A giant copper basin was placed in the center of the bathroom, the room filled with a refreshing fragrance of pine and mint.
The basin was filled with hot water at just the right temperature, its surface rippling slightly as steam rose to blend with the mist.
Two girls sat together in the copper basin, their cheeks flushed slightly pink from the steam. Sista’s long hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, her strands swaying gently in the water like ink-dark algae from the deep sea.
“Achoo!”
Su Ling suddenly sneezed, her body trembling slightly as water splashed around her.
“Are you catching another cold? Humans are such a hassle,” Sista said, her tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.
“That’s not it, Your Highness. You’re overthinking it,” Su Ling defended herself softly, rubbing her nose. “In my hometown, this is a kind of ‘prediction.'”
“A prediction?” Sista frowned. “Predicting things with a sneeze… are you playing tricks on me?”
“It’s true.”
Su Ling spoke the words one by one with her back turned to Sista. She noticed the other girl was seriously washing her long hair with the hot water.
“In the sayings of my hometown, one sneeze means someone is thinking of you; two sneezes mean someone is cursing you; and three sneezes mean you really have a cold.”
Her tone carried a hint of mystery.
“I only sneezed once just now, so someone is thinking of me. It isn’t a cold.”
Upon hearing this, Sista’s figure paused for a moment. Then, she leaned in suspiciously to get a closer look at Su Ling’s face.
“Humans always love to play these boring tricks… though I don’t know the principle behind it…” she whispered softly. “Actually, it is quite accurate.”
“It’s accurate?”
Su Ling was stunned, and before she could react —
*Splash!*
A basin of hot water was suddenly poured over her head.
“Eek?! Your Highness, p-please don’t just pour it on me like that!”
***
After finishing their bath, the two returned to the bedroom and changed into light nightgowns before lying down on the soft bed.
Outside the window, the pitter-patter of the autumn rain had yet to stop. The raindrops drummed against the window frame with a crisp, rhythmic sound, like a soothing melody.
The warm yellow light of the room spilled across the bed, adding a touch of coziness to the slightly chilly night.
Su Ling leaned against the headboard, stroking the soft bedding as she faced Sista.
As a member of the Blood Clan, Sista’s skin was naturally excessively pale, but under the glow of the warm light, that coldness and distance were softened significantly, making her look gentler than usual.
“You aren’t allowed to forget today’s share.”
Sista spoke up.
She didn’t know when it started, but a bedtime kiss had become a routine between them.
When Sista reached out to embrace Su Ling, their body heat merged, making the space under the covers gradually become warm.
The girls’ lips met.
Sista kissed Su Ling over and over again until the latter let out a soft gasp for air. Only then did she reluctantly let go of her shoulders.
Without realizing it, the atmosphere between the two had become much softer.
After experiencing several emotional ups and downs, Su Ling had gradually begun to understand Sista’s inner heart.
At first, she thought Sista was the kind of cold and heartless Evil Princess found in novels, someone who never spared a glance for humans.
Later, after becoming her personal maid, she discovered that Sista actually had a gentle and serious side; she was a special member of the Blood Clan who could be reasoned with.
But then, the forced demands, the punishments, the bullying, and the imprisonment in the underground room… those experiences made her think her previous good feelings were nothing more than an illusion — that the Blood Princess could never escape the nature of the Blood Clan.
But now, she finally understood that those impressions were too one-sided.
A person’s heart was inherently complex and contradictory.
Whether it was the longing for equality or the paranoid desire for possession, both were parts of Sista.
‘She is neither great nor base.’
‘She is just a girl who fell in love but didn’t know how to express it, mistakenly turning love into shackles and harm.’
Su Ling quietly watched the black-haired girl in front of her.
It wasn’t until the other girl noticed her gaze that her cheeks flushed slightly pink and she turned her head away.
“…Stop staring at me like that.”
“Mm.”
Su Ling obediently curled her body inward.
The two lay in silence for a while.
Then, Sista blew out the oil lamp. In the darkness, the sound of the rain became even clearer.
“Su Ling.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think I… am suited to be King?”
Her voice was low and carried a trace of hesitation.
Su Ling was slightly taken aback, surprised that she would ask such a question.
“Of course, I won’t fight Moria for the throne. That has never changed.”
As if afraid she would misunderstand, Sista added:
“It’s just a hypothesis.”
Only then did Su Ling relax and begin to think seriously.
What qualities were needed to become a King? She had never truly experienced it, but she could draw some references from books.
Judging from her daily performance, Sista had a sharp insight into national affairs. Whether it was the turmoil in the Capital caused by the assassin incident or the situation where the Northlands nobles conspired with the Rebel Army, she could analyze things from both a macro and detailed level.
Furthermore, she had criticized the problems in Moria’s administration several times, showing that she had her own views on the operation of power and the judgment of the situation — which were important abilities a monarch should possess.
At the same time, Sista possessed a strong sense of responsibility toward her own identity and the destiny of the nation. Even without actual power, she still cared about the future of Ansels and would not harm the country’s interests for her own personal desires.
Of course, she also had her shortcomings. Compared to the socially adept Moria, Sista was clearly not smooth enough in diplomacy and interpersonal relationships, nor was she good at winnowing the favor of the nobles. This had once caused her to fall into isolation, even earning her the title of “Evil Princess.”
But overall, she was undoubtedly a qualified heir of the Royal Family.
If she were to inherit the throne, the situation in Ansels might be even better than it was now.
Thinking of this, Su Ling suddenly realized — if it weren’t for Sista’s overly serious personality, Moria might not have truly been able to surpass her.
“Have you decided yet?”
Beside her, Sista gently shook her arm, urging her.
Su Ling took a deep breath, organized her thoughts, and spoke slowly:
“Your Highness, if it is just a hypothesis… I believe that within the Palace, there is no one more suited to be King than you.”
Hearing this serious and solemn answer, Sista fell silent for a moment.
In the darkness, her expression seemed somewhat complex.
After a while, she suddenly opened her arms and pulled Su Ling’s petite body into a firm embrace. The blankets made a faint rustling sound.
“Forget it. Go to sleep.”
Su Ling gently pressed her face against Sista’s soft black hair and responded in a small voice:
“…Alright, Your Highness. Goodnight.”
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