Inside the Summer Castle, a maid was skillfully grooming Su Ling. She first used a comb to meticulously untangle Su Ling’s long silver hair until every strand was as smooth as silk, then braided it into low twin tails that complemented her appearance.
Next, the maid helped Su Ling change into the small dress Sista had prepared.
The dress featured a one-shoulder design in a lotus-root white shade. The strap was made of a string of pearls, adorned with layers of bows. The cinched waistline highlighted Su Ling’s petite and cute figure.
At that moment, Su Ling no longer looked like a maid in front of the mirror. The dress made her look more like a delicate noble lady.
Once the styling was finished, the maid brought over a pair of exquisite high heels.
Su Ling froze and looked up at the maid, saying with some difficulty, “This… I’m not really used to wearing high heels.”
“This is Her Highness’s command. You must wear them.”
The maid gave a slight smile and knelt down to help her put on the shoes.
“Ah, no need! I can do it myself!”
Despite receiving Sista’s favor, her status was ultimately still that of a maid. Allowing a fellow servant to put on her shoes felt awkward to Su Ling.
She looked at the high heels.
They were a pair of purple heels with a sophisticated design. The heels were high and thin, while the upper was made of soft lambskin inlaid with tiny gemstones that sparkled like stars.
They looked incredibly expensive, yet they caused a trace of indescribable bitterness to well up in Su Ling’s heart.
In her past life, she had once secretly tried on an adult’s high heels, only to suffer a nasty fall. Ever since then, she had a lingering fear of such shoes.
‘I have never understood why girls are so obsessed with these things.’
But since it was Sista’s command, she had no choice but to comply.
Su Ling slid her small feet into the shoes; they were a perfect fit.
However, as she tried to stand up, that awkward sensation immediately rushed over her.
She furrowed her brows and carefully took two steps forward. Her body swayed unsteadily, and she nearly toppled over.
Just then, Sista, already dressed, walked into the room.
She looked at Su Ling’s appearance, a satisfied smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
“Very good. Accompany me to the Duchess’s ball just like that.”
Su Ling looked at her timidly.
“Your Highness, these shoes… can I not wear them? I feel very uncomfortable in them.”
Her pink eyes were full of unease, and her silver hair draped over her shoulders, making her look exceptionally fragile.
“No.”
Su Ling bit her lower lip, feeling wronged but not daring to disobey. She could only struggle to maintain her balance, stepping carefully forward in the high heels.
A carriage was already waiting outside, and the two of them departed shortly after.
This was the first time Sista had removed the collar from Su Ling’s neck since she had been confined to the underground room. Perhaps because she had been sufficiently obedient, she was allowed to go out to attend a noble ball this time.
But Su Ling knew in her heart that this did not mean she had a chance to escape. Those blood-red eyes never left her for a single second.
The carriage slowly entered the Duke’s estate, its wheels rolling over the gravel path with a soft crunching sound.
The door opened, and Su Ling followed closely behind Sista as they stepped into the magnificent mansion.
The courtyard was like a meticulously carved garden where various flowers bloomed in competition, filling the air with fragrance. Neatly trimmed shrubs outlined elegant patterns, and tall fountains sparkled under the sunlight.
Entering the Grand Hall, a massive chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, its brilliant radiance illuminating the entire hall with splendor and grandeur.
After Sista exchanged a few pleasantries with the Duchess, she led Su Ling toward the dance floor.
In the center of the dance floor, an orchestra was playing a cheerful tune with a melodious rhythm. Gaily dressed members of the Blood Clan danced gracefully amidst the flowers and candlelight.
Su Ling did not know how to dance, so she could only sit at a dining table nearby, awkwardly holding a glass of juice.
Amidst the music, she suddenly heard the low conversation of two nearby nobles.
“Have you heard? The South was hit by a once-in-a-decade rainstorm. The Valivadan River overflowed, flooding farmlands and destroying roads. Quite a few humans died…” one of them said in a hushed tone, his voice tinged with a hint of schadenfreude.
“Yes, it’s truly a godsend. The flood affected their army’s logistics, and their supply lines have been severely damaged. I’m afraid the front line won’t last much longer,” the other chimed in.
“This way, the tide of the war has finally turned. The Knight Order of Ansels already has the advantage in Golden Finch City. Victory is in sight.”
“Haha, those arrogant Valivadan people must be panicking now.”
“Hmph. Lowly humans daring to make an enemy of the Blood Clan… they don’t know their own limits.”
‘Is Valivadan going to be defeated?’
Su Ling was somewhat surprised.
She remembered Sista saying that Moria had made a strategic error, causing them to be restricted on both the north and south fronts, which had previously put Ansels at a disadvantage.
She hadn’t expected the situation to be reversed by a natural disaster.
‘I wonder how Tii is doing over there…’
She whispered to herself.
The success rate of contacting Tii in a dream through the bracelet was unstable. Since their last meeting, she had tried several more times but had been unable to actually communicate.
While she was lost in thought, a young noble noticed her.
The man wore a deep blue short robe with a leather belt cinched at his waist. His gaze landed on Su Ling, and he paused for a moment, clearly captivated by her appearance.
“How interesting. There is actually a human at the ball. Young Lady, is this your first time attending a ball?”
He walked forward, his tone gentle.
Su Ling was a bit flustered. She lowered her head slightly and answered in a small voice, “Yes, I am Princess Sista’s maid.”
“I see,” the young noble said with a smile. “But you don’t look like an ordinary maid at all. You are as beautiful as an elf from the forest.”
Su Ling felt speechless.
‘These words sound incredibly greasy.’
Combined with the fact that the person before her was a member of the Blood Clan who fed on humans, it made her feel even more uncomfortable.
The young noble wanted to say more, but he suddenly felt a cold gaze fall upon him.
“Duke Balu, what are you doing here?”
Sista approached, her high heels clicking. Her voice was icy. “This is my maid. You had better not have any thoughts you shouldn’t have.”
The other man immediately took a step back and said respectfully, “Your Highness, I was merely praising this young lady’s beauty. I meant nothing else.”
“Good. Please mind your noble etiquette.”
Sista gave him a cold look, then grabbed Su Ling’s hand and turned to leave.
In that moment, the young noble suddenly realized one thing—
A murderous gaze cannot be hidden.