The last rays of the setting sun had already sunk below the horizon, dyeing the sky with a faint, dusky purple.
The heavy footsteps grew more urgent and involuntary.
She walked within the castle’s shadow until she reached that carved wooden door, the resting place of Princess Moria.
The door opened slightly, and a faint fragrance of orchids greeted her.
Su Ling stepped inside, only to see Princess Moria seated with a cold gaze that narrowed sharply, clearly displeased at seeing her.
“I already told the other girls to inform you, didn’t I? Didn’t you think to come earlier yourself?”
Princess Moria stood up, her tone cold and accusing.
“As a servant, showing up late to meet the royal family, is that appropriate?”
Su Ling lowered her head and remained silent.
Under this unreasonable princess’s gaze, Su Ling was accustomed to bowing deeply and expressing gratitude.
As long as she showed the proper attitude, any fault on her part could be overlooked. This was the only way to resolve issues smoothly.
“Don’t disappoint me next time.”
Princess Moria crossed her arms and ordered firmly.
“Tch.”
It was indeed wrong to make the princess wait, but Su Ling did not want to come earlier either.
In truth, no matter how late Su Ling arrived, Princess Moria would always be waiting for her at the meeting place, standing in the hall in advance.
“How is the preparation for the Sacrificial Ritual coming along?”
Princess Moria stepped closer and asked.
Su Ling quickly responded: “Your Highness, all the daily food supplies are ready without any omissions. As for the ritual utensils, the maids are also preparing them meticulously. Everything is currently in order.”
“That’s good.”
Princess Moria nodded slightly but warned, “I hope you don’t cause me any trouble.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Though harboring some dissatisfaction inside, Su Ling showed no disrespect on the surface and had no choice but to comply, suppressing her true thoughts.
Speaking of the ritual, Su Ling inadvertently recalled the strange-looking desserts she had seen in the kitchen.
If the sacrificial items were human, then these oddly shaped pastries were probably related to the innermost secrets of the ancestral rites.
What could they possibly mean?
The more she thought about it, the more curious she became.
Driven by curiosity, she gathered courage.
“Your Highness, I… have something I want to ask you. Among the sacrificial items, there are symbols drawn – the Eye, the Tongue, and the Heart. What do they mean?”
Princess Moria’s gaze darkened slightly as she spoke with a tone of mild reproach:
“Of course you should know even this… You ought to learn more.”
“The Eye represents humanity’s perception and reverence for the world; the Tongue is the medium through which humans express their submission to the Blood Clan; and the Heart, as the source of life, symbolizes humanity’s kindness, offering their flesh and blood in exchange for the Blood Clan’s protection and peace.”
“This has been the rule for a hundred years. Without the power of the Blood Clan, the human world would be chaos and suffering. Therefore, humans must repay the Blood Clan with their own lives.”
“Humans must repay the Blood Clan with their lives…”
Su Ling inwardly sighed.
The Blood Clan oppressed humans on one hand, but on the other, they manipulated their minds, imposing a doctrine of mutual dependence to stabilize their rule.
This system of ideological control had already become complete.
Su Ling’s feelings were mixed as she looked toward Princess Moria, trying to find an answer in her expression:
“Your Highness, is that truly what you believe?”
Princess Moria was slightly taken aback, then coldly brushed off the question.
“I answered one question. That doesn’t mean you have the right to ask whatever you want.”
“I understand…”
The distance between them, once slightly shrinking in the garden, now stretched farther apart again—an unbridgeable chasm.
It was not just the distance between servant and royal, but between human and Blood Clan.
Whenever their emotions threatened to cross the line, Princess Moria would revert to her royal, Blood Clan princess demeanor, as if deliberately emphasizing the gulf between them.
The atmosphere in the room grew oppressive, so Su Ling changed the subject.
“Your Highness, was there something you wanted to see me about?”
“The Rose Dress I mentioned last time try it on.”
She hadn’t expected Princess Moria to have actually made it.
Su Ling was a bit surprised.
Princess Moria spoke as she took out a delicate rose-colored dress that looked both elegant and light, and unfolded it in front of Su Ling.
The Rose Dress was made from soft, fine fabric, tied at the waist with a black silk ribbon.
The hem was layered with white gauze ruffles, arranged in tiers like the outfit of a porcelain doll—adorable and delicate.
Princess Moria’s craftsmanship was finer than expected; even the embroidery was flawless, showing no sign of being made by an amateur.
“Put it on for me.”
Su Ling took the dress obediently, quietly removed her original clothes, and allowed the dress to be fitted onto her.
The size was just right, perfectly showing off her delicate figure.
Princess Moria had clearly considered Su Ling’s body shape well during its making.
However…
Her body suddenly felt light and airy, and the fabric of the dress seemed a bit scant.
She cast a quick glance to the mirror beside her and saw herself reflected in the gilded frame.
Her fair skin was fully exposed, with the upper body barely held up by two thin straps, the chest tightly wrapped, and the position of the lower half resembling a swimsuit.
The Rose Dress only covered her face, so even the slightest movement of her waist could cause flashes of skin to show, not to mention the mysterious veins showing faintly through her skin accentuating her ample curves.
When not wearing it, she hadn’t realized, but now that it was on… it looked… quite provocative.
Like one of those… adult-themed dresses.
Princess Moria was this on purpose or an accident!?
Su Ling felt very embarrassed and subconsciously tried to adjust the dress to cover more of her body.
“Let go of my hand and let me see.”
Princess Moria stepped forward, gently pushing away Su Ling’s hands, her body almost pressing close.
With no other choice, Su Ling endured the discomfort, letting Princess Moria’s eyes roam over her body.
The black-haired young woman looked completely focused, her gaze moving from Su Ling’s neck to the straps, down to her collarbone, then to her abdomen and lower stomach.
Her long eyelashes fluttered delicately, as if she was inspecting every detail with meticulous care, unwilling to miss even a thread.
The more she focused, the more a strange tingling sensation rose in Su Ling’s chest, a mixture of nervousness and embarrassment.
“Your Highness, you don’t intend for me to go out dressed like this, do you?”
Princess Moria smiled faintly, “What’s the use of talking about that? This is mine. Only I have the right to wear it.”
She flicked the strap on Su Ling’s shoulder with her pinky finger, then traced down the exposed skin slowly until it stopped on her collarbone.
“Not bad. Truly stunning.”
The cold voice sounded almost like a whisper to herself.
That woman actually complimented her? Su Ling’s face immediately flushed hot with embarrassment, stammering to respond.
“Th-thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. I…”
“I said the dress looks good.”
Before Su Ling could finish, Princess Moria mercilessly interrupted, “Why are you imagining things?”
No shame at all!
Su Ling felt like she wanted to sink through the floor, as if she could be swallowed by the very Castle beneath her feet.
Princess Moria was always so blunt there was no point in expecting kind words from her.
“The dress is already on. I haven’t tasted fresh blood in a long time.”
Princess Moria narrowed her eyes, her gaze landing on Su Ling’s face.
“You’re probably about to start serving again, right?”
It was clear that Princess Moria’s intention had been caught by Su Ling beforehand.
It had been some time since her last service.
It was probably time for this Blood Princess to take charge again.
“I will obey your arrangements, Your Highness…”
Su Ling was about to reply when a cold gust of wind suddenly blew through the door.
She shivered uncontrollably.
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