She watched those kings, who were usually insufferably arrogant, now bowing and scraping before Sophia, trembling as they haggled. She gazed at Sophia's cold, unrivaled figure.
"Did you see that? This is the truth of this world."
Princess Vasha shouted fanatically in her heart.
"Royal Father's outdated political maneuvers are as fragile as paper in the face of absolute wisdom and power.
I want to go with her. I want to go to that country that can birth thunder and change fate! Even if I just serve as an attendant, I must follow this Rose Queen!"
Sophia took a final sip of the warm milk and stood up.
Delilah immediately put away that life-taking pocket gun and retreated into the shadows, her steps as light as an elegant leopard.
"Since everyone has reached a consensus, Mason will not treat you unfairly.
This Queen will return to the guest house to rest."
Sophia nodded slightly to the King of Orr. That imperial aura made the King of Orr subconsciously want to stand up to see her off.
"Willow, have some apple pie packed up."
Sophia turned her head, her voice carrying a trace of human warmth.
"Take it back for Irene to taste. For the sake of this sugar, she will definitely design a few more fun little gadgets."
"By the way, tomorrow we must go to the streets to see if anyone sells this kind of caramel. Mason's chefs still need further training."
Under the gazes of the crowd, filled with both awe and relief, Sophia donned her black cloak and slowly left the venue, surrounded by the Black Rose Guards.
That night, the lights of the Orr Palace remained lit all night long.
The carriage moved smoothly through the deep autumn night.
Sophia leaned against the soft cushions. She was just about to rub her cervical spine, which was a bit stiff from maintaining her Queen posture for so long, when her movements suddenly paused.
Her pale golden pupils narrowed slightly under the dim light, looking toward the shadows opposite her.
There, on the soft couch that should have been empty, sat an elegant and upright figure.
"Princess Vasha?"
Sophia lowered the hand rubbing her neck. Her tone remained cold, betraying no great surprise, but the soul of the complainer within her began to churn.
What is this? An assassination or running away from home?
Why does this kind of cliché drama have to happen in my carriage?
I just want to hurry back to the guest station, take off this getup, and have a midnight snack!
Vasha-Orr did not burrow under a blanket like the rash Irene.
She sat with dignity and propriety; even the pleats of her dress were meticulously arranged.
When Sophia looked over, she lowered her head slightly, performing an elegant seated bow.
"Please forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty Sophia."
Vasha's voice was gentle and steady, carrying the warmth cultivated by traditional royalty.
"Royal Father's behavior tonight made me see clearly the twilight of the Royal House of Orr.
I want to go to Mason. I want to see with my own eyes the new era you have created, one unbound by rotting rules.
If you are willing, Vasha wishes to manage all trade routes within Orr for you."
Sophia pinched the center of her brow, feeling a headache coming on.
"Taking away a Grand Princess... the diplomatic trouble this would cause is far greater than those few chunks of ore."
"Mason does not lack people to manage accounts, Princess Highness."
Sophia spoke coldly, attempting to make the other party retreat out of difficulty.
"Furthermore, you cannot take away Orr's army, nor can you take away Orr's foundations. To me, you are merely a heavy burden."
A trace of desolation flashed through Vasha's eyes. She smiled self-mockingly and whispered:
"You are right.
In the eyes of a King who pursues power and order, I am indeed mediocre, good for nothing other than a forced political marriage.
Perhaps, I should be like my third sister, Daphne... Even if she is locked in the dungeon as a witch, at least she once possessed power that made Royal Father fear her."
Sophia keenly caught that word.
"Witch?"
Vasha's face turned slightly pale. A trace of the instinctive fear traditional nobles held toward taboos revealed itself in her eyes:
"Yes, her name is Daphne.
She is an unfortunate child. Although I think she is pitiful, she indeed touched a domain that should not be touched.
She was always fiddling with strange bottles and jars, and she even used a pungent liquid, transparent as water, to smear on wounds... she even brought a dying person back to life.
Royal Father believes that is sorcery that blasphemes life and will bring disaster to Orr."
Although Vasha loved her sister, having received a traditional education, she believed from the bottom of her heart that her third sister's behavior was bizarre and dangerous.
"Transparent liquid? Bottles and jars? Bringing the dead back to life?"
The 'salted fish' within Sophia instantly flopped over, her gaze becoming incredibly sharp.
How does that sound like a witch? That is simply a walking healer!
"Take This Queen to see her."
Vasha was stunned. She clasped her hands together, somewhat ill at ease:
"Your Majesty, that dungeon is dark and damp, and Daphne carries the curse of sorcery.
Even in Orr, no one is willing to step foot there. I worry she might startle or even harm your sacred body.
She likely possesses the ability to poison people as well."
Sophia felt her breathing become even a bit heavier.
Good heavens, could she really be a transmigrator with special abilities or something?
Sophia looked at Vasha, her gaze profound:
"In Mason, there are no witches, only... Explorers of Truth.
Lead the way. If you wish to prove you are useful to This Queen, this is the first token of sincerity you shall hand over."
Vasha looked into Sophia's pale golden eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through everything, and finally lowered her head under that absolute majesty.
"Since it is your will, I will take you.
But please be extremely careful. Daphne... she is indeed quite different."
The carriage silently changed direction in the dark night, avoiding the main road and driving toward the most desolate and gloomy corner of the Palace.
Delilah, guarding on horseback at the side, heard the fragments of words drifting from the carriage, and the light in her azure eyes grew blazing hot.
The voices inside naturally could not escape her ears, but when she discovered Her Majesty was calmly chatting with Vasha, she chose not to act rashly.
I knew it...
Delilah pressed down on her longsword, a fanatical wave surging within her heart:
Her Majesty shocking the kings at the banquet was merely the first step.
She is now going deep into a place of death to harvest that 'witch' whom the Royal House of Orr views as a curse, but who actually conceals immense energy.
Her Majesty saw through it long ago. The Kingdom of Orr's strongest strategic resource is not its plains or grain, but this variable they foolishly locked in a dungeon!
By letting Princess Vasha lead the way, she completely severs the connection between the two princesses and Orr, incorporating them both into Mason's territory simultaneously.
This kind of utilization of human hearts and harvesting of resources is simply art!
Princess Vasha led Sophia and Delilah spiraling down the damp, cold stone steps.
The air here did not carry the anticipated stench; instead, it held a faint scent of grass and wood.
Princess Vasha appeared somewhat uneasy. She gripped her skirt tightly, maintaining a noble's reserve and fear of the unknown even while leading the way.
"It is just behind that iron door ahead."
Vasha pointed to a small window in the depths. "That is the cage Royal Father had specially built for her."
Sophia stood still, staring at that iron door.
If it's a peer of Irene, then we'll build a laboratory.
If it's a doctor, then we'll build a hospital.
In short, the technology tree of the Kingdom of Mason is going to branch out today!
Sophia spoke coldly: "Open the door."
Delilah took a step forward, her sword hilt pressed against the chain, waiting for that final layer of secrecy to be thoroughly unveiled.
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