“This sort of thing, I’ve known for a long time.”
Sista murmured, answering weakly. She leaned her head against the window, watching the fleeting flight of birds outside, her black hair cascading down her thin back.
“I was always against stationing troops in the Northern Territory, worried it would worsen relations with the Wise People. But in the end, Moria still agreed to his proposal, and that’s how things ended up like this today.”
When Su Ji’en first entered the city, she unintentionally witnessed the heated quarrel between Baron Musi and Yuan Bitang. At that time, the two of them were discussing precisely this issue.
Although Sista’s attitude was decisive and uncompromising, with Moria’s return, power was handed back, and the decisions Sista made were instantly rendered meaningless.
“So you think the current situation is all Moria’s mistake?” Fenji didn’t continue asking.
“Not entirely. I can understand her choice,” what surprised Su Luo was that Sista actually acknowledged this and nodded.
“The Wise People have always eyed our lands with ambition. Strengthening our defenses is the correct choice. They live in the cold, barren North, with low productivity, while their population grows rapidly. In the past two years, resources within their tribes have become insufficient to support their continued survival.
“Heading south is the only choice for the Businessmen Tribe. Moria foresaw this. That’s why, even with the southern war at its peak, she stubbornly insisted on moving troops north.”
Those crimson eyes grew deeper and more somber. Su Lu knew that though Sista appeared indifferent on the surface, in her heart, she was still worried for the future of the Kingdom of Ansels.
History is always repeating itself.
She paused for a moment before continuing.
“She’s always so indecisive, unable to balance everything.”
“Suppressed internal strife in the north, dealt with external threats in the south. Now our Royal Capital, Villewu, and the few regions directly under the king’s control, are all suffering from a severe shortage of troops.”
“What worries me most is precisely this.”
Fenji understood, sensing the heaviness in Sista’s words.
She remembered when she first entered the city, she thought Sista was just a cold-blooded, ruthless Princess.
But now, she was gradually realizing that Sista was shouldering far more pressure than most could bear.
She truly is a hard-working Princess.
“Still, if Moria really doesn’t want to listen to your advice…” Su Huan voiced her concern.
“Yes, she keeps her guard up against me. That, too, I can understand. After all, our positions and interests aren’t entirely aligned.” Sista sighed, “So there’s nothing I can do.”
The stove burned bright, but outside the snow was falling thickly, and the air remained somewhat chilly. Looking at the dispirited Blood Princess, Su Ji felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
“I’ll support you, Your Highness.”
Su Ji gently took the Blood Princess’s hand in her own.
But Sista did not accept the gesture, quickly pulling her hand away, her sharp eyes as if to warn her not to push too far.
“Or is she lying to me again?”
“I’m not.”
She didn’t dodge the pair of crimson eyes. Instead, she met Sista’s gaze seriously, not a hint of pretense on her face.
“Then, lower your head.”
Sista motioned for Su Ji to come closer, then reached out and tugged at Su Huan’s collar, searching downwards.
Is she about to say something? Su Ji wasn’t sure what this action meant.
While hesitating, she unconsciously followed Sista’s gesture, tucking a lock of her silvery, moon-like hair behind her ear, revealing the slender curve of her pale neck.
Then, under Sista’s intense gaze, she slowly lowered her head.
Just for a brief moment, Sista placed a soft kiss on Su Lu’s brow, as light as the touch of dawn.
“Alright, this time, I’ll try to believe you.”
She smiled faintly.
Your Highness…
Was it her whim again?
The last time was in the drawing room—back then, Sista still stubbornly refused to admit her feelings. But this time, the Blood Princess took the initiative to kiss her, without a trace of hesitation.
Su Ji was somewhat stunned.
“What is she truly thinking about…
The future of the Rebels, the disputes among Nobles, and the irreconcilable conflict with the Wise People—so many things all weighing on Su Ji’s mind, yet Su Zhan was never good at sorting out such complicated affairs.
All she hoped was for her own safety, and for those she cared about to remain unharmed. For peaceful days to continue, forever and ever.
Of course, such thoughts seemed rather naive.
Even as she soaked in the bath later, her mind wouldn’t calm down, and she didn’t notice someone had been watching her all along.
She carelessly undid her evening dress, fingers moving skillfully down the buttons, removing the slightly tight black long skirt, then slipped her neck into the water. A wave of warmth rose from her feet to her heart.
“Miss Su~”
Suddenly, a handful of hot water splashed onto her shoulders, the droplets sliding smoothly down her skin, falling into the pool, sending up gentle ripples of heat.
Su Ji snapped out of her daze, widened her eyes and looked around, searching for the culprit.
There was no one else in the bathhouse, only Tii sitting to the side, eyes narrowed with a mischievous smile.
“Seems like it’s just the two of us here again tonight.”
“Y-yeah…”
After what happened before, Su Ji now felt that Tii never meant anything good, always looking for a chance to tease her.
“Come on~ After a long day of work, it’s only during a hot bath that one can truly relax.”
With that, Tii untied her hair, letting the red strands fall down and cling to her neck.
She slid her body into the water, enjoying the comforting flow and the steamy warmth in the bathhouse.
“But isn’t it because you, Tii, are always the one who takes the initiative to do all the troublesome work?” Su Lu held her knees. “Everyone is grateful to you, but you should take better care of yourself, too.”
“Heh—you’re the only one who knows how to say such nice things.”
“You’re making fun of me again, hmph.”
“I’m really praising you,” Tii giggled, leaning closer in the water, taking Su Ji’s hand, their fingers interlaced.
“With a personality like yours, Su Ji, it’s impossible for people not to like you,” she said, and then, without warning, leaned in and asked, “Little Su Ji, are you just as gentle with Sista?”
“Why did you bring her up all of a sudden?”
Su Lu felt a bit helpless at this question.
“Because I’m concerned about your relationship! After you came out of her room today, you looked so lost.”
Tii deliberately puffed out her cheeks, pretending to be unhappy, “What on earth happened in there, Su Ji? I’m so curious!”
“There’s nothing worth being curious about…”
Su Ji had no intention of joking, only letting out a sigh.
Seeing Su Ji like this, Tii didn’t tease her anymore, but instead looked at her earnestly.
“Tii, do you think… can we really keep living here in peace?”
Su Ji asked in a low voice, her blank eyes gazing at the shimmering surface of the water, as if searching for an answer in the gentle ripples.