After that, I could hold Prince Wendy in my arms like Astreia.
I could secretly add a little of my own specially-made “Truth Serum” to his dinner, making him confess with his own mouth whether it was Astreia’s domineering possessiveness that made his heart race, or my gentle affection that drew him in deeper.
I could dress him up in more beautiful clothes—perhaps an elven-style sheer shirt, or the pure white robes of a priest, both ascetic and sacred… then, undress each piece myself.
I could do it under the table, on the Astrology Tower at the Academy, even in a library cubicle…
Once the thought appeared, it couldn’t be suppressed.
Why?
Why could Astreia turn Wendy into her private possession in such an extreme, forceful way?
Carving her name into his back, locking a Neck Collar on him…
That’s not love, that’s imprisonment!
I just wanted… to have a taste for myself.
Yes, Astreia had already devoured the entire cake.
I only wanted to try the cream left at the bottom of the plate.
This… shouldn’t be too much, right?
The balance in Laxana’s heart tipped completely under the weight of jealousy and desire.
She took a deep breath.
When she raised her head again, all struggle and confusion had vanished from her face, replaced by a kind of solemn, even tragic determination.
“I understand.”
Miss Klein looked at her mother, then at Allison and Yekaterina, and spoke in an unprecedentedly firm tone:
“For the future of Valoran, and for Prince Wendy’s safety, to spare him from my elder sister’s twisted torment…”
“I agree with your plan, Mother.”
“I am willing to give everything for it.”
Her words were so righteous, as if she wasn’t planning to steal her best friend’s lover, but to save the world as a messiah.
Yekaterina stared dumbfounded from the side.
Oh my!
Sister, you’re a real actor!
Allison, the shrewd Prime Minister, looked thoughtfully at Laxana, then at Layana, who wore a satisfied smile at her daughter’s ‘growth’, and finally sighed helplessly in her heart.
Prince Wendy, you’d better pray for yourself.
Layana was extremely satisfied with her daughter’s ‘enlightenment’, and patted Laxana’s shoulder with unconcealed appreciation.
“Very good. As expected of my daughter, you finally learned to use your brain.”
This praise made Laxana’s mouth twitch.
So, have you always thought I was a pure fool before?
“Alright, since we’ve reached an agreement, it’s time to face the final and most difficult obstacle in the plan.”
Allison pulled the conversation back on track, her expression turning serious.
Everyone’s hearts sank.
The Eldest Princess, Astreia.
The “monster” suspected to have completely become a Witch.
“We can’t directly say we want to take her for treatment, that would anger her immediately.”
Allison analyzed.
“We have to find an excuse that neither she nor Prince Wendy can refuse.”
“The excuse is simple.”
Layana smiled confidently.
“Just say that I observed Princess Astreia possesses extraordinary talent—a magical genius unseen for thousands of years—so I am specially inviting her to the Central Continent Academy for further study, to learn deeper magic and explore the Erashia Continent’s more profound knowledge.”
“As for Prince Wendy…”
She dragged out her words.
“He can just be… a family member accompanying the student.”
***
The atmosphere in the Guest Hall of the Royal Palace was quiet and elegant.
Morning light spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, scattering warm patterns on the carpet.
Astreia was reclining on the soft sofa, lazily savoring black tea.
In her arms, Wendy nestled quietly like a gentle cat, allowing his master to stroke his hair at random.
The girlish innocence and heroic spirit on Astreia had faded, replaced by a mature, dangerous grace.
When Layana, Allison, Yekaterina, and Laxana entered the Guest Hall, this was the harmonious yet bizarre scene that greeted them.
“Honored guests,”
Astreia lifted her gaze, emerald eyes tinted with a hint of gray-violet sweeping over the four.
“What brings you here?”
The moment she spoke, Layana’s smile froze.
She felt as if she’d been petrified, every cell in her body screaming in terror.
Fear!
A fear that came from the instinct of life itself!
In her perception, the Astreia before her was no longer human.
She was a walking sun, an unstable humanoid black hole!
The immense, boundless magic within her was fused with the surrounding space in a terrifying manner.
It was no exaggeration to say that with a single thought, she could not only crush her, but wipe the entire Valoran Kingdom off the map.
It was only a matter of time.
Damn!
The intel was wrong!
In the letter from that old fox Allison, it only said “a stable yet extremely abnormal Witch,” not that she was nearly a true god ready to ascend on the spot!
Beads of cold sweat formed on the Headmistress’s forehead.
But she was still Layana- Ke Cain, the madwoman who would slaughter demons for magical knowledge.
After the extreme fear, an even greater excitement and curiosity surged up!
“Hehe,”
Layana forcibly suppressed her racing heart, maintaining a calm expression and smile.
“I just heard my daughter Laxana was ill, so I hurried back from the Academy to check on her.”
She played the family card, then shifted her gaze, eyes shining as she looked at Astreia, her tone full of genuine admiration:
“However, I did not expect that since the last time at Sunset Fortress, Your Highness the Eldest Princess, your magical power would grow so immense and pure. It would be a pity not to undergo systematic magic study.”
“I wonder if Lady Astreia would be willing to further your studies at the Central Continent Academy Magic Division? I will personally instruct you, and all the Academy’s resources will be open to you without limit…”
“Oh?”
Astreia narrowed her eyes at these words.
A mountain-like pressure instantly filled the Guest Hall!
The air seemed to solidify, sunlight losing its warmth.
It seemed the other party sensed something…
Allison and Yekaterina’s palms sweated nervously, while Laxana subconsciously held her breath.
Are we going to fail?
Cold sweat soaked through Layana’s back, and her smile was on the verge of collapse.
Just as tension hung on a knife’s edge, about to explode—
A curious and innocent question shattered the silence.
“Eh?”
Wendy, who had remained quiet in Astreia’s arms, suddenly looked up.
“Is Astreia being recruited as a mage?”
“I wonder… can I go too?”