As wisps of black smoke gradually dispersed, people began to clean up the chaotic battlefield.
Soldiers worked alongside the women, lifting the wounded onto small carts and rushing them to the rear for emergency treatment.
Ilya let go of Shiya’s hand and followed the Old Village Chief to the remains of the flower god’s core, still hoping to find Hai En.
Shiya wanted to help too, but a striking figure on a white horse—
Golden hair flowing—
B locked her path.
“Shiya, I’ve come to keep my promise and take you home.”
Communication between Flower God Village and the outside world had been restored; at the latest by tomorrow, they could return to the Imperial Capital.
Elena’s tone was as always, like a true elder sister full of love and concern for her younger sister.
But her pale blue eyes stared intently at the girl, not allowing her any intention to leave.
Especially not to run off with another girl.
For an instant, Shiya seemed to read that meaning in Elena’s gloomy gaze.
The girl shyly turned her head away and forcibly changed the subject.
“Elena, where did you find such a beautiful white horse?”
When she had disembarked from the ship earlier, there was no sign of this horse.
She tentatively stroked the horse’s neck.
Interestingly, the white horse also rubbed affectionately against her snow-white hair.
This actually surprised Elena.
She knew that when Karlen had tried to approach and talk to her,the white horse—
Transformed from her mother’s relic—
Had kicked him so hard he coughed up blood and ended up lying in the rear medical room.
“Want to get on and ride? Give it a try?”
The princess patted the horse’s back, extending an invitation, and reached her hand straight out to Shiya.
The morning light pierced through the thick clouds, falling on the princess’s upright figure, gilding her golden hair with a dazzling luster.
Shiya’s cheeks flushed slightly as she placed the back of her hand on the princess’s palm, white as jade.
The warm touch gradually raised her body temperature, and her heartbeat quickened.
Perhaps every girl has dreamed of a prince and a white horse at some point.
But now, the prince had become a dashing princess—
It felt a bit strange.
In a corner neither girl noticed, the white horse’s eyes actually showed a look of relief.
It bent its legs slightly and lowered itself, making it easier for Shiya to mount sideways, holding onto Elena’s waist.
The horse walked forward slowly, the girl gazing at the princess’s back.
She gently twirled a strand of her snow-white hair, a faint smile blooming on her flower-like face.
Until her sister Elena led her to a deserted beach.
“Shiya, time to get off. I’ll help you bathe.”
The princess patted the daydreaming person behind her.
Shiya snapped back to reality, her smile freezing instantly.
“Elena, you’re joking, right? In such an open outdoor setting?”
Shiya immediately covered her chest, her ears nearly bleeding from embarrassment.
The princess didn’t even bother pretending anymore, scanning every inch of Shiya’s white hair and the specks of mud on her dress.
And the sweat that had completely masked that pleasant, subtle orchid fragrance.
Even knowing it would hurt the girl’s feelings, the princess couldn’t help pinching her nose.
“Shiya, being all dirty like this is hardly ladylike. And with me watching, no one will find us here.”
Heaven knows how devastated the princess felt when she first saw the girl who should have been dressed in an elegant white dress like a moonlit fairy, now covered in mud like a wild child.
The war with the flower god had just ended; most houses at the foot of the mountain had collapsed, so luxurious facilities like a bathhouse were out of the question.
Elena had barely managed to keep a straight face the whole way, tricking the reserved girl into coming here. Naturally, she wouldn’t give up after just a few words.
She simply dismounted first, then lifted Shiya in a princess carry.
Seeing her protests ignored, the girl grew dissatisfied.
Taking the initiative, she reversed roles and pinned the princess’s wrists behind her back.
The tide surged and spread over the beach, lapping at the girl’s delicate ankles, bringing a cool sensation in the hot environment.
Shiya’s dizzy mind cleared up.
Looking at the princess, whose cheeks were flushed, eyes downcast, and who offered no resistance, easily subdued like this.
Her own body treacherously began to tingle and grow weak.
“Shiya,” Elena said in a low voice, “you’ve changed a lot.”
Shiya’s pupils contracted sharply.
No matter how hard she tried to imitate, she and the original owner were fundamentally different people.
And the original owner’s soul was now attached to her, witnessing her intimate moments with Elena—what would she think?
Elena’s lips curled slightly.
Seizing the moment when Shiya was distracted, she twisted her wrist and easily broke free from the girl’s grip.
Her fingertips traced over Shiya’s warm shoulder, gently hooking the strap of her plain white dress.
Now Shiya, even if occasionally stubborn, was soft and cuddly, far more adorable than before.
“Let her go!”
A cold voice suddenly rang out.
Before Elena could react, Leonora, who had arrived unnoticed, shoved her away.
Even ignoring the smooth sensation of fabric sliding across her skin, Shiya cried out.
“Miss?”
Leonora’s eyes twitched.
She stepped forward decisively and pressed her hand firmly on Shiya’s chest.
Just barely stopping the dress from falling, preventing the large expanse of fair skin from being exposed.
Let’s rewind the scene to just before someone activated time stop.
A huge sailing ship moved across the sea, banners fluttering, bearing the crest of the Celestine Ducal House.
The crisp sound of leather boots echoed on the deck.
Leonora was restless, only able to enjoy the sea breeze here.
Would Shiya be in danger?
The thick fog that had risen inexplicably at sea had caused the ship to lose its way and cut off contact with the outside world.
A nearby guard finally couldn’t stand it anymore and tried to advise her.
“Miss, we’ll reach the island where Flower God Village is in less than half a day. You’re worrying too much; you’ll lose the initiative with the girl.”
Leonora immediately glared at her.
“Worry? I’m just angry that she defied me and gave back the purple gem hairpin I didn’t want.”
Suddenly scolded by the young lady, the guard shrank her neck, glancing at the Student Council female receptionist who was trying to stifle a laugh.
She irritably grabbed the receptionist’s chin, her tone icy.
“What are you laughing at? If you hadn’t kept leading us the wrong way, the young lady wouldn’t have lost her composure.”
“How shall I punish you?”
The Student Council receptionist coyly turned her head away.
“I didn’t know either. Besides, now that the farm work is done, we’ve made contact with the Student Council members on the island, haven’t we?”
“Less talk. Lie down on the long pole at the bow.”
“No way, that place can be seen by anyone at any time, right?”
Soon, ambiguous sounds reached Leonora’s ears as she stood there dumbfounded.
The young lady watched in shock—
She hadn’t expected this person to be so bold as to do anything ridiculous whenever the mood struck.
Soon, the two women’s hushed conversation resumed.
“Darling, look, that white-haired one over there seems to be Miss Shiya.”
“Mmm… Is Lady Elena doing something very inappropriate to her?”
Hearing Shiya’s name, Leonora grew anxious.
She rushed to the railing, leaning over to look down.
Was Shiya being coerced by Elena?
This girl kept calling that princess “sister,” but she turned out to be so despicable.
Knowing something was wrong with Flower God Village, she still brought her here.
Then the duke’s daughter saw Shiya letting the princess undress her—a highly impactful image.
Her mind went blank, then she took a deep breath, red veins appearing in her pale red eyes.
Leonora pulled the guard, who had already gotten into the mood, off the woman.
“Lilith, use your bloodline ability, now.”
“But miss, I haven’t—”
“Next time you want to secretly meet Father’s concubine, I’ll cover for you.”
“I’ll gladly oblige!”
With the somewhat frivolous guard pressing her thumb against her middle finger, she snapped her fingers crisply.
An invisible yet omnipresent purple energy hand seized the flow of time in the surrounding area.
She grabbed Leonora by the back of her collar, spun elegantly on one toe, and flung the young lady toward Shiya and Elena.
Midair, the young lady crouched slightly, one hand holding down her magic hat brim, elbow pressing against her short mage dress hem.
Her other hand quietly pulled out a luxurious staff inlaid with red crystals.
For that girl, she had been running around day and night, unable to eat or sleep well, exhausting her mind and body.
Now, she was going to ask that dull, shameless, ungrateful girl why she deserved to frolic in the water with another woman.