Today is a day shrouded in thick clouds.
Although it hasn’t rained, the atmosphere feels heavy and oppressive.
The harsh winter is about to pass, and the treetops are already showing the vitality of spring.
After a gust of wind, the air is filled with the refreshing scents of moist earth and tender greenery.
It’s a fine day.
Sista has been invited out for a hunt by the Duke himself.
Because members of the Blood Clan dislike sunlight, unless there are special circumstances, most of them prefer to go out on cloudy days.
In Anluan Erfu, many young Blood Clan ladies don’t like such wild, muddy activities, but Niweiya is an exception.
Niweiya is the youngest daughter of the Lorien Lord, and also Buke’s younger sister.
Her cheeks are round and rosy, her figure a bit plump, with a head of chestnut-brown hair tied in three thick braids hanging down her back.
This eighteen-year-old girl is simple and lively, naturally lacking a bit of ladylike refinement, but the agility and cheerfulness in her personality make up for it just right.
Since the Lorien Lord has always hoped for a union between Buke and Sista, Niweiya, in the social activities of Blood Clan girls, would intentionally or unintentionally show goodwill toward Sista.
“Sista, Your Highness, let’s go over there!”
Upon hearing this cheerful call, Sista looked up, and with Niweiya as well as another elegantly dressed Blood Clan young lady, each rode on their own female Earth Dragon, slowly entering the vast wilderness beloved by the Goddess of Nature.
The heavy feet of the Earth Dragons pounded the ground, making deep, rumbling sounds.
Yet again another dull social event—she thought.
She wished to finish quickly and return to the castle.
Right now, all she wanted was for Su Ling to brew her a pot of tea, so she could relax and read a Book in peace.
Although her personal maid has lately become somewhat odd and rarely willing to chat with her, Sista still stubbornly wanted to keep Niweiya close by her side.
Seeing Sista’s lack of interest, Niweiya felt a bit anxious and tried to come up with a topic.
Suddenly, she noticed Sista’s attire for the day.
The cold, elegant princess wore a close-fitting hunting suit, the black leather accentuating her exquisite figure, with every line outlined by the glossy material, the belt at her waist gleaming with a metallic luster.
“Your Highness, your outfit today is truly dazzling!” she complimented sincerely, turning toward Sista, “Such fine clothing can only truly look noble when worn by you.”
“Indeed, Your Highness is already a great beauty, and with this outfit, every man in the Kingdom of Ansels would be utterly enchanted.” The other Blood Clan young lady joined in with a laugh.
“You flatter me. Both of you are very lovely as well.”
Sista replied coldly, feeling rather indifferent to such compliments.
“It’s not just your beauty, Your Highness—your character is so admirable too.”
Seeing Sista’s reaction, Niweiya rolled her eyes, quickly thinking of what to say next.
“If some noble gentleman could have you as his wife, it would surely be his greatest fortune.”
“Of course, Your Highness is not someone an ordinary woman can compare to.”
The other noble lady, usually quiet and reserved, couldn’t help but keep the topic going after hearing Niweiya’s words.
“To match Your Highness, surely only the Duke’s eldest son, Lord Buke, would do. Lord Buke is handsome, knowledgeable, and is one of the most eligible bachelors in the Kingdom of Ansels…”
“I’m not as wonderful as you say. We’re here. Let’s begin the hunt.”
Sista cut off the noble lady’s words a bit impatiently.
She flicked the reins in her hand, letting the Earth Dragon dash freely among the trees until they reached a clearing.
Seeing Sista’s utter lack of interest, Niweiya could only give up and focus on the hunt.
The flap of wings echoed in the air—a Baixian Yaque soared overhead.
She took a deep breath, adjusted her stance, fixed her aim, and gently released the bowstring.
The arrow flew like lightning, slicing through the air and hitting the Baixian Yaque with unerring accuracy.
Perfect!
It struggled a few times and then dropped to the ground.
Niweiya cheered, her face blooming with a bright smile.
“A Baixian Yaque! I hit it with just one shot! Hahaha!”
She proudly lifted her prey, showing off to the other two girls, her laughter clear and bright.
“Well done, I know you’re amazing.”
The other Blood Clan young lady could only pat her own shoulder in resignation.
She had tried several times already, yet never managed to hit anything, and her face showed obvious frustration.
“Compared to these animals, I still find humans more interesting.”
Niweiya packed up her prey, then pulled another arrow from her quiver.
“Hey, do you mean you want to hunt humans?”
The noble young lady laughed.
“There were some old families in the past who did that, but humans fought back so fiercely that even Her Highness Moria eventually forbade it.”
“Of course not, I’m not talking about eating humans,” Niweiya pouted, “I’m seriously studying humans. Lately my mentor’s newest research is about human emotions.”
“What’s so fascinating about that? Are happier humans supposed to taste better?”
“How could that be,” she replied, “What I mean is…”
Niweiya’s voice suddenly trailed off, for she noticed that Sista, who seemed so aloof before, was now watching this way with genuine interest, as if this topic truly intrigued her.
Could it be that Sista is actually interested in human topics?
Niweiya felt she’d finally found a way to get closer to her and was so excited she could hardly contain herself.
“I mean, studying humans themselves, not for food,” Niweiya, when speaking of her own field, became animated and eloquent, “Human emotions are truly fascinating!”
The conversation that followed left a deep impression on Sista’s mind.
After returning to the castle, when night fell and the oil lamps were lit, Sista entered the public library alone, following her own shadow inside.
“Humans have a far more complex and changeable emotional world than the Blood Clan: love, hate, passion, joy, sorrow…
For the Blood Clan, interest always outweighs emotion, but for humans, they’re willing to give up profit for the sake of their feelings.
My mentor believes that by understanding these emotions, we might discover new, unknown fields for us to explore.”
Beneath the tall shelves, Sista’s fingertips skimmed over a row of locked Book boxes, finally pausing in the middle.
She took out a Book and looked at the bold words on the cover—Human Study.
“Among all these emotions, the most important is love.”
When Niweiya said the word “love,” she had become extremely excited.
“Human behavior in love is especially fascinating. They’re willing to risk everything for love, even sacrifice themselves.
Love can make the bravest person timid, and inspire the most cowardly to be brave.
You could say, if you master human emotions, you hold their souls in your hands.”
Flipping through the pages, by the lamplight, Sista began reading this Book she had never opened before.
“Love?” she quietly repeated the word, pondering its meaning.
If emotions can control a person, then how should one use emotions to keep Su Ling at her side forever?
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