rare patience.
“You could have completely left it to the guards to handle. There was no need to confront him personally.” Xueli’s voice was as steady as a line.
“By stepping in yourself, you became a participant in the incident. You are now one of the parties involved.”
“If he had lost control further, or if they later threatened you because you had no witnesses, you could have fallen into unnecessary danger.”
“Furthermore, you used Ice Elemental Magic and left evidence on Klaus. You have no ironclad proof that he insulted the maid first, but the other side has evidence that you made a move.”
“So, the safest way is to stop it without acting yourself, then notify us or others. At least there should be someone who can testify to the facts.”
Toward the end, Xueli stopped looking at Flora and stared at her own hand instead.
“But — “
Xueli’s voice softened slightly.
“The moment you stood up, you were right. This spirit itself is worth encouraging. Some people know many slick ways to handle things, yet choose to remain silent when they should stand up.”
She wore a composed smile.
Just then, Ilya walked over.
Xueli turned first and bowed. “Greetings, Majesty Ilya.”
“Mhm.” Ilya nodded in acknowledgment and then looked at Flora.
“Mother,” Flora said quickly.
“Flora, Xueli is right. In these matters, Xueli is more experienced than you.”
“I wouldn’t dare claim that,” Xueli said modestly before Flora could speak.
“Flora, follow me for now. Xueli, thank you for this matter as well.” Ilya patted Flora and then looked at Xueli with a smile.
“Yes, okay. I also thank you, Xueli,” Flora followed suit.
After speaking, Ilya walked toward the other end of the corridor, and Flora walked by her side.
After walking for a while, Flora realized this wasn’t the way back to the lounge. She couldn’t help asking, “Mother, where are we going? This isn’t the road to the lounge.”
“To a very comfortable place. I sit there every time I come here. It is a terrace on the second floor. Almost no one comes here, usually only Rias.”
“There are few people, and it is very quiet. It is very comfortable to sit there and feel the breeze.”
“Oh, okay.”
Soon, they arrived at the terrace. It was different from the interior, lacking the complexity of the first floor.
The railing of this terrace was carved from a type of nearly transparent Moonstone, making it look exceptionally open and ethereal. There were soft couches placed there, looking very inviting.
Flora and Ilya sat on the couches one after another.
Then, two maids who had been in the shadows silently brought two crystal-clear drinks that emitted a faint ripple of mana before quietly withdrawing again.
Flora took a small sip from her cup, closed her eyes to feel her surroundings, and said, “Mother, it really is quiet here.”
“Of course. I would not lie to my little Lola.” Ilya laughed gently.
“Sigh, do not always call me that!” Flora’s face flushed slightly. She turned to look at Ilya and spoke in a slightly coquettish voice.
“Then how should I call my daughter to reflect my love for her?” Ilya’s smile became more apparent.
“Just… just call me by my name!” Flora’s firmness seemed a bit forced.
“How could I do that?”
“Then…”
“I told you, I will call you that from now on, alright?”
“Mhm…”
Afterward, Flora said nothing, only continuing to drink her beverage while feeling the cool breeze from outside.
The wind here was exceptionally soft, like fine silk gently brushing against the body.
It was a very comfortable feeling, and her body was willing to relax.
‘This is truly a rare comfort. I don’t usually feel this way.’
“Are you finished being comfortable? There is something I need to tell you.”
While Flora was still immersed in enjoyment, Ilya’s voice forced her out of her relaxed state.
“Ah — what is it?” Flora seemed startled and then asked a bit nervously.
“Flora, before the banquet officially begins later, there will be an opening segment. You will go up and say a few words.”
“Oh, okay, Mother… Wait! What?”
Flora did not react at first and habitually agreed.
When she finally realized what was said, she snapped upright, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Mother, what did you say? You want me to… go up and speak?”
“What else?” Ilya tilted her head, her expression looking very innocent.
“You are my only daughter. In a sense, you are the protagonist of this banquet. As the protagonist, isn’t it only natural to say a few simple words at the opening, thank the guests, and express good wishes for the future of the two races?”
Only natural?
Flora felt as if her blood had frozen instantly. Although it was indeed only natural, she was so nervous.
Giving an opening speech in front of a group of nobles was far too terrifying; she did not dare do such a thing.
“Mo — Mother!” Flora’s voice carried a hint of trembling. “This is too sudden! I haven’t prepared at all! What should I say? How do I say it? What if I say something wrong? I will embarrass you!”
In her mind, terrifying images began to play automatically: she was standing on a high stage with a crowd below, and every gaze was focused on her.
She opened her mouth but could not make a sound, or she stammered and failed to express herself clearly, followed by whispers and suppressed laughter from the audience.
Just thinking about it made her feel like she was suffocating!
“Preparation? Although it was decided on short notice, what do you need to prepare? Just say whatever comes to mind.”
“Weren’t you very opinionated just now when you were ‘defending appearances’ downstairs?”
“How is that the same!” Flora was nearly going crazy. “This is a formal occasion!”
She looked at Ilya pitifully, attempting one last struggle.
“Mother, can… can you be the one to speak? I… I will just watch from below, okay?”
Seeing her looking as if she were facing a great enemy, Ilya finally could not help but chuckle. She reached out and rubbed the soft top of Flora’s head.
“Silly child, you are the daughter of Ilya, a noble princess of the demon race. Wherever you stand is your stage. You must learn to get used to it.”