“Is that all you’d like? Please wait a moment,” Chiye’s mother said, collecting the menu with a warm smile directed at Flora.
Flora responded with refined grace, her voice soft and poised.
“That’s all for now. Thank you.”
Chiye’s mother beamed, her eyes sparkling with appreciation, as if she’d found a kindred spirit.
“Please take a seat, and your delicious meal will be ready soon.”
Watching their exchange, a cold sweat broke out down Ian’s back.
He was convinced he’d been set up by some sinister scheme.
Delicious meal?
Those dishes on the menu?
I’d be lucky to avoid food poisoning for two days.
Flora was clearly retaliating, punishing him for disrupting her chance to be alone with Aetherina.
These inedible monstrosities were her weapon of choice—a blatant act of revenge.
I need an excuse to escape, Ian thought desperately.
Maybe say my laundry’s dry and I need to go get it?
Would Flora buy that?
After confirming no further orders, Chiye’s mother sauntered toward the kitchen, her nine fluffy fox tails swaying enticingly.
Ian couldn’t help but feel the urge to reach out and touch them, but he snapped himself out of it.
This woman was no saint.
She’d tried to charm him into ordering her culinary abominations the moment he walked in—a clear case of predatory sales tactics.
The fact that this restaurant was still open was either a miracle or a testament to her connections with the academy’s dean.
Or perhaps her own strength?
The original story never mentioned the heroines’ mothers, leaving Ian clueless about her capabilities.
As he mulled this over, Flora’s gaze locked onto him, her eyes gleaming with mischief, as if eagerly anticipating his next move.
“Come on, Ian, let’s sit,” she said, her tone teasing.
With measured, elegant steps, she glided toward the table where the restaurant’s only two patrons sat, her noble bearing unmistakable.
As the princess of the Elven Forest, Flora’s mastery of aristocratic etiquette was flawless—each step a lesson Ian couldn’t hope to replicate without months of practice.
Her mood seemed buoyant, as if she’d accomplished something significant.
She’s definitely doing this on purpose, Ian thought, watching her sly smile.
Flora pulled out a chair and sat gracefully beside the two diners.
Ian, still reeling from his internal complaints, realized he had a choice: refuse to join her and avoid the nightmare dishes, or comply and risk his stomach.
Starving seemed preferable to eating whatever was coming, and it might spare him a bout of indigestion.
But as he hesitated, Flora’s voice cut through, laced with playful mockery.
“Ian, are you refusing to dine with me? I know my looks don’t appeal to everyone, but your reluctance is a bit hurtful.” Her eyes shimmered with crocodile tears. “You chose to team up with me to find the pearl, didn’t you? If you really dislike me, I won’t force you to stay.”
What is she even saying?
Ian’s mind reeled.
Is this really the elegant elven princess?
Or has Aetherina possessed her?
Flora’s sudden shift to this cunning, almost manipulative demeanor was eerily reminiscent of Aetherina’s behavior that morning.
Had spending time with Aetherina rubbed off on her?
If so, was Lillian—currently alone with Aetherina—also at risk of picking up her sly traits?
Ian glanced at Flora, his thoughts drifting to Lillian.
Please, Lillian, don’t let Aetherina corrupt you too much.
“No way, Flora,” he said, forcing a smile. “If you announced you wanted a dining partner, the line of suitors would stretch from here to the Elven Forest.”
He wasn’t exaggerating.
Flora’s stunning beauty and royal status drew admirers like moths to a flame, including many girls.
Yet her heart belonged solely to Aetherina, leaving no room for anyone else.
Ian still couldn’t fathom why someone as prestigious and beautiful as Flora was so devoted to Aetherina.
Was it just her strength and looks?
The original story offered no answers, leaving Ian to speculate.
Aetherina seemed to exude a succubus-like charm, effortlessly captivating every beautiful girl around her.
Back when he read the novel, Ian had been too engrossed in Aetherina’s romantic escapades to question the logic, but now it felt oddly implausible.
Flora’s voice snapped him back to reality.
“So, Ian, are you willing to dine with me? You don’t seem very enthusiastic.”
“Of course I’m willing!” he said, his smile strained.
“Then why are you walking so slowly?” she pressed, her tone teasing.
A spark of inspiration hit.
Ian slapped his thigh, feigning embarrassment.
“Oh, my leg’s acting up. It’s making it hard to move.”
Flora’s delicate hand covered her mouth, her eyes widening in mock surprise.
“Oh no, is your leg injured? Do you need help?”
Ian saw through her act.
Despite her words, she hadn’t budged from her seat.
Help?
She’s just enjoying the show.
“No need, Flora,” he said. “You’re far too noble to trouble yourself with a commoner like me.”
“Ian, don’t say that. We’re all equals here at the academy,” she replied, her tone earnest.
Equals?
Ian nearly scoffed.
The academy was anything but equal.
Wealthy students lived in luxurious private villas with pristine surroundings, while those with less could afford single rooms with basic amenities.
The poorest, like Ian soon would be, were relegated to cramped four-person dorms.
He’d already been downgraded from a single room due to unpaid fees.
Equality was a fantasy Flora could afford to believe in, but not him.
Still, he kept his thoughts to himself.
Voicing his bitterness would only paint him as a cynic, and that wasn’t the image he wanted to project.
“I’m fine now, Flora,” he said, stomping his feet to demonstrate. “My legs are back to normal.”
He didn’t dare let Flora “help” him.
Even if her offer was genuine—which it wasn’t—Aetherina’s reaction to one of her heroines assisting him would be catastrophic.
He could already imagine her wrath.
After their verbal sparring, Ian’s plan to avoid the meal crumbled.
Resigned, he trudged to the table and sat across from Flora, bracing himself for what was to come.