To make Su Ling look even cuter in that dress, Sista had specially made her take a milk bath.
Now, the silver-haired girl was exuding a faint, sweet scent of milk.
Fine beads of sweat broke out behind Su Ling’s ears. She instinctively twisted her waist, the water-red fabric rippling like evening clouds stirred by the wind.
Sista’s nails traced lightly down the delicate skin of the girl’s shoulder, her fingertips pressing against every inch of Su Ling’s skin.
“You, you said you just wanted to look, didn’t you? What are you doing now…”
Su Ling bit her lower lip.
She could clearly hear her own heartbeat.
Sista’s long hair draped around her waist. Her hot breath sprayed onto Su Ling’s collarbone, sending shivers through her.
Sista gently licked away the lingering droplets of bathwater from Su Ling’s neck.
The crystalline liquid traced a winding line down her skin, sliding across the girl’s slender throat.
“What do you think?”
The Queen’s voice was as soft as a hum.
She gently stroked Su Ling’s cheek.
“Tasting a grape and watching you are both equally pleasant to me now.”
“Your Majesty…”
Su Ling’s pupils contracted slightly.
Under the moonlight, Sista’s eyes glowed with a dark red luster, like rubies steeped in the night.
Her palm gently rested on the girl’s hip, clearly feeling the soft, delicate curve.
“Your Majesty, could you… be gentler? I, I…”
Su Ling’s voice grew softer and softer.
Sista chuckled softly.
She leaned down, pressing her forehead against Su Ling’s shoulder.
“Don’t be nervous.”
Her voice was soothing.
“You always get shy so easily.”
Su Ling lowered her head, the tips of her ears flushing red.
The nights spent being doted on by Sista were as they always were.
Honestly, Su Ling had slowly grown accustomed to Sista’s almost overbearing affection, and to the days and nights spent by her side.
But still, she couldn’t help but worry about what was happening outside the castle.
How was Tii doing?
And Phil…
Were they both alright?
Ever since being kept in the castle by Sista, things outside seemed to have gradually become distant.
Su Ling only remembered that bloody night, when Sista had risked everything to save her.
And she, in turn, had gradually accepted Sista’s willful love.
In the middle of the night.
Su Ling opened her eyes.
She held her breath and carefully pushed open the window.
The night wind, carrying the fragrance of roses, brushed across her face.
A small, faint light was still flickering deep in the garden, like a firefly in the darkness.
Su Ling’s heart jolted.
Three longs and one short.
That was the light signal she and Tii used during the war.
Had Tii come to the castle?
She looked back at Sista on the bed.
Under the moonlight, the Queen’s long hair was spread across the pillow, like solidified silver moonlight.
Her eyelashes cast a delicate shadow on her cheeks.
Her breathing was even and long.
But Su Ling knew that the senses of the Blood Clan were terrifyingly sharp.
Any slight noise could wake her.
Barefoot on the cold marble floor, Su Ling moved like a light cat, silently passing through the corridor.
Her heart was pounding so fast it felt like it would shatter her ribs.
With every step, she feared hearing that familiar voice behind her.
The night dew in the garden wet her ankles.
That faint light guided her through the maze of rose bushes.
She finally stopped before a gazebo covered in vines.
“Tii?”
She called out softly.
Her voice was so light it was almost inaudible.
A soft laugh came from the shadows of the gazebo.
The red-haired girl stepped out of the darkness.
The moon gilded her with a silver edge.
In her hand, she toyed with a glowing runestone.
That was the signal they used to use at the castle.
“Long time no see, little Su Ling.”
Tii’s smile was as bold as ever.
But in her emerald eyes, there was an unreadable, complex emotion.
She reached out a hand, as if to touch Su Ling’s face.
But she stopped it mid-air.
“You look… like you’re doing well.”
Su Ling’s throat tightened.
She noticed Tii’s fingertips were covered in small scars.
The cuffs of her sleeves were also dusty.
She had clearly snuck her way here.
“How dare you come here?”
Su Ling’s voice was low.
But she couldn’t hide the tremor in her tone.
“If the Queen finds out—”
“Shh.”
Tii suddenly covered her mouth.
Her other hand raised a finger to her lips.
Her eyes sharpened instantly.
“Someone’s coming.”
Su Ling instinctively grabbed Tii’s wrist.
A rustling sound came from the distant bushes.
Her heart almost stopped.
Su Ling could clearly feel Tii’s rapid breath spraying onto the side of her neck.
The warm breath made her ears burn.
“It’s the patrolling guards.”
Tii whispered in her ear.
“There are twice as many as usual.”
As she spoke, she pulled Su Ling deeper into the shadows of the gazebo.
The two of them pressed close against a stone pillar.
Su Ling then noticed that the guards in the garden were indeed much denser than usual.
What was Sista guarding against?
Or was it…
Had she already expected someone to come looking for her?
“Come with me.”
Tii suddenly said.
Her fingers intertwined with Su Ling’s.
“Let’s go now.”
Su Ling’s eyes widened.
Under the moonlight, Tii’s expression was more serious than ever before.
That familiar, stubborn light burned in her emerald eyes.
“I…”
Su Ling opened her mouth.
But she didn’t know how to answer.
Her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the palace.
A faint light was shining there.
Like an eye in the darkness.
The light in Tii’s eyes dimmed for a moment.
“I understand.”
She let go of Su Ling’s hand, smiling bitterly.
“She’s important to you now, isn’t she?”
Su Ling didn’t answer.
The night wind messed up her silver hair, obscuring her expression.
She thought of Sista’s cold fingertips.
Of the days spent surrounded by gentle affection.
“Tii.”
She finally spoke softly.
“I just… don’t want to leave Sista.”
A sudden sound of a branch breaking came from outside the gazebo.
Tii quickly pulled Su Ling behind her.
A dagger had somehow appeared in her hand.
It was then that Su Ling noticed.
Phil was crouching on a tree branch not far away.
Her cat ears were twitching alertly.
Her golden pupils glowed faintly in the darkness.
“Situation.”
Phil said in a low voice.
“The guards on the east wall suddenly increased. We need to leave now.”
Tii grit her teeth.
She turned to look at Su Ling.
“We’re running out of time. Listen, little Su Ling—”
“What are you doing here?”
An icy voice cut through the night air.
Su Ling’s blood felt like it had frozen solid.
She slowly turned around.
Among the rose bushes, Sista stood there silently.
The Queen wore only a thin nightgown.
Her bare feet were in the dew.
Her ruby-like eyes sparkled in the darkness.
The moonlight cast a silver sheen on her pale skin.
“Your Majesty…”
Su Ling’s voice was as thin as a mosquito’s whine.
Sista’s gaze swept over the three of them.
Finally, it landed on Su Ling.
A smile slowly curled at the corners of her mouth.
But it sent a bone-chilling cold through Su Ling.
“I woke up and found you gone. I was so worried.”
Sista stepped closer.
Her voice was soft, but chilling.
“So you were here…”
She tilted her head slightly.
Her gaze fell on Tii and Phil.
“Visiting old friends?”