“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Lord Viel’s meaning is very simple—she’s just giving you someone you can rely on to defy your family. If you want her to like you, you’d better give up on that hope.”
“As for that dress, I’ll get you a new one. Stop overthinking things. Right now, what matters most is that you stay here and heal properly.”
Tossing aside the torn dress in her hands, Renia gave Fili a cold glance, then her eyes landed on her chest.
Puffing out her own chest, she turned and left the bathroom to prepare a new outfit for Fili.
But Fili was left feeling bewildered.
“Give up on that hope?”
What does that even mean? Had she done something wrong?
And Renia’s reaction…
Could it be that this icy beauty could suddenly say so much all at once?
Shaking her head, Fili couldn’t make sense of it.
……
On the other side, Isavel returned to her resting chamber.
But as soon as she pushed the door open, she saw the Imperial Queen sitting in her seat.
“Franndo?”
Franndo gave her a resentful glare, then stretched lazily. Her dress slipped off accidentally, revealing smooth, delicate shoulders.
“You’re keeping me waiting, Viel. What do you think of that Fili’s figure? Can she compare to me?” She twirled a fingertip teasingly, pulling the dress back over her shoulder.
Playing hard to get.
“Not even close.”
“You’ve really been paying close attention to her, huh?”
“…I just glanced at her briefly.”
Franndo’s resentful look deepened as she stared into Isavel’s eyes. When Isavel sheepishly averted her gaze, she let the matter drop.
“Here, I brought you some of your favorite cream puffs.”
Taking the cream puff from her hand, Isavel sat down and took a small bite.
“Spit it out—what do you want to say?”
“In a couple of days, it’ll be the Hundred Flowers Festival. Many nobles hope to see the other Saintess of the Oracle Maiden’s Sanctuary at the Hundred Flowers Ceremony. What do you think?”
The Hundred Flowers Festival was a traditional Aos Empire celebration, during which residents decorated their homes with flowers of all colors, and the entire imperial capital was immersed in a sea of blossoms.
Besides the decorations, many rituals took place during the festival, with the Hundred Flowers Ceremony being one of the most important.
Because the festival originated from the goddess, the Hundred Flowers Ceremony had to be presided over by a Saintess from the Oracle Maiden’s Sanctuary.
In the past, Isavel always took on this role, but now there was a new Saintess, so many hoped the newcomer would host it.
It was also a chance for the new Saintess to make a public appearance.
Isavel wasn’t too happy about it.
After all, Duchess Nola would certainly be present at the ceremony. If Selis appeared, it would completely expose her identity.
“Can’t she just not go?”
“That would affect you. Now that the Oracle Maiden’s Sanctuary has two Saintesses, if the new one refuses to attend the Hundred Flowers Ceremony, many will think you’re suppressing her.”
Factional struggles and conspiracy theories were the favorite pastime of commoners. If Selis really skipped it, Isavel’s reputation would quickly suffer.
After a moment of silence, she relented.
“Fine, then let her go. But before that, I need Duchess Nola to escort the bouquet of hundred flowers.”
The bouquet was the final part of the ceremony—the gift from the Saintess to the goddess, carrying immense significance.
Since it was the Saintess’ request, Franndo naturally had no reason to refuse.
“Of course.”
“Anything else?”
In the past, seeing Isavel so cold would have made Franndo glare at her angrily. But things were different now.
“Wait. You have a bit of cream on the corner of your mouth.”
She leaned close to Isavel’s face and reached out as if to wipe it away. But the next second, her lips landed on Isavel’s mouth.
After pulling away, she stuck out her delicate tongue and licked her own lips.
“Tastes pretty good. Sweet.”
“Is that so?”
As she spoke, Isavel grabbed her wrist. Before Franndo could react, Isavel pushed her down onto the desk and kissed her deeply.
“Mm?!”
Franndo’s pupils dilated instantly. She tapped Isavel’s shoulder, signaling her to let go, but Isavel had no intention of listening. Only after she had her fill did she pull away.
After catching her breath, Franndo blushed and exclaimed, “You—you’re desecrating the Queen!”
“But this is your punishment for sullying the Saintess, Your Majesty.”
“You, you…”
Unable to argue back, Franndo covered her mouth and took two steps back, quickly leaving the chamber with a hint of fleeing desperation.
So her boldness was just an act?
Touching her lips and recalling their softness, Isavel let out a soft laugh.
……
Golden Dungeon, Eighth Floor.
A level-5 Magic Devouring Rat twitched its nose, spotting a small piece of gold ore ahead.
Excited, it ran over and just as it grabbed the ore and stuffed it into its mouth, it noticed another small piece nearby.
It stood upright and looked ahead, only to see the gold ores laid out like a path. At the end of the path was an eerie black cloth, seemingly covering something.
Huh?
A mousetrap?
Did they really think it was just some brainless ordinary beast?
It let out a disdainful squeak and turned to leave—but suddenly, its stomach cramped painfully, and its limbs went limp.
Poisoned!
That first piece of gold ore was poisoned!
How despicable!
As it collapsed, five figures emerged from the darkness.
“It was too cautious; it almost got away.”
“This trap is still too obvious.”
“We’ll have to find ways to improve it.”
Listening to their conversation, the rat almost ground its teeth to bits.
Damn it! Whoever set such a lowly trap can’t be anyone formidable!
I’ll fight them!
Just as it prepared to use its special ability, it sensed a magical aura from the group far beyond its own.
Wait—they’re all level 14?
The courage it had just summoned vanished instantly. It collapsed helplessly, cursing their underhandedness.
Squeak squeak!
Five level-14s hunting one level-5 monster still need traps?
Humans, you are truly despicable!
Squeak squeak!
The Magic Devouring Rat soon succumbed to the poison. Leanna’s sword struck, severing its head. She then turned to look at the staircase leading deeper into the dungeon’s black depths.
“This is the end of the eighth floor. Two more floors to go, and then we’ll have fully cleared this dungeon.”
Aelia said, “That was fast. I thought it was impossible to clear the Golden Dungeon in just a month.”
“It’s mainly because we’ve changed so much.”
Leanna glanced over her team.
Although they had only been inside the Golden Dungeon for a little over ten days, their aura and demeanor had transformed completely from before, and their ability to hunt monsters had improved drastically.
A qualitative change.
Their team had truly undergone a transformation.
“But we’ll probably miss the Hundred Flowers Festival, right?”
Meilin suddenly said.
The Hundred Flowers Festival?
“Speaking of which, there’s a tradition at the Hundred Flowers Festival where people usually give flowers to someone they care about. Who do you all want to give your flowers to?”
As if the thought struck them, everyone’s eyes began to flicker with emotion.