In the garden, the Black Roses were indeed in full bloom.
Laura walked in front, looking here and there like a child.
“Wow, this one is growing so well… Ah! This one too…”
Kiz, following behind her, spoke with some impatience, “Have you seen enough?”
“What’s the rush?” Laura turned back and made a face at her. “It’s rare for me to visit, so let me look a little longer!”
After saying that, she ran to a cluster of roses and bent down to look closely.
“Hey, hey! Kiz, look at this one. The edges of the petals are silver!”
Kiz walked over, took a glance, and said, “Hmm… It must be a mutation.”
“Can I pick it? Can I pick it?”
“Suit yourself.”
Hearing this, Laura happily picked the flower, held it to her nose to smell it, and then turned to hand the flower to Elia.
“For you!”
Elia was momentarily stunned and asked, “Why are you giving it to me?”
“Because beautiful flowers should go with beautiful people! Besides, you’ve been following us the whole time and haven’t had a chance to enjoy the flowers, have you? Take this as a souvenir!”
Then, Elia glanced at Kiz and found that the expression on the little princess’s face was very subtle. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she said nothing at all.
“Thank you,” Elia said, having no choice but to take the flower.
Laura nodded with satisfaction and then ran off to look elsewhere.
Kiz asked in a lowered voice, “You’re taking it just because she gave it to you?”
“Otherwise? It would be very rude to refuse, wouldn’t it?” Elia asked back.
“…I suppose.” Kiz stopped speaking.
She just stared at the flower in Elia’s hand, wondering what she was thinking.
Elia certainly noticed her gaze and asked, “Do you want it?”
“Who would want that! It’s just a lousy flower!”
“Oh…” Elia brought the flower to her nose and smelled it. “Then I’ll just keep it for myself.”
Kiz: “…”
She wanted to bite someone again. She wanted to bite this person’s throat and drink her fill, or perhaps pin her to the ground and give her a good scratching.
“Kiz! Come and look at this!” Laura’s voice came from a distance.
In the end, Kiz only glared at Elia before turning to find Laura.
Elia, following behind her, tucked the flower into her hair. The dark rose looked exceptionally striking amidst her golden locks.
Kiz, walking in front, caught a glimpse of the flower out of the corner of her eye. Her footsteps faltered for a moment, but she said nothing.
After the three of them had wandered for over an hour, Laura finally had her fill.
“Alright, it’s time to head back. I have to visit the Dwarf Clan this afternoon.”
“The Dwarf Clan? What are you going there for?” Kiz asked.
“To order weapons, of course! To prepare for next week’s Hunting Competition.”
Kiz nodded and said, “Then I wish you the championship.”
Afterward, the three returned to the gates of the Vampire Castle, where Princess Laura’s guards were waiting to take the Princess home.
“Then I’ll be going now! Remember to come to the Elves to play next time! And bring the Saint with you!” Laura waved her hand at Kiz and said.
“We’ll see.”
“Honestly, you’re always so cold.” Laura curled her lip and then looked at Elia beside her. “Saint Elia, if Kiz ever bullies you, you can come to the Elves to find me! My race will always welcome you!”
Elia bowed slightly and said, “Then, thank you, Princess Laura.”
Then, Laura boarded the carriage accompanied by her guards.
Seeing the carriage move further away, Kiz turned to return to the castle. Elia hurriedly followed her upon seeing this. Neither of them said a word along the way, heading straight back to the Sleeping Palace.
Once the door was closed, Kiz finally spoke, “Take that flower down.”
“Hmm?” Elia turned her head, looking at Kiz with a face full of confusion.
“I said, hurry up and take that flower down. It looks hideous.” The little princess stared intently at the Black Rose on Elia’s head.
Elia blinked and then asked with a smile, “Are you jealous?”
“Who’s jealous!”
“Then why are you making me take it off?”
“Because… because it’s not appropriate! You’re a human. What does it look like for you to wear a flower of the Blood Clan!”
“But Laura gave this to me.”
“You’ll wear it just because she gave it to you? I order you to take it off immediately!”
Elia looked at Kiz’s huffing and puffing appearance, so she reached out to remove the flower and toyed with it in her hand.
“So, you don’t like me wearing flowers given by others?”
“…Yes!”
“Then what if I picked it myself?”
Kiz was stunned by this single sentence.
Elia walked to the window and looked at the garden outside, saying, “There are so many flowers in the garden. It shouldn’t be a problem if I pick one to wear myself, right?”
“No… No! You cannot pick them without my permission! The flowers in the garden are all the property of the Blood Clan!”
“Is that so…” Elia turned around and gave her a meaningful smile. “Then I am applying for your permission, may I?”
Kiz: “…”
She found herself being led around in circles again.
“Wh-Whatever!”
“Then you’ve agreed.” Elia came up to her and handed her the flower. “I’ll return this one to you and go pick another for myself.”
Kiz looked at the flower before her, hesitated for a moment, and still took it.
“Go quickly then. I have something to tell you after you’ve picked it.”
“What is it?”
“Regarding the Heavenly Saint Race. The news Laura brought is very important; we need to discuss it.” Kiz’s expression became serious.
Elia nodded and then turned to walk out of the room.
Kiz, left where she was, looked down at the Black Rose in her hand. Then, she went to her dressing table, opened a drawer, and put the flower inside.
There were already some small items in the drawer at this time. A button, a ribbon, and several dried petals. These were all things Elia had “accidentally” dropped or left behind.
Kiz looked at these things with a complex expression. She… really didn’t know what she was doing. Collecting the enemy’s things?
And when Elia had put the flower from Laura on her head… what exactly had she been thinking? Was it jealousy? And if so, what was she jealous of? Was she jealous that Elia could possess that beautiful Black Rose? Or was it…
She shook her head vigorously and closed the drawer.
Forget it, stop thinking about it. She would wait for Elia to come back before saying anything more.