Chapter 73
When Flora woke up in the morning, she felt utterly refreshed.
Strangely, unlike usual, she had woken up early without an alarm, and when she glanced out the window, the weather looked the clearest and brightest it had in days.
‘The weather’s nice.’
With only two days left until the contest deadline and Count Vittora’s project progressing smoothly, there was simply no reason for her mood to be anything but good.
‘It’s amazing how he made a tool that effectively extracts juice from Shalia fruit and even crystallized it. Professionals really are on another level.’
Just like her mood, the weather seemed perfect today. It felt like a good day to meet Count Vittora and review the interim results together.
After lunch, she headed to the garden where they had met before.
Flora wrote a note to Count Vittora and, taking advantage of Dafina’s brief distraction, passed it to Janet.
“Dafina, I want to wear a yellow dress today!”
“Yes, I remembered and have it ready for you.”
As Dafina approached Flora, Janet took note of the situation and flew through the slightly opened window.
With plans set, it seemed like a perfect start for the day.
“Oh, miss! A letter has arrived for you today.”
“A letter?”
Dafina made a little sound, “dugudugu,” and handed Flora a small envelope instead of a dress.
Flora’s golden eyes widened as she took the letter with both hands.
It was the long-awaited letter from Basilian.
“Ah!”
She was about to tear it open immediately, but Dafina hurriedly stopped her.
“First, wash your face and change your clothes before reading it.”
“Yes! Quickly, quickly!”
Understanding her unusual eagerness, Dafina swiftly wiped Flora’s soft face with warm water.
After washing and changing, Flora hummed softly as she carefully opened the letter from Basilian.
To my dear Flora,
“Oh, the handwriting is pretty.”
Flora smiled contentedly upon seeing her name written on the ivory-colored stationery.
‘So Basil can write neatly too?’
Considering he wanted to become a mercenary and seemed destined for a wandering life, she wondered when he had learned to write.
‘Could he be an illegitimate child of a noble?’
Reflecting on it, Flora realized she knew almost nothing about Basilian: just his name, age, and the fact that he lived by relying on mercenaries.
‘Even when we first met, he looked pretty ragged.’
It was a harsh judgment, but considering how close he had been to death back then, “ragged” was actually a mild term.
Until she heard his story directly, she couldn’t speculate freely, but one thing was clear: he had no one to protect him.
Thinking of his occasionally bitter expressions, her longing for him seemed even stronger than the day before.
‘Foolish. He could just stay by my side and get stronger.’
She couldn’t understand why he had left despite liking her so much. She decided she would stick by his side when he returned and never let him leave again.
‘Next time we meet, I’ll make him my subordinate for real.’
If she became Basilian’s protector, he wouldn’t have to feel lonely, and she wouldn’t need to satisfy her longing through letters.
‘Let’s see what he wrote.’
She unfolded the neatly folded letter, revealing Basilian’s carefully written handwriting.
Hello, Flora. This is my first letter to you. Sorry for writing late. I hope you’re doing well.
‘If you were sorry, you should have written sooner.’
I feel bad for leaving. I wanted to gain various experiences and become stronger, so I left, but I regret not telling you.
‘Hmph, then you shouldn’t have left secretly.’
Honestly, I didn’t want to write a letter either, but I missed you too much. Do you miss me too? I hope you do.
‘Do you think I wouldn’t miss you? Am I really that cold-hearted? If you miss me, you could just come see me.’
Until recently, I was learning mercenary work around the Demon Ice Castle, and now that I’ve officially become a mercenary, I’m starting a journey with the enemy mercenary group.
“What?”
She had found comfort in the thought that he was nearby, but now he was leaving on a journey? Going far away?
Flora widened her eyes and quickly read through the rest of the letter.
Of course, it’s only until this mission is completed, so it won’t be a long journey. But since I’ll be leaving the North, it means I’ll be farther from you, so I wanted to let you know.
‘So he’s not leaving forever.’
Relieved by that, Flora’s expression softened again. Dafina, watching from the side, wondered what could possibly be written in the letter to make Flora’s expressions change so vividly.
I’ll work hard to meet you soon, stronger than I am now. So until then, make sure you eat well, take walks, exercise, and don’t be picky with your meals.
Knowing it was meant as caring nagging, Flora nodded with a pleased expression instead of complaining.
By the way, I heard some strange rumors. They say a mercenary guild was established in the Southern territory. Did you know about it?
“…What?”
What is this about? Those who treated mercenaries as insignificant are suddenly opening a business to manage them? And during this time when Lucifer is making a fuss over the contest?
I heard it’s just the nature of business competition. They say Duke Desimo is supporting generously. Well, whatever the result, I hope you won’t be disappointed.
Despite his sincere concern, Flora couldn’t easily relax her frown.
‘How dare they steal my idea?’
And they’re promoting it as if they’re generously supporting it with money?
‘Do they think I only held the contest because I didn’t have money?’
The plan was meant to filter out unnecessary retainers, not let others steal her business idea. News had just come yesterday that Count Vittora’s minor tricks had caused tensions rather than unity!
These foolish hyenas trying to leech off Lucifer’s money were about to disrupt her plan.
By the way, I heard that more people are coming to the North lately because it’s become a desirable place to live.
She wanted to immediately verify this with Isaac, but first, she had to finish reading the letter.
Even if a stranger offers something tasty, don’t follow them. And if a stranger asks for help, ask another adult. Remember, adults don’t need the help of children.
‘Who’s really treating me like a child?’
Always have someone accompany you when you go out.
‘If Basil hadn’t left, I wouldn’t need to worry like this, right?’
I worry because you’re so pretty someone might take you away. I’ll get stronger and return soon, so wait a little longer. That’s all for now, goodbye.
Despite never being able to say “you’re pretty” properly in person, he said everything in a letter. Flora dismissed any lingering frustration at the missing letters and smiled at the compliment.
From Basilian, who misses you.
‘Don’t just miss me, come back quickly. If you don’t, I won’t meet you.’
After finishing the letter, Flora carefully folded it and placed it back in the envelope. She opened the last drawer of her desk, which held her treasured items, and placed it inside carefully.
‘Now that I’ve read the letter…’
After closing the drawer meticulously, Flora got ready to leave and dashed out into the hallway.
“Miss, you should go together!”
Dafina chased after her, but today, Flora couldn’t wait for anyone.
Even as the servants passed by, smiling and greeting her, and even though her chest felt like it would burst from exertion, Flora didn’t stop running.
Finally, she arrived at Athanas’ office.
“Isaac, what’s with your face?”
Isaac greeted her with a pale complexion, the result of a few busy days since their last meeting.
“Ah, Miss, you’re here.”
“Your face looks strange.”
“Yes… I wonder why I look like this. Is it because the Duke tried to monopolize the business rights and I got punished?”
Burying his head in the pile of documents, he looked up at the ceiling, then hid his face again as if frustrated.
“I don’t understand what you mean. Explain from the start. Is it true that they made a mercenary guild in the South?”
Flora, pressed for time, didn’t offer comfort but got straight to the point.
