# 44
---
At that time, Flora was walking near the arboretum, where the conservatory was, accompanied by two of the Marquise's maids. As soon as the servants saw her at the entrance to the garden, they dropped their hands, bowed to her with great respect, and then remained in that position until Flora passed in front of them.
This was a kind of hospitality she could not have imagined when she was just a miss.
After she received the treasures of Richmond from the Marquise, and word spread of her being the Duke's lover, it became common among the servants as a given fact that Flora Lewin would be the next Duchess. The Marchioness's addition of two ladies-in-waiting to her further strengthened this belief.
Flora felt as if heaven and earth had been turned upside down. In fact, it was not far from the truth.
This morning, for the first time, I was bored of cute designer dresses. So she chose from among what she had a red dress that seemed more dignified and prestige. She raised her hair in the style of a marquise, and decorated her fingers with a ring with a large precious stone.
M.M.: Beautiful dreams 🤭
The woman in the mirror looked beautiful, but she also seemed powerful.
Flora Richmond. A look that perfectly befits the name.
As she walked with shoulders raised, past the stooping servants, she passed by a huge garden tree, and joyful laughter reached her ears. She turned towards the source of the sound, and saw a group of young ladies and gentlemen, each with his own finery, exchanging conversations.
A slight, barely perceptible sneer appeared on Flora's lips, and then it disappeared.
Once upon a time, she too would laugh and compete among that group. Back then, she thought it was the whole world competing. So then: experience matters, and the more one knows the more one sees the world.
That group was just a byproduct. A by-product that is not allowed to enter the “Blue Eagle” hall where the Supreme Council is held, that is, it does not even come close to the authority.
Flora clicked her tongue lightly and was about to turn her gaze to her intended destination.
“Flora!”
As soon as the resonant sound rang out, Flora's face changed in an instant, turning cold. A sarcastic laugh nearly escaped her, but she held it together, mindful of the watching eyes. Then, as if nothing had happened, she smiled and turned towards the next person quickly.
In the blink of an eye, Flora scanned the woman's figure with a critical eye.
A chiffon dress that she wore to look nice at any cost, and earrings from the family treasures to appear as wealthy as possible... The problem is that those “treasures” were nothing but old jewelry dating back centuries, vulgar in appearance, and suggesting little value.
“Flora!”
From any angle she was looked at, she was not fit to be a friend of a duchess.
“I was actually looking for you!” And anyway, you also won't enter the hall, right? Are you busy? Everyone gathered...”
“Miss.”
The woman's voice faltered as she chattered excitedly at the formal, polite title that came out of Flora's mouth.
Flora took a step closer to her, smiling, then whispered to her ear in a low voice:
“I don't have much time now to chat with Mademoile.”