“No, Astreia, listen to my sly… explanation, I’m just.”
Before he could finish, an invisible hand clamped tightly around Wendy’s throat.
His whole body was slowly lifted off the soft bed.
His feet dangled in midair, weightless, kicking weakly.
The Prince had once again been strangled by the neck of fate.
“You were quite bold just now.”
The witch rose slowly.
Her deep purple magical eyes shimmered with a dangerous gaze intertwined with a seductive smile, forming a tempting whirlpool.
“Mine, Prince?”
“Bang!”
Wendy was casually tossed back onto the bed by her, looking helpless but actually unscathed.
This was an intimate lesson only a victor could deliver.
“Hehe…”
Wendy lay on his side, propping his head with one hand, striking a pose he thought was pure and innocent.
His eyes, however, couldn’t help but glance at those breathtaking legs he had just ‘profaned’.
“Can’t help it. Who told my Queen… is too tempting to resist?”
The words “Queen” instantly dulled the sharp coldness in Astreia’s eyes by three degrees.
“Hmph!”
She crossed her arms over her chest, her heart-stopping curves even more prominent, but her lips curled with disdainful coldness.
“You smooth talker.”
“Go take a bath! You’re all sticky and uncomfortable.”
Before he could reply, she grabbed the back of Wendy’s neck without giving him a chance to protest.
“Hey hey! Astreia! I can walk myself!”
The witch ignored him and threw him straight into the bathing pool.
Splash!
Water splattered everywhere.
But the moment Wendy was thrown into the water, his pupils suddenly contracted.
The Magic Pattern on Astreia’s body… seemed to have faded?
He quickly surfaced, shook the water droplets off his face, and focused intently.
The bizarre, blood-red markings, originally creeping like vines down to her ankles, had now retreated to the calves!
This wasn’t an illusion!
Demonization… was actually reversible?!
Wendy’s heart skipped a beat before overwhelming joy surged through him uncontrollably.
One thought stubbornly emerged in his mind.
Could it be… that corruption not caused by the Holy Sword would gradually heal with time?
“What are you standing there for?”
The witch’s lazy yet commanding voice broke through Wendy’s thoughts.
“Come here and wash my back!”
Suppressing his shock and suspicion, Wendy turned to grab a soft wool cloth and began tending to the witch queen he had just ‘overthrown’.
However, as his hand brushed over her smooth, jade-like back, a sudden change occurred!
Thin wisps of barely visible black mist were slowly emanating from beneath Astreia’s skin!
These black tendrils, seemingly attracted by some force, transformed into countless tiny tentacles that eagerly slipped into Wendy’s palm!
Racing up his arm, plunging madly into his body!
A cold yet extraordinarily pure energy instantly spread through every limb and sinew!
Wendy froze mid-motion, clearly feeling this energy strengthening his weak body at an incredible speed!
He looked at Astreia in disbelief, cautiously asking, “Do you… feel anything unusual? Like black mist drifting off your body?”
Astreia suddenly flipped over.
Ripples fanned out in the water as she pinned Wendy against the edge of the pool.
She leaned close, breath fragrant.
“Black mist? Where?”
Her magical eyes gleamed with a knowing, teasing light.
“I think you’re just planning some new trick again.”
“No, I’m serious…”
Wendy’s protest was swallowed whole.
“Mm~”
The witch emitted a satisfied hum.
“Now… it’s time to get down to business.”
She obviously saw nothing, mistaking Wendy’s ‘abnormality’ for a different kind of invitation.
In the renewed round of ‘intimate contact’, Wendy confirmed with shock and delight:
With every touch between them, the cold, corrupting demonic power continuously surged out of her body and was wholly absorbed by his!
At the same time, the Magic Pattern on Astreia visibly retreated above the knees!
Her once domineering and predatory movements gradually softened, even taking on a hint of lingering tenderness.
The truth was clear!
Wendy’s mind cleared completely.
To Astreia, corrupted by darkness, he was not a poison!
He was the only… antidote!
No!
He was the sacred relic capable of purifying her!
As long as this continued, not only could he restore Astreia to normal, but he could also harness this power to become stronger himself!
Astreia would become the sharpest sword in his hand.
And she would never leave the side of her only ‘scabbard’…
Long after, when Wendy was freshly dried by the spirited witch and changed into a clean blue silk robe, the look in his eyes toward Astreia had completely changed.
It was the obsession of a hunter fixated on his exclusive prey.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
At that moment, urgent knocking sounded at the door.
“Y-Your Highness? You… you and Lord Wendy are awake?”
Outside came Deputy Commander Kara’s formal yet cautious voice.
Astreia frowned, draped a cloak over her shoulders, and opened the door, naturally radiating the aura of the Witch Queen.
“What is it?”
“Reporting, Your Highness! There’s… a response to the call for aid from the Royal Capital.”
Kara shivered under her intimidating presence and immediately stood at attention.
“The Veid Family… has sent a Military Inspector, saying they want to… assess the battle damage and verify the military situation…”
“Hmph!”
Astreia let out a cold laugh full of murderous intent.
“Assess battle damage? They only come after the Orcs are all dead. A bunch of bugs that just hide behind and share the spoils!”
With that, she pulled the properly dressed Wendy close possessively, holding him tightly as she strode down to the main hall.
Kara, watching the two’s overly intimate posture, was momentarily stunned.
Then, a faint blush rose on her serious face as she hurriedly followed with quick steps.
***
The atmosphere inside Sunset Fortress’ main hall was oppressively tense.
A middle-aged female knight clad in ornate armor inlaid with gold and jade, her face heavily powdered, was loudly throwing a tantrum with her sharp, piercing voice.
“Astreia Valorand?! So arrogant after just a small victory?! Come down here and see me this instant!”
She was the Military Inspector sent by the Veid Family.
Around her, the generals and officers once allied with the Veid Family now all chose to keep their heads down, watching coldly.
A joke.
The scene of the princess slaughtering the Orc horde like a descending war god last night had already spread throughout Sunset Fortress.
Before such earth-shattering power, so-called wealth and influence looked pale and ridiculous.
If they didn’t pick a side now, what else could they do but wait for death?
Just then, Astreia appeared at the foot of the stairs, holding Wendy.
She looked down disdainfully at the woman flaunting herself like a peacock and clicked her tongue in disgust.
“What an eyesore of a fat pig. Annoying.”
The Military Inspector’s face instantly flushed a deep purplish-red at the unabashed mockery.
Despite her bulky figure, she moved with agility, leaping to the base of the stairs and pointing accusingly at Astreia’s nose.
“You’re just a washed-up princess blinded by men! What right do you have to speak to me?!”
Her gaze then turned venomous as it landed on Wendy, who was protected in Astreia’s arms.
“I suppose this is the male consort who corrupted our Northern Lioness?”
A twisted, triumphant smile spread across the Military Inspector’s face.
“He’s certainly a troublemaker to look at, but I wonder if he’s any good at his ‘duties’ in bed to deserve his current position?”
Yikes.. She shouldnt have said that.