Su Ling’s movements paused slightly. Although the footsteps were faint, they did not escape her sharp perception. She quietly set down the teapot and carefully approached the door, peeking through the crack. However, the corridor was empty, and it was so silent that it seemed as if everything had been a mere illusion.
She was about to turn back when Sista’s voice drifted over:
“Su Ling, come back.”
Su Ling turned around to see Sista with a grave expression, her blood-red pupils seemingly flowing with a dark light. Her heart tightened, and she quickly walked to Sista’s side, asking softly, “Your Highness, what happened?”
Sista frowned slightly and said in a low voice, “That person was not an ordinary traveler. I heard the faint sound of armor clashing, and his footsteps were steady and powerful. He is clearly a well-trained warrior.”
She paused, and her tone dropped even lower. “I suspect the Queen’s pursuers have already tracked us here. We can’t delay any longer; we must leave immediately.”
Although Su Ling felt a bit flustered, she still forced herself to remain calm and nodded. “I understand, Your Highness. We will pack right now.”
The two of them quickly returned to their room, taking only their most essential belongings. Once night fell, they quietly left the inn under the cover of darkness.
The night was deep and filled with stars, and the moonlight spilled across the land like water, guiding their way forward.
They avoided the great roads and chose secluded paths instead, crossing mountains and ridges while passing through dense jungles. The mountain roads were rugged and overgrown with thorns. Su Ling carefully pushed aside the branches blocking their path while Sista kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings.
“Su Ling, be careful.”
Sista turned back and took her hand.
They climbed steep slopes where the soil was slick beneath their feet and waded through rushing streams where the icy water soaked through their shoes and socks, but they did not dare to stop.
To escape, they braved the wind and slept outdoors. The hem of Su Ling’s skirt was torn by thorns, and Sista’s elegant clothes were already covered in dust.
To make it easier to move, Sista had changed into prepared commoner’s clothes and tied her long hair back simply. At this moment, aside from her cold and elegant aura, she looked no different from an ordinary woman.
Su Ling panted as she leaned against a tree to wipe away her sweat. “Your Highness, we’ve already walked so far. We should have temporarily lost our pursuers by now, right?”
Sista scanned the surroundings with a calm gaze. “We still can’t be careless. They won’t give up easily. We must reach Escon City as quickly as possible; we have allies there.”
She added softly, “Just hold on a little longer. Once we pass through this forest and reach the town ahead, I’ll find a way to get horses.”
Su Ling nodded, her spirits bolstered.
After a night of travel, they finally arrived at a dense forest. Ancient trees reached for the sky, and the light and shadows were mottled.
The moment they emerged from the trees, the view suddenly opened up.
A vast lake stretched out quietly across the land. The setting sun and the moon’s light blended together, and the clouds tinted the horizon, making the lake’s surface look as if it were covered in crushed gold. A gentle breeze brushed past, and the ripples swayed lightly like the earth’s breath.
Su Ling couldn’t help but call out softly, “Your Highness, look…”
Sista walked to her side, and the two of them stood together at the lake shore.
“The scenery is nice.”
“It is.”
Su Ling took off her shoes and stepped onto the fine sand with bare feet, slowly walking into the water.
The icy lake water had just risen past her ankles, and she couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath, yet she still wore a smile.
Sista grumbled behind her, “Going into the water in this weather… be careful not to get sick.”
Su Ling looked back and smiled. “Does Your Highness want to join me?”
“You…”
Sista gave a light huff but still walked down, standing side by side with her at the water’s edge.
A cool breeze brushed their faces under the setting sun, and their hands touched before they knew it.
First, their fingertips met, and then they slowly interlaced.
Their fingers were locked together.
The world seemed to fall silent at that moment.
Heartbeats were clearly audible, and breaths were as light as feathers.
Su Ling quietly tilted her head to look at Sista’s profile.
The setting sun cast a golden halo around her nose, and those red eyes looked exceptionally gentle in the light and shadow, like a tranquil lake.
In this moment, there was no palace and no status.
They were just two people keeping each other company.
Yet, a trace of complex emotion welled up in Su Ling’s heart.
‘If we return to Escon City, and if Sista takes the throne…’
‘Can we still be like this?’
‘I am just an ordinary maid.’
‘And Sista will become the Queen everyone looks up to.’
‘One day, she will fly to a higher place.’
‘And I will only be left behind.’
‘Perhaps… it’s enough just to remember this moment before everything ends.’
As she was thinking, Sista suddenly sat down and dipped her feet into the water.
Su Ling sat down as well.
The lake water rippled gently.
Sista leaned slightly toward her and whispered, “Su Ling, it would be nice if this moment could last forever.”
Her voice was soft and distant.
“Actually… I don’t want to be Queen.”
“Aside from you, I have no obsession with anything else.”
Su Ling was slightly startled.
“But I was born a princess.”
“I cannot run away.”
“This kingdom needs me.”
Her voice was calm but held an unshakable resolve.
“This path is very lonely.”
“But because you’re here, I feel that my life is about more than just responsibility.”
She raised her hand and gently cupped Su Ling’s face.
Their eyes met.
The next moment—
She leaned down and kissed her lips softly.
Then, she pulled her into an embrace.
“Su Ling… I love you.”
The lake surface was like a mirror, reflecting their embracing figures.
The wind blew softly, carrying a hint of gentle sweetness.
Su Ling’s heart pounded like a drum.
At that moment, she finally understood her own feelings.
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