Wendy looked at the princess before him, who obeyed his every word, and felt confident.
With himself, a humanoid “purifier,” present, there was absolutely no way Astreia could ever touch that “Holy Sword” sealed with the Demon King of Lust again.
Naturally, she wouldn’t corrupt anyone else, either.
However, the reason Wendy had marked Laxana as a dangerous target was all because this guy…
Was a hopeless “Lalat”!
In the game, there was a deeply hidden side story in Laxana’s background.
Back then, some lore-seeking players, by analyzing the broken phrases in her diary and certain hidden dialogues with NPCs, had finally reached a shocking conclusion—Laxana Klein harbored a love for her childhood friend Astreia that went beyond friendship, to the point of obsession!
The reason she willingly accepted corruption and became the left arm of the Astreia Empress wasn’t loyalty at all, but simply so she could be “together” with Astreia forever!
So, this woman sending these “Little Imperial Uncles” to Astreia—her intentions were utterly nefarious!
This was no thoughtful care between best friends, but a premeditated “Enlightenment Education”!
What was she trying to do?
Did she want to fill Astreia’s blank canvas with her chosen colors, teaching her strange knowledge to pave the way for unspeakable future purposes?
Was she trying to subtly twist Astreia’s XP into the same shape as her own?
The more Wendy thought about it, the more a chill crept over him.
What a perfect slow-boil frog strategy!
This wasn’t just undermining him—it was trying to rip out the entire foundation of his house!
In fact, there was even a CG illustration in the game’s special edition that left a deep impression on Wendy:
He, dressed in gorgeous Doll Queen Consort attire, his eyes unfocused, caught in the arms of the Astreia Empress and Doomsday Witch Laxana on either side.
The scene—obviously, the relationship between the three was utterly disastrous!
“Doing things together with multiple people… I’m a pure love warrior, you know…”
Wendy narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at the “Evidence” in his hand and muttering to himself.
“W-Wendy, what are you saying?”
On the bed, Astreia turned her trembling head at his murmur, those emerald eyes filled with pure confusion.
Wendy snapped back to reality instantly, a playful, roguish smile returning to his face.
He stood up and walked to the bed, gently pulling the still-shivering princess out from the sheets and tidying her loose white nightgown with soft hands.
Then, he solemnly announced:
“Astreia, right now, immediately, move all these books on the floor to my room.”
“Remember—not a single one is to be left behind!”
“Eh?!”
The Princess Royal’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him.
“Wendy, are you… are you planning to read these…”
“Pa!”
Wendy flicked his wrist, and the small whip made a light, ambiguous sound against her taut honey-colored skin.
“Your Highness, just what’s going on inside that little head of yours all day?”
He watched Astreia’s face flush crimson in an instant, teasing her.
“Of course, I’m taking these books as the ironclad proof of your ‘fall,’ and then…”
Wendy leaned down, bringing his lips to her ear, and enunciated each word:
“To eat·you·for·a·lifetime·ah~”
“Ah…”
A short, desperate cry escaped Astreia’s throat, her body turning so soft she was nearly melting.
She gazed helplessly at the black-hearted prince before her.
But when she met those smiling peach blossom eyes, all her grievances and shame instantly transformed into an overflowing tide of tender affection.
He said… he wanted to eat her for a lifetime?
Did that mean Wendy had decided to be with her forever?
It was… wonderful!!!
The Princess Royal’s breath caught in her throat—and then she realized… she was completely doomed.
She had fallen hopelessly for this handsome prince who looked dignified on the surface, but was full of mischief inside, always able to turn the most improper words into the most moving confession…
***
That afternoon.
Inside the Council Hall of Sunset Fortress, officers of all ranks gathered, the atmosphere so deathly silent it felt almost eerie.
Everyone bore two giant dark circles under their eyes, spirits sagging, glancing at each other with a sense of post-calamity bewilderment.
The “battle”… had finally ended?
At that moment, the oak doors were pushed open from outside by the guards.
Afternoon sunlight spilled in, making the dark circles on the faces of the assembled officers even more distinct.
“Cough!”
General Sera George let out a heavy cough, trying to snap her dazed subordinates to attention.
But she herself was little better—her single eye was bloodshot, and her eye bags were deep enough to keep fish.
The past five days had been nothing short of torture for all of Sunset Fortress.
And as everyone silently speculated, two figures appeared side by side at the door.
On the left was Astreia, dressed in fresh, gleaming silver armor.
Sunlight crowned her dazzling platinum hair with a divine halo, and her valiant face was now utterly free of the madness and distortion of demonization—what remained was the familiar resolve and dignity of the “Northern Lioness.”
But… as her gaze swept over the room, her steadfast expression cracked, a blush rapidly spreading from her ears.
Walking beside her was Prince Wendy, now dressed in a tailored light-green silk robe.
That devastatingly handsome face wore a lazy, satisfied smile, his peach blossom eyes half-lidded, like a fox who had just feasted.
What stunned the female officers even more was that, though Prince Wendy’s posture remained elegant as ever, his back was unnaturally straight, and his left hand occasionally pressed lightly against his lower back as if unintentionally.
Those who understood, understood.
“Everyone.”
Astreia took a deep breath, forced herself to meet the eyes of the room, and bowed slightly.
“In the past days, due to my personal reasons, morale faltered and discipline was disrupted, causing great trouble for all of you.”
“For this, I offer my most sincere apologies.”
As her words fell, the entire Council Hall was silent.
Everyone was dumbfounded by Astreia’s sudden apology.
Was this the same decisive First Princess from a few days ago?
She was actually apologizing for such… “personal matters”?
General Sera’s single eye went round with shock, her warhammer nearly slipping from her grasp.
Back at the Cement Defensive Line, when the Princess Royal had gripped her by the throat with a mere gesture, she had been anything but “humble”…
It seemed Prince Wendy’s influence on her had seeped into her very bones.
After a brief stunned silence, the officers snapped back to reality and hastily waved their hands.
“Your Highness, you overstate it! Please, don’t say such things!”
“Yes, yes! You and Lord Wendy have done so much for us—it’s only right you rest for a few days!”
“That’s right! We’re full of energy! Not tired at all!”
A young centurion pounded his chest in assurance—only to unleash a massive yawn mid-sentence, sending a wave of laughter through the hall.
The awkward atmosphere instantly lightened.
Wendy watched as Astreia’s face reddened almost to the point of bleeding, and a gentle smile curled his lips.
He lightly took her armored hand in his own.
Astreia’s body tensed—but she did not pull away.
The warmth in her palm calmed her chaotic heart in an instant.
She drew a deep breath, straightened her back, and strode to the central seat.
She would restore her dignity!
She would reclaim the aura of the “Northern Lioness”!
But the moment her hips touched the chair…
“Hiss!!!”
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