As she said this, she looked to Lotus hesitantly, "Is this not all right?"
Lotus watched her curiously as she heard this before she was certain and responded, "The Ghost Princess is kind-hearted and humble. Yet, as tempting as your thoughtful offer is, I'm afraid I do not want to become a ghost just yet."
"But why?" She asked her with a shocked expression, "Do you want to feel pain that much?"
Lotus shook her head, "It's not that I want to feel pain, milady. But, I have a goal in mind that I must complete. A life mission as you say."
"A life mission?" The princess gasped in awe when she heard this, "May I ask what that is?"
"I'm afraid the topic may not be pleasing to the ears, milady."
"Now that you've said it, I'm more willing to hear of it." The princess urged as she stayed on her seat firmly.
Lotus hesitated before glancing over to the ghosts who understood this and took their leave excusing themselves. Lotus looked back to her and said, "I want vengence."
"Vengence?" The ghost princess looked to her in confusion, "But isn't this something you can also complete as a ghost?"
Lotus shook her head, "My enemies aren't of this world. If I become a ghost, it would take too long to get my vengence and my enemies would've passed away peacefully without suffering under the hands of karma for their misdeeds. If I become a ghost, they are strong enough to exorcise me."
"Exorcism?!"
Lotus nodded and continued, "That's why I must be alive to take my vengence upon my enemy, even if it's just to quell my own ugly rage. Only by accomplishing this, may I be free to die without regretting not having taken my vengence."
"So noble..." The princess responded breathlessly before she sighed, "It's such a shame that you are not taller though..."
"Oh? Milady wishes that I was taller?" Lotus looked to her with a look of confusion.
"Yes." The princess nodded with tearfully, "As you can see by my gorgeous, I am to be wedded soon. However, my former fiance was a cruel and despicable man. He used our marriage to take my life and conquer my kingdom. For years during this time I wish to be wedded with my prince, but I've yet to find my destined prince charming..."
"I see." Lotus looked to her with a look of surprise before she responded with a small smile, "However, milady. Trust me when I say that you are fortunate to have not asked me to wed you in public. If you did, my secret may upset you greater and hurt those close to you."
"Oh dear! Is it really that horrible?" She looked to her in confusion and astonishment.
Lotus nodded, "Though I failed to meet your criteria why not I do a little fortune reading for you, milady? One about love. Because life as a ghost is still predestined by fate as well."
"Oh, my! Truly?" The princess cried out excitedly.
"Of course." Lotus smiled wide, "I can guarantee that what I say will not be wrong. However, it's not very clear either, so it may not make sense to you."
"That's fine." the princess smile, "What should I do?"
"Nothing." Lotus responded and explained, "Cause I've already seen the signs needed to tell your love fortune. Milady. As you've said, you've suffered many hardships during your life despite being surrounded by the familial love of those around you at birth. During the most important moment of your life, you mistakenly choose the wrong path the ended your life as a human. Right now, I can see that you are determined to strive on this path to create more bonds in your new life. However, a word of warning..."
Seeing her so tense, Lotus continued regardless, "Your efforts will have started to lead you down the wrong path once again."
"Really?!" The princess looked to her in surprise, "What should I do?"
"If you want to find your destined love, you only need to look to those closest to you amongst those who give you 'love' and adoration." Lotus responded with a bright smile, "Just remember that love has its twist and turns. To keep love growing is to understand one another and communicate. Once you find your 'prince charming', you will naturally understand what I mean and that time frame... Ah, it should be this year!"
"Really?!" The princess cried out excitedly as she grasped her hands with a look of excitement on her face, "Will I really find my love this year?"
Lotus nodded, "I can guarantee it. Just remember, milady. You must be happy when you find your prince."
"I will!" She replied excitedly before getting up, "Thank you so much, sir! May I ask what's your name?"
Lotus wore a bright smile as she responded mischievously, "It's Lotus. Next time you drop by, please bring your most trusted guard with you. It would be awkward for the princess to be in a room by herself with another man."
"Of course! Oh! I must share the good news with everyone! Thank you very much again!" She cried out ecstatically with tears before vanishing.
With all the ghosts out of her room, she finally sighed in relief before returning to her ring and continuing her efforts.
"That ghost princess is really weird, master." Little Jun noted curiously, "Why is she so enthusiastic to find love to this degree?"
"I don't know either." Lotus shook her head and sighed, "And, I will never know of it either."
"Master, are you sure?" Crystal responded with a look of surprise.
Lotus nodded firmly with an air of arrogance and disgust, "In this life... I, Peony Xue, will never succumb to the desire of being in love or wanting a partner."
.....
The next morning, she emerged from her room to find that Yuu and his group's search was unsuccessful as Yuu stayed indoors to rest after a night of searching. Ace and Deuce came over and took him out for a stroll after Lotus's insistence.
"Are you sure about this?" Yuu questioned with a hesitant expression.
Lotus nodded, "You should go take a look at the festival. If you keep moping around in here. I don't have the time to be going around picking mushrooms. Ace, Deuce. You guys go take around to look around the place. I heard that there are some clubs he can go check out. Show him around the place."
"What about you?" Deuce questioned hesitantly.
"I have a packed schedule today and I still need to go over some things before my shift." She responded bluntly before closing the door on the three of them.
With the door slammed closed on them, Ace grumbled dissatisfied with the cold treatment, "What's up with him? Woke up from the wrong side of the bed?"
"Ace, he's probably stayed up just as long as we did looking for Grim." Deuce concluded with a frown.
"I know that!" Ace grumbled, "You didn't have to point that out..."
"Enough, guys. How about we do as he says and go take a look around the festival for now?" Yuu said calming them down.
"Fine. Then, what should we do?" Ace questioned curiously, "You know, I heard that a museum displaying a couple of the Great Seven's artifacts on the last day of the festival."
"Ah! Now that you mention it... I've heard about that too..." Deuce nodded his head recalling the news of it, "Artifacts like that being on display... But, why would it be displayed here? Shouldn't something that amazing be displayed in bigger events than just a cultural festival?"
"Whatever." Ace smirked, "Let's go take a look on the last today. Today let's go take a look around the festival."
As they left, Lotus walked away from the window once she saw them leave the gates. She turned back to her room as a butterfly landed on her shoulder and its wings made a light clicking noise. Lotus, having spent much time with Crystal and the other butterflies, knew what it was trying to convey and nodded, "I know... What Ace said is certainly not wrong. No matter how great Night Raven College or Royal Sword Academy is, it is still not the worth of risking three important artifacts. Tell Crystal not to worry."
The butterfly did not respond audibly again, but Lotus knew that it obeyed her as it flew off to the corner of the room.
In her room, Xiao Li appeared and said, "Master, you should rest. You were only injured just yesterday on multiple occassions. If you don't rest..."
Lotus nodded, "Don't worry, Xiao Li. I'm going to take a break now... I know what my limits are and yesterday was very risky. If I take part in a conflict now, I would not be able to take a confrontation. Call me when it's afternoon."
"Master..."
Lotus nodded and patted his head with a wide smile, "I still have an act to put up remember?"
With that, she vanished in her ring and chamber to slumber.