The head maid couldn’t help but feel a sense of pleasure at the thought that Ji Lian would soon pay the price for her presumptuous actions.
However, she didn’t believe that the elf girl named Sherya held an irreplaceable position in the Lady’s heart.
Objects were just objects, meant for amusement.
The eldest Lady’s anger was likely a result of her inability to tolerate her “belongings” being touched by others.
So, she responded respectfully, “Yes, Lady.”
Afterwards, she excused herself and disappeared from Ji Yu Su’s presence.
Ji Yu Su, on the other hand, attempted to calm her inner turmoil.
She even resorted to meditation techniques, but the results were not as satisfactory as she hoped.
Ji Yu Su had never thought that controlling one’s emotions could be so challenging.
In the past, she rarely showed any signs of emotional fluctuation, leading many to believe that the girl only had one expression—cold indifference.
But at this moment, the ice and snow melted, boiling into a simmering turmoil.
Realizing that she couldn’t suppress this sense of restlessness on her own, Ji Yu Su rang the bell to summon the maids.
Before long, the head maid returned.
Being one of the most loyal servants of the Ji family, she wouldn’t miss any opportunity to serve the eldest Lady.
Elegantly, the maid bowed and spoke with respect, “Lady, please give your orders.”
“Find Ji Lian and Sherya for me. Bring them here.”
In Ji Yu Su’s cold tone, there was an innate authority that made one instinctively want to comply.
And this was precisely what the head maid had hoped for.
She promptly agreed, “Yes!”
A hint of unrestrained joy seeped into the maid’s tone.
Clearly, the illegitimate daughter who tainted the Ji family’s bloodline was in for a rough time.
In reality, Ji Lian had never offended the head maid.
But sometimes, disgust had no logic.
In their eyes, her very existence was a mistake.
Ji Lian had long accepted this fate as a “bastard.”
At the same time, in a secluded garden within the palace, Ji Lian gently held Sherya’s small hand, strolling along the flower-lined path.
This was at Sherya’s request.
When Ji Lian had initially mentioned parting ways, the little one suddenly seemed flustered.
She then emitted a charming and imploring sound, “Wooo wooo woo woo,” while hurriedly picking up the gift Ji Lian had given her—a “writing board.”
She quickly scribbled with a pencil on the board and then struggled to lift it up.
On it, she had written, “Want… want to spend more time with you Ji Lian!”
Worried that Ji Lian might leave her, Sherya’s eyes even welled up with glistening tears.
Witnessing this scene, Ji Lian felt deeply moved.
A girl couldn’t control her tears, so when they appeared, it was a genuine expression of emotion.
Indeed, the most touching thing in the world was another sincere and passionate heart.
Ji Lian knew that what she was about to do was wrong.
She knew that, apart from helping Sherya out of her predicament, she shouldn’t have any further involvement with her sister’s little slave.
However, she couldn’t help but agree and sighed.
“Alright, then I’ll accompany you for a bit longer.”
“It’s also a good opportunity to get you familiar with your surroundings.”
“Although…”
Ji Lian hesitated, wanting to say that this was a purely unnecessary and meaningless gesture.
Tomorrow, she and her sister Ji Yu Su would board the steam train, leaving the Elf capital Fericis and heading to the Imperial Capital Danlo in the Eastern Empire.
A two-day journey, traversing numerous challenging terrains.
Their mission: to present the Elf crown to the Empress, proving once again that the Ji family did not fail in their duty.
The mighty empire still thrived under the moonlight.
So, Ji Lian thought the idea of “getting familiar with the surroundings of the palace” was redundant and pointless.
Nevertheless, she fulfilled the girl’s request, taking her to the proud Elf royal garden.
Ultimately, Ji Lian had her own half-hearted intentions.
Anyone who had experienced it would become intoxicated by the fragrance of an Elf maiden.
She wanted to stay by Sherya’s side a bit longer, even longer.
As long as her sister didn’t find out.
Wasn’t this allowed?
Unfortunately, with the arrival of the head maid, Ji Lian’s aspirations were completely shattered.
What was even more terrifying was that the head maid’s appearance was not a coincidence; it was orchestrated by her sister.
“Lady Ji Lian, the eldest Lady’s orders.”
“You are to bring the elf to her presence.”
“…”
Ji Lian’s throat went dry, prompting her to swallow involuntarily, as if trying to conceal the panic one might feel when caught doing something mischievous.
At that moment, Sherya, holding Ji Lian’s hand, suddenly squeezed it tightly.
Ji Lian couldn’t help but look at the elf maiden, seeing a frightened expression on her cheeks.
Fragile and pitiful.
Evidently, the words “eldest Lady” had touched a nerve deep within her, evoking a terrible and fearful memory.
Though Ji Lian felt a twinge of reluctance, she could only silently apologize in her heart.
Sorry, Sherya.
The command from her sister was absolute, not to mention…
She was Sherya’s true master.
Even though Ji Lian was stating an established fact, she couldn’t explain why she felt an intriguing pang in her deep heart.
“Sherya… be obedient, let’s go find my sister.”
Sherya’s shoulders trembled, and her eyes reddened in an instant.
Evidently, the girl had realized that even Ji Lian couldn’t save her.
She sniffed, her nose like pure white jade, and nodded mechanically, her lips pressed together like delicate cherry blossoms.
Faintly, tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.
The head maid led the way, and the two followed her to the royal court of this elf palace.
It was a grand and spectacular building with exquisite and dreamlike architectural styles, embodying the prominent features of the elves’ magnificent aesthetics.
However, for Sherya, it was a sadder sight.
She didn’t need tear-inducing eye drops this time; she was on the verge of tears.
Because all of this should have belonged to her—the inheritance that Princess Sherya, as an elf princess, should have received.
The little elf’s face looked dim, her spirit wilted like a frost-stricken eggplant.
Ji Lian couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache.
She had assumed that Sherya was only afraid of her sister, never considering any other possibilities.
But now, faced with the current situation, Ji Lian didn’t know how to comfort the girl.
After all, even she herself… was in a precarious situation.
However, if her sister insisted on punishing one of them.
Ji Lian sincerely hoped that she could bear more of the burden on behalf of Sherya.
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