Chapter 65

“Philia? Do you know why I became close to you?”

“Come to think of it… Philia and you are very similar.” Flora brought it up without hesitation. As if it was nothing even though she has been silent about it this whole time.

Flora stirred the drink with a spoon.

“Is she that similar to me?”

“The way you dress is a little different, but…” She trailed off before continuing. “She had orange eyes like you. So she liked to wear scarlet and yellow dresses.”

Flora thought. “And…… she really wasn’t much different from you. To the extent that Philia really liked the Crown Prince as well.” Flora shrugged her shoulders.

“Were you close to Philia?”

“To a certain extent. Since we were the same age, we were friends. She might not have died if he hadn’t been so stubborn.” Flora puffed up her cheeks. Her face was a mixture of bitterness and longing.

But maybe she didn’t die…? What am I talking about?

“She was stubborn……?”

“Yeah, she said that she wouldn’t be treated. I don’t even know if it was really Nisephor though. Suddenly, a healthy person fell unconscious. It’s not that kind of disease as we all know it now. We were all young, too. She got sick and refused treatment. Instead, she went around praying to the temple. In fact, back then, Billiers was famous for developing medicine that was effective against Nisephor disease. It could have been cured.”

I understood what she meant.

“Did you always have faith that she would get well?”

“Not at all. It seemed that Philia was always directed by the Crown Prince. Not me, or anyone, not even God.”

I understood that, too. Things were making so much sense.

“There was something else that was strange.” Flora laughed coldly.

It seemed that Phillia’s death had some profound effect on Flora. She clasped her lips.

“Phillia’s parents seemed busy covering up her death.”

“Your family tried to cover up her death?”

“Yeah. I couldn’t even go to the funeral. And it wasn’t just me, but also my parents couldn’t go. Philia was left alone in a lonely way. Since then, I have been threatened and was told not to mention her. They sold their daughter’s death. I’m sure of it.”

There was a reason why Flora kept silent about Philia; she was forced to be forgotten.

“Can you talk to me like this?”

“Whatever. It’s been three years.” Flora grinned.

“Are you gonna put me through this?”

“Never.”

“That’s enough. I don’t think you’ll use it for anything bad. In fact, I’ve always wondered why Flora died.” Flora looked down.

Now that I see it, Flora wasn’t talking calmly. I could see Flora’s fingers tremble. It was someone else’s story to me, but for Flora, it was a story of someone who was once close to her.

I took Flora’s hand. “Flora….”

“If there was something else like a secret about her death……. Let me know if she was just a victim of something that is unknown. I know that you wouldn’t have asked me for no reason.” Tears began falling down Flora’s face.

“I haven’t done anything since she died. I couldn’t even mourn her death. Because even her parents didn’t want to…. I can’t even call out Philia’s name. So, please promise, if you find anything, please let me know.”

I nodded my head. There was a sense of importance to figure out the secret of Philia’s death, and it was for Flora. Flora, trust me!

What the hell was that Crown Prince trying to get by sacrificing Philia? And a child who wasn’t even a devotee went to the temple every day even though she was sick?

“Orange dress…. I have to go shopping, Flora.”

Flora stared at me with her glistening eyes. “First of all, I’ll try everything I can to get the Crown Prince’s heart.”

“Yes.”

“Please let me know if you have any perfume that you used to have often.”

“Thank you, Lulu.”

What’s wrong with her? I’m the one who’s actually thankful.

“I asked for your help, Flora. But why are you the one who is thankful?”

“Thank you. Actually, no one asked me about Philia. There are people who won’t even let me say her name. My parents must have been scared, too, so they told me not to talk about Philia.” I took Flora’s hand and held it tightly.

“I’ll try to do something.” Flora smiled and nodded.

“Then shall we go shopping? I think I went shopping with Phillia the most! Just trust me, Lulu!”

Now, you’re like Flora I know. I came out of the coffee house with her with a big smile.

Well, I got an unexpected helper. I felt confident that I could do well in this mission. Oh, wait.

Come to think of it, if it’s the Prince’s dance banquet… I think it’ll be a chance for me to make a lot of money!

Mom, your daughter is trying to be a good business owner! Shall we order some more silk? I realized that I would have to talk to my mom for a long time as I went back to the mansion.

* * *

The story of the Crown Prince’s ball party being discussed amongst all of society, as well as the gossip about it.

The announcement of the new Crown Princess seemed to bring together all the noble souls of the Arena Empire. There were also nobles and royal daughters from other countries.

The whole shop was crowded with them and the dressing room was also pleasantly crowded. It was the same for me, Veronica, and my mother.

“I’m glad I ordered double the silk.”

“Right. I think our profit tripled.”

“It’s all thanks to you guys. Okay, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight! Let’s go eat something delicious.”

The silk that Veronica and I picked and bought and delivered to the dressing room was worth more than the dinner. Of course, a reward must be given!

The dressing room was crowded with girls matching dresses to the new fashion that is circulating in the Arena Empire. The price of the silk we supplied was skyrocketing due to the scarcity.

Whoo-hoo. That’s how you make money. Gerald, you wait. I’ll make a lot of money and buy you something delicious!

As my wallet became thicker, my heart became thicker as well.

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