Inside the Grand Hall of the Castle, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed as if the air itself could freeze water into ice.
Moria sat at the head seat, her face stern and cold, her gaze as sharp as a blade, listening intently to her subordinates’ reports.
“Your Highness Princess, at the scene of the fire, aside from the destroyed supplies, we discovered an Unknown Corpse. Upon inspection, it was confirmed the body does not belong to anyone in our Castle,” reported a Guard Corps Leader respectfully, though his voice trembled with a hint of fear.
Lier quickly received and reviewed the urgent report, her brows furrowed deeply. “An unknown corpse? What on earth is going on?”
The Dungeon Warden, unable to remain silent any longer, stood up from his place, his words faltering as he spoke.
“Your Highness Princess, it was I… I was careless and let one Sacrificial Offering escape. I never expected he would be so crazed with resentment, setting the fire in revenge!”
A malicious glint flashed in Princess Zeer’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by icy calm. “Warden, do you realize the gravity of what you have done?”
The Dungeon Warden bowed his head in confession, his voice trembling.
“Yes, I understand… I am willing to accept any punishment.” Suddenly, he slapped his own head, his voice taking on a pleading tone as he pointed at the butler standing to the side of the Grand Hall, Seban.
“Your Highness, all of this was orchestrated by Butler Seban! I only did as he told me… that’s why I committed such a grave mistake! To cover up the escape of the Sacrificial Offering, he… he used one of our own guards as a substitute Sacrificial Offering to make up the numbers!”
With those words, an uproar swept through the Grand Hall.
Soon after, Seban was brought in. His butler’s uniform was scorched and tattered from the fire, his face pale as paper, all the former confidence wiped away. His eyes were filled with dread and uncertainty.
At this point, there was no use in trying to hide anything.
Seban swayed unsteadily, nearly collapsing. He forced himself to stand upright, his voice quivering with sobs.
“According to the laws established by the Royal Family, servants and slaves are the private property of their masters, and the masters have the right to deal with them as they wish. Even someone of my rank, the Castle’s butler, ultimately has his fate decided by the Blood Clan.”
“Your Highness Princess, I… I was momentarily confused. Please, for the sake of all the years I have served the Castle loyally, spare me!”
Princess Zeer first frowned, then turned to look at Queen Moria. After a long, silent pause, she seemed to be weighing her options.
At length, she spoke slowly, “Seban, your actions are indeed unforgivable. But considering your years of service, I will give you a chance to live. You are stripped of your position as Butler, exiled to the borderlands, and never allowed to return.”
Upon hearing this, Seban let out a sigh of relief. Though exile was harsh, at least his life would be spared.
However, at that moment, the black-haired girl whom Seban had always disliked suddenly stepped forward. It was Sista.
“Your Highness, this is a serious crime. Exile is far too lenient,” her voice was cold as ice. “This isn’t child’s play—do you realize how much the destruction of the coastal vegetation will affect the Royal Family’s reputation? I think you know this better than anyone.”
Seban’s face instantly turned ashen. He raised his head to look at Sista, his eyes full of resentment and confusion. “Sista… Your Highness, why must you do this to me?”
“Do you have anything else you wish to defend yourself with?” Sista stared at him, her voice devoid of sympathy.
Seban began to weep openly, but he knew Sista’s mind was made up. He turned to Princess Zeer in a final plea, “Your Highness Princess, I beg you… please reconsider!”
Yet, Moria simply looked quietly at Sista.
Seban had become the Butler partly due to the influence of his grandfather in the church.
But Sista was right—Seban had violated several serious rules. If they let him go because of the church’s influence, it would only bring greater trouble in the future. Her earlier decision had been far too hasty.
In the end, she sighed and said, “Sista, are you certain about this?”
“I am,” Sista replied coldly.
Princess Zeer closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they were filled with determination. “Very well. Do as Sista says. Seban, you are to be executed as a warning to all.”
Seban’s expression twisted with a mix of despair and hatred. He glared at Sista, as if wishing to burn her image into his bones. But Sista only stared back, cold and unmoved.
In the Grand Hall, the atmosphere became even heavier. Everyone watched the scene in silence, none daring to speak.
Only Seban’s desperate cries and Sista’s cold, emotionless gaze intertwined in the air.
Seban had lived in the Castle for many years, watching Sista grow from a child into an adult. This was the first time he’d seen her so angry, so resolute.
In his memory, when Lier insulted her, or when servants like him mocked her behind her back, Sista had always just responded with a word or two, keeping her composure.
But this time, beneath Sista’s calm was an unyielding fury. She would rather confront Lier openly, even if it meant insisting on Seban’s execution.
What had changed her into this person?
Even at the moment the blade fell upon his neck, Seban never understood the answer.
In the bedroom of the Summer Meng Fortress, the simple green decorations swayed gently in the breeze. Due to frugality, the room was sparsely furnished, with only a canopy bed and a Goat Hide Rug.
Sista sat by the window, hands clasped, her gaze passing through the window to the sky outside, her heart filled with worry.
Lian Yi, did you succeed in your task or not?
She silently prayed, hoping everything would go smoothly.
Just then, light footsteps sounded outside the door. That gentle and familiar voice she thought of day and night finally rang out:
“Your Highness, sorry I’m late coming back.”
Sista turned abruptly and saw Su Ling standing at the doorway. Though she looked a bit worn and her clothes were covered in dust, those clear, bright eyes were as spirited as ever.
A warmth rose in Sista’s heart, but outwardly she fought to keep her composure, her voice cool: “As long as you’re back.”
When her gaze fell on the wound on Su Ling’s forehead, Sista frowned.
“Your forehead, what happened?”
Su Ling gently touched her forehead and explained with a smile, “It’s nothing, Your Highness. I just got burned a little during the fire. It doesn’t hurt anymore and won’t affect my work.”
At that moment, a voice called for Su Ling from outside. Su Ling hurriedly bowed to Sista.
“Your Highness, I need to go help over in the next room. If you need anything, please call me anytime.”
She turned to leave, apparently not wanting Sista to worry about her.
But Sista reached out and grabbed her hand, her tone firm, “No. Today, you’re not allowed to leave my side for even a moment.”
Su Ling froze for a moment, looking at Sista’s resolute expression, somewhat helpless.
The willful Princess was making her request again. It seemed that no matter what, she wouldn’t be allowed to leave today.
So, she could only nod and obediently sit down on the bench beside Sista. The two sat in silence, quietly enjoying this rare moment of peace.
With nothing to do, it felt as if time itself had slowed down.
Su Ling sat by the window, her gaze passing through the pale green curtains, quietly admiring the snowy world outside.
Snowflakes drifted down, covering the Castle in a soft white blanket. As she watched the falling snow, Su Ling’s thoughts wandered, not even she knew what she was thinking about.
Suddenly, she felt someone gently hold her from behind. That gentle warmth and quiet presence made her heart stir. She turned and saw it was Sista.
“What’s wrong, Your Highness?” Su Ling asked in a gentle, concerned voice.
Sista didn’t answer. She just rested her head on Su Ling’s shoulder, her voice low and soft: “Don’t move. The Castle’s heating isn’t enough, so let me warm myself with you.”
“Do Blood Clan fear the cold too?”
“Be quiet, you.”
Su Ling felt an indescribable warmth rise within her. She sat there obediently, not moving, simply savoring the warmth of Sista’s embrace from behind.
They stayed that way as the snow continued to fall. Su Ling watched the snow outside the window and felt that perhaps this winter wasn’t so cold after all.