Royalists

“From today onwards, you shall be called ‘Leonardo’… This name means ‘brave lion’.”

That day, the kind and amiable middle-aged man spoke to him thus.

“From now on, we are family.”

The other person’s eyes were filled with expectation for him.

Flora woke up again to find herself back at the mansion.

The maid responsible for her care hastily went to inform others. After rounds of visits from the healer, the old butler, Heidi, and a series of other people, she gradually understood her condition.

Her body was now fine.

However, after fainting, she had slept for about three days.

The reason for her collapse wasn’t a terminal illness, but due to prolonged overwork, being on her period while at the Baron’s territory yet not getting enough rest, combined with high-intensity combat using a body that hadn’t fully adapted… Numerous factors accumulated, leading to excessive physical strain.

Now she was fully recovered, but previously she had only consumed liquid diets, and still needed another day or two of good rest to completely regain her strength.

“How are the others?”

After everyone had dispersed, Flora impatiently asked the old butler.

“Don’t worry, they’re all fine.”

Looking affectionately at the golden-haired girl who clearly didn’t know how to take care of herself, Charlton stroked her head and began to explain the general situation.

Madam Fart had given birth smoothly, mother and child were safe, and they were now living in the side annex with Mr. Fart—the Crown Prince initially intended for them to stay in the guest rooms of the main house or the VIP rooms,

but they didn’t want to cause trouble for the Crown Prince by being conspicuous, nor did they want the baby’s cries to disturb his work, so the Crown Prince ultimately didn’t force them.

The guards and hidden guards all had injuries, but no one died, and they were almost fully recovered now.

Manton, moreover, had no injuries at all.

The Crown Prince expressed deep gratitude for his help in eliminating most of the enemy soldiers—though Manton refused the gifts.

“What about His Majesty?”

Charlton knew Flora had played an important role in this incident, so he didn’t hide anything.

Everything was as Flora had anticipated: His Majesty reprimanded the Crown Prince for his womanly compassion.

But he didn’t pursue any further action; instead, he allowed the Black Dragon Knight Order to expand to ten thousand men.

Duke Jeffries was demoted to an Earl, but his territory comprised five earldoms, all fertile lands not close to the imperial capital.

Baron Fart’s memorial service would be held later, but no one on their side cared about it or planned to attend.

As for the unit that attacked the Crown Prince… the Emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation, then nothing further happened, with no major developments.

The survivors they left seemed to have also died in prison.

“…”

Flora now vaguely sensed that the Crown Prince’s impression of His Majesty seemed very negative, so she didn’t refute the old butler’s highly subjective and speculative description.

“That’s enough for now, you should rest well. This evening, His Highness will come to see you.”

Charlton left the room.

There were no hidden guards monitoring the area.

After sending the maid who was serving her to do other tasks, Flora summoned her golden phoenix to fully recover from her physical exhaustion.

This wasn’t to say she had forgotten to use her Guardian to heal herself earlier; rather, healing wasn’t omnipotent.

At that time, her issues were merely normal overwork and physiological problems, with no specific injury requiring treatment.

After her body recovered, Flora quietly slipped out of the room, evading the gaze of the hidden guards and maids, and entered Manton’s room.

“Perfect timing.”

Manton had already packed his luggage. “Let’s go back.”

But Flora remained still, instead sitting down on a chair.

“No, what exactly are you up to?” Manton was somewhat bewildered.

“You’re not seriously planning to defect to the Crown Prince, are you? This would lead to serious trouble.”

“Of course not, but I can’t leave yet. You go back first and tell Brett that I’m perfectly fine.”
Flora said calmly.

“How long?”

“I don’t know… probably almost another year.”

“That long? Are you crazy?” Manton was shocked.

“It’ll be impossible to keep it hidden; His Majesty is already preparing for the next northern expedition.”

“Then all the more reason I can’t go back.” Flora smiled faintly.

“…Are you serious?”

Remembering what she said at the Baron’s territory, Manton felt a headache.

“Of course, it’s time for the Empire to rest and recover. If no one else dares to advise, then I will.” Flora was unwavering.

“Can you even call that advice?” Manton was speechless.

“I also can’t go back now.” Flora placed her hand on her chest.

Manton was slightly startled, scanning Flora up and down.

“You’re not going to tell me that’s true, are you?”

“It’s true. You don’t think I could faint and not be diagnosed by a doctor, do you?”

“No, what are you doing? I thought you were faking your faint… Wait, you weren’t lying to me just now, were you? Is there really something going on between you and the Crown Prince?”

“Nothing has happened yet.”

“Not yet?” Manton was stunned.

“What the hell are you thinking? Didn’t the Crown Prince get engaged to Miss Stella… Wait.”
Flora’s face was expressionless.

Manton’s expression gradually turned grave.

“That’s not your fault.”

After a long pause, he managed to squeeze out that sentence.

“I know.”

Flora remained expressionless, clearly unwilling to say anything more on the matter.

Manton also knew this person was particularly stubborn about certain things, so he had to try a different approach to persuade her:

“Doing something like this… won’t you be exposed? With your personality?”

“No.”

Flora summoned the golden phoenix again.

“What’s that? Disguise? Illusion magic? Does your ability have that kind of function?”

Manton asked curiously, looking at the phoenix circling on the ceiling.

“It’s real.”

“What… real?” Manton’s eyes widened, a look of disbelief on his face.

“Yes, this child’s ability is ‘Phoenix Rebirth,’ and its specific effect is super powerful healing.”

“You… that’s too exaggerated… No, that makes sense… No wonder I always felt something was off before.”

After his surprise, Manton showed an expression of sudden realization. “So, Lord Brett’s ability was fake then?”

“Mhm, so I won’t be exposed.”

Manton gradually reined in his astonishment.

“But… is it really necessary to go this far? If you just propose it, His Majesty will surely change his mind for you, won’t he?”
Flora didn’t answer.

But Manton already knew the answer.

“I understand… But I still have to ask, you really aren’t planning to support the Crown Prince?

From this incident, it seems like His Highness Anos…”

“Manton, how many times have I told you, don’t make baseless conjectures on such matters, and don’t arbitrarily lean towards any side.”

“I haven’t forgotten, but even if I don’t think about it, the world doesn’t see it that way!”

“Don’t pay too much heed to what the world thinks, just do what we ought to do.”

“I just want to know your true intentions… No.” Manton said, “Everyone wants to know.”

“Isn’t it obvious—?”

Flora slowly walked to the window, gazing at the distant Imperial City.

Then she turned around, stating firmly:

“The one I support has always been His Majesty.”