The Alliance’s primary area of activity was concentrated along the banks of the Saint White River in the west-central part of the Kingdom of Ansels.
Merchant caravans used this river for north-south trade, bringing in massive economic profits.
The reason the Holy White River Alliance wanted to support Sista was simple.
Although the New Tax Law had not yet been promulgated, the members within the Alliance already sensed that once Moria took office, she would significantly increase commercial and land taxes.
This would seriously affect the Holy White River Alliance’s trade activities, leading to the damage of its members’ commercial interests.
By supporting Sista, the Alliance could establish a friendly regime in Ansels and strengthen its own influence in regional affairs.
Furthermore, Sista’s reign was expected to bring a more stable political environment, which would be beneficial for the Alliance’s long-term development and security.
As for Sista, she knew that the matter of the Holy Seal had already been exposed, and Moria would never tolerate her existence again.
Now with nowhere left to run, she had to stand in opposition to Moria, seize the throne, and become the King of Ansels.
Today was already the third day of the journey.
The Earth Dragon Cart was racing forward. Inside the carriage, Su Ling and Tii sat on one side, while Sista sat on the other.
The Blood Princess rested her chin on her hand and looked out the window, but her peripheral vision swept over toward them from time to time.
Su Ling did not look at Sista. When her gaze inadvertently swept across Tii’s neck, she suddenly stopped.
Her eyes were drawn to a strange scar — it was in the shape of a butterfly, as if branded onto the skin by some mysterious force, carrying a beauty that was almost eerie.
Su Ling’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Tii, the scar on your neck… what’s that about?”
Her voice wasn’t loud, as if she were afraid of disturbing something, but her tone couldn’t hide the concern.
Tii’s fingers unconsciously brushed against the scar, her fingertips tracing it gently. Her expression was somewhat dazed, and she forced a faint smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes; instead, it revealed a deep sense of exhaustion and bitterness.
“This…” Her voice was low, carrying a hint of raspy thickness. “It’s a mark left by Butterfly Poison.”
“Butterfly Poison?” Su Ling’s pupils constricted slightly. “What is that? How were you poisoned?”
Tii remained silent for a moment, as if organizing the fragments scattered deep within her memory. Her breathing became slow and heavy, as if every breath were a struggle against some invisible pressure.
Finally, she spoke slowly:
“That day… I almost died at the hands of the soldiers of Ansels.”
Su Ling’s heart sank abruptly, as if a hand were tightly clutching it. Her fingers tightened involuntarily, and she grabbed Tii’s hand, her fingertips trembling slightly.
“What happened? Why would you…”
Tii gently patted the back of Su Ling’s hand, signaling that she didn’t need to be so tense. Her gaze grew distant, as if piercing through the barrier of time to return to that moment filled with blood and despair.
“I was deceived by Jirusaga.” Her voice remained calm, but a deep-seated anger lay hidden beneath that calm.
“She had already defected to Ansels, and I… was nothing more than a pawn in her hand. She gave me Butterfly Poison, intending for me to be beheaded in front of the Valivadan soldiers to destroy our morale.”
“Then how did you escape?” Su Ling’s voice carried a hint of urgency.
“Just as they were about to execute me, the Poet broke in with a few mercenaries and rescued me.”
The corner of Tii’s mouth curled up slightly, revealing a bitter smile.
“The Poet?” Su Ling was stunned for a moment.
“He’s my childhood playmate, my former childhood sweetheart. We grew up together, but we were separated later because of some circumstances. I didn’t expect him to show up at that moment and save me.”
“He wanted me to join their Organization to help them fight against the influences of Ansels and Valivadan. I… eventually agreed.”
A flash of complex emotion crossed Su Ling’s eyes. She sighed softly and said in a low voice, “It’s good that you’re okay… I was really worried about you.”
Tii smiled and reached out to rub Su Ling’s hair, her tone gentle.
“It’s fine, it’s all in the past. Am I not perfectly fine right now?”
The worry in Su Ling’s eyes did not completely dissipate. She hesitated for a moment and asked in a small voice:
“Then when I saw you in my dream before… were you on your way to their Organization?”
“Yes. However, on the way there, we heard about what happened in the Capital. The Poet originally believed we shouldn’t get involved in the Capital’s disputes, but I insisted on coming to save you.”
“Thank you, Tii… if it weren’t for you, I might have already…”
“Don’t say such things.”
Tii interrupted her, speaking softly.
“You are my most important friend; I would never let you fall into danger. Besides, this was also the intention of the Alliance. They believe that if they can gain Her Highness Sista’s support, it would be a great help to their plans.”
As she spoke, Tii wrapped her arm around Su Ling’s shoulder and pressed her cheek gently against Su Ling’s head, appearing exceptionally intimate.
‘Does Sista really want to join them?’
Although the three of them were currently in the same carriage, Su Ling could not be certain if Sista was truly willing to cooperate with Tii.
She thought for a moment longer and sighed softly. Regardless, it was impossible for them to return to the Capital now, so this was the only path they could take.
“I can’t make decisions for the second princess, but I will try to persuade her to discuss it properly with you all again. I think she should also…”
“Also what?”
Sista suddenly cut in, her knuckles rapping against the armrest of her seat, her face full of displeasure.
“Also… also consider it carefully.”
Su Ling was startled by her gaze, and her speech became somewhat stuttered.
But Sista had no intention of letting her off.
“Su Ling, you’ve completely sided with that lot now, haven’t you? You still haven’t explained to me why the mercenaries of the Witch Tribe knew our location.”
The more the Blood Princess spoke, the angrier she became. She simply stood up, intending to pull Su Ling back to her side of the carriage.
Seeing this, Tii smiled unhurriedly.
“Does that even need an explanation? Little Su Ling and I are soulmates, which is why I knew the location of the Earth Dragon Cart. This is a love destined by fate.”
She spoke in a provocative tone.
Those words were like a fuse, instantly igniting Sista’s fury.
“Don’t talk nonsense! You’re a liar full of nothing but falsehoods! What actually happened!?”
“My, Her Highness is as sharp-tongued as ever. In my memory, little Su Ling doesn’t like women like that. If you hadn’t forced her, she would have been with me long ago.”
Tii’s composure had fully returned. She was smiling brightly and even pulled Su Ling a bit closer to her shoulder.
“Ha? Being with you? On what grounds?”
“Your Highness, we are no longer in a master-servant relationship. It would be better if you restrained yourself,” Tii said softly.
“Don’t think that can change your status. A shady assassin, a rat walking in the shadows — do you really think you can give her a good life?”
“That’s quite harsh. We are in a partnership now, Princess Sista. As for who she wants to be close to, that depends on little Su Ling’s own choice…”
The more Sista heard, the more her anger turned into embarrassment. She simply squeezed herself beside Su Ling as well, hugging her arm and refusing to let go.
Su Ling’s expression suddenly froze.
‘Wait… what’s the situation here?’
‘Arguing is one thing, but how did it suddenly turn into being squeezed from both sides!?’