Anyone would feel uncomfortable if people were whispering about them, whether behind their backs or in front of them. So did Quinn Flos—a girl who, since her arrival in the hall, has been constantly feeling the stares of those around her.
It all started this morning—when Irish Gold and a girl from the Shoure family had an argument by the river, which ultimately affected Quinn. The gray-haired flower girl hoped to get through this election quietly, if only she could, and she didn't want to be the center of attention. In fact, she would be much happier if people didn't notice her presence at the Knox family election.
However, now, all of that was just a wish, because now the girls participating in the election were talking nonstop about her. They were also giving her looks she couldn't quite decipher.
"Quinn, you're famous now," Seeli Snow, the innocent girl, said as if the girls were talking about her because they admired her, but unfortunately, the truth was the opposite. She became the center of attention because of the mark she carried. A mark that was different from the others.
Quinn touched her temple, making sure the gray flower on her temple wasn't visible.
The room, filled with whispers, finally fell silent after the Knox family's mistress arrived. The middle-aged woman, still dressed in traditional attire, arrived with a graceful and elegant air. Every step she took was captivating.
"Today, I'd like to introduce the beautiful girls here to one of our family's traditions." The servants brought a table and placed it in front of the girls. Quinn examined what was in front of her. A vase with several stems of colorful fresh flowers of various varieties. Just like the contestants, Mrs. Knox herself had the same table and equipment.
"The art of flower arranging is a tradition passed down through the Knox family. It may seem simple, but in our family, a woman's character can be reflected in how she arranges flowers. In the flowers she arranges." Quinn knew about this Knox family tradition.
Mrs. Knox was touted as the luckiest woman on the planet. She was born with a stunning face, not to mention the maroon color on her forehead. Without much question, anyone who saw her could already tell what she was capable of.
The Knox family's mistress was once a soldier in the Sky Eagle Legion. She served as vice-general when her husband was the general himself. No one knew that the general and vice-general had a more special relationship.
Then, when the election was held, the vice-general was surprisingly present, having come as the general's 'seed'. She immediately made a deep impression on all members of the Knox family at that time. Her way of thinking, speaking, and strength were far above those of the other seeds. In the end, as everyone had predicted, she was chosen as the mistress of the Knox family, and now as the general's wife.
Mrs. Reigna Knox left the military when she was pregnant with her first son, then, after Xavier Knox demonstrated his abilities and attracted public attention, his son rose to replace his father as a general.
A former deputy general in the national military—though now married and the mistress of the Knox family, there's still a majestic dragon slumbering within her. Today, Mrs. Knox might ask you to arrange flowers, but tomorrow, she might take you hunting in the middle of a dangerous forest.
Although it may seem simple, flower arranging is not. Each girl must prepare the flowers they will use herself, some of which even have thorns. For some spoiled girls who have never been pricked by thorns, they must hold back tears as their hands hurt. Others arrange the flowers with trembling hands because Mrs. Knox has made comments that their arrangements look like weeds.
From the first day until now, of the 20 girls who participated in the selection, only 15 remain. Five of them have returned home because they were not used to the harsh life at the Knox house.
Quinn had already acquired a wealth of knowledge from the many selections she had participated in. The quiet girl began her arrangement by selecting several flowers she thought she would use. She appeared very calm and didn't say much. Next to her, Irish Gold could be heard cursing several times. For the Gold family girl, hunting in the wild was more enjoyable than sitting around arranging flowers like this. Every flower she handled would end in tragedy.
"You're crying just because a small thorn pricked your hand. There's so much more out there that you haven't seen yet." Although not very loud, Youna's voice, standing a few meters away from Quinn, was clearly audible in the quiet room. Not only was Quinn conscious, but so were the other participants.
A girl couldn't hold back her tears, crying as she said—"Of course a military woman like you would say something like that! I'm a lady from a respectable family, I've never even held a knife before. Isn't there a servant here who will call a doctor for me?! I'm afraid my hand will get infected!" The girl cried in a deafening voice. Her whimpers shattered all concentration.
"This has nothing to do with your family. This also has nothing to do with me being a military member. This is just you being too spoiled. Yes, I don't think you can be proud of your family name here either, your mother is just another woman. I'm surprised you dare to come here." The face that originally seemed fake to be pitied became bright red after hearing Youna's words.
"Oh, so just because you know General Xavier you think you're already the mistress of this house? Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You think you can be the next Mrs. Knox? You even look down on all of us! I heard what you said the other day with those trash friends of yours! I hope you'll never be chosen to be General Xavier's wife!"
Instead of being annoyed, Youna sneered at the girl. She glanced at the woman's temple, and it was clear from her eyes that she was underestimating her. "Oh, we'll see," she said confidently.
The incident occurred while Mrs. Knox was away. When the hostess returned, she had someone treat the girl's injured hand. Her eyes revealed a disapproval of the girl's whining, which was only caused by a minor cut. However, since this was an election held within her family, within her own home, the hostess couldn't help but want to avoid causing trouble for the other family in the future.
She just thought that most daughters of noble families were like that.
When the time was up, Mrs. Knox looked at each of the flower arrangements they had made.
And maybe she will also give a little criticism to these spoiled girls.