Wendy’s kiss was like a drop of water falling into boiling oil, causing the already strange atmosphere in the Guest Hall to instantly explode.
However, this explosion was silent.
The corner of Allison’s eye twitched almost imperceptibly.
She had seen countless old foxes who were hypocritical at the negotiating table, but it was a first for her to see someone like Wendy, who used “weakness” and “flattery” as weapons with such smooth, natural grace and a touch of innate beauty.
This person was a talent; it was just a pity… he was a man.
The Little Queen, Yekaterina, was blushing with shame and instinctively turned her gaze away.
In her worldview, it was fine for her, as the Queen, to tease others.
But how could a man, especially a Prince, take the initiative to perform such… such a humble and intimate act toward a woman in public?
Meanwhile, Laxana’s fingernails had already dug deep into her palms.
The poisonous vines of Envy grew wildly, nearly overflowing from her eyes.
That position, that kiss, and that word “Master”… they should have belonged to me!
“Good! Wonderful!”
The Headmistress suddenly clapped her hands forcefully and said with a chuckle, “Since Princess Astreia and Prince Wendy both agree, then the matter is settled! On behalf of the Erathia Continental Center Academy, I extend the most sincere welcome to you both!”
“In three days, the Academy’s exclusive Griffin Guard will come to the Royal Capital to receive you. Please ensure you are prepared to embark on a brand-new journey full of knowledge and mysteries!”
She spread her arms as if to embrace a great future discovery, the fanaticism on her face unhidden.
However, Astreia remained indifferent to her enthusiasm, merely giving a faint “Mm” in response.
Her attention was entirely focused on Wendy in her arms.
she reached out, her thumb gently stroking the cheek of the Prince she had just kissed, her gaze focused and obsessed.
It was as if everything in this World was not as important as a single strand of the Prince’s hair.
This complete disregard caused Layana’s enthusiasm to hit a wall, but she didn’t mind at all.
Seeing this, Allison took a timely step forward and bowed slightly to Astreia.
“Then, Her Highness, we shall not stay long. I will handle all affairs in the Royal Capital properly.”
After speaking, she gave Layana and Laxana a look, signaling it was time to withdraw.
The four of them took their leave and turned to depart.
The moment they crossed the threshold of the door, Laxana couldn’t help but steal one last glance back.
She hoped to see even a sliver of a gaze from Wendy that looked like a plea for help.
However, there was none.
The man leaned peacefully in Astreia’s arms from beginning to end, the lines of his profile soft and submissive.
He even took the initiative to adjust to a more comfortable position, nuzzling against her affectionately.
Laxana’s heart was squeezed by an invisible hand, feeling both sour and swollen.
Just as she was about to withdraw her gaze, Astreia suddenly looked up.
Those emerald eyes met hers across the distance of the hall.
There was no warning in that gaze, no provocation, and not even any emotion.
It was as if a God was looking down upon… an ant.
Laxana felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
Her whole body trembled as she looked away in embarrassment, nearly fleeing the scene.
***
In the long Corridor of the Royal Palace, the footsteps of the four were clearly audible.
“This is too much! It’s simply… simply shameless!”
Yekaterina finally couldn’t hold it back anymore, her small face flushed red.
“Prince Wendy, how could he… how could he act like that? And my Elder Sister…”
“Shameless? My Your Majesty, can shame be traded for Power?”
Layana’s playful voice interrupted her.
“That Little Prince sees things much more clearly than you do. A few sweet words and a kiss can be traded for the chance to study the Continent’s top Magic. If it were me, I’d take that deal too.”
“But… but what about Dignity?”
“Dignity is something only the strong deserve to have.”
Layana’s tone became somewhat cold.
“When you can wipe the entire Royal Capital off the map, even if you hug a pillar every day and call it ‘darling,’ others will only praise your deep love for architecture.”
This set of twisted logic left Yekaterina speechless for a long time.
“Layana.”
Allison spoke in a deep voice, coming to the Little Queen’s rescue.
“Don’t forget our purpose. You had better restrain yourself once we reach the Academy. Astreia is now almost a walking Complete Form Witch. I don’t want to wake up one morning to news that the Academy has become a historical footnote.”
“Don’t worry, Old Fox, I know what I’m doing.”
Layana waved her hand dismissively.
“I have always been very balanced in how I treat precious experiments… cough, I mean, distinguished guests.”
She glanced at the girl beside her who had remained silent the entire time.
Laxana kept her head down, her golden hair hanging over her face to hide her expression.
No one knew that at this moment, the contemptuous look Astreia had given her was replaying in her mind.
An ant?
Fine, very well.
My mother was right; Dignity is something only the strong deserve.
Just wait, Astreia.
Once we reach the Academy, once we are on my home turf, I will let you see with your own eyes how the “possession” you cherish as a treasure crawls, bit by bit and of its own free will, into the arms of an “ant” like me.
***
In the Guest Hall, as the irrelevant people departed, the air became cloyingly sweet.
Astreia lowered her head, her nose nuzzling against Wendy’s neck.
She took a deep breath, a satisfied expression appearing on her face.
“You performed very well today. I liked it very much.”
“It is my honor to make my Master happy.”
The Prince tilted his head back, a docile smile on his face.
“Do you really want to learn Magic?”
Astreia’s finger gently traced the exquisite collar on his neck, the faint glow of Magic flashing across her fingertips.
“Just so… you won’t be my weakness anymore?”
“Of course.”
Wendy’s gaze was clear and sincere, as if it contained no impurities.
“Everything of mine is for you.”
He knew she was testing him.
After Witchification, being yandere, suspicious, and full of Possessiveness was etched into her bones.
Any hint of him “wanting freedom” or “wanting power” would trigger her most sensitive nerves.
Therefore, the answer had to be perfect.
“I want to learn Defense Magic so I can better protect myself and not distract you.”
“I want to learn Support Magic so that when you fight, I can provide you with a bit of insignificant Power.”
“I even want to learn Healing Magic, so if you ever get hurt, I can be the first to…”
Before he could finish, his lips were blocked.
This was a kiss filled with the intent of Punishment, yet it was also incredibly lingering.
Astreia invaded dominantly, sweeping through every corner, as if using this method to proclaim her sovereignty.
After a long time, their lips parted.
Astreia panted slightly, her forehead resting against the Prince’s.
In those emerald eyes, a vortex of Possessiveness intertwined with a love so thick it wouldn’t dissipate.
“Fine, I promise you everything.”
“But, Wendy, you must remember.”
Her voice was soft, like a lover’s murmur, yet the content was as cold as a poisoned Shadow Chain.
“At the Academy, you can learn any Magic you want to learn, but the person who teaches you must be designated by me.”
“You can make friends, but without my permission, you cannot have a conversation longer than three sentences with anyone, especially women.”
“Every day, every minute, and every second of yours must be within my sight. Even if I go to class, you must stay in a place where I can sense you at all times.”
“If you dare to disobey…”
She didn’t continue, only sticking out her tongue to lightly lick Wendy’s lips, her gaze deep.
“I will personally turn you into a true Puppet… one that will never speak, never leave me, and only smile at me.”
Wendy stiffened for a moment, and then he smiled.
The Prince took the initiative to reach out his arms, hugging the Witch before him tightly, and responded to this morbid declaration in a nearly devout tone.
“Although I want to promise… in my heart, I find myself faintly looking forward to seeing what I would look like as a true Puppet~”