Inside the Flowerhouse, the light was soft and golden.
Beams of sunlight pierced through the canopy of flowers, falling upon the nation-shaped tea table.
On the birdcage-shaped Silk Stand, all kinds of exquisite eggshells and milk glues were carefully arranged.
Beside them lay the black-and-white Forest Plate and the delicately carved chess flags.
Sista’s fingers lightly brushed over a loose cherry blossom, her brow furrowed with a subtle worry, as if she were calculating every possible variable.
“Indeed, talking while playing chess is far more interesting,” Huang’er said, her short hands holding a horse-shaped piece, hopping it between black squares.
“So, what exactly do you want to say?”
“The problem with Living Sacrifices,” Sista began, her voice tinged with a few drops of hesitation, “In previous years, the Sacrificial Offerings followed human wishes, selecting only those who volunteered willingly. But this year, because you suddenly decided to increase the number of Sacrificial Offerings, some were forcibly selected.”
Princess Zeer curled a mocking smile, gently twirling a piece between her fingers, as if dismissing Sista’s concerns.
“So you think humanity holds a grudge against us because of this? After our forces wiped out their armies, humans no longer have the power to resist the Blood Clan. What can they possibly do to us?”
Sista nodded slowly, her gaze deep and steady.
“The humans now truly have no strength to oppose the Blood Clan, but my worry extends beyond that.”
She paused for a moment before continuing, “Those forcibly brought in are not loyal to the Goddess. Not only might they reduce the effectiveness of the Ritual, but they could also bring hidden dangers. You’re letting them into the city just like that? What if something goes wrong?”
“Accidents? That won’t happen,” Lilia said with a dismissive laugh, her voice tinged with mockery. “Sea Route Beam City is heavily guarded. Patrols have increased recently. The divine Sacrificial Offerings are locked tightly in the dungeons—there’s absolutely no chance of anything going wrong.”
Her finger pointed decisively at the chessboard, moving a piece forward and capturing one of Sista’s pawns. The fallen piece tumbled to the side, nearly knocking over others.
“Besides, Sista, do you think I don’t crave power?”
“The Blood Clan’s power, once fully depleted, takes a long time to recover. The Ritual is the only way to raise the upper limit of our strength. Don’t you want to give it a try?”
Her tone carried a hint of provocation, as if testing Sista’s limits. The piece she moved shifted from defensive to aggressive.
Sista stared at the board, silent and somber, then gracefully retreated her own piece, yielding the position to Lilia.
“The Blood Clan’s power is mostly used to control humans… what I want now doesn’t require those,” she answered calmly.
“Hahaha—oh really?”
Princess Moria couldn’t help but burst out laughing, her golden hair shaking wildly behind her.
“You’re serious? My beloved younger sister actually doesn’t desire power? What difference is there between a powerless Blood Clan and humans?”
With that, Princess Moria slammed down the White Traveler piece heavily onto the board, sealing the game in a Checkmate with no room for doubt.
“See? This game is mine,” she said, picking up the fallen piece and lightly flicking it in front of Sista.
The piece responded instantly, and as the game shifted, Princess Moria steadily advanced toward Sista.
“Your words seem so hard, but you don’t exactly look like someone without desires,” she said.
Their blood-red eyes locked, sharp and penetrating. Sista avoided meeting Moria’s gaze, her neck utterly calm and expressionless.
“Is that really how you see me, Moria?”
Princess Zeer raised an eyebrow, her smile only half sincere.
“You are the first Princess of this Kingdom, the legitimate Heir to the Throne. You’ve always been above me; it’s only natural that you surpass me.”
Her confident grin challenged Princess Moria, “But if you distrust me so much, then what exactly are you afraid of?”
The blonde woman’s smile curled wickedly, but moments later it turned into a flush of embarrassment and anger.
She abruptly stood up, gathered her sleeves, and slammed her hand hard onto the table, shaking the chess pieces violently.
She glared at Sista with fiery anger but found herself unable to say a single word.
The two women stared at each other in tense silence for several seconds.
Finally, Princess Moria spat out a cold “Hmph,” and without looking back, strode out.
Sista sat back down in her original seat, gazing at the disheveled pieces with a bitter smile.
She lightly brushed off the pieces, carefully arranging each one back on the board.
“Chess is strange,” Sista muttered softly.
At that moment, footsteps approached from outside, accompanied by a girlish voice full of cheer.
“Wow… everyone, here’s a freshly baked new snack!” Laura carefully carried a tiered dessert stand, gently placing it on the tea table before Sista.
“There’s chocolate with black truffle, coated with salted nuts, and brandy-flavored Madeleine cakes…”
“I won’t eat,” Sista interrupted her curtly.
“But… Miss, then—”
Su Ling, who had just come in, stared helplessly at Sista.
Why was she the only one left?
The other two princesses were still in the Flowerhouse, playing chess and enjoying afternoon tea. Laura had just brought the snacks in on time. In the blink of an eye, Princess Zeer had vanished.
Had the women had another quarrel?
“I’m not in the mood right now,” Sista said, casually fiddling with a chess piece, her expression dark.
“But if we just leave like this…”
Su Ling hesitated.
Chocolate with 15% liquor, heart-shaped Madeleine cakes, sugar cubes… Because Celebration Park had sent over some fine alcohol, the Crimson Chamber had become a series of small temptations.
All these ingredients were costly. If no one ate them, they would only go to waste.
“Then help me finish it,” Sista said without even looking at her.
“Go ahead, you eat.”
Su Ling obeyed quietly, eyeing the neatly arranged chocolate on the stand, already calculating which one to try first.
These treats were very precious—maids rarely got to enjoy such delicacies.
Now that Sista had given permission, she was determined to seize the opportunity.
She took a small bite of the little chocolate with liquor. The rich brandy slowly melted in her mouth, mingling with the sweet cocoa to create an unprecedented delightful taste.
Delicious!
Next was the Madeleine!
Candy came next!
What was this kingdom’s puff pastry filled with? It looked so tasty!
As Su Ling relaxed and enjoyed, the aroma spread across her palate. A subtle sensation of warmth blossomed unexpectedly, coloring her cheeks a soft pink. She was completely immersed in the pleasure.
“Ah…”
When she came back to her senses, she realized she was somewhat tipsy. The things Laura had brought were all scattered across the table.
Not far away, Sista finally glanced at the pile of chess pieces and sighed deeply, rising to her feet.
While Su Ling had been eating, her mind had been swirling with thoughts about the Blood Clan and the Kingdom.
“Let’s tidy up here and then return…”
When Sista looked at Su Ling, she suddenly noticed something was wrong.
The girl’s eyes were glazed over, her expression unfocused.
“Ah, you…”
Before she could finish speaking, Su Ling closed her eyes, her body tilting to one side.
Sista instinctively reached out with both hands.
The delicate figure of the young girl collapsed gently into her embrace.