No!
No, that’s not right!
That Prime Minister isn’t simple!
Wendy suddenly remembered a historical allusion from his previous life: “Chong Er survived in exile, while Sheng Sheng died at home.”
During the Spring and Autumn period, Prince Chong Er of Jin was exiled abroad, ultimately preserving his life and achieving great deeds; meanwhile, Crown Prince Sheng Sheng, who remained in the country, perished in a cruel political struggle.
Looking at Astreia’s experiences from this perspective, how similar it all seemed!
Both were royal descendants, both forced away from the center of power by domestic political storms.
And the very person who had strongly promoted Astreia’s departure to Sunset Fortress to ‘avoid disaster’ was none other than the Prime Minister Allison Visseran, whom Laxana had called an ‘old fox’.
Was this really an act of exclusion?
Or… was it actually a more sophisticated form of protection?!
For a moment, Wendy couldn’t quite grasp the true stance of this Cardinal.
Was she friend or foe?
“Wendy? What’s wrong? Thinking up some evil plot again?”
Laxana’s playful voice rang in his ear.
Then, without warning, a tingling sensation shot up from his waist, as if a feather were lightly teasing him there.
◎
Wendy’s entire body stiffened, almost launching himself off the horse on the spot.
“Ugh….”
He turned sharply, only to see Laxana sitting sideways on her staff, one hand supporting her cheek, while the forefinger of her other hand traced slow circles along her slender waist.
And in the ‘Miss Rival’s’ eyes, there was a gleeful smile of mischief.
[Stop it!]
Wendy mouthed silently, teeth clenched in warning.
Astreia was right next to him; he dared not move a muscle, terrified she would notice.
[I won’t~]
Laxana’s smile widened, her movements growing bolder as her hand began to slide down.
Wendy’s breath caught.
Any lower… and who knows what would happen?!
“Ahem!”
He coughed heavily, then called loudly to the Princess at his side.
“Astreia, I’m worried that the situation in the capital may be more complicated than we anticipated! I propose we have Laxana take advantage of her flight to scout ahead immediately!”
“You!”
Laxana’s smile froze, and she glared at him with wounded indignation.
***
By evening, the army’s vanguard could already make out the towering outline of the capital in the distance.
Just as Wendy had predicted, they encountered almost no resistance along the way—so smooth it was unsettling.
A streak of light shot back from the sky.
Laxana landed at the front of the army, her expression grim and tense.
“The situation ahead is strange. The capital’s gates are tightly shut, and the walls are packed with soldiers. But I can’t see any noble or officer banners…”
When the army reached the foot of the capital’s walls, everyone was stunned by the sight before them.
The massive gates were sealed tight, and the ramparts were crowded with spear-wielding soldiers.
But anyone with a keen eye could see these were not the elite city guards.
Their equipment was mismatched, their ranks disorderly, many trembling as they gripped their weapons, terror plain in their eyes as they looked down at the iron-blooded Northern Army below.
They were obviously a group of forcibly conscripted recruits who had never even seen battle.
Wendy, Astreia, and Sera exchanged glances, deep confusion reflected in each other’s eyes.
What on earth had happened in the capital?
No matter how foolish the Veid Family was, they wouldn’t use a rabble like this to guard the city gates, would they?
The army halted outside the range of arrows and magic, waiting in silence.
Ten minutes passed—no movement from the walls.
Half an hour—still a dead silence.
It seemed the capital’s nobles had no intention of sending anyone out to negotiate, leaving them stranded outside the city.
“We can’t wait any longer.”
Wendy broke the silence.
“Astreia, we have to let the people inside—and those soldiers on the walls—know why we’ve come.”
Astreia nodded, urging her horse a few steps forward.
Laxana understood, flying to her side as a gentle magical glow lit her fingertips.
“Soldiers of the capital! People of Valoran!”
With amplification magic, Astreia’s clear and commanding voice echoed across the entire wall.
“I am Astreia Valoran! Behind me, the Northern Army has just returned victorious from Sunset Fortress, having crushed a force of over a hundred thousand invading orcs!”
At these words, the new recruits on the wall erupted into a barely contained commotion.
“Our purpose here is for one thing only—justice!”
Astreia’s words rang out.
“The Veid Family embezzled from the Northern Army, leaving the frontline soldiers hungry and unclothed! This is an act of treason! We are here only to settle with the chief culprit! As long as you lay down your weapons and open the gates in surrender, I promise the Northern Army will not harm the innocent!”
Her words sent ripples through the ranks.
The soldiers on the wall murmured to each other; the fear on their faces gradually gave way to a new emotion—hesitation.
Yet, still, not a single figure with authority appeared atop the wall to respond.
***
Night fell.
The army set up camp several miles outside the capital.
In the central command tent, the atmosphere was heavy.
“Something’s wrong,”
General Sera’s lone eye gleamed sharply.
“The Veid Family is stalling for time. They’re definitely up to something.”
No sooner had she finished than a staff officer hurried in, an odd expression on her face as she handed over a stack of parchment.
“General, Your Highness, Prince Wendy. Starting an hour ago, officers and soldiers have been reporting that Veid Family spies have been firing message arrows into the camp, trying to bribe them with gold. These are some of the replies I intercepted…”
Wendy took the parchment, and Astreia leaned in to read.
What greeted them were soldiers’ responses, each more outrageous than the last, making the corners of their eyes twitch.
[Is Veid’s gold as pleasing as Prince Wendy? No? Then scram!]
[I wouldn’t trade even a duke’s title for it! Unless Prince Wendy kisses me!]
[Betray the Crown Princess? I’m more afraid Laxana will blow me up with a Light Cannon the moment I step out!]
[You few rotten potatoes and bird eggs think you can buy me? I could gnaw three more black loaves just looking at Prince’s portrait!]
General Sera stared at the wild words, her old face twitching in rare discomfort before she managed a dry summary.
“In any case, morale is stable, no traitors, that’s… good, right?”
Wendy pressed a hand to his forehead.
He wanted to die.
Just then, a runner’s voice came from outside the tent.
“Report—! There’s someone outside seeking an audience, claiming to be a friend of Her Highness Astreia!”
A friend?
All three inside the tent froze.
Who in the capital, aside from Laxana, would risk their life at such a moment to come out and meet her?
“Let them in,”
Astreia ordered.
Soon, a figure in a wide cloak was led inside.
The newcomer was short—almost frail—especially next to Astreia and Sera, making her seem even smaller.
Her entire body was hidden in the cloak’s shadows, making it impossible to see her face or even discern gender.
Astreia stared at the figure, brows furrowing.
For some reason, she felt a strange familiarity—a sense of kinship deep in her blood.
“Are you…”
She spoke hesitantly.
“Lina?”
At her words, the figure trembled.
A second later, the cloak was thrown aside, revealing a delicate, pale face—one strikingly similar to Astreia’s—under the candlelight.
She was like a child wronged by the world; at the sight of family, all pretense shattered, and she flung herself into Astreia’s arms, clutching her tightly.
“Finally, I found you.”
“Royal Sister!”
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