Chapter: 72. Remembered?
During the wait for the fireworks festival to begin, even when the topic changed, Princess Xue Fei kept raising her sleeves to frantically wipe her lips. The speed of her actions was almost like a blur. If her lips were made of iron, sparks might have been generated.
Amidst the busyness.
It seemed she heard Princess Belis mention something about her aunt Ailer’s negotiations at the Tower of Radiance.
“Well, my aunt said that the negotiations aren’t exactly going smoothly. The Demon Race and the High-Level Races have never gotten along. Any agreements are just based on mutual benefits at the moment. I don’t know what effect these sanctions against the Church State will have, but… this isn’t what’s important. There’s something I’m quite concerned about, Queen Sister, Queen Sister?”
“Ah? What is it? Don’t shout at me, I’m still upset.”
“Don’t be angry, Queen Sister… I’ll give you a heads up next time.”
“A heads up? You sure are well-mannered.”
“A heads up about what?” Xiya asked curiously.
Though she blinked her bright blue eyes with strong curiosity, it was clearly unrealistic to expect a precise answer.
Xue Fei let her elbows drop and sat obediently.
She changed the subject and didn’t mention any true details about the matter anymore.
“It’s definitely about national affairs. Just means there’s something that needs to be mentioned in advance. Xiya, don’t ask anymore. Just don’t learn from her.”
“Learn… I definitely can’t learn anything! I’ve never understood political matters since I was a child, and the Light Family doesn’t get involved too much in national affairs. I can’t comprehend what you’re saying.”
“It’s good that you don’t understand. I’d be worried if you did.”
“Hmm?”
Just now, when Belis said the fireworks show was starting, not everyone looked up to the sky.
For instance, Timani.
She often daydreams, and she spaced out just now.
Her reaction was a bit slow, and when she turned her head, she saw a strange scene before her.
She didn’t catch what actually happened just now; after all, Belis was wearing a black hood and had her back to Timani. From Timani’s perspective, all she knew was that after Princess Belis said “the fireworks show has started,” she suddenly leaned in close to Xue Fei and said something she couldn’t quite catch.
And after “saying,” Princess Xue Fei’s demeanor changed to something very peculiar, appearing absent-minded.
“What’s going on…? I’ve asked several times why you two were suddenly so close… ah!”
“Is it just you who has a mouth?! Is your vocabulary so rich?! Can’t you use your mouth to eat instead of just to talk?!”
“I was just asking?! Xue Fei! This is the third time you’ve hit me with a donut!”
“Hitting you three times was because you opened your mouth three times. Third time’s the charm; why can’t you learn from your mistakes?!”
Timani’s forehead was already flushed red, thanks to the donuts Xue Fei had thrown at her with surprising speed.
— It was three times in the same spot.
Wasn’t Timani simply trying to ask if something unexpected had caused Xue Fei to zone out? If there was something, Timani could help!
After being hit a few times, Timani decided to stop making things awkward.
She picked up several donuts that had fallen beside her and quietly used her mouth to focus on eating.
Feeling a little wronged.
Xue Fei let out a discontented grunt and, seeing her quiet, decided not to retaliate further.
She turned to look at the purple eyes concealed beneath Belis’s black cloak.
“So what were you saying you’re concerned about? Did my aunt encounter any difficulties in negotiations? That shouldn’t be the case; wasn’t the physical evidence for the Sky Dome already taken there by her? What else is there to discuss? I never expected the High-Level Races to sanction the Church State. Without the Church State, what can they use to keep the Demon Race in check? Ridiculous! They’re just putting on a show, and if they want to pressure the Church State, it still relies on us.”
“It’s not so much about the negotiation itself, but… heh, Queen Sister, please don’t hide anything about the next matter, okay?”
“Hide? No, what do I have to hide? I haven’t even gone to the negotiations, how could it concern me?”
“Hmm, of course it does. My aunt said she met a particularly cute girl at the negotiation table.”
“So what? There are many cute girls in the world, for example, you’re one of the cutest. Who did my aunt meet that’s of any concern to me?”
“!”
Belis, who had been on the offensive verbally, felt her heart race at Xue Fei’s unexpected remark, and her cheeks flushed crimson with heat.
Fortunately, she was wearing a hood; otherwise, this absurd change would have been painfully obvious.
Queen Sister… you can’t be so sly, you know?
You always do this! When we were young and played chess, you would let me win. Clearly a master player, you pretended to be at a disadvantage. Just when I thought I was about to win, you would turn the tables at the end!
Belis still remembers how many times she had cried in front of the chessboard while Xue Fei laughed heartily.
But…
Even with the hood on, anyone could feel the rising tension around Belis, making it hard to breathe.
“My aunt seeing a cute girl at the negotiation doesn’t relate to the Queen Sister. However, this ‘cute girl’ claims to be an old acquaintance of yours… Queen Sister, do you have any explanations… cough, anything you want to clarify?”
“Xue Fei?! It’s very bad to involve yourself with others! Absolutely unacceptable! It should be strictly prohibited!” Xiya, who had maintained her calm demeanor throughout, suddenly burst forth with a seamless warning, her face nearly pressed against Xue Fei’s nose.
“Don’t rush me?! I’m as confused as you are!”
It was simply bewildering!
Everyone’s gaze turned towards Xue Fei. Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the night market, Xue Fei felt her mood starkly contrasting, feeling a cold chill.
Please don’t jump to conclusions whenever something seems off! I don’t know anything!
Forget Xiya and Belis; why are Livra and the Fire Lizard getting involved? What does this have to do with you?!
Perhaps this was how curious onlookers enjoy the drama without caring about the chaos, showing a tendency to stir the pot.
Xue Fei patted her shins, vigorously, trying to speed up her memories.
Feeling the pressure, she spoke timidly, still wanting to gather more information before making a judgment.
“Wait… who is this person you mentioned? What race are they? What’s their name? I don’t remember any old acquaintance who could attend the Tower of Radiance meeting?”
“You don’t know anyone who can attend? Does that mean you consider there are old acquaintances who can’t attend the Tower of Radiance meeting?”
“Not at all! Why are you interpreting this so wrongly? Oh no, I suddenly realized, I don’t actually have any old acquaintances.”
Princess Xue Fei, who had spent most of her life in the Demon King’s Castle and rarely went out, suddenly felt a hint of sadness.
Since Xue Fei asked, Belis decided to provide her with specific information.
“The Third True Ancestor of the Blood Race, the lord of the second largest territory of the Blood Domain, Dark Moon Clear Domain, Miss Floro Yal. Do you have any impression of her? She claims to be ‘familiar’ with you, Queen Sister?”
When she emphasized the term “familiar,” Belis did so deliberately, but to Xue Fei’s ears, it sounded almost sarcastic.
What, are you interrogating me?!
Xue Fei was about to bravely retort, but the pressure from everyone made her shrink back.
Xue Fei intertwined her fingers, recalling carefully.
“Blood… the True Ancestor of the Blood Race? I don’t know her. Floro… that name seems like… a type of bird?”
“No, it’s a Blood Race name.”
“Uh… could you describe her appearance? I’m trying hard to remember, but I really can’t think of anything.”
Under the inexplicably impatient gaze of Xiya, who was tightly clenching her fists, Belis also recalled the information her aunt had brought back.
“Specifically… my aunt didn’t mention. The information she provided said she’s about as tall as me and has cherry blossom-colored hair.”
“Cherry blossom hair… Floro… Blood Race…”
“She always looks like she can’t wake up, and during meetings, she kept falling asleep.”
“Looks like she can’t wake up… hmm…?!”
Xue Fei’s black-haired version of a cowlick suddenly perked up!
“Did Queen Sister remember something?”
“Yeah! Whatever you said about the Blood Race or Floro, I definitely don’t remember, but you mentioned someone who can fall asleep while walking and fall down; it can only be that girl! Isn’t she that girl with anorexia? She’s become the Third True Ancestor of the Blood Race?!”
“Anorexia… she doesn’t like to eat?”
“No, it’s blood. Clearly being a vampire but detesting blood, leading to her always being listless. Now that I think about it, her name is indeed Floro? Hahaha, it’s been years since I last saw her! Is she still walking around with dark circles under her eyes? How nostalgic! She’s been promoted! Uh, what’s wrong with you…?”
I feel like there’s more than one pressure descending upon me!
