Chapter 244: If you choose to have both

The moment the door was pushed open, the room seemed to freeze in an instant.

Sista’s movements came to a sudden halt. She slowly raised her head, those cold eyes shimmering with a dangerous light under the dim candlelight.

Su Ling, who was on the bed, also noticed the newcomer and looked up slightly, a flash of panic crossing her eyes. Her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something, but she did not know where to begin.

Tii stood at the doorway. Her figure appeared somewhat thin under the faint light, but her gaze was exceptionally firm.

The corners of Sista’s mouth curled upward into a mocking smile. “What is this? Back in Hailuosen, did no one teach you the etiquette that you are not to spy on the Royal Family?”

“Sista, let her go.”

Tii ignored the provocation. She gripped the lantern in her hand tightly, its light flickering slightly and reflecting her suppressed emotions.

“Su Ling is unwilling to do these things. Please do not make it difficult for her.”

Sista gave a cold laugh and gently set Su Ling’s ankle down. She then rose slowly and elegantly straightened her clothes.

She walked over to stand before Tii, looking down at her with obvious disdain in her eyes. “Su Ling is mine, and she has been from the start. How I treat my own things — is it your place to dictate that?”

Tii’s gaze did not waver. “Please make things clear, Her Highness. I am now a core member of the Holy White River Intelligence Organization, not a maid in Hailuosen Castle. You should no longer speak to me with your former tone.”

After saying this, she strode to the bedside and took the disheveled Su Ling into her arms, shielding her closely.

She looked up at Sista, her voice cold and resolute. “If you still wish to receive assistance from the Saint White River, then please treat Su Ling kindly.”

The air grew tense in an instant.

Sista’s gaze darkened.

She knew this was no empty bluff.

Currently, she truly could not do without Tii’s support.

Tii did not just hold vital intelligence and possess powerful scouting abilities; she was also a crucial contact for The Alliance. If Sista lost her, the plan to reclaim the throne would suffer a devastating blow.

However —

Her gaze fell upon Su Ling.

“Little Su Ling, you aren’t hurt, are you?”

Tii’s voice suddenly became gentle as she lightly stroked Su Ling’s shoulder, helping her straighten her clothes.

“Everything will be fine from now on. I am here.”

Su Ling gave a soft response, nestling into her arms like a startled little animal.

That dependent posture caused Sista’s eyes to turn cold instantly.

‘She was just in my arms, and now she turns to someone else?’

“Get some good rest tonight,” Tii said softly, taking Su Ling’s cold hand. “If you feel uneasy, I will stay with you.”

She was about to lead Su Ling away when —

“Come back here!”

Sista finally lost her patience. She grabbed Su Ling’s arm and forcefully pulled her back.

The force was strong enough to cause pain.

Su Ling did not struggle; she simply allowed them to pull her back and forth.

Tii stood to the side, her gaze complicated.

She wanted to take Su Ling away, but she also understood that a forced confrontation would only make the situation worse.

“Your Highness Sista, do you truly intend to oppose me?”

Sista sneered. “Do not think you can steal her away by threatening me. We are only temporary collaborators. What happens in the future remains to be seen.”

Tii’s voice was steady. “If you truly cared for her, you would respect her instead of using your power to bind her.”

“Then let’s see how she chooses.”

Sista’s fingers tightened on Su Ling’s shoulder.

Su Ling trembled slightly and lowered her head, her expression uneasy.

“Your Highness… Tii…”

Her voice was very soft and shaking. “Please don’t do this anymore… I don’t want to see the two of you arguing because of me.”

The air fell silent for a moment.

Both of their gazes landed on her simultaneously.

Tii took a deep breath. “Little Su Ling… which side do you choose?”

The question was finally laid out before her.

Su Ling wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and looked up at them.

She knew very well — ‘No matter who I choose, I will hurt the other.’

And these two people were the most important existences to her in this world.

More importantly, she also understood the path the future would take — ‘Once the struggle for power ends, they will likely become enemies.’

She did not want to see such a prophecy come true.

After a moment of silence, Su Ling took a deep breath.

She raised her head, her tone more determined than ever before.

“Tii… Your Highness Sista, you are both very important to me.”

“If you can promise me that you won’t hurt each other anymore…” Her voice trembled slightly. “Then… I will do whatever you want.”

The room plunged into silence.

Sista’s gaze turned icy. “What are you saying? You are my person, yet you want to give yourself to someone else as well?”

“Please listen to me, Your Highness.” Su Ling did not back down. “I will not choose between you… I want you both by my side.”

The two of them froze at the same time.

She was serious.

This time, she was no longer yielding.

The expressions of both Sista and Tii became complicated.

Neither of them was willing to share.

Yet, they were even more unwilling to lose her.

This was the only choice.

“To think you would say such a thing…” Sista suppressed her anger, her voice cold. “I will not forgive you.”

Tii’s eyes also welled up with moisture. “Little Su Ling… after everything I’ve done for you, I still can’t get you to choose me?”

At this moment, the emotions of the two became strangely similar.

Disappointment, resentment, and suppressed feelings continued to accumulate.

And ultimately — they were all directed at the same person.

“The words you just said… were they true?” Sista asked coldly.

Su Ling kept her head down and gave a soft “Mm…” in response.

“I originally wanted to be gentle with you forever.” Tii’s voice fell softly beside her ear. “But I… I can get sad too.”

The air became dangerous.

Their gazes met in the air.

It was as if they had reached a silent understanding.

Su Ling vaguely sensed something.

“Tii…?”

Just as she spoke — the world before her suddenly went dark.

Tii had removed her belt and gently tied it over her eyes.

“Don’t speak.”

At the same time — Sista stuffed a bundle of cloth into her mouth.

Su Ling gasped, instinctively wanting to break free.

But in the next moment — her hands were firmly restrained behind her back.