Unless a monster hunt required members of the Emerald Heart.
Flora understood this well.
“So, do you expect me to do something to her?”
She used this question to probe whether there was a deeper reason behind Lisette’s actions.
The princess fell silent for a moment before smiling: “Sometimes, don’t worry too much about reasons. Life is easier that way. In the end, I’m just a sixteen-year-old girl. Any advantage I gain in others’ struggles is thanks only to my status and my mind-reading ability.”
As she spoke, Lisette looked up and met Flora’s eyes.
“Sister Flora—mm, maybe you don’t like being called that, but I do, and I wanted to tell you. It’s your right to rebel against that person, but for some things that can’t be changed, you’ll have to come to terms with it.”
That was undeniable.
Becoming what she was now, Flora had no intention of ever turning back.
“I understand. I know she’s not someone who gives up easily. Your Highness fought for this chance at freedom for me; I’ll cherish it. The bracelet on my leg… perhaps no one can remove it except Elka.”
That was a lie.
She could remove the bracelet herself, but unless she dealt with Moria and the others, there was no point.
If she were caught again, it would only get worse.
Not to mention, Lisette had made it clear her help was purely out of interest—considering her position as the Imperial Princess and the Empire’s interests, Lisette could easily turn around and cooperate with Moria.
So if Flora wanted true freedom, she couldn’t count on the princess.
In the end, she’d have to deal with Moria herself to be truly free.
“With your abilities and the books at the Academy, removing your shackles shouldn’t be difficult. The key is escaping from them. I can sense you want that, but listen to me!”
Lisette gripped her shoulders tightly, gritting her teeth, “If talent can’t be used for me, I don’t want it. If you’re planning to run, I’m against it. Sister Flora, you have to challenge her to a noble’s duel and resolve things thoroughly. Running away isn’t the answer.”
Was this her way of helping Flora steel her resolve?
Flora sighed helplessly.
She nodded and hugged Lisette tighter, murmuring: “As you command.”
Resolving things once and for all really was her only choice.
As for how to do it, she would have to take it step by step.
….
Those caught in the center of an event’s storm were rarely cared about by those outside, but the urge to gossip was the same for everyone.
The nobles who attended the Dolun City ball were all young people around twenty years old, most of them students of the Imperial Magic Academy.
Thus, the ball held for Flora could easily be considered a gathering for Imperial Academy students.
No matter how official explanations tried to obfuscate or cover it up, the curiosity of the students over what happened at the ball could not be quelled.
So when the short vacation ended, the first thing non-attendees did was to gather around those who had been at the ball, eager to learn exactly what happened.
But even in the progressive Imperial Academy, the divide between commoners and nobles, as well as the gulf between minor and major nobles, still existed.
Most students wanting information about the ball could only seek help from the children of mid-level nobles, that is, students whose fathers’ titles were marquess or thereabouts.
Kate Raman, naturally, became the focus of all those students who wanted to learn more about the ball.
“I heard there was a Demon Clan attack at the ball! Is that true?!”
“That Lord who was recommended by Miss Moria is supposed to be stunning—describe her for us, will you?”
“Miss Raman, we know you left halfway through the ball, but you saw Young Master Kellal, right? I heard he and his father’s…”
Most of the questions centered on Flora, the Demon Clan, and the deceased student.
Miss Kate was at her wit’s end.
“All right!”
Having fielded who knows how many people already, she shouted, and only when the crowd dispersed did she mutter in frustration: “I really don’t know about any of that. Lord Flora is indeed very beautiful, but I offended her and left early.Would you really trust my opinion if I rated her?”
“That doesn’t matter—beautiful is beautiful. I heard she’s been named Saintess of the Imperial Church, too. The Parliament has been meeting on this, and my father’s been very troubled by it.”
A parliamentarian’s daughter chimed in, making the crowd even more animated.
The honors that Lord Flora had received were truly remarkable—almost as if she’d been granted a ducal title.
Ambitious Academy students were naturally fascinated and envious.
Kate was taken aback; she hadn’t heard this before.
Still, having gotten this far, she had no reason to refuse to answer.
She did her best to organize her thoughts.
“Beautiful, of course she’s beautiful. Blue hair, blue eyes, said to be a half-elf.But I didn’t see pointed ears. She is indeed very skilled at healing, so she’s probably the real maker of that legendary potion. After I left, she supposedly cured several people on the spot who had been paralyzed by counterfeit medicine side effects.”
At this, Kate recalled the conversation between Flora and that merchant called Meifei, and added, “So, it makes sense she’d be honored that way. The Church is in charge of healing, and Miss Flora seems to be a master in that field.”
Everyone gasped.
With that level of skill, being recognized as a Saintess was fully justified.
But since it was only hearsay, and none had witnessed it personally, no one had a clear picture.
Having gotten their answers, the group stopped pestering her.
With lunch break upon them and the last students leaving Kate to her own devices, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to her dormitory for a good rest.
Yet before she could reach her dorm, hurried footsteps approached rapidly.
“Um, I’m going to take a nap. Can it wait—”
She instinctively tried to refuse, only to hear a somewhat familiar voice.
“Eh? Is that so? Sorry.”
Kate turned around sharply, and saw a blue-haired, blue-eyed girl. Instantly, she was at a loss for words.
“The Imperial Academy really is huge.”
As per Lisette’s arrangements, Flora had come to the academy and muttered to herself, preparing to ask for directions.
Kate quickly blocked her path, waving her hands in panic.
“Are you Miss Flora?!”
“Ah?”
Flora blinked in confusion, glancing at her own attire.
Lisette had dressed her in a simple blue and white uniform dress, with nothing to show her identity—yet someone still recognized her.
It had to be someone from the ball.
She scrutinized the young woman before her.
“We’ve met?”
As she spoke, Flora quickly recalled the people she’d interacted with and locked onto her identity.
“Miss Raman, is it…”
“You actually remember me, ahaha…”
Kate, who’d planned to introduce herself, gave an awkward laugh.
Seeing that Flora didn’t seem to dislike her, she put on a friendly demeanor.
“I didn’t expect to see you here! Is there anything I can help you with? I’d really like to make up for what happened at the ball…”
Flora shook her hand dismissively.
“That wasn’t your fault. I know who the maid was, too. It was all an accident. If you want to help me because of that, I’ll just have to ask someone else.”
Running into a friend of Aurora’s by chance was a pleasant surprise, but Flora wasn’t in the mood for small talk.
Alone in this unfamiliar place, she wanted to get settled quickly.
Kate was tactful.
Seeing Flora so direct, she stopped fretting and quickly asked what she needed.
“I’ll be studying at the academy for a while. Here’s the dorm I was assigned, but I got lost. Could you help me find it?”
Trusting someone Aurora knew came naturally to Flora, so she handed over her student ID.
Kate was amazed, but didn’t ask questions, quickly checking Flora’s card and then her own, comparing them several times before saying in disbelief: “We’re on the same floor—not quite… actually, you’re in the same room as her?! Miss Flora, you’re not here to settle scores with her, are you? It was all my stupid idea, please don’t blame Aurora!”
Realizing Flora was Aurora’s new roommate, Kate almost fell to her knees in fright, begging for mercy.
Her reaction left Flora even more baffled.
“Is there such a big misunderstanding between us? I don’t think I’m that scary.”
Was it the Lord’s reputation, or Moria’s fearsome name?
Flora couldn’t help but reflect.
Emotions don’t lie.
Feeling Flora’s friendly presence, Kate soon calmed down.
“According to this, Aurora will be your roommate.Dorms here are for two people. I live next door with her. She probably doesn’t know you’re moving in… Honestly, there are other empty rooms, but they put you together—I can’t help but wonder why.”
It was a candid answer.
Flora couldn’t help but trust her.
This was probably Lisette’s doing.
But why arrange for her to room with Aurora?
Could Her Highness the Imperial Princess have sensed, with her mind-reading, that Flora had some strange feelings toward that girl?
Or was it Moria’s handiwork?
Flora decided not to overthink it and answered frankly: “It was probably just a convenient arrangement. The privilege of enrolling was given by Her Highness, so she likely arranged it.”
“Her Highness’s arrangement, huh…”
Kate had calmed down a lot; Flora smiled and nodded.
“Yes. From now on, we’re classmates—no need to be so nervous, right? Does everyone have to kneel whenever the princess visits the academy?”
Kate shook her head.
The academy didn’t allow such things, and at least within its walls, there was no requirement for such formal meetings.
“So just relax around me. Since I know my roommate, I can rest easy. Please hurry and take me over; I still need to report to the academic office and pick up my uniform later.”
Seeing that she had taken the lead in the conversation, Flora kept urging Kate.
With her calm demeanor, coupled with the naturally soothing aura from her healing powers, Kate finally relaxed completely.
The two of them headed to the dormitory together.