Chapter 34
Flora's POV
After Lysa left me by myself, I began to self-reflect. A part of me wanted to continue pursuing him; a part thought of the consequences. I pushed that to the back of my mind for now, as I focused my gaze on the dress that was delivered to me earlier today. Tomorrow is the last day of the party. I'm certain he'll show up. I'll wait for him.
I heard a knock on my door. "Come in."
"Miss..."
"Nanny...?"
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with that...!"
"Nanny, there's nothing wrong with Lysa. She's a good person. I don't know why you dislike her so much, but she cares for me just like you do."
"Miss, you don't understand. She doesn't..."
"Nanny, I don't want to hear anything bad about Lysa anymore. You always talk bad about her. Every time, don't you feel guilty? I mean, she's innocent of everything you have accused her of. Until now, when are you going to stop?"
I yelled at my nanny for the first time. She is like a mother to me, but she's going too far. She's been too mean to Lysa for no reason.
"I'm sorry, Miss... But I still insist you let go of Young Master Nicolas, as he is already engaged. Not only would it ruin the young miss's reputation, but it might also affect Master if this leaks out."
'Again with her nagging. Yes, I know it might affect father, but I want this. And if Nicolas has the same feelings for me, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. I'll be his Luna.'
"What if he feels the same way for me?" My nanny stared at me for a moment, and I felt a shiver run down my spine at her gaze.
"Alpha Jones wouldn't allow it, you know that. He is a cunning man. Trust me, Flora, I have lived longer than you, and he's not someone you would want to even think of messing with..."
"Look, Flora, ever since your mother passed away, I promised to take care of you until you no longer need me. But watching you go astray like this is hurting me." She was in tears, holding my hands. I want to argue with her that the risk was not worth it, but Lysa's words flashed in my mind.
"Or maybe he's been silent because he felt too much." "And what if I told you he did come back?"
"My heart began to race. If he does love me and I end up becoming the Luna of the Royal pack, it's even of greater advantage to father." I voiced my thoughts only to get a look of disappointment from my nanny.
He is already betrothed, not just to any pack but a leading pack, and not just to anyone but Princess Viona, the commander of the Nightclaw Unit.
I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest, not from heartache but from anger. How could she say this to me? She knew I liked him since we met, but now an outsider is supporting me, but she isn't?
"Nicolas is kind to you, yes," she said carefully, "but kindness does not always mean love. You mustn't build castles in the sky, child. He is his father's son, and Alpha Jones has already announced Viona as the future daughter-in-law."
I stopped abruptly, my eyes narrowing. "Are you saying I should give up?"
"You think I should step aside for that porcelain doll just because she's backed by that arrogant tyrant?"
"Flora...! I'm saying you must protect your heart," she said gently. "Don't let hope blind you. Nicolas may care for you, but caring is not the same as fighting for you. He might not have the strength to go against his father."
"Strength?" I scoffed, throwing my manners out the window.
"You think I don't know him? Do you remember my birthday? He gave me a gift first, before Viona. That necklace—he had it custom made! He didn't do that out of pity or obligation."
I could feel my voice raise, and my cheeks flushed. "And you dare stand here and insinuate that I'm inferior to her?"
"I never said you were inferior," my nanny defended quickly, stepping forward, her voice laced with concern. "But the Royals don't make choices based on affection. They choose alliances, status, legacy—"
"Legacy be damned!" I barked, finally at my limit, slamming my hand against the edge of the dresser.
"Don't talk to me about their cold, calculated games! Nicolas knows how I feel about him. And I know he feels the same. I see it when he looks at me. I feel it."
My voice cracked slightly at the edges, not with sadness, but fury. I stormed closer to my nanny.
"You've been with me since I was born. You tucked me in when I cried. You told me I was strong, deserving of love. And now you stand there—you, of all people—and tell me to accept defeat? To cower in the shadow of some doll-faced aristocrat?"
"I am trying to shield you, Flora," my nanny cried, her voice breaking now. "You are like my own daughter. But love—real love—isn't just what someone feels in private. It's what they're willing to risk in public. If Nicolas won't stand up to his father for you, then—"
SLAP!
The sound cracked through the room like a gunshot. My nanny's head jerked sideways, a red handprint blooming across her cheek.
I stood frozen, breathing heavily, my chest heaving.
The older woman lifted her hand slowly to her face, her eyes wide, hurt glistening in them.
I didn't mean to hurt her; I have never done this before. I just felt a sudden rush of adrenaline and reacted without thinking.
"Leave," I said coldly, my voice low, "Get out of my room."
"Flora..."
"I said leave!"
She stood there a moment longer, sorrow etched into every wrinkle on her face. She turned wordlessly and walked out, closing the door behind her with a soft click that felt louder than the slap.
Alone, I stood trembling, my hands balled tightly at my sides. My gaze darted to the vanity where the necklace from Nicolas gleamed under the lamplight.
"She's wrong," I whispered fiercely, staring into the mirror at my flushed face. "He will choose me. He has to."
But even as the words left my mouth, doubt crept in—quiet, like fog slipping through a window crack. I crushed it with a snarl and tossed the necklace back onto the table with a clatter.
My eyes flicked to the door, where my nanny had stood moments before. A flicker of guilt twisted in my gut, but I buried it, locking it deep behind layers of pride.
I'm not going to lose. Not to Viona. Not to anyone.
Not ever.
"She's wrong. Nicolas does love me; he just doesn't want to acknowledge it yet."
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