The Carnival opening ceremony farce did not last long.
Once the truth came to light, the king who had been in power for two years was dragged off to prison to await judgment, replaced by the one who had borne all the humiliation up to this day.
For those still watching the spectacle, Lia had little to say, only encouraging them to enjoy the festival first.
She would not deliver a long speech about her Princess’s Ascension; who could understand the experience of being hunted for two years?
With that time better spent, she preferred to tidy up the palace and prepare to move in.
After clearing away some old belongings, it wouldn’t feel so obstructive or bring back painful memories.
“Tina, come walk with me.”
She had traveled alone for a long time on this journey, and only after meeting this young lady did she find new hope.
But strangely, why did this young lady choose to help her?
They were meeting for the first time, yet such selfless feelings were truly difficult to understand.
Lia led the girl all the way toward the king’s chamber. Just before the door, she stopped and asked:
“So, since we’ve both succeeded, don’t you want anything?”
“What do you mean?” Tina still wore an innocent look.
“Could it be that… you didn’t help me to gain wealth or fame after my ascension?”
“Lia, if you think of me like that, then I’ll leave now. It’s not worth your trouble.”
Tina turned and started to walk away, startling Lia enough to grab her hand to stop her.
“No, no, no, I didn’t mean that!”
After a moment’s thought, Lia rephrased: “I just don’t understand your motive. I want to know what you need so I can repay you.”
“Oh? What if I said… my motive is simple — I just felt protective of you back then?”
Tina paused, then continued to explain: “Because I couldn’t bear to see our beloved princess suffer, I wanted to help. That’s all.”
“You’re a witch. Isn’t spending energy on something like this a waste?”
“Of course not, because it’s worth it.”
Tina grasped the other’s hand with hers, her sincere gaze making Lia feel slightly uncomfortable.
“That’s… very straightforward…” she murmured quietly.
“Straightforward is good. That way, neither of us has to scheme against the other. To continue living together with Lia in the future, it’s necessary to be honest about our feelings.”
Living together?
Lia cleared her throat twice, then released Tina’s hand. Her hesitant gaze revealed all her nervousness.
“So, what are we now?” she asked uneasily.
“Hmm… friends. Very close friends.”
“Just friends?” Lia felt a bit disappointed. “But before, in the cave, we both clearly…”
“I only kissed you to transfer the Curse.”
Tina couldn’t keep a straight face.
What was this? Basic attack tricking a special move?
How had she never noticed the other was a high-attack, low-defense princess?
“No, it can’t be?” Lia felt her face flush.
From start to finish, only she had shown genuine feelings and kissed back?
As the future queen, being toyed with by a straight woman like this was simply unacceptable.
“I… I think…” she stammered.
“Hmm?”
“Forget it, let’s talk about it tomorrow, after the Carnival.”
With that, Lia went off to pack alone, leaving Tina standing by the door.
What was she up to? Acting so mysterious.
“Speaking of which, I should check on Lu En and Everett to see what’s going on.”
Tina still felt there was more behind the scenes.
***
Meanwhile, in the same dungeon.
Only one day apart, the situations of the silver-haired youth and the Sage had become completely reversed.
“What are you still doing here? Admiring my disgrace?” Lu En mocked himself in the cell.
“No, I’m just wondering why you won’t tell the truth. She might understand you then.”
“No need. Even if she forgave me, I wouldn’t forgive myself. Besides, after betraying the Moonmist Sect and signing the Soul Contract, I don’t have much time left.”
Sigh
As Everett fell silent, footsteps came from behind.
Both looked up and recognized Tina approaching.
Lu En spoke first, “Isn’t this our great benefactor? What’s wrong, isn’t this prison lively enough for you?”
Tina paid no mind to the taunt. “I heard your conversation just now.”
“…FADE?”
“Two years ago’s truth — I need a reasonable explanation. Of course, this is purely my personal interest and won’t affect Lia.”
“Alright, since you say so.” Lu En looked quite resigned.
“First, Miss, let me ask you a question — do you think I deliberately brought the Moonmist Sect here?”
“You want to say you were forced?”
“Exactly. The Moonmist Sect had long targeted the Keliville Kingdom, not me personally, but the king’s position.
If I hadn’t pretended to cooperate and made them think they could use me, Lia would have been in danger.
I don’t believe my sister would have the heart to kill the old king and me. On the contrary, she would resist and then die at the hands of those three bishops, taking the entire kingdom down with her.
So these dirty deeds were better left to me. After cooperating with the Moonmist Sect, I purposely let her escape, but the old king had to be sacrificed.”
Hearing this, Tina understood the Moonmist Sect’s intent.
To make the heirs to the throne kill each other until the final winner becomes their puppet.
Unfortunately — all those plans were completely destroyed after her arrival.
“Yes, Miss, we don’t have your strength, so naturally we couldn’t solve difficulties with brute force. In that sense, I’m quite grateful to you.”
“But in the end, you stood with us and caught the Moonmist Sect by surprise, didn’t you?”
Lu En lay back on the straw mat, relieved. “Hearing praise from those involved before death feels pretty good.”
“By the way, about that contract you mentioned…” Tina had an idea.
“What? Do you have a way to dissolve it?”
“Just a guess. Can you tell me where on the soul the contract is engraved?”
Lu En was unusually silent.
“Why don’t you say anything?”
“Well, Miss, Lu En’s contract is… in…” Everett pointed.
Tina immediately understood.
“Oh~ that’s easy to fix!”
Lu En:
“?”
“Really?”
“Of course, if you can accept the method.”
Tina’s expression grew strange, like a dark scientist frequently conducting terrifying experiments.
“Hey, if it’s too abnormal, maybe it’s better if you just let me die.” Lu En was genuinely scared.
“Oh, it’s fine. I’ve been through it all. Afterward, I’ll just give you a new body.”
“Wait? Maybe forget it? Hey—!”
***
The next day.
News recorded in the morning papers spread rapidly throughout the kingdom.
The previous king died of the Curse shortly after imprisonment.
Lia still felt regret. Until the very end, she had not reconciled with the brother she once had.
But Tina was unexpectedly excited today.
“Did something happy happen to you?”
“Ah? Um— the palace just hired a new handmaiden. Everyone really likes her.”