After Lian Erqin departed, Lao Lu remained attentive for any news about the Rebels, but they had been silent for quite a while, and no one in the Royal Family mentioned the matters of the human and Sapient uprising anymore.
Su Ling had no idea what Phil’s situation was now.
Yet, Phil had mentioned before that the Blood Clan was providing them with support, but how could the Blood Clan, being so fundamentally at odds with humans and Beastfolk, possibly help the Rebels?
Su Ling never expected that the day she got her answer would come so suddenly.
During the long winter, the clear sunlight always felt especially precious. The sun shone down on the snow-piled windowsill, melting away a bit of the chill that lingered for so long.
That day, the thousand-gold lady of the Lorien family was hosting her coming-of-age ceremony. Because she was the beloved youngest daughter of a noble, the banquet was held with great formality, and every member of the Royal Family was invited.
King Steyat excused himself by feigning illness, and Nori rarely left her home, so in the end, only Zierzhi and Sista, the two princesses, attended the banquet.
Though it was just a regular banquet, Moria’s behavior this time was rather unusual. She specifically asked for the invitation to be delivered to Sista’s hand and repeatedly reminded her to be present.
Unable to figure out Moria’s intentions, Sista didn’t refuse either.
“Today, you’re coming with me.”
Sitting on the chair, Sista, as usual, gave Su Ling a brief command.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Su Ling was selecting suitable accessories for Sista’s gown.
She carefully cleansed the Blood Princess’s delicate face, her fingertips gently running through the long hair.
The Blood Princess’s long hair was styled into graceful curls, cascading down her back and revealing her smooth, fair features, a few strands softly resting against her neck.
Today, Sista looked a bit more beautiful than usual, with a gentler expression and less of her usual coldness.
Her outfit had also been meticulously chosen. The upper half featured a close-fitting short vest in a light beige, the simple sleeves adorned with intricate silver fern embroidery, and her waist was cinched with a carefully crafted decorative sash.
“All done, Your Highness.”
Su Ling gazed at the dignified and elegant Blood Princess in the mirror, feeling quite satisfied with her own handiwork.
“Good.” Sista stood up, patted Su Ling’s shoulder lightly, and said, “Now it’s your turn, sit.”
“Huh?”
“I mean, since we’re going to a Blood Clan banquet, it’s common sense to dress yourself up properly as a lady, right? If you go out looking like this, are you trying to embarrass me?”
“S-sorry, Your Highness, I’ll go back and change right away…”
“No need to make such a fuss. Give me the comb, I’ll help you fix it.”
A princess helping her maid dress up? Su Ling was both embarrassed and shocked—she never imagined Sista would personally help with her hair and makeup. For a moment, she felt at a loss.
Seeing Sista’s urging gaze, she obediently sat down, letting Sista take the comb and gently tend to her long hair.
Although she was a noble unused to manual labor, Sista’s technique was unexpectedly skillful and gentle.
The teeth of the comb pressed softly against Su Ling’s scalp, each stroke just right, producing a very comfortable sensation.
“All done, put on your clothes and let’s take a look.” After a moment, Sista’s voice rang softly in her ear.
Su Ling opened her eyes and saw herself in the mirror, completely transformed. Her once carelessly loose hair had been neatly braided into three strands, coiled elegantly behind her ears, with a few soft locks falling gracefully across her forehead.
Her face bore a touch of subtle makeup, making her look even fresher and more alluring.
“Does it look good?” Sista leaned in close to her ear, her gaze also fixed on Su Ling’s reflection.
“T-thank you, Your Highness, I… I never imagined I could look this nice,” Su Ling said, lowering her head shyly. But then… she thought, huh?
She stole a glance at Sista out of the corner of her eye.
Would Sista praise her?
All this time, Sista had always kept a cold demeanor, rarely giving her any direct praise. Because of that, Su Ling felt a tiny hope in her heart at this moment.
“Not bad,” Sista replied, reaching out to gently pat Su Ling’s head. “Next is your clothes. Since we’re going out today, you should change out of your usual outfit.”
“I-I can dress myself…”
Even as she said this, the Blood Princess didn’t relent. She insisted on bringing over the new gown herself and was determined to help Su Ling change.
With no other choice, Su Ling could only stand there stiffly like a wooden puppet, letting Sista take charge.
Her sash was untied, and the clothes she usually wore were removed, revealing her fair skin underneath.
It was the first time someone else had helped her change—especially when that person was her own mistress.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Su Ling felt a bit embarrassed.
Was this some new hobby of Sista’s? Su Ling was a little puzzled.
Compared to styling hair, Sista was clearly not as adept at helping someone dress.
The attire of the Royal Family was complex and layered, usually put on with the help of maids. Most nobles of the Royal Family had never dressed themselves, let alone helped someone else.
It took a lot of effort to get the inner layer on properly. Sista began to smooth out the fine wrinkles on the long dress, her hands carefully gliding over the fabric.
Su Ling stood ramrod straight, not daring to move a muscle, fearing that any tiny motion would disturb Sista.
They stood face-to-face, so close they could feel each other’s breath. Sista’s hands started at Su Ling’s shoulders, slowly sliding down, the touch light and gentle, causing Su Ling’s heart to flutter.
When those hands reached her waist, Su Ling felt Sista’s breath grow a bit hurried.
“Ah…” Su Ling let out a soft sound unconsciously.
A sense of foreboding rose in her chest. She hesitantly looked up at Sista, noticing that the other’s eyes were fixed on her lower body, blazing with a certain heat.
“Your Highness, maybe… maybe I should do this myself…”
Su Ling tried to break the awkward atmosphere, but before she could finish, she felt Sista’s hands behind her, gently pinching her waist.
“Stay still.” Sista’s voice came out low and commanding.
Su Ling hadn’t expected Sista to do this, and Sista didn’t let go. Instead, her grip tightened.
“Your Highness… please don’t…”
Su Ling’s cheeks flushed an even deeper red. She bit her lip, trying to suppress the sounds that threatened to escape.
Why was she doing this? And what was more troubling, the Blood Princess seemed to greatly enjoy the look on her face as she endured the pain, her blood-red eyes filled with a strange hunger.
“Don’t move. Let me tidy you up,” Sista ordered.
“…Yes.”
“If you move, you’ll be punished.”
That woman continued for quite a while, slowly adjusting the soft fabric, holding Su Ling’s small frame firmly in her grasp.
As time went by, the pain became almost unbearable. After a few careful adjustments, Su Ling finally couldn’t help herself and jerked slightly, abruptly pushing Sista’s hand away.
“Y-you’re so mean, Your Highness…”
She protested defensively, her eyes moist.
“Did I not make myself clear? You need to be taught a lesson.”
With that, the Blood Princess rolled up her own sleeve, revealing pale, tender skin. She parted her lips and bit down gently on Su Ling’s waist, leaving a shallow, rosy mark.
Pain shot through her, and Su Ling clutched her skirt, tears welling in her eyes.
It hurt, yet along with the pain came another feeling, one of subtle pleasure. That sensation filled her mind, dissolving her original sense of reason into confusion.
Being toyed with by Sista… felt so good.
Especially since Sista usually had a face like an ice sculpture, always cold and aloof, dressed in dignified royal attire, yet now so unruly and playful with her.
The contrast and shame created a mysterious allure she couldn’t name.
She couldn’t believe she could feel this way, and couldn’t stop her own wild thoughts.
What should she do? This was getting a little out of hand, if it went on like this, she might never be able to go back to how she used to be.
No, it can’t go on!
She bit her lip, forcing herself to quell her reckless impulses.
“Your Highness, shouldn’t… shouldn’t we be leaving now?”
Her clothes were already changed, so Su Ling forcibly changed the subject, stepping back and cautiously glancing at the Blood Princess.