The next morning, sunlight spilled through the gaps in the half-closed curtains, casting long, slender beams across the soft carpet.
Su Ling was awakened by the sound of gentle conversation. She felt as though she had been soaking in clouds all night; her body was sore and soft, and her head felt a bit dizzy.
When she finally forced her eyelids open, an unfamiliar and exquisite ceiling came into view. For a moment, she felt a sense of trance, taking several seconds to recall the chaotic and heated images from the previous night.
The conversation nearby continued. Su Ling turned her head and saw Tii and Sista sitting on the sofa by the bed.
The small coffee table in front of them was piled with a delicate breakfast: freshly toasted golden bread, perfectly fried bacon and eggs, steaming milk, and fresh fruit.
Tii wore a loose white gauze robe, her hair cascading casually over her shoulders. She was carefully peeling an apple with a small knife. A faint smile played on her lips as she chatted idly with Sista.
Sista had changed into a pale blue nightgown with intricate patterns embroidered at the collar. She rested her chin on one hand, occasionally offering a response.
Su Ling only caught fragments of their talk, which seemed to be about the upcoming contact with the Holy White River Alliance.
“Ha…”
A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and she couldn’t help but yawn.
Noticing that Su Ling was awake, the two of them looked over almost simultaneously.
“Little Su Ling, you’re finally awake.”
Tii was the first to speak. She placed the peeled apple on a plate and stood up to walk toward the bed, her face full of a gentle smile.
“How do you feel? Do you feel unwell anywhere?”
Sista also stood up and walked to the other side of the bed, leaning over slightly to look at Su Ling. A trace of complex emotion flashed in her red eyes.
“I showed restraint last night. Don’t tell me you can’t even get up.”
Su Ling’s cheeks were instantly stained with a rosy blush. Embarrassed, she turned her head away and mumbled softly, “I… I’m fine. I’m just a little tired.”
Tii laughed softly and reached out to stroke her hair.
“All right, hurry up and get up for breakfast. It was all just prepared, and it’s delicious.”
As she spoke, she reached out to support Su Ling. Sista also lent a hand, and the two of them carefully helped Su Ling up as if they were handling a fragile treasure.
The moment Su Ling sat down at the dining table, Tii thoughtfully handed her a glass of warm water.
“Drink some water first to moisten your throat.”
Su Ling took the glass and took small sips. The thirst from the night before gradually faded.
Sista pushed a sliced sandwich toward her.
“Try this.”
Looking at the sandwich before her, a surge of warmth rose in Su Ling’s heart. She took a bite; the softness of the bread, the saltiness of the bacon, and the crispness of the lettuce spread across her palate.
“It’s so good!”
Her eyes lit up, and she couldn’t help but offer her praise. Then, she began to eat her breakfast in earnest.
After waking up, the tension that had once been between Tii and Sista seemed to have eased considerably. At least from their conversation just now, the two were no longer as obviously antagonistic as before.
This allowed Su Ling to breathe a sigh of relief.
‘If they can get along… then it doesn’t matter if I have to endure a bit more.’
Without realizing it, a bit of juice stained the corner of her mouth.
Noticing this, Tii gave a soft chuckle and used her thumb to wipe it away.
“Look at you, eating like a child.”
Her voice was gentle, and her eyes were filled with doting affection.
Su Ling lowered her head and whispered, “I… I am not.”
Opposite them, Sista watched this scene with cold eyes, her fork tapping lightly against her plate.
Her expression remained indifferent, and her tone was calm yet carried a hint of dissatisfaction. “Tii, you spoil her too much.”
Tii turned to look at her, her smile unfading.
“Little Su Ling is so cute; what’s the harm in spoiling her a little?”
Sista did not respond further. She simply gave a soft huff and lowered her head to continue slicing the fruit.
Her movements were elegant and efficient. After neatly arranging the fruit, she pushed it in front of Su Ling.
“Eat.”
Her tone was still cold, and she did not look at Su Ling, instead turning her gaze toward the window.
Su Ling blinked in surprise. Looking at the beautifully arranged fruit, she felt a flicker of emotion.
“Thank you…”
she said softly, carefully stabbing a piece with her fork and putting it into her mouth.
Sista merely gave a faint “Mm” in response.
Watching the interaction between the two, Tii’s smile became slightly unnatural. She leaned in toward Su Ling and lowered her voice by her ear:
“You need to nourish your body properly. After how it was last night, who knows, over the next two days…”
Su Ling’s face flushed even redder, and she hurriedly protested in a low voice, “Tii…”
Tii laughed even more happily and rubbed Su Ling’s hair.
“All right, I’ll stop teasing you. Hurry up and eat.”
Sista shot a cold glance at Tii.
“Stop being so hands-on. Let her eat in peace.”
Tii blinked, looking innocent. “I’m just showing her concern.”
Sista said nothing more. She simply sighed softly and picked up her glass to take a sip of milk.
Sunlight bathed the dining table, casting long shadows of the three of them.
Just then, there was a knock at the door from a maid.
“Your Highness Sista, ladies, the Duke is looking for you.”
***
Inside the Duke’s study, the heavy oak door slowly closed, shutting out the noise of the outside world.
The room was decorated in a simple yet elegant style, with oil paintings of ancient battles hanging on the walls and bookshelves filled with classics and scrolls. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, coating the space in a warm glow.
Duke Alexander Lorian sat behind the desk, signing documents with a quill pen.
Hearing them enter, he looked up and offered a polite smile.
“Your Highness, ladies, please sit.”
The three of them walked in. The Duke stood up, bowed slightly, and pointed toward the high-backed chairs in front of the desk.
Sista sat down gracefully, her gaze steady. Su Ling and Tii stood behind her.
The Duke sat back down, his expression becoming serious.
“Your Highness, ladies, the current situation is not optimistic. Moria’s influence is expanding rapidly, and her spies are everywhere. We must act with caution.”
Sista nodded.
“Our purpose for this trip is precisely to hope that we can use your influence to contact the families who remain loyal to the Royal Family.”
The Duke showed a look of approval.
“I have already prepared a list.”
He took out a piece of parchment and handed it to Sista.
“These Nobles have long-standing grievances with Moria, and they are more inclined to support you.”
Sista skimmed through it quickly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
“I will meet with them as soon as possible.”
Tii spoke up then. “Lord Duke, the meeting with the Holy White River Alliance should also be put on the agenda.”
The Duke smiled faintly.
“There is no need to rush. I have already arranged a secure location. Once Your Highness has secured the support of the Nobles, the Alliance’s attitude will become clearer.”
Tii nodded.
“Understood. I will make contact as soon as I can.”
The Duke continued:
“However, the support of these Nobles does not come without a price. They are likely to propose conditions, especially regarding the Throne and the distribution of land.”
Sista’s expression was calm.
“As long as it does not violate the fundamental interests of the Kingdom, I will consider it carefully.”
The Duke handed over another letter.
“This is a letter written in my own hand. It will help you gain their trust.”
“Furthermore, I suggest you depart as soon as possible.”
Sista accepted it solemnly.
“I understand.”
***
After leaving the study, the three of them walked down the corridor.
Su Ling couldn’t help but ask, “Your Highness, can we really trust those Nobles?”
Sista replied indifferently, “In politics, there is no such thing as absolute trust. Only interests.”
Tii gently patted Su Ling’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry.”
Back in their room, Sista began to arrange their next move.
“Tii, you are responsible for contacting the Alliance.”
“Understood.”
Her gaze turned toward Su Ling, and her tone softened slightly.
“You stay here. Do not act on your own.”
Su Ling was silent for a moment.
“Your Highness, can I go with you?”
Tii laughed softly. “Little Su Ling, are you just not used to being alone?”
Su Ling lowered her head.
“I’m not worried about myself… I’m worried about you.”
She didn’t want to just be the one being protected anymore.
Sista stopped her pace and turned to look at her.
“You want to come with me?”
Su Ling nodded, her gaze firm.
“I also want to do something for our goal.”
Tii looked at her, a complicated smile appearing on her face.
“Those Nobles aren’t easy to deal with. Are you sure?”
“I will work hard to learn.”
Sista was silent for a moment before finally reaching out to take her hand.
“Fine. You come with me. But you must follow my arrangements.”
“I will, Your Highness.”