Flora truly believed that she had been wronged.

Yes, Landon was her childhood friend, and he had always taken good care of her because of his mother.

But since Landon had said that he wanted her to live well, then for the sake of making her happier, it shouldn't be a problem if people talked behind her back, right?

She came from a common background, and her status in the temple seemed above others, often dealing with nobles. But Flora never felt comfortable and integrated, feeling very awkward.

However, when the first noble girl who took the initiative to talk to her implied something about Landon, Flora understood.

Landon could become the topic that would open up her social circle.

In fact, since she passed the assessment and entered the temple as a candidate for the position of Saintess, there had always been strange talk around her.

Such things as her trying so hard to become a Saintess must be to marry Landon, after all, he was a duke, how could he marry a commoner? If you don't want to be a mistress, you can only try to become a Saintess to improve your social status... etc.

Thus, at first, Flora avoided Landon-related topics in the noble circle, disliking hearing similar words.

So Flora just casually mentioned that she had a future Duke who treated her well, growing up together like a brother.

But the noble girls would say subtly—

"Wow, having a mother who was a wet nurse to the son of a duke is really nice, not like us who never had such an opportunity..."

Sensitive Flora immediately realized that they were mocking her commoner background.

Because she was a commoner, she had a mother who was a wet nurse, and that's why she had the opportunity to know Landon.

This was a fact she could not change.

Even if her beauty was no less than those nobles, and the temple gave her a corresponding status, the details would still expose her embarrassing origin.

She didn't want to be looked down upon by these people who were just luckier than her.

By this time, Flora had grown up and her ideas had changed from her childhood.

She was now a beautiful girl.

Flora realized that she could actually change her thinking and separate Landon from the identity of being her mother's young master.

So she no longer resisted others connecting her and Landon together.

—But it must never be that she was desperately trying to marry Landon; it had to be that Landon was relentless in pursuing her.

The better Landon treated her, the more she would act indifferent.

Only in this way would those noble girls treat her differently.

Because in the circle of noble girls, the status of the pursuer could become an advantage for the pursued, and even the main object of comparison.

When the pursuer's status is similar, the next step is to test the solidity of their love.

Flora stepped on Landon to achieve her goals.

But was it wrong for her to just want to fit in?

After struggling for so long among the noble girls, Flora was adamant that she would never lose face in front of them even in death.

Stubbornly refusing to bow her head, Flora looked at Landon, showing the pitiful look that she would only reveal to Landon in private, when her back was turned to those noble girls—

It was by showing one face to Landon and another face behind his back that she had coaxed Landon into treating her as an ordinary spoiled girl and continuing to pamper her like a sister.

"Landon..."

—Quickly, go along with me like before!

The wet nurse couldn't believe that at this point, her own daughter still wanted to twist the truth: "Flora!"

"Forget it, wet nurse."

At first, Landon was very angry, but this anger quickly turned into fatigue.

Ever since he recovered his past life memories, he had felt exhausted, both physically and mentally.

Being questioned by his adopted sister Helena for years had become a habit, no matter what he said or did, she would misunderstand him in the worst way.

Anyone who had been doubted for so long, whose explanations were never believed, who saw that Helena was selectively blind, treating those who slandered him as family, and thought he would use dirty tactics to squeeze her out, would feel disheartened.

Especially since his body had not yet recovered and he found out that he had a death FLAG from the original game, this mental pressure made him feel headaches from time to time, and even talking was uncomfortable.Therefore, he now tries not to speak if he can avoid speaking, and tries not to be angry if he can avoid it, because otherwise it's himself who suffers.

Anna just thought Landon was being calm.

In fact, Landon was not calm at all; his heart was pounding and his temples were throbbing. He felt like he couldn't breathe even if he uttered one more word, almost thinking the game's male protagonist would die before even reaching the imperial city.

He was mentally prepared for Helena, but not for Flora!

Flora always liked to be rude to him in front of others, but acted coy and submissive when they were alone, only to repeat the same behavior next time. He still thought she was just a child who didn't know any better…

Upon closer examination, wasn't this just a typical case of being scolded publicly and apologizing in private?

She didn't know any better? Flora was way too clever!

But after all, she was his little sister whom he had spoiled since childhood, so he couldn't bring himself to be too harsh on her all at once.

It's just that years of affection seemed to be wearing thin.

Landon sighed softly.

Everyone held their breath and focused on what the person involved would say next—

Would he emphasize that he was not such a lapdog, or would he ask for an explanation from Flora first, or would he explain why he still came even though the Saintess told him not to?

"Flora…no, Miss Saintess."

The brilliant sunlight filtered through the tree branches and shone on the young duke.

He was neither infuriated nor his facial expression twisted; his face only became a little pale, and his hand gripping the cane clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned blue.

Even at this moment, he could still manage a smile, but it was a bit helpless.

"For the sake of our wet nurse, I will let bygones be bygones. From now on, you take care of yourself."

Anna watched this scene with awe.

How tolerant! How sentimental! What a gentleman!

That's why she said, no one who has really known Landon would believe those rumors outside!

The noble girls also secretly exchanged glances.

Although Landon didn't bother to explain, his skillful response didn't make people think he admitted to those allegations; those with ears could hear that there was something hidden, but he just didn't bother to defend himself.

Moreover, these girls who were used to the intrigue among the aristocracy, thought that he still remembered to save face for the girl in such a situation, showing a great sense of responsibility and charm.

On the other hand, Flora…

Flora was very nervous now.

She thought Landon would be angry, but as long as he was still angry, she was not afraid because she was very skilled in soothing his emotions.

But Landon unexpectedly didn't get angry…

This, however, made Flora extremely uneasy, feeling that something was slipping out of her control.

This kind of Landon made her feel estranged.

Flora had some regrets.

Should she say something soft now?

She was well aware of how good Landon was to her. In contrast, maybe, possibly, probably…she might have gone a little too far…

But just at this moment, she heard a sneer from behind her.

"Heh."

Very light and quick, but this sound made Flora sober up instantly.

No, if it were just Landon, she would have given in, but now she absolutely couldn't let these aristocrats laugh at her!

However, she couldn't provoke Landon any further either, so she had to think carefully about how to respond…

Just then, a countess suddenly interrupted, "It doesn't sound quite like what Her Highness the Saintess said. Did the duke really know that you said you didn't want to see him?"

Almost reflexively, Flora defended herself, "his sister can vouch for me!"

Another viscount's daughter also began to fan the flames, "Miss Helena is not here, why don't you just explain it to him now? There might be some misunderstanding..."

Flora felt the malice from the noble daughters.

Why were they suddenly treating her like this when they had been chatting so happily before?

Flora felt wronged and wanted to restore their friendship as soon as possible. To do so, she chose her usual method of stepping on Landon to get ahead, and blurted out to Landon without thinking.

"I didn't say anything wrong! Didn't I tell you not to come before? Every single time, every time, it's you who insists on acting on your own! And, I don't even like the things you gave me! You—" Can you, just, stop bothering me?Before Flora could finish her sentence, she heard Landon's calm reply.

"I know."

"..."

Flora was momentarily dazed.

What had she just said?

As her rationality gradually returned, Flora's heart beat violently. Her mouth, which could just now spit out sharp words non-stop, was suddenly dumb, unable to make a sound.

She had gone too far...

That wasn't what she meant, she hadn't intended to say it to that extent, but she was just provoked by those people and accidentally...

However, what's done couldn't be undone. All she could do was pray that Landon wouldn't contradict her words and keep comforting herself in her heart that it was okay.

In the past when she made too much trouble, Landon had said that he wouldn't care about her anymore. But afterwards, wouldn't he forgive her if she acted coquettishly?

In any case, it was most important to quickly let this matter pass and secure her image in the hearts of her girlfriends.

In two more days... no, Landon might still be angry with her in two days, so she would quietly look for Landon in a week.

A week, even the biggest anger should dissipate, right?

Flora knew that the severity of today's matter was different from the past, but as she comforted herself, she gradually convinced herself and became righteous.

Being favored always makes one fearless.

After all, it was just being scolded a few times, and it won't cause her to lose any flesh. Would a grown man really hold a grudge against her for such a trivial matter?

Don't let her look down on him!