Irina didn’t know what to say to break the silence. She plucked out a few Flos Eriocauli from the bunch, weaved it into a garland, and put it on Becky’s head.

Becky slapped it away by reflex, causing the garland to drop, and the blue and white flowers to be scattered all over the floor. She stared warily at Irina, and her breathing started to get heavy.

Irina hurriedly apologized. “I’m sorry. Do you dislike it? I think it looks quite pretty.”

As she spoke, she picked it up and put it on her own head.

Becky’s breathing seemed to calm down a bit upon seeing that. Nonetheless, she shifted...