Chapter 104: Girls’ Night
Haina arrived at the guesthouse, a small package clutched in her hand. Leona, who had heard her footsteps, greeted her at the door.
“Did you finish talking with your mother?” Leona asked, closing the door behind her. “Is that the information your mother wants to give to Princess Givia?”
“Yes,” Haina replied, nodding nervously. It was her first time inside Flora and Leona’s room. It was spacious, easily accommodating the three of them.
A pleasant floral scent, emanating from Flora, filled the room, calming Haina’s nerves.
It wasn’t Flora’s natural scent. As an undead, her bodily functions were maintained by magic. Her body temperature was constant, preventing perspiration and any accompanying odors. The fragrance came from the flowers and herbs she had used in her baths when she was alive. These subtle, even therapeutic, scents would normally dissipate within a day or two, but due to her unique abilities, they had been imbued with divine power, clinging to her skin even after death.
“We’ve arranged a room for you at the guesthouse. It has everything you need. You can rest there tonight,” Flora said, smiling. “Please, sit down. You mentioned having some questions for me. We have plenty of time now. Ask away.”
“Yes, ABC and Rebecca are conducting some experiments. They’ll be busy for a while. We can chat all night without disturbing them… Oh, right, you’re human. You need to sleep. I almost forgot, after spending so much time as an undead,” Leona said, patting the large bed they had been sharing, kicking off her boots and sitting down.
“If you get tired, you can sleep here with us. We don’t need to sleep,” Flora added. Since Haina knew they were undead, there was no need to hide it. It made Flora feel more comfortable.
Haina placed the package her mother had given her inside her pocket, close to her heart, then sat down beside Leona, a hint of excitement in her eyes.
“First time sharing a room with the dead?” Leona asked, her tone echoing Abyss’s playful teasing.
Haina, momentarily flustered by the question, then nodded. “Well, I’ve seen dead people before, but not like you. You can move and talk.”
“Heehee, undead aren’t exactly a common sight,” Leona said, chuckling. “They rarely occur naturally, and most necromancers are discreet. Most of them, anyway.”
Of course, there were exceptions, like Bishop Dallan, who had summoned a giant abomination near the Western Empire’s capital, clearly emboldened by an Outer God’s power.
“Leona, please, let’s not talk about such things,” Flora said, shaking her head with a wry smile. She noticed that Leona, despite her usual arrogance and boisterousness, had become more like Abyss, her playful teasing echoing his own.
But then she realized she was no different. That unconventional boy had a way of influencing those around him.
Flora removed her shoes and sat beside Haina on the edge of the bed. The atmosphere in the room relaxed, like a typical girls’ night during a trip. Except two of them were dead.
“Ask me anything. I’ll answer any question I can,” Flora said, then blushed slightly. “But I’m not very experienced in matters of love, so I can’t offer much advice in that area. I apologize.”
“You can ask me about love!” Leona exclaimed, puffing out her chest.
“You have experience?” Flora asked, raising an eyebrow, surprised.
“Of course! I’ve read hundreds, if not thousands, of knightly romances. I have an encyclopedic knowledge of love stories!” Leona said proudly, swinging her legs.
“It’s not about love… I don’t have anyone I like yet…” Haina said quickly, shaking her head. “I have some personal matters I wanted to discuss with Sister Flora. I heard you’re wise and good at giving advice, so I wanted to ask…”
“What’s troubling you, Haina?” Flora asked, tilting her head slightly. It had been a while since she had offered counsel. It was a skill required of Saints, although she differed from the others. They memorized pre-written answers, adhering to a strict doctrine, while Flora’s advice was always genuine and heartfelt.
Her values and beliefs were largely shaped by Pope Hendrick III, who had defied tradition and personally mentored her, providing her with an unconventional education.
“I have a big problem, Sister Flora, Sister Leona. Can you keep it a secret? I don’t want anyone else to know.”
“Of course. I swear on my honor as a knight,” Leona said instantly.
“I promise as well,” Flora said, placing her hand on her heart.
“I’m wondering… If someone I’m loyal to has taken something precious from someone I care about, should I remain loyal? I’m confused…” Haina’s voice trailed off, as if she were afraid to continue.
Flora, sensing the gravity of the situation, gently took Haina’s hand. “Tell us, Haina.”
“Don’t worry. You consider us your friends, so we’re here for you,” Leona said, taking her other hand.
Haina, her hands held by Flora and Leona, seemed to gain some courage. “My mother suffered severe burns in an accident. She lost her arm because of it. She used to hold an important position in the palace, but after the accident, she had to leave, forced to live as a disabled person… I was too young to remember it. I’ve always known her as… half a person…”
“She was beautiful when she was young. I’ve seen her portrait. My father died when I was very young. My mother raised me alone, despite her disability. She even taught me magic and instilled in me a sense of loyalty to the princess, encouraging me to protect her and help her lead our kingdom to a brighter future… But…”
“But… I later learned that the accident that disfigured my mother… was caused by Princess Givia…”
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