Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
To Your Majesty Winter,
Your Majesty,
I am Alence.
A day apart feels like three years.
As I write this, the memory of us discussing strategies still comes to mind. You are now at Emerald Fortress, and I am following your instructions, lying low within the Medon Empire to gather intelligence.
Recently, I assisted the Second Prince of the Medon Empire, Howard, in obtaining the throne of the Medon Empire. However, I still require Your Majesty’s help at this moment.
Two of the four Grand Dukes of the Medon Empire harbor ill intentions regarding the Second Prince’s ascension, while the other two are wavering.
With the demise of the four princes, their families and enterprises have suffered severe blows. I fear they may resort to desperate measures and launch an attack on the Royal Capital.
These two Grand Dukes are Grand Duke Bristol and Grand Duke Corvet.
They control two of the Medon Empire’s largest duchies and are not too far from the Royal City. It would take less than three days of travel by horseback to reach it.
…
Following your previous suggestion.
I recommend Princess Jessica to rule the Medon Empire. This princess has an excellent reputation among the common people of Medon, and her personality is very kind and easy to control.
However, recently the Second Prince seems to have misunderstood. He intends to marry Princess Jessica to the Winter Kingdom, to gain our kingdom’s support.
I still have no idea how to resolve this matter. I request that you come to the Medon Empire yourself, to see Princess Jessica before making a decision.
I eagerly await your arrival.
Your Grey Eagle – Alence
Xi Wei tossed the letter into the fireplace and sat by the window, lost in thought. Loli happened to walk in and, seeing Xi Wei in such a pensive state, approached him from behind and gently massaged his shoulders.
“Master, have you encountered any troubles?”
Xi Wei gently took Loli’s soft little hands. They were still cold from being outside. He placed Loli’s hands on his cheeks, which were warmed by the fireplace, and said with a wry smile:
“It’s not exactly trouble, just that the Second Prince of the Medon Empire is causing issues. He wants to marry his sister to the Winter Kingdom to be my Queen, but in reality, this girl is the Queen I intend to support for the Medon Empire…”
“Hee hee~ Isn’t it a joy to be given a Queen?” Loli chuckled, stroking the stubble on Xi Wei’s cheeks and chin. While it was sometimes a bit too stimulating for her, she quite liked it.
“You know, having you and the others is enough for me.” Xi Wei smiled and pulled the little maid into his embrace. After Loli appeared, his originally gloomy mood immediately improved considerably.
“If Master doesn’t like it, you can just refuse directly.”
Loli put her arms around Xi Wei’s neck, looking at him tenderly. “No one can disobey my Master, my King…”
“Of course, I will refuse.” Xi Wei’s tone was resolute. Regardless of whether Loli and Ruo Yi were willing to accept the princess, he would refuse.
“This Second Prince will eventually die. However, for now, I can only feign acceptance of his request. This will make those noble Grand Dukes mistakenly believe that the Second Prince has allied with me. Afterwards, they will transform from mice hiding in the darkness into… mice exposed in the light…”
Xi Wei tapped the table with his other hand.
According to his plan, once the noble Grand Dukes confirmed the alliance through marriage between the Second Prince and the Winter Kingdom, they would surely become restless. At that point, they would undoubtedly emerge in full force and engage in various activities, exposing themselves.
Then, he could capture them all at once.
If he didn’t lure them out and had to hunt them down himself, it would easily cause unrest.
Swallowing two empires in one go was not an easy feat.
Although he had already planted seeds of loyalty to the Winter Kingdom in the hearts of the soldiers at Emerald Fortress, those kingdom lords and nobles still held considerable private forces.
Who knew what they were thinking.
It would be best if he could eliminate them all in one go. But if any eluded capture and roamed this vast land, it would drive him mad.
Just dealing with the matters caused by these rebels every day would be enough to trouble him as King.
“Since you have an idea, proceed according to your plan. We will all support you~”
Loli snuggled into Xi Wei’s embrace like a docile kitten, her slender, fair feet slightly bent and resting on Xi Wei’s thighs. She let out soft, gentle sounds.
“Aren’t you guys going to be jealous?”
Loli’s fluffy tail swept across Xi Wei’s waist, causing him annoyance. He raised his hand and grabbed Loli’s mischievous tail.
“Ah~” Loli stiffened, burying her face in Xi Wei’s embrace and shyly saying:
“We are all your maids, how could we be jealous? Anything that is beneficial to you, we… we all support it~”
“Is that so?” Xi Wei smiled wickedly, stretched out his leg, and kicked the door. The heavy iron-framed wooden door slammed shut with a “bang.”
“Wearing so many clothes, how can I see what you’re thinking?”
“Then Master… Master, how do you want to see?”
Loli covered her blushing pretty face, shrinking her head like a frightened little lamb.
“What do you think? Keke…”
Xi Wei grinned menacingly, instantly transforming into a hungry wolf, shedding his sheepskin in a flash and pouncing on the trembling little lamb.
…
…
“Jessica, are you awake? I brought the most delicious pastries from the court. You know, even when Father was still alive, we rarely got to eat such delicacies.” The new King of Medon, the Second Prince Howard, placed a plate of pastries before his sister’s bed.
Jessica glanced at Howard’s expression before cautiously reaching out to pick up a pastry.
The pastry felt soft in her hand. The tender cake base was mixed with sweet cheese, topped with white cream like clouds, and adorned with a bright red cherry in the center.
“Are… are these for me to eat?” Jessica couldn’t believe it.
She shrinked her head in fear, hiding herself under the covers and placing the pastry back on the plate.
“Of course, I asked the kitchen to make them especially for you.” Howard smiled sincerely, but there was little warmth in his eyes. “Do you know, Jessica, your status is different now. I am the King, and you are the Princess. What’s wrong with a princess eating a pastry?”
As Howard spoke, he took out a snow-white evening gown and a silver princess tiara from a plate held by a servant behind him. “Look, a beautiful princess dress. Tonight, you will wear it to attend a grand banquet. You will wear the silver tiara, a gold ring inlaid with diamonds, and I will lead you along the red carpet with a knight holding your hand, his sword in his grip. Tonight, you will be the most beautiful and noble princess!”
A beautiful and noble princess?
Such distant and unrealistic words…
Jessica felt no yearning for it, but instead, she shrank further into the covers, her light purple eyes filled with vigilance and wariness.
“What do you want to do?” she asked softly.
Although she was still young, she understood clearly that there would be no warmth from her second brother.
Every action, even every word, was not superfluous.
Each carried a hidden agenda.
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