End Chapter: Reminiscenes of Bygone Years

Many springs and autumns passed after that.

Time flowed like water, washing over the land of Ansels. The embers of the revolution had long since transformed into a stable order and thriving vitality.

Queen Sista’s reign entered its seventh year. The parliamentary system gradually matured, and the balance of power among representatives of the Blood Clan, Humans, and Beastfolk became the cornerstone of the Kingdom’s stability.

The former members of the Flame Society had scattered across the land.

Viscount Fesca Horn, as the reformist leader of the Northern Territory, promoted agricultural improvements and the spread of education. Tii joined the Intelligence Department, which evolved into the Kingdom Investigation Bureau—not only overseeing internal affairs but also becoming the central hub connecting the races. Tii herself became a core member of that organization.

After working at the hospital for some time, Phil decided to officially join the Kingdom Academy of Sciences. In addition to researching technology and medicine, the scholars’ tireless efforts gave rise to new medical equipment and agricultural machinery.

Beneath the prosperity, undercurrents still stirred.

Some old nobles secretly allied, attempting to weaken the Queen’s power through various means. But their conspiracies repeatedly failed—Ansels had gradually stabilized, and the people no longer wished to return to those war-torn years. Only a small faction continued to resist the Queen.

Morning.

The first rays of sunlight pierced through the thin mist, scattering across the towering white stone balustrades of the Palace.

A gentle breeze brushed through, carrying the fragrance of newly bloomed roses from the garden, passing over the silver-haired woman standing on the balcony.

Her figure was slender and graceful. A pure white robe glowed with a pearlescent sheen in the morning light. Silver hair cascaded like silk to her waist, gently swaying in the wind.

Her features were exquisitely flawless—skin as pure as fresh snow, lips like newly bloomed roses, and pale pink eyes as clear and tender as petals steeped in morning dew.

She lifted her chin slightly, her gaze sweeping over the rooftops of the Capital.

In the distance, the market banners had already been raised. The sound of craftsmen’s hammers and vendors’ calls drifted faintly. Nearby in the Garden, a gardener bent to trim the hedges, and a few white doves fluttered down to land at the edge of the fountain.

Watching this thriving scene, the corners of the woman’s lips lifted, revealing a faint smile.

“Her Highness the Queen, Her Majesty is waiting for you in the Dining Hall.”

Soft footsteps approached from behind. A Maid lowered her head in a respectful bow.

Su Ling turned, the hem of her robe lightly brushing the floor.

“I understand. Please inform Her Majesty that I’ll be there shortly.”

The Maid bowed and withdrew, her light footsteps gradually fading into the depths of the corridor lined with velvet carpet.

Su Ling cast one last glance at the Royal City bathed in morning light, then turned and left.

The oak door of the Dining Hall was silently pushed open.

Morning light streamed through the stained glass, casting a riot of colors across the marble floor.

Su Ling walked in slowly. Sista sat on a high-backed chair, holding a bronze goblet, the silk hem of her morning robe hanging casually.

That black-haired woman looked up at the door, her eyes suddenly brightening.

“Su Ling.”

Sista spoke her name softly, her gaze fixed upon her.

The Su Ling of those days had long shed the youthfulness of a maiden.

Time had not taken her beauty; instead, it had refined that purity into a breathtaking elegance.

She had grown more full and captivating than seven years ago, with a hint of mature charm in her expression.

When she bowed her head in greeting, the lines of her neck were revealed between strands of hair, like a swan lowering its head.

Sista’s coffee cup paused at her lips, her eyes reflecting the figure of her beloved walking against the light.

“This outfit suits you today.”

Sista said.

As the Queen, she still bore that cool, aloof demeanor. But only when facing her wife did her expression soften considerably.

Su Ling lifted her skirt and sat down beside Sista.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The golden tableware shimmered faintly on the long table. Maids stood quietly in attendance.

The sweet fragrance of fresh bread and jam filled the air.

Sista set down her bronze goblet, her gaze falling on Su Ling.

“Is your body well?”

She asked softly.

A faint blush crept across Su Ling’s cheeks. Her fingers unconsciously touched her slightly rounded belly—where Sista’s child was now growing.

“Yes, no major issues…”

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible. Her eyelashes drooped, casting a light shadow beneath her eyes.

“Be sure to get enough nutrients.”

Sista reached out and gently covered Su Ling’s hand.

Since abolishing the Moon Eclipse Rite, she had devoted the full strength of the Kingdom Academy of Sciences to researching the Vampire Reproduction Technique. After several years, she had finally made the impossible possible—female Blood Clan members and Humans could now bear children together.

But the price was that after childbirth, the Blood Clan member would lose their Eternal Life Power and gradually gain a lifespan equal to that of a Human.

Su Ling lifted her pale pink eyes, a hint of worry flashing within them.

“Rather than my body… why would you willingly sacrifice part of your power to marry and have children with me?”

A faint smile curled at the corners of Sista’s lips as she quietly gazed at her.

“Because I wanted to be closer to you, Su Ling.”

Her voice was low and gentle.

“Now, I am happy.”

No sooner had they finished breakfast than a Maid entered.

“Your Majesty, Lady Tii of the Investigation Bureau requests an audience.”

“Let her in.”

The door was pushed open.

Red-haired Tii strode in, followed by a weary-looking Phil.

The red-haired woman’s cat ears drooped listlessly, clearly having been dragged out of the lab by Tii.

“Your Majesty, little Su Ling, good morning~”

Tii grinned, stepping closer. Her emerald eyes sparkled with mischievous light.

“I heard little Su Ling is finally pregnant. I wanted to come and see right away—”

“Mmph…!”

Su Ling’s face instantly turned crimson. Her fingers tightened on her skirt.

“Oh my, you’ve been married for so many years, and little Su Ling still gets shy so easily.”

Tii laughed as she sat down, gently touching Su Ling’s belly with her hand. A hint of envy flickered in her eyes.

“How wonderful. I want to have a child with you too. It’ll be my turn next time, okay?”

Next to her, Phil was dozing off.

Hearing that, she mumbled drowsily in response.

“Then I want one too… next time with…”

She paused, suddenly realizing what she had said.

She slapped her hand over her mouth.

Under everyone’s astonished gaze, she fled in panic.

“No! I didn’t say anything!”

The rapid footsteps faded into the distance. Watching that cat-eared woman run off with her tail flicking, Tii laughed so hard she nearly bent over.

“After all these years, Phil still can’t be honest.”

She wiped tears of laughter from the corner of her eye.

“Well then, if we’re having children, she’ll just have to get in line behind me~”

“Tii…!”

Su Ling shot her a glare of feigned anger.

Sista watched the commotion and helplessly shook her head.

Warm sunlight spilled into the Dining Hall.

The sounds of laughter and chatter drifted out the window with the morning breeze, melting into the bustle of the Royal City.

When Su Ling returned to her Bedchamber, she happened to encounter the Maid from earlier tidying the room.

“Your Highness.”

The Maid bowed her head respectfully.

“I’ll be done shortly.”

She efficiently gathered the scattered cushions and smoothed the wrinkles on the bedsheet.

When she pulled out a dusty old dress from deep within the wardrobe, the Maid visibly froze.

It was a long-outdated Maid Uniform.

The cuffs were frayed. The hem bore several clumsy patches.

In the present-day splendor of Hailuosen Castle, even the lowest-ranking Maid would never wear such shabby clothing.

Just as the Maid was about to fold it away and take it, Su Ling suddenly spoke:

“Wait.”

Her voice was soft.

The Maid stopped.

“That dress… leave it.”

The Maid unfolded the old garment in confusion.

Fine dust rose from the coarse linen fabric in the sunlight.

She dared not ask further and simply presented the dress to the Queen with reverence.

“Your Highness, I will take my leave.”

When the door clicked softly shut.

Su Ling walked alone to the center of the room. She lifted her head before the full-length bronze mirror.

Slowly, she unfurled the old dress and held it up against herself.

In a daze, the mirror reflected two overlapping figures.

One was the current Su Ling—mature, elegant, dignified as the Queen.

The other was the silver-haired girl from years ago, wearing that worn-out old Maid’s dress, trembling as she first stepped into the Castle.

The autumn evening wind seemed to blow through time itself.

Once again, she saw the Earth Dragon Cart that had delivered her to the Blood Clan’s Castle, slowly rolling forward under the setting sun.

The wheels crushed fallen leaves, leaving a faint rustling sound.

So many years had passed.

The Royal City had changed beyond recognition.

Yet those memories of the past remained as vivid as ever, enough to make her heart ache.

Su Ling let out a soft, emotional sigh.

Finally, she carefully folded the old dress and placed it into a wicker basket by the window, gently closing the lid.

It was time to bid farewell to that period of the past.

But for Su Ling.

And for Ansels.

A new chapter had only just begun.

[THE END]