Sista carried Su Ling, her figure like a black bird in the night, swiftly weaving through the alleys toward the city gates.
Phil followed close behind with the other Flame Society members, staying alert to their surroundings and ready for any danger.
Soon, they arrived at the city gates.
The gates were still closed, but faint voices of guards could be heard from the walls.
Phil suddenly spoke:
“Your Highness, leave this to us. You take Su Ling into the city.”
With that, she exchanged glances with several Flame Society members.
They immediately understood and quickly spread out, dashing toward different parts of the gate to divert the pursuers’ attention.
Sista walked up to the small door and knocked lightly.
Three long knocks, two short—a clear rhythm.
After a moment, the door cracked open, and a pair of wary eyes peered through.
Seeing Sista’s face, the owner of those eyes let out a visible sigh of relief and quickly opened the door fully.
“Your Highness, you’ve finally arrived.”
A man in a gray cloak stood there, his voice low and respectful.
Sista nodded and stepped inside, still carrying Su Ling.
The interior was dim but tidy. Several old maps hung on the walls, and a table was covered in documents and scrolls—clearly a temporary command center.
“Where’s Tii?”
Sista set Su Ling gently into a chair and looked up.
“Miss Tii is on her way,” the man replied, then noticed the arrow wound on Su Ling’s leg. His brow furrowed.
“Is this young lady injured?”
“Yes, but I’ll treat her first. You can go back now.”
The man nodded and quickly withdrew.
Sista took out a small knife from her pocket and carefully cut away the fabric around the wound. The arrow was deeply embedded, blood already staining the surrounding skin.
Her eyes went cold. She grasped the arrow shaft lightly and said in a low voice:
“Bear with it.”
Su Ling nodded and clenched her teeth.
Sista twisted her wrist and pulled the arrow out in a swift motion. Blood gushed out immediately.
A soft whimper escaped Su Ling, but she quickly bit her lip to stifle further sound.
Sista quickly produced a bottle of medicinal powder and sprinkled it over the wound.
The powder hissed softly upon contact with the blood.
Her brow furrowed.
“There’s poison on the arrow… I’ll need a special remedy.”
“Your Highness! Su Ling! You’re back!”
Just then, the door burst open.
Tii hurried over to Sista, then saw Su Ling’s injury. Her expression changed.
“Little Su Ling, are you okay? Is it serious?”
Su Ling managed a faint smile.
“It’s just an arrow in my calf.”
Tii nodded, gently stroked Su Ling’s hair, and her eyes showed a hint of concern.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take you to get treated. You’ll be fine soon.”
She turned to Sista:
“Your Highness, follow me. I know the antidote.”
Sista nodded, picked Su Ling up again, and followed Tii into an alley.
At the end of the alley was a worn wooden door.
Tii pushed it open softly, leading them into a dim little room.
The room smelled of herbs. A simple wooden bed stood in the center, with basic medical tools beside it.
Tii settled Sista and Su Ling by the bed and quickly began preparing treatment supplies.
“Your Highness, please lay Su Ling down. I’ll handle her wound.”
Tii crushed some medicinal herbs, ready to apply to the wound.
Sista carefully placed Su Ling on the bed and gently held her hand.
Tii approached, rolled up Su Ling’s pant leg, and revealed the wound on her calf.
The wound wasn’t deep, but the arrow had been coated with something, turning the surrounding skin slightly black.
Tii frowned.
“The arrow is poisoned, but don’t worry. I have antidote herbs here. It’ll be neutralized soon.”
She applied the crushed herbs to Su Ling’s wound and wrapped it lightly with a bandage.
Su Ling felt a cool sensation at the wound, and the pain lessened considerably.
“There. The wound is treated. Just change the dressing on time, and it will heal quickly.”
Tii let out a relieved smile.
“Su Ling, get some rest. Let me know if you need anything.”
Su Ling nodded.
“Thank you, Tii.”
Tii waved it off and turned to Sista.
“Your Highness, Su Ling is fine for now. Let’s talk outside—I have things to report.”
Sista glanced worriedly at Su Ling, then followed Tii out to the yard.
The yard was planted with flowers and herbs, a gentle breeze carrying their scent.
“Your Highness, I’ve investigated all factions within the city as you ordered.”
Tii spoke quietly.
“The situation is complex. Every faction is maneuvering behind the scenes, waiting for your arrival.”
“What are their attitudes? Which factions?”
Sista frowned, her voice low.
Tii thought for a moment, then said slowly:
“First is Her Highness the Queen. She is reportedly furious that you are in the city. She has ordered the Duke to hand you over. However, the Duke doesn’t seem inclined to comply easily—he’s been stalling.”
Sista nodded.
“What about the others? The merchant guilds?”
Tii smiled faintly.
“The merchant guilds are more complicated. Some support the Queen and think you should be handed over; others see your strength and potential and are willing to back you. But they’re all watching, waiting for the situation to develop.”
Sista fell silent for a moment.
“We can’t let them keep watching.”
“You’re right, Your Highness.”
Meanwhile, Phil and the remaining Flame Society members were engaged in a fierce skirmish with the pursuers.
They cleverly used the terrain and night cover, constantly shifting positions to confuse their enemies.
Although the pursuers outnumbered them, the Flame Society’s agile maneuvers kept them from gaining any advantage.
After a heated battle, the pursuers realized they wouldn’t catch Sista and the others anytime soon.
With the city guards beginning to intervene, they had no choice but to retreat into the night.
Phil finally breathed a sigh of relief and led the Flame Society members to quickly evacuate the area, heading to a hidden safe house in the city.
So in that ordinary little yard within the city, the four of them met again.
The neglected princess and the lowly maids.
Sista, Su Ling, Tii, and Phil.
Back in Hailuosen Castle, their relationship had been nothing more than a cold mistress and her servants.
Now, after betrayal, rebellion, and escape, the fallen princess and her maids had gathered once more.
But this time, everything was different.
Amid the political turmoil, the clash between rising and old powers grew fiercer. Their former identities had been washed away by the currents of fate.
They witnessed the struggles and rise and fall of the Three Major Races, witnessed the kingdom of Ansels undergoing a century of unprecedented change, and were ultimately thrust to the forefront of the era, standing united once again.
“Your Highness, how is Su Ling?”
Phil hurried over to Sista, concern in her voice.
Sista replied:
“Su Ling is fine now.”
Phil relaxed, smiling.
“Good. Your Highness, the pursuers have retreated, and we’ve arranged the city’s support network. We’re ready for the next move.”
“Good.”
Sista nodded again.
“Next, we need to meet with the Duke as soon as possible to discuss the plan.”
Tii spoke seriously:
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I’ve already arranged it.”