“You…!”
Floria was both angry and anxious, baring her sharp little fangs fiercely, her brows furrowed as she glared at Sophia with a look that seemed to want to tear her apart alive.
But Sophia knew very well that this seemingly fierce and aloof expression was actually the best evidence that Floria had been struck right in her vulnerable spot by her words, leaving her heart uneasy and fearful.
“But, Sister, don’t be so anxious just yet. Since I’ve promised to help you settle down and live a better life, I naturally have ways to deal with those people.”
Sophia explained confidently.
First plunging her into despair, then offering hope—this emotional tug-of-war was a tactic Floria herself used to manipulate others, and now Sophia had mastered it perfectly.
“…What kind of ways are you talking about?”
Though she sensed something was off, Floria had no choice but to follow along and ask.
“Oh? Sister, does that mean you need my help now?”
Sophia smiled and asked back.
“…”
Floria bit her lip in humiliation, her expression complex as she looked at the knight with the cheerful smile before her.
She felt as if Sophia’s deliberately leading words were like a trap already dug out in plain sight, waiting for her to step right in.
But for Floria, the only way forward was this path; even if she saw what looked like a trap ahead, she had to tread on it hard.
Compared to the other fated heroines she had bullied before, Sophia—at least among those she had come across—was only interested in tormenting her body.
Floria imagined the terrible things those other heroines might do… and looking back at Sophia’s actions, they actually seemed much gentler and not so extreme.
And the solemn promises Sophia had made earlier didn’t seem to be empty words.
Weighing the pros and cons, Floria’s resolve began to waver.
“…So…what then?”
Floria finally lowered her pride and adopted a posture of concession.
Though still quite aloof, her tone was much softer than before.
Hmph… right now it’s just circumstances forcing me.
Even if I have to rely on Sophia’s strength… it’s only this once… won’t happen again—
Floria comforted herself inwardly, then asked with a hint of resentment:
“…I’m curious though, what exactly can your methods do to help me and Sylvie?”
There was also a bit of provocation hidden in her words.
“That’s a long story… Sister, how about you come to my bedroom and we talk in detail?”
Sophia’s eyes twinkled with amusement, completely unfazed by Floria’s challenge, and instead shifted the topic while gesturing an invitation toward her.
“…Is it something that can’t be explained right here by the door?”
Floria’s face remained stern as she retorted, though she felt uneasy inside.
“It can’t be finished here because… there are others around, so it’s not very convenient—”
Sophia’s words hinted at something as she glanced behind Floria.
Floria turned to look and saw Sylvie stepping lightly out of the room, waving her hand as she approached them.
“Miss Floria, I picked out the bedroom~ And I even arranged my luggage and bed, so you don’t have to worry about anything~”
“Ah… really? That’s great. Sylvie’s really growing up.”
From Sylvie’s perspective, Floria was leaning against the doorframe of the master bedroom, casually “chatting” with Aunt Sophia.
As she got closer, Sophia suddenly leaned in beside Floria’s ear, wrapping an arm around her waist and whispering a few words softly.
After the whisper, Floria’s smile froze instantly, her body, which had been fidgeting and struggling, gradually stilled.
Sylvie clearly saw Floria’s wavering expression, still showing some resistance; her lips were pressed thin and her pale cheeks evoked pity, yet she no longer tried to break free from the arm around her waist.
She merely weakly extended an arm and gently pushed Sophia half a step away, then resumed a comforting smile, bending down toward Sylvie.
Floria bent down until she was eye-level with little Sylvie, then encouraged her with a smile:
“Sylvie, you’ve done very well today. Even after moving so far away, you haven’t caused any trouble. You’ve been such a mature, sensible child—your teacher is very proud of you.”
“Huh?”
Sylvie blinked in confusion—she didn’t understand why Floria suddenly said this.
After speaking, Floria reached out and gently pinched Sylvie’s cheek, elegantly but warmly giving her a cheek kiss.
“So, this is a reward for good behavior~”
“Eh…!”
Sylvie’s cheeks flushed visibly red in an instant, her eyes unfocused as she awkwardly raised her hand to touch the cheek Floria had just brushed against.
“Sylvie, Teacher still has some things to discuss with Aunt Sophia later—since you’ve picked out your bedroom and you must be tired from the carriage ride, you should take a nap and rest for a while.”
“I… but I’m not sleepy yet, and I want to stay with Miss Floria longer. There are so many things I don’t understand yet—”
“Be good, listen to me. You go back to your room and rest first; I won’t be long.”
After a pause, Floria added firmly:
“But promise me, if you feel sleepy, you don’t have to wait for me. Just go ahead and have a nap, okay?”
Floria stared intently at Sylvie, waiting for her reply.
Faced with such a strong, commanding gaze, Sylvie lowered her little head, unable to meet her eyes.
“…Is… it really important that you have to talk about it now?”
Sylvie whispered softly.
“Yes.”
“Then… can I stay and listen with Miss Floria?”
“That’s an adult topic, Sylvie. If you want to listen… hmm… eat more vegetables, grow up quickly, and someday you’ll be able to help me with these things.”
“Um… okay…”
After hesitating, Sylvie finally nodded obediently.
Floria comforted her with a gentle rub on her head, then stood back up, her expression unreadable.
Sylvie turned and walked a short distance away, then quietly glanced back toward the master bedroom.
In her reluctant gaze, she saw Aunt Sophia wrap an arm around Floria and walk inside, the door closing with a definite “bang.”
…What kind of adult conversation is so important it has to be inside the bedroom? And Miss Floria is even sending me away beforehand?
Sylvie’s heart felt empty.
Recalling the cheek kiss just now, she felt restless and couldn’t help but let her mind wander.
She even felt a curious urge to turn around and sneak back to the door, to secretly eavesdrop on this so-called “adult topic.”
But unlike last time, after having tried to eavesdrop once, Sylvie was now very afraid—worried about what she might hear was not what she wanted to see.
Letting Aunt Sophia be alone with Miss Floria might lead to strange things happening again like before.
Thinking back to the previous scene, Sylvie felt a pang of grievance.
She lightly gasped and recalled what her former classmate had said about Miss Floria before they came:
[An old lonely woman with a physical defect like that, surely she’s never going to get her Second Spring again, right?]
Miss Floria’s Second Spring…
Sylvie’s hand, which had reached out to push the door, froze mid-air.
Aunt Sophia really seemed to care deeply for Miss Floria.
Not only did she send a luxurious carriage to bring them to this Mansion, but she was considerate and attentive toward both her and Floria.
Her devoted attitude was nothing like that of an ordinary old friend.
Could Aunt Sophia truly like Miss Floria?
If so, then if Sylvie were to go barging in now and interrupt them… might she actually be ruining Miss Floria’s chance at a Second Spring?
Sylvie’s heart twisted in conflict.
In the end, she covered her ears and turned toward her bedroom.
…If I don’t hear it, it never happened.
Since Miss Floria told me to rest obediently… I’ll just listen.
If I obey the adults, nothing bad will happen…
“Sister, don’t move around so much, be careful you don’t hurt yourself~”
“Pervert, Sophia, can you have some shame? How can you be such a shameless Holy Knight?”
Although the soundproofing was excellent, through the slightly ajar door crack, the intermittent voices inside still drifted into Sylvie’s ears just a few steps away.
Hearing Floria’s crisp scolding mixed with annoyance and embarrassment, Sylvie shuddered as if her heart had been suddenly squeezed tight.
But she just gritted her teeth, quickened her steps, and hurried through the corridor as if fleeing, returning to her room, slamming the door shut, and then collapsing to the floor, breathing a sigh of relief.