“Does Her Majesty the Queen already have a list of successors in her hand?”
Wendy’s voice was soft, yet it instantly pierced the warmth that had just risen in the tent.
The look of comfort on Astreia’s face for her younger sister hadn’t completely faded.
At those words, she stiffened, instinctively glancing at Yekaterina in her arms.
General Sera’s single eye also narrowed sharply, exuding a soldier’s unique caution and sharpness.
Yes, cleansing is so simple.
But what about after the killing?
Who will fill the power vacuum?
If not handled properly, the entire administrative system of the kingdom could collapse in an instant, a disaster even more terrifying than the Veid Family’s continued rule.
This question was too deadly.
Even Laxana, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, put away her carefree expression, and waited with interest to see how the Little Queen would handle this question.
A crisp round of applause gently echoed within the tent.
“Truly worthy of being my sister’s most trusted advisor, Prince Wendy. Your thoughts are always thorough.”
Yekaterina wasn’t cornered by the question.
Instead, she clapped gracefully with a hint of approval, as if Wendy’s question had landed exactly where she wanted.
“Actually, I don’t wish to harm the innocent either. After all, they’re all subjects of Valoran. Slaughtering indiscriminately would only weaken the kingdom and burden you, Sister, with a reputation for injustice.”
The Little Queen nodded slightly and took out a scroll of sheepskin parchment, meticulously tied with golden thread, from her sleeve.
Clearly, she had come prepared.
“Therefore, I secretly sent people to gather evidence and found ways to protect the loyal subjects who were suppressed by the Veid Family—those with virtue and talent, yet unrecognized.”
She offered the scroll with both hands, presenting it personally to Wendy.
“I happen to have a list here, recording in detail all those whose crimes warrant death. If you purge according to the evidence on this list, it will minimize unrest to the greatest extent.”
Her words were clear and logical, even including such a well-considered plan for the aftermath.
Astreia finally relaxed, letting out a long breath.
So she had wrongly accused her sister—she hadn’t been blinded by hatred and sought to kill the innocent.
“That’s wonderful, Lilina. I’m relieved you think this way.”
The princess reached out and ruffled her sister’s hair, her tone filled with comfort and affection.
Wendy, meanwhile, smiled as he took the list.
He slowly unrolled the sheepskin parchment, his eyes scanning it line by line.
[Crime: Collusion with pirates, trafficking in military arms. Evidence: Secret correspondence with the pirate leader, trading ledger copies.]
[Crime: Seizing royal land and mineral resources for personal gain. Evidence: Forged land documents, mineral transport records.]
Crime: … Evidence: …
Every accusation in the document was flawless.
So flawless, it resembled a model answer distributed in advance to all examinees.
The smile at the corner of Wendy’s lips grew deeper, tinged with knowing amusement and clarity, so much so that even Laxana couldn’t help but frown slightly.
This man.
What kind of scheme is he plotting now?
“An extremely comprehensive list.”
Wendy rolled the scroll back up and handed it to the Little Queen, nodding crisply.
“It seems that, though young, Your Majesty is thorough and well-prepared.”
“However…”
His words paused, and everyone in the tent tensed up.
“To prevent any unexpected escapes by key figures during the action, I suggest we make this play even more complete.”
“Oh? I’d like to hear the details.”
A trace of curiosity flashed in Yekaterina’s eyes.
Wendy smiled faintly.
“Tomorrow morning, please convene the highest-level audience under the name of the Queen herself.”
“As for the reason, let it be ‘to discuss how to deal with the Northland Rebel Army outside the city.'”
“Summon all the nobles of the Royal Capital to the Throne Hall, whether they’re on your list or not.”
“Then, make the topic of whether to open the city gates and allow the Northern Army in for negotiations the focus—let everyone take sides publicly in front of you and their peers, declaring their positions.”
At this, Yekaterina’s eyes lit up, as if she understood Wendy’s intent. She couldn’t help but clap in admiration.
“Good idea! This way, the loyal and the treacherous will be clear at a glance! The die-hard supporters of the Veid Family will surely jump out in fierce opposition, and by then, we can…”
“No.”
Wendy gently raised his hand, interrupting the excited words.
“Your Majesty, you’ve misunderstood.”
A gentle smile still hung on his face, but in those peach blossom eyes, there seemed to be unfathomable whirlpools slowly spinning.
“What I mean is…”
“This meeting isn’t for identifying loyalty or treachery. It’s merely… an execution ground.”
The Prince’s voice dropped, carrying a mesmerizing power that made the temperature in the tent seem to fall.
“At that time, all you need do is sit on the throne and watch them perform, as if enjoying a play.”
“When everyone has gathered, when the debates grow most intense for their own interests…”
“We’ll storm the Throne Hall and give everyone a great surprise…”
Wendy’s gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on the Little Queen’s slightly parted, red lips, shocked into silence.
He spoke his final verdict, word by word.
“Root and branch—leave not a single one!”
With those words, silence fell over the tent.
Everyone was shaken by the madness in his voice—devoid of killing intent, yet more chilling than any murderous aura.
Astreia was the first to recover, her face pale.
“Wait! Wendy! Isn’t this even worse than before?! It would implicate many innocents!”
But the Prince merely turned, giving her a reassuring look.
“Don’t worry. What I mean by ‘leave not a single one’ isn’t a bloodbath.”
“As for what it actually is…”
He winked playfully.
“For now, it’s a secret. Just watch my performance when the time comes.”
At those words, General Sera, who had been about to argue, fell silent as well, choosing to trust the man who always made miracles happen.
Only the Little Queen narrowed her eyes, studying Wendy deeply, lost in thought. After a moment, she nodded slightly, choosing silent consent.
***
That night, under cover of darkness, an elite team quietly approached an abandoned village near the royal city.
Inside a dried-up well, they found the secret passage leading to the palace.
The soldiers under Astreia were the first to jump in and scout ahead, soon sending back word that it was safe.
As Laxana adjusted her Mage’s Robe, preparing to leap into the well, a faint tickling sensation suddenly tingled in her palm.
It was Wendy.
Taking advantage of the darkness and the crowd, he wrote something on her palm.
The strange feeling was transmitted through the Thorn Kiss Empathy Chain, conveying his message.
[Detection Magic]
[Heart Trap]
Laxana turned to look at the prince in the darkness.
His delicate features were hazy in the moonlight, but his peach blossom eyes glimmered in the night.
“Miss Rival in Love,”
Her lips curled into a smile.
This prince is always so cautious…
oh hes actually taking advantage of Thorn Kiss like that