Admitting Mistakes and Correcting Them

“…How can you guarantee what you just said isn’t a lie?”

After listening to Flora Haggia’s “fantastic tale,” Stella watched her cautiously.

“I will now take you on a tour of the mansion, Miss, and I invite you to judge for yourself through actual observation,” Flora Haggia said gracefully.

“…What’s in it for you to help me so much?”

“As the head maid, I have an obligation to keep His Highness satisfied… so I will try to prevent Miss Arlos from misunderstanding and making any inappropriate gestures.”

“…Are you truly not His Highness’s lover?”

“His Highness has never had a lover to this day, nor has he ever made advances toward the maidservants in the mansion.”

Quietly gazing at the golden-haired girl before her, at her clear, bright azure eyes, Stella couldn’t help but think of someone.

A certain emotion flashed across her face, and a happy smile appeared.

“I see, it seems the attire my family prepared for me was somewhat counterproductive… And is this heavy makeup also not very good?” Stella looked at her splendid red gown and crystal shoes.

“I think, no matter how you dress, Miss, you are undoubtedly a beauty,” Flora Haggia said, retrieving a pre-prepared makeup box from a nearby cabinet.

“Such sweet talk…”

Stella discerned Flora Haggia’s intention to politely persuade, despite her surface flattery, yet she didn’t show displeasure.

She picked up the makeup box and walked towards a nearby restroom.

But what she didn’t know was that Flora Haggia genuinely believed what she said.

Nor did she know that Flora Haggia had realized she adopted such heavy makeup to conceal the haggard look of excessive grief.

Thinking that the other party was still heartbroken over that matter, Flora Haggia couldn’t help but feel sad herself.

After some time, Stella returned.

She had changed to a more natural, light makeup, appearing much fresher and clearer, yet her beauty remained undiminished.

Flora Haggia was not surprised by this; her childhood sweetheart already had a very good foundation.

“How is it?”

Flora Haggia couldn’t help but recall a distant past, when Stella had secretly snuck out cosmetics to doll herself up, and she, foolishly, had said “nothing special,” which made Stella angry for a long time…

“Miss Arlos, you are exceptionally beautiful and charming now.”

Flora Haggia tried her best to show a look of genuine admiration.

“That’s good.”

Actually, Stella didn’t need others to praise her; she knew her own condition.

But being flattered was always a pleasant thing.

Not to mention, the other person was a beautiful girl slightly less stunning than herself… Stella’s irritable mood finally calmed down considerably.

“Miss Arlos, I’ll take you on a tour of the mansion.”

“Alright.”

Although Flora Haggia hadn’t chatted with the maids outside, she could still guess what their opinions of Stella would be.

So, showing Stella around the mansion was secondary; changing her impression in everyone’s minds was the most important thing.

“Greetings, Miss Arlos.”

“Hello, everyone.”

The method was also simple: when everyone bowed and greeted her, Stella would respond with a friendly and kind demeanor.

Yes, it was exactly what Flora Haggia had been advising Ryan to do.

Don’t underestimate this simple greeting; for two unfamiliar parties, it was the best way to leave a good impression.

At least, when they first saw Stella, the maids and guards were a bit nervous and awkward, but after Stella returned their greetings with a smile, they all relaxed.

Charlton and Morick, witnessing this scene, also nodded in affirmation.

“Thank you, Flora Haggia.”

After a basic tour of the main house, Stella softly thanked Flora Haggia.

“There’s no need to be so polite; it’s my duty.”

“Flora Haggia is truly an excellent head maid. I almost want to poach you for our family.”

Regrettably, she could no longer return.

Flora Haggia sighed inwardly, maintaining a smile on her face.

“Thank you for the compliment, Miss.”

She neither refused nor accepted Stella’s offer.

Stella wasn’t actually planning to poach her and quickly changed the topic to the Crown Prince.

Estimating the time, Ryan would be back soon, so Flora Haggia led Stella to the main hall.

“Your Highness Ryan, welcome back!”

Seeing only a handful of maids greeting the black-haired young man at the door, and the young man indeed responding with a relatively gentle expression, Stella completely believed what Flora Haggia had said.

“Greetings, Your Highness Ryan.”

Stella stepped forward and bowed gracefully but not overly ceremoniously to him.

“No need for formalities.”

Ryan’s expression was calm.

However, Flora Haggia had already informed Stella about this situation beforehand.

The latter already knew that the Crown Prince was somewhat “expressionless,” and a lack of expression meant he was smiling and had no objections, so she seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation.

However, Stella was typically a sheltered noblewoman who rarely went out, only attending tea parties.

And Ryan had become a knight commander early on, had seen battle, and even helped His Majesty handle some state affairs…

Plus, this was their first meeting, so they truly had nothing in common to talk about.

Ryan also seemed largely uninterested in Stella, so the conversation quickly devolved into Stella unilaterally praising all aspects of Ryan, interspersed with occasional self-introductions.

“This is all Flora Haggia’s credit.”

Upon arriving at the dining room, Ryan suddenly stated.

Stella and Flora Haggia were stunned.

The other four maids, specially arranged to stand in the dining room out of respect for the esteemed guest, were also taken aback.

“But it was also thanks to Your Highness Ryan’s adoption and approval that the plan could be implemented smoothly, wasn’t it?”

Stella immediately thought of a counter, “I’ve always heard people say that His Highness’s Black Dragon Knights gather a large number of outstanding talents from among the common folk…”

Clearly, she intended to attribute all this to Ryan’s discerning eye and wise judgment, continuing her flattery.

‘Not good.’

Flora Haggia began to regret having attributed all the mansion’s rules and regulations to the Crown Prince’s merit just now.

Most people, including Stella, liked subordinates who praised them, and enjoyed being complimented and flattered.

But Ryan was different.

“Without Flora Haggia, I would never have thought of such a method.”

Ryan said to Stella with an unreadable expression, then turned to look at Flora Haggia, his lips curling into an unmistakable smile and nod of approval.

Before returning, Ryan had already learned about what was happening in the mansion through his intelligence channels.

The significant transformation in his fiancée’s demeanor was no exception.

Ryan actually had a rather good impression of people who admitted their mistakes and made amends.

But the premise was that they genuinely acknowledged their mistake and seriously corrected it.

How to judge this?

People who truly intend to repent always adopt a very humble posture, explicitly admit their errors, feel deeply remorseful, and try every possible way to make amends.

Like Morick, back then.

But this Stella Arlos showed no signs of humbling herself.

When Ryan learned about the situation, his main focus wasn’t on the content, but on her attitude.

She neither admitted her mistake nor apologized.

Because she was the heiress of the Blue Lion family, the esteemed Crown Prince’s fiancée.

More importantly, she had constantly been receiving Flora Haggia’s help, making corrections passively.

Yet, Ryan had listened for so long… she hadn’t mentioned Flora Haggia even once.

Let alone offering any praise.

Indeed, in the eyes of most nobles, there was nothing wrong with this.

A mere maid was that insignificant.

But Ryan didn’t care what those people thought.

Nor did he care.

In Ryan’s heart, Flora Haggia was family.

Let alone a mere fiancée, even if that old man himself came, no one was allowed to look down on her!