After sitting for a long time, Su Ling slowly stood up, her gaze searching for a possible way out.
Suddenly, she noticed a half-open window. A faint light filtered through, as if wordlessly calling to her.
She walked quickly to the window and pushed hard. It gave a sharp *creak* and swung fully open.
Su Ling moved a high-back chair over, carefully climbed onto the windowsill, and leaned her body slightly out.
Finally, she saw the world beyond the Castle.
However, a single glance made her heart turn cold, and she couldn’t help but gasp.
Outside the Castle was a dense crowd of people.
The entire Summer Castle was surrounded by soldiers of Ansels, sealing it off like an iron bucket.
The soldiers stood in silent, expressionless ranks. Their weapons glinted coldly in the sunlight, and their spears were lined up like a forest. Within the formation stood knights clad in heavy armor.
At the very front of the military array stood a woman.
She held a small fan and wore a magnificent robe, her blonde hair shimmering in the sun.
Su Ling recognized her at once — it was Moria.
Standing opposite her was the black-haired girl, Sista.
By comparison, Sista’s figure appeared somewhat slight, but she stood tall, her presence not weakened in the slightest. Her expression was frosty as she confronted Moria.
Su Ling lowered her body and tried to listen to their conversation over the sound of the wind.
“My dear Sister, why so tense?”
Moria smiled hypocritically, as usual.
“I’m not here for anything major. I just wanted to ask you for a small favor.”
Su Ling couldn’t help but complain in her heart. ‘Who asks for a “favor” by bringing an army to surround someone’s castle?’
“Just say it,” Sista said coldly.
“Aha~ I do like how straightforward you are, Sister.”
Moria chuckled and continued.
“As you know, the situation at the Kingdom’s border is currently unstable. The Rebel Army is rampant, and the security situation is very grave.”
“As a member of the Royal Family, you have a responsibility to contribute to the Kingdom.”
“Therefore, I hope you will serve as the Border Inspection Special Envoy and conduct a comprehensive inspection of the border territories. I wonder what you think, Sister?”
This wasn’t asking for an opinion; it was clearly coercion.
Those cold, glinting weapons had already silently pressured Sista’s choice.
“You certainly make it sound nice,” Sista sneered.
“Then what’s the meaning of bringing troops to surround my castle?”
“Oh, how could I have any hostility toward my sister?”
Moria’s tone was light and utterly hypocritical.
“This is merely my ‘concern’ for you.”
“After all, the border is so dangerous. I was worried you might encounter some misfortune on the way, so I specially arranged for the army to escort you and ensure your safety.”
“Sister, please don’t misunderstand my good intentions.”
“Of course, I also know you don’t like a scene. There will only be ten Bloodkin Knights truly accompanying you.”
Sista’s gaze was like lightning, a cold light flashing in her red eyes.
She knew full well these were just pleasantries.
Moria’s true goal was to use force to intimidate her and force her to obey the Royal Command.
Seeing her remain silent, Moria continued to apply pressure.
“If you find the journey boring, you could also bring along that beloved silver-haired little Maid of yours…”
Before she could finish — Sista’s expression instantly turned cold.
“Cut the crap,” she said icily.
“I have no interest whatsoever in such a stupid human.”
“You claim to understand me, Sister, but in reality, you don’t know me at all.”
“You think I would care about someone like that? It’s laughable.”
A hint of malice flashed in Moria’s eyes, but she quickly regained her smile.
“Then does this mean… you’re refusing me?”
“I have no intention of refusing,” Sista interrupted sharply.
“I can go on the border inspection.”
She tilted her head.
“But what’s with this attitude? Bringing troops to force me?”
“This… you’ve misunderstood…”
“Misunderstood?”
Sista’s voice suddenly turned cold.
“Since it’s a misunderstanding, then withdraw these troops. Otherwise — don’t expect me to set out according to your arrangements.”
At this point, she abruptly turned around, her gaze sweeping over the group of soldiers, her voice suddenly rising.
“You people — “
“Have you forgotten your identities as soldiers of Ansels?!”
Her voice pierced their hearts like a blade.
The soldiers all shuddered.
“Our compatriots at the border are fighting bloody battles for the Kingdom!”
“And you, soldiers stationed in the Capital, are here besieging a Princess of your own country?”
“Where is your loyalty? Where is your honor?”
“How ridiculous! Is this what you call allegiance?”
The soldiers looked at one another, their expressions wavering.
They were only following orders, but they had never expected to be rebuked like this.
Someone subconsciously loosened their grip on their weapon.
“Princess, we…”
One soldier tried to explain, but he was silenced by Sista’s sharp gaze.
“I’ll give you one last chance,” she said coldly.
“If you still have even a bit of dignity as soldiers in your hearts — withdraw now!”
“Do not let your names become the shame of the Kingdom!”
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Moria’s face was extremely ugly, her fingers clutching the fan turning slightly white.
But she quickly suppressed her anger and revealed that loathsome smile again.
“Why such a temper?”
“They were only carrying out my orders.”
“Since you don’t like it, I’ll have them retreat.”
She turned and waved her hand.
“Bring up the Earth Dragon Cart.”
After those words, a Bloodkin Knight drove an Earth Dragon Cart slowly forward from the back of the military formation as the soldiers cleared a path.
Moria used her fan to hide the cold sneer at the corner of her mouth and urged, “Sister, time is pressing. You should set out as soon as possible.”
Sista took a deep breath and took a step forward.
Suddenly, she turned back to look at the Summer Castle behind her.
The midday sun spilled over the towers, as if plating them in a layer of gold.
The semi-arched windows and door frames appeared soft and quiet through the years, and new green sprouts even grew between the cracks in the bricks.
At this moment, a trace of complexity flashed in her eyes.
She thought of the silver-haired girl’s smile.
She thought of every bit of time they had spent together in the Castle.
Before she knew it, this place already held too many memories.
She took one last look at the Castle, lowered her head, and silently walked toward the Earth Dragon Cart.
Her black hair fell, obscuring her expression.
Just then — a voice as clear as a silver bell suddenly rang out:
“Wait a moment!”
Everyone looked up at once.
On the windowsill of the Castle, a silver-haired girl was struggling to lean out.
“Princess Sista — “
“Please take me with you!”