Won’t Stop

Flora returned to her room.

In the evening, Manton officially bid farewell to the returned Ryan, preparing to regroup with his subordinates and head back north.

Manton’s ostensible reason for being there was to investigate the framing of the Azure Knights, but halfway through it turned into monitoring Ryan’s every move for His Majesty…

Although His Majesty was very pleased with Manton’s performance, he no longer wanted to stay in this troublesome place.

Furthermore, his true objective had been achieved, and Ryan had identified the incident as others having ulterior motives, so he simply returned.

After seeing Manton off, Flora sensed Ryan approaching her room.

She couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

She told Manton she wasn’t afraid of exposure, but she wasn’t very proficient in magic, so when dealing with that Awakener, she had to use some of her hidden strength.

Honestly, her current body, being newly formed and lacking exercise, was a bit too delicate, soft, and easily pushed over, unable to withstand her original power.

So her control was very poor; she ended up covered in blood and left some rather exaggerated marks.

Considering the urgency, she had planned to discreetly deal with it upon her return, but unexpectedly she had fainted…

Although she had thought of using wind blade magic to explain why the Awakener’s neck wound was so clean, there were simply too many loopholes and questionable details.

Also, her magic capacity, the power of her spells, and the Grand Mage level of ability she displayed… these questions alone were headache-inducing.

It would also be hard not to be interrogated by the highly suspicious Ryan.

She found it truly difficult to answer… The worst-case scenario was Ryan using his Guardian to interrogate her again.

One could say she had deceived Manton; the current situation was actually quite unfavorable.

But she didn’t flee.

As long as the chance wasn’t zero, as long as there was a chance for a better outcome, she would always try first.

This was her style.

Moreover, she always felt that if she just left like this… it would be very bad.

So she couldn’t leave.

Just like that, the door opened.

Entering the room were Ryan and three hidden guards.

Flora still couldn’t help but feel somewhat apprehensive.

She wasn’t afraid of danger.

She feared that something she had painstakingly built during these days would be shattered.

Just then, the three hidden guards suddenly took off their cloaks of invisibility, revealing their true faces.

They were the same three hidden guards who had gone to her rescue earlier.

“Miss Haggia, thank you very much for saving our lives.”

The three bowed deeply to Flora.

Flora was stunned, hastily waving her hands:

“No need for this; I only did what a colleague should do. It’s enough that you are all safe.”

Flora intended to use the reason that it was normal for fellow subordinates of the Crown Prince to help each other, to make the hidden guards less formal and concerned.

“Colleagues…?”

But they were stunned to hear this.

Seeing their reaction, Flora immediately understood that the hidden guards had likely been known to others in the mansion before.

But they were probably ostracized and guarded against… they eventually had to fully conceal themselves, living lives completely separate from others…

Thinking of this, Flora smiled and nodded.

“Exactly, we are all colleagues serving His Highness Ryan.”

The three smiled faintly, bowed deeply again, and then put on their cloaks of invisibility and left the room.

“Your Highness Ryan, I think we should improve the hidden guards’ treatment and benefits… at least allow them one extra day of rest each month.”

Flora wouldn’t foolishly say something about having the hidden guards interact more with others in the mansion.

That wasn’t realistic, and it went against the objective of establishing hidden guards.

But hidden guards were still human; even if they couldn’t have much contact with others, they should at least not dislike their work so much and be able to relax their minds a little.

Furthermore, if they could be made to feel proud of their work, gain a sense of accomplishment, and learn more in their jobs, further improving their skills… that would be even better.

After all, hidden guards were all loyal and brave individuals, stronger than ordinary knights, who gave up their rightful status and comfortable lives to do work requiring perseverance and endurance.

Their spirits should not be dampened.

Moreover, they couldn’t remain hidden guards forever.

If, after leaving their positions, they received various subsidies and preferential treatment, everyone would be more eager for the job, and any dissatisfaction during their tenure would also diminish…

“How exactly to do it, give me a plan later.” Ryan said calmly.

“As you command!”

“No rush, just rest well first.”

Huh?

Flora suddenly noticed that instead of being expressionless, Ryan actually had a subtle smile on his face that was barely visible at first glance, but clearly present upon closer inspection.

Not only that, his words seemed to indicate that he intended to continue employing her…

No, this isn’t good.

It shouldn’t be like this.

“Your Highness Ryan, my body is completely recovered, I don’t need rest!”

Flora got out of bed, healthily moving her limbs.

But the expected dissatisfaction did not appear on Ryan’s face.

“I know.”

Ryan continued to smile faintly, as if he had long anticipated someone would do this.

“But I hope you can be a role model for the servants, so they don’t think I treat meritorious individuals harshly.

At least… you should take a good extra day of rest.”

“…Alright.”

Flora couldn’t argue.

As Ryan said, even if she was well, she shouldn’t jump back into work so quickly.

After all, others didn’t know she had a Guardian with healing abilities; they would only think the Crown Prince abused his maids…

But how to put it, this method and tactic of persuasion seemed to be one she frequently used, and now it was being used by Ryan against her and refuted…

‘Your Highness has grown, huh.’

More than dissatisfaction, Flora felt relief and happiness.

She couldn’t always be giving Ryan advice.

Without her, Ryan himself or his subordinates could also think of it, and could do it, do it well.

That would be the best.

“I’ll have dinner that helps restore energy sent over later. You rest well.”

Ryan seemed to be about to leave.

Eh?

Flora was momentarily stunned.

This development wasn’t quite right, was it?

“Your Highness, please wait a moment.”

She instinctively called out to him.

“What is it?”

Flora hadn’t thought of what to say for a moment, so she could only force herself to speak:

“Your Highness Ryan, are there no other instructions?”

Ryan didn’t answer immediately. After quietly watching Flora for a moment, he spoke:

“Not for now… But if you have any suggestions or anything you want to say, you can always come to me.”

Say it whenever you want to say it. I won’t ask.

Flora understood Ryan’s meaning, yet still couldn’t say anything.

And probably wouldn’t say anything in the future either.

Ryan left.

There was no disappointment on his face, nor expectation.

Only waiting.

Like a family member always waiting for you to confide in them.

“Is he treating me like a younger sister?”

Flora smiled forlornly, “That won’t go according to your wishes.”

Her goal, from beginning to end, was to break off the engagement.

Personal maid, head maid, important subordinate, family, or whatever… these were all just phased minor goals she had originally planned to achieve.

She couldn’t stop here.

Rather, the process had been too smooth.

The target was also too easy to handle.

“What a fool.”

She murmured, cursing.