Chapter 57: Noni

Su Ling stood quietly in Sista Anderson’s shadow, her gaze passing swiftly over the dining table and fixing on the elegant blonde woman enjoying her meal.

Candlelight and wine shimmered on those silky golden strands, casting a warm glow over her features.

Moria appeared to be just over twenty, her entire being exuding a mature and captivating charm. Though her posture at the table seemed to disregard the strict etiquette of the court, she still radiated a natural, effortless grace.

Unlike Sista, who was almost obsessively perfect, Moria’s nonchalance made her feel strangely approachable. Her eyes would, at times, gently sweep over the dishes on the table, and at other times, she’d share a smile with the Queen seated beside her.

Suddenly—BANG!

Just as Su Ling was quietly observing her, hoping to discern her true intentions, a sudden, deafening crash shattered the hall’s peace.

The heavy wooden doors echoed under the force of a powerful blow. A flicker of surprise crossed the faces of both the King and Queen. Even Princess Moria turned her head slightly, while the others in the hall all paused in shock, stopping whatever they were doing and turning toward the source of the noise.

Under everyone’s gaze, a petite figure strode boldly into the hall.

“How rare for you all to gather and not invite me! Has everyone here forgotten who I am?”

A childish yet brash voice rang out, laced with a hint of provocation.

It was a voice Su Ling had never heard before.

A ripple of unease rose in Su Ling’s heart. She had lived in this Castle for countless days and nights, and knew every nook and cranny, every person here—if not intimately, then at least by sight.

But the figure standing behind the door was a complete stranger.

It was a young girl, no older than twelve, but with a world-weariness in her eyes far beyond her years. Her skin was so pale—even for someone of the Blood Clan, it was shockingly white, almost like the bones of a forest skeleton.

Even more striking, though clearly a girl, she wore her hair cropped short like a boy’s, and dressed in boyish clothes: a gold-threaded vest fastened with pearl buttons, and deep blue riding pants.

Who was this?

It wasn’t just Su Ling—nearly everyone in the hall was puzzled. Even the nobles wouldn’t dare behave so rudely before the King and Queen. Yet this bold little girl rolled her eyes as if even the King didn’t matter, clearly not an ordinary guest.

“What? Cat got all your tongues?” She wrinkled her nose, a note of irritation in her voice. Her gaze shifted to Moria, a cold smile curling on her lips. “Well, well, Moria, you come back and don’t even bother to tell me. Never mind, I’ll join you myself.”

With that, she swaggered over to the table as if the entire world were her stage. Without waiting for a servant, she dragged over a chair and sat down with no regard for manners.

The Queen’s face was etched with surprise; she clearly hadn’t expected such an abrupt entrance. Unlike her earlier shock at seeing Sista Anderson, this time her reaction was one of pure bewilderment. She looked to the King, as if waiting for him to respond.

The King slowly lifted his head, his gaze sharp as an eagle’s, fixed on the young girl. “You’re not a child anymore, Noni,” he said, his voice low and commanding, each word like a heavy hammer. “And you are a Princess. Remember, this is not a place for your mischief.”

But Noni seemed utterly unmoved by the King’s reprimand. She raised her eyebrows.

“Princess? Ha! Who cares about that? Moria’s the one inheriting the throne, Sista runs the family—what am I? Nothing!” Her words were filled with open defiance.

“You—” King Steyat’s anger was plain. “Seban, take her back to her room!”

He waved his hand, and Seban began to step forward. But Noni had no intention of submitting to King Steyat’s will. She leapt to her feet, sending her chair skidding back with a screech, her golden hair whipping through the air.

“Go ahead, just try!” She stood with hands on her hips, glowering at Seban. Seban, startled by her outburst, hesitated and withdrew his hand. “I’m not afraid of anyone, I don’t care about anything, so don’t even think about stopping me!”

King Steyat’s face darkened ominously, his clenched fists trembling as he struggled to contain his fury.

“Noni, do you even know what you’re saying? You’re a Princess, enjoying all the honors and privileges of our family, and yet you stand here shamelessly claiming you don’t care about any of it!”

“Honors and privileges?” Noni’s anger only grew. “Last month, I wanted the tailor to use the merchant caravan’s gems to make me a dress, but you wouldn’t agree! And before that, I begged for a grove of lilies outside my room, but no matter how I pleaded, you refused!”

Hearing this, Seban hesitated at the side. He glanced at the King, then at Noni, but in the end, did not move to carry out the order.

“That’s enough, stop this nonsense! You—”

King Steyat’s raised hand was gently pressed down by Moria, as if her touch calmed the storm in his heart. He regained his composure.

“Noni… You haven’t left your room in almost two years, have you? And today, you came out just to see me. As your sister, I’m truly happy you did.” Moria stood and walked to Su Ling’s side, gently stroking her short hair. “Come out more often, all right? Father, Mother, Sista, and I—we all want to see you more.”

“Hmph, I’m not listening to you. If you want me to come out, then buy me whatever I want, help me do whatever I want! Otherwise, I’ll just stay in my room forever!” Noni didn’t seem to be moved by Moria’s words, but she didn’t push her away either.

“It’s about time you stopped being so willful…” Queen Moria looked a bit helpless. “It’s normal for royalty to spend a little more, but you really are too extravagant…”

“No, it’s all right,” Moria gently interrupted the Queen. “Noni, just tell me what you want to buy from now on, and I’ll get it for you. You’re my dearest little sister. All you need to do is be happy.”

Noni still pouted, but hearing Moria’s promise, she finally relented.

“Hmph, I knew only Moria would help me… I want that dress before the day after tomorrow!” With that, Noni pushed aside the plate that had just been set in front of her and turned away. “The food here is terrible anyway. I’m going back to my room!”

With that, she hurried out of the dining hall.