A cold breeze slipped in through the crack of the door, carrying the distinct chill of late autumn.
Outside the window sill, it was pitch black only a few distant stars twinkled here and there, mingling with the sparse lights nearby.
Su Ling stood by the desk, feeling the temperature dropping around her. She couldn’t help but shiver involuntarily, her teeth beginning to chatter.
She quickly reached out and grabbed the dress draped over the back of the chair, her fingertips brushing the soft fabric.
Suddenly, as if recalling something, her movement froze for a moment.
No, that guy is overflowing with control issues. If she puts the clothes on by herself, she’s bound to make the Blood Princess angry.
By now, she was already familiar with Sista’s bizarre personality, knowing that only by obediently submitting could she earn even a little mercy from the Blood Princess. Otherwise, she’d be subjected to twice the torment.
But… her body was already growing colder in waves. If she continued standing like this, she’d definitely catch a cold.
Maybe she should just ask her? Su Ling thought. If she looked pitiful enough and begged sincerely, perhaps Sista would agree?
Biting her lip, she hesitated.
“Um, Your Highness…”
“Chest up, stomach in, hands down.”
Sista sat in the round-backed chair beside the desk, her quill tapping and dotting the paper methodically. Every now and then, she raised her head, her sharp gaze surveying Su Ling from head to toe.
Before she could even voice her request, she was cut off!
Su Ling was completely helpless and reluctantly lowered her hands, forcing herself to straighten her posture.
From the very beginning, Sista’s eyes kept flicking over her body, and oddly, there was a hint of delight mixed in her expression. She even quietly licked her bright red lips, her complexion looking somewhat off.
Could it be that watching her shiver naked actually pleased the Blood Princess? Was this some kind of strange hobby?
Su Ling didn’t understand, but she was greatly shocked.
At that moment, a breeze swept through the gap in the curtains, carrying the night’s chill. Su Ling finally couldn’t bear the cold any longer, crossing her arms tightly around herself.
Just then, a sharp, sudden hissing sound broke the silence of the study.
“Shh—”
Sista was startled by the unexpected noise and dropped her pen, letting out a small hum.
“Put on your clothes. I’m done recording.”
Sista gathered the papers and quill in her hands, then walked over to Su Ling and helped drape the long cloak over her.
Su Ling quickly dressed as if saved from drowning. Her chilled body finally regained some warmth.
“Since you’re ignorant, I’ll give you some advice,” Sista said, her voice echoing through the study, mingling with the occasional gusts outside the window.
“I’ve heard that humans especially need nutrition during their growth years. Your body is too frail. You should eat more during meals.”
Is she worried about me?
While fastening the belt, Su Ling listened to Sista’s somewhat lecturing tone and silently felt confused.
She understood that although Sista’s words stung, they weren’t entirely unreasonable. So, she replied softly:
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”
Upon hearing this, Sista’s lips pressed into a thin line. A displeased expression crossed her face, as if she resented Su Ling’s gratitude.
“I was merely stating the obvious. No need to thank me for your ignorance.”
Ah, the same kind of words again.
Su Ling felt as if she’d heard this kind of thing many times before.
“Humph…” She smoothed the hem of her cloak, smoothing out the last wrinkle, then looked up at Sista.
“Your Highness, even if you didn’t emphasize it like this, I already understand what you mean.”
“Rest assured, I’m very clear about my position. I’ve never had any improper thoughts about you, nor do I misunderstand your extra attention.”
Sista looked somewhat surprised and silently waited for Su Ling to continue.
“Just like you told me before, the reason you take care of me isn’t because of me.”
“Stop. Correct your wording. I’ve never wanted to take care of you.” Sista interrupted her displeasedly, her face stern.
“I understand…” Su Ling felt a bit awkward. “But ever since coming to the Castle, I have indeed received a lot of help from you.”
“You always emphasize that I shouldn’t have wild thoughts. Actually, I understand perfectly—Your Highness isn’t interested in me as a person, but rather because of what’s reflected through me. I’m just a humble servant, not worthy of your concern.”
Even if Sista didn’t repeat it so many times, Su Ling understood well enough. How could a princess, always so aloof, ever truly care about her?
Whether or not she had once been attracted by the Spirit of Equality, if Sista genuinely wanted to uphold the Blood Clan’s ideals, then in her eyes, servants like Su Ling were nothing more than dispensable tools and objects.
Sista’s kindness toward her was either because she valued the quality of her blood or simply because she treated her like a favored toy.
She didn’t believe the Blood Princess had any special feelings for her, because in the Rule of the World, the royal bloodline was always royal, and servants were always servants.
“But those things reflected… are also a part of you, aren’t they?”
“I…”
Su Ling’s emotions stirred, and she blinked in surprise.
Wait, was that just spoken by Sista?
Their eyes met in midair. Sista seemed startled by her own words, nervously twisting the tassel at the edge of her robe, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.
“Your Highness—”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that, you silly maid. Don’t misunderstand,” Sista’s eyes flickered with panic, her pinky finger fiddling with the fringe of her sleeve.
“So, what do you mean?”
“I care about you not because of those—no, wait, that was just a slip of the tongue. I meant those are all part of your inner self… no, that’s not right!”
What on earth is Sista talking about?
Su Ling grew flustered. Things were developing in an unpredictable direction. It was as if her words had hit some sore spot. The commanding aura she’d had moments ago instantly collapsed, her tone becoming strange.
The Blood Princess continued rambling incoherently, her gaze darting away. The skin behind her ear, hidden beneath her hair, seemed tinged with a faint blush. Did Su Ling see that correctly?
“Ugh—I’ve really had enough!”
After a long moment, Sista exhaled deeply, struggling to compose herself. Gritting her teeth, she snapped,
“This topic is utterly boring. A foolish maid like you could never understand my words. Stop trying to read into my intentions.”
Su Ling hurriedly stood up straight.
“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want to see you now. Get out,” Sista said coldly, her eyes urging Su Ling onward. “Quickly.”
So Su Ling obediently left the study, gently closing the ornate carved wooden door behind her.
She leaned blankly against the wall of the corridor, her heart still racing and far from calm.
So it’s like this…
In other words, she’d misunderstood everything from the very beginning?
Sista used all sorts of strange commands to keep her close, often watching her quietly. Earlier, she had scrutinized her figure so seriously during measurements, and didn’t forget to remind her to eat properly.
Judging by those reactions, it seemed likely that Sista actually cared about her, right? Just in a purely tsundere way?
Su Ling pressed her hands to her face.
What… what should I do about this?
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