At first, she had assumed that it was because he was a diligent worker, but would a diligent worker have such low self esteem? He always had to confirm with Malleus and his group on whether he had done well or not too. Although she was all right with it at first, but, since the winter break, it had been itching her chest a little in irritation. She had never felt this way when she thought Elijah and the other dorm leaders. Why now?
Peony shook her head, "Never mind this. I'll ask Lady Zigvolt to help me. As for the others, go into my ring and prepare a hundred lotuses alive from the courtyard in the mansion."
"Understood." Zhang Li nodded in confusion.
Although she wanted to question her reason for gathering so many, she knew better than to question their master and hurried back into her ring. As Lotus magically changed back into her male attire, she made her way back into her room in Diasomnia instructed Ying Hui to gather more books she had stowed away from the secret library in the school's library. It was then that she noticed those books magically appear before her followed by a mischevious giggle. Hearing this, she sighed and took it from midair before smirking, "I see that someone has been sneaking glances in these books. Perhaps, I should not have had permitted Xiao Li to give you access into my office?"
"But I can't help it!" Ying Hui pouted, "You managed to learn how to use magic after reading these books. Why can't I use it too?! It just wasn't fair!"
"All right, all right." Peony sighed, "However, don't let others know you can use magic. Otherwise, you will be sought after by the entire world back in our world."
"I know! I understand my limits the best! Unlike someone who said that they wouldn't touch the books in the secret chambers and still went back to read them. Hmph!"
Brushing off her complaints, Lotus returned to study the books once more. However, Ying Hui did not let her be as she spoke up, "Hey, Lotus! Why did you sent Zhang Li and Zhang Yong to go fetch so many lotuses?"
"I thought that you and your brother would have known about it by now with how bored the two of you are that you've been watching me like watching television." Peony sneered.
"Hmph! Do you know how long it takes to do the things you tell us to do and how long time passes in here as you get stronger?! It wouldn't be long before four weeks pass and it'll still be a day outside!" Ying Hui scowled angrily as she exaggerated, "Of course, we couldn't see the first part of the deal. Just what deal was it that you agreed with that scheming brute?"
"The deal..." Lotus recollected as she placed her book back down on her lap.
.....
"Hah?" Leona raised a brow, "You want certification for land in our kingdom and my help to convince my brother and the Majordomo? Hey, do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course." Peony huffed as they walked slowly through the greenhouse, "It would be one thing if I ask it from some officials, but asking someone from the royal family is different, is it not? Even if you don't have the land, you can at least pass the message to someone else, can't you? Land bestowed by the royal family to another can't be considered the property of the royal family if it's just by name, can it not?"
Leona snorted before glaring angrily, "Hell no."
"Oh? Since you won't do it, then I guess I'll have to go the extra mile then." Peony sighed feigning a troubling look.
"Huh! I didn't think that the Fae kingdom's depressed goddess actually has no mind for politics." Leona growled sarcastically, "When land is handed over to the other kingdom's royal family, that's considered bought land of that kingdom. No longer a part of ours. What makes you think we can hand it over so easily?"
Depressed goddess? That Igni! Did he go off coloring facts with flamboyant words again?!
"I didn't think that the intelligent second prince would take other's words for facts immediately. I bet it was Igni who said those words, didn't he? However, it seems that you are not willing to cooperate with me. Oh well, seems like the mandrill sage is the only one I can talk to in the end, then. With his access to the king, I might even get to have my request sent over to the queen."
Hearing this, Leona raised a brow in surprise. Who doesn't know of this mandrill sage she was talking about with access to the palace and royal family is none other than that monkey who could do nothing but spout nonsense everyday. The shaman of their kingdom. To think that he knows of the princess?! If it was before, he would've tried to gather information from the old mandrill beastman, but, ever since that incident, he rarely ever interacted with him again aside from a few mandatory greetings.
"What do you need it for?" Leona frowned.
Hearing heard his words, Peony knew that he was finally hooked. She opened her mouth and responded, "Business. I'd like to run a traditional pharmacy with a small clinic and general store in one building that could easily gather a large variety of herbs for me to study. Metals and other resources are of no exceptions. The money earned can help me maintain the business as well. Doing this, won't harm the economy too much, now would it? In exchange, I have no restrictions over the requirements for recruitment and the pay will depend on the kingdom's average pay per year for the job. Health insurance, benefits, and regulations will be monitored by me for the first two to three years and it will follow according to the laws of Afternoon Savannah. After which, I will leave it to a manager and check up on it twice a year. As for the thaumarks to get this started, it would be out of my own pocket. Is there any problems?"
"You have thought about this rather well." Leona frowned in deep thoughts before he sneered, "But, what do I get out of this?"
Peony giggled, "I don't know. How about some flowers? After all, I heard that the second prince has no interest for theatrics or riches. What would you like?"
Leona was silent for a while as Peony could see his mind turning behind veil of dissatisfaction. Finally, he spoke calmly, "You said that you study herbs? So, you're knowledgeable about plants."
"I am." Peony responded confidently.
"Lotus."
"Eh?" She paused in bewilderment upon hearing her alias.
"I want Lotuses, not lilies." He replied, "They have to be white and large."
"That's it?" Peony hummed curiously.
"A thousand of them ready for transplanting." Leona finished bluntly.
It goes without saying as a year is too long for them to start blooming.
"I can't provide a thousand without emptying the world of white lotuses along with our supplies."
"As many as you can." Leona responded, "A hundred, at least."
"Done."
"That's it?" Leona raised a brow.
"That's it." She replied, "As soon as you send my request to the king, I will send them to you in two days time."
"Very well." Leona yawned as they reached closer to the doors, "How do I contact you?"
"The fire fairies in your cafeteria are in contact with me prior to the gala preparation. Talk to them or call Lotus Xue. That guy still owes me a few favors. So, have him run the errand of sending me the message."
"It'll take a few years time for any response." Leona warned her with a frown.
"Naturally." Peony responded calmly, "I'm predicting in another four to six years from now perhaps. As for fear of spies..."
She handed him the papers and smirked, "That is naturally covered."
Taking the papers into his hands, Leona scowled angrily as he realized that he has been reduced to the royal family's errand boy.
"What's that scowl for?" Peony raised a brow, "Don't tell me you want to back out of the deal now? And with all those Lotuses on the line?"
Leona thought for a bit and shook his head, "It's nothing for the princess of faeland to worry over, is it?"
Peony raised a brow curiously as she watched him leave the room and out the door.
.....
"What would the prince of Sunset Savannah want to do with so many Lotus flowers?" Ying Hui raised a brow in confusion.
"That's nothing for us to worry about. We should focus on our own business anyway." Lotus replied as she sat in her chair and looked to the books again. However, she struggled to do so as she could not help but wonder why it was that Leona was so adamant on wanting Lotus flowers. Could it have something to do with his father, the ill old patriarch of the royal family?
She thought that she had him all figured out, but, to think that he was so determined over acquiring something so trivial. Just what could he be thinking about?
Leona Kingscholar...