adbindia Chapter 274
Chapter 274
Chapter 274
23. Three Rules
One had to know that Livra’s negotiation ability had always been trustworthy. When had it not been her saving a crisis at the negotiating table?
But there was also a saying.
A healer could not heal herself.
Livra had talked herself dry-mouthed for half a day, and the negotiation result she had fought for love was...
——At least she could keep herself from dying.
“Wuu, is there really no chance at all? I... Can I use the Aurus treasury to exchange for a chance to go on a date with Miss Shaya!”
“I’ll exchange! I’ll exchange!” Sheffy raised both hands high and answered eagerly!
“Royal Sister, shut up!”
“......”
Having an unlucky younger sister at home who did not know how to live properly, who would not even earn money when there was money to be made—was this not a prodigal? There was nothing she could do about it.
Belith’s attitude was very clear.'
Any woman who dared approach her elder sister while harboring lewd intentions would either die or be crippled. For the sake of Livra being Royal Sister’s friend, she could refrain from killing her, but she had better roll as far away as possible. If she dared keep staring at Royal Sister, Belith would dig her eyes out.
A thousand cities would not be exchanged for one smile.^
Ten thousand gold would not change one person.
This was reflected in Belith to the fullest extent..
Do not look at how absolutely she said those words, but Xia felt that she could understand what she meant.
Younger Sister Belith had not directly kicked Princess Livra out, but had instead been kicking the wall with loud bangs by herself and sulking. She was conveying a signal to her./
——I know what would be more appropriate to do, but I am very angry, too lazy to speak, so whatever needs to be said, you say it for me.
Fine, fine, fine. Anyway, it was only at times like this that she was a trustworthy partner, right? Usually, she was also wandering along the edge of being kicked out of the house.
However, in this way, Xia was actually rather happy.
This proved that she was gradually being acknowledged by Younger Sister Belith, right.'
She could shoulder matters now!
Taking on this difficult task, Xia pulled over a chair and placed it beside the kneeling Livra.,
“Your Highness, if you have something to say, you should sit down... Hm? Was there such a wooden chair here before?”
“Miss Shaya took it along.”
“From where?”
“From my home.”
“...Please sit.”
Please stop kneeling. In a moment, she would give Sheffy a few scoldings.
Livra awkwardly sat on the chair that had been transported over from her home several hundred li away, but the chair was cold and had not the slightest warmth.
The pressure at the scene was great.
Princess Belith had run over to Miss Shaya’s side, hugging her without letting go, going to declare sovereignty.
At the same time, Lady Xiarette was sitting right opposite her, forming an interrogation posture.
But fortunately, Xiarette had never been an unreasonable person.
“Princess Livra, to be honest, the instant I heard your thoughts, I was completely stunned.”
“Right... I’m sorry... I’m just a stinky rat... unworthy of being a thieving cat... I’m sorry...”
After being nagged by Younger Sister Belith for more than half an hour, Princess Livra’s mental state seemed to have developed some problem.
“I did not expect that you and Sheffy had that encounter during childhood. You two had already known each other long ago.”
“It couldn’t really be counted as knowing each other back then... It was just that I was unilaterally saved and wanted to find Miss Shaya.”
“It may not be very suitable for me to ask this.”
Xiarette’s tone was calm and composed, gentle and refined.
But from an angle Livra could not see, Xiarette was actually fiercely twisting the flesh of her own thigh with her hand, so that her irritable emotions would not erupt at this moment and end the negotiation.
“But I must confirm, your feelings toward Sheffy... Can you confirm that they are love? On the basis that you can confirm it, can you guarantee that this love can reach its current degree? This question is very important, so please consider it carefully before answ...”
“I can confirm it! There has never been anything in my life that I was more certain of than this! I... I must fight for it, otherwise I will definitely regret it until death!”
“......”
Sometimes, to judge whether something was a lie or the truth, one did not need to rely on Sheffy’s eyes.
That urgent emotion, that boundless purity, actually made Xiarette not know what to say for a moment.
Speaking of which...
As the Hero in Aurus, Xiarette had also seen Princess Livra’s childhood.
Xiarette would occasionally follow her father into the royal palace to have an audience with the king, and from time to time she would see Princess Livra back then, sitting alone in the splendid courtyard, staring blankly at the sky.
At that time, Xiarette felt that this princess was truly strange.
She seemed very indifferent toward everything in the world. She would only whisper to birds, beasts, insects, and fish, and there seemed to be a layer of curtain separating her from children of the same age.
——While others smiled like actors performing on a stage play, she was like a lonely audience member beneath the stage.
At that time, Xiarette found it hard to imagine that this princess could accomplish anything great. Yet her kind nature drove her to pray for her, only hoping that this pitiful princess could grow up safely, without being ostracized or persecuted—that would already be enough.
But...
Who would have thought that only a little more than ten years had passed, and she had come to compete with her for someone?!
Livra looked at Lady Xiarette across from her, holding her forehead in a headache, sighing repeatedly, as if regretting having once prayed for someone and wanting to take those thoughts back.
“Lady Xiarette...?”
“I understand now.”
“Huh? What do you understand... You’re not going to scold me as a stinky rat too, are you?!”
“I only want to tell Your Highness that no one has the right to stop anyone from pursuing happiness. This is how I came to be, and this is how Younger Sister Belith came to be. We understand your current thoughts better than anyone, and we also know that your feelings for Sheffy are not accidental.”
“Lady Xiarette... Wuu, I’m really sorry, thank you for your understanding. I... I suddenly don’t know what to say. The fact that you and Princess Belith didn’t beat me up already makes me very satisfied. But even if I were beaten, I would still want to express what’s in my heart, because I’ve kept these things bottled up... for far too long.”
“Stinky rat.”
“Huh?!”
“Sorry, Your Highness. It just came from the heart.”
Xiarette pressed her chest, calming her breathing.
She really still could not have a calm conversation...
Understanding something and venting a certain dissatisfaction in one’s heart were two different matters.
Suddenly...
Strands of silver hair fell into her embrace, and a floral fragrance drifted into her heart.
In Xiarette’s arms, there was suddenly an extra silver-haired bundle.
“Sheffy?! What’s wrong?”
“Hmph, Xia, don’t be nervous. I’m just making my stance clear. Don’t feel lacking in confidence—be brave and confront her!”
Sheffy sat on Xiarette’s lap, blinking, and gave a meaningful look toward the astonished Livra across from them.
Amid her shock, Livra quickly understood.
Miss Shaya... thank you.
Using defense as offense—the best strategy.
Right now, Sheffy truly could not respond to Livra’s feelings, but by expressing her own stance, she could reassure Xiarette and Belith.
Let them know that Livra’s pursuit did not represent anything decisive, so they could remain rational in making their judgment.
Whether for them or for Livra, this was a good thing.
“Wuu... Royal Sister, why don’t you sit on my lap too?”
“No. We’re handling serious matters—look at the atmosphere!”
“Fine... just you wait and see how I’ll make you sit later tonight.”
“!”
Livra! For your sake, I have sacrificed a lot!
Xiarette blinked with emotion, her arms unconsciously wrapping around the warmth in her embrace.
That’s right... Sheffy had not run away, so what was she getting nervous and worried about on her own?
Besides, even if one day Princess Livra really succeeded and occupied a place in Sheffy’s heart, so what?
She would still make Sheffy sit here.
It was the same saying.
Happiness was something one fought for oneself, not something bestowed by others.
What Princess Livra was doing now was an example—she was pursuing her future without hesitation.
If she became lost now, would that not be boosting the enemy’s morale, and looking down on her own weight in Sheffy’s heart?
“Thank you, Sheffy...” Xiarette buried her cheek into Sheffy’s silver hair, whispering her gratitude by her ear.
“No problem~”
Xiarette raised her head.
This time, her gaze was different—clear and resolute.
Livra could not help but shrink her neck, afraid of being scolded as a stinky rat again.
“Ha... Princess Livra, you really are quite impressive.”
“Not at all... I’m just a stinky rat.”
“Mm, acceptable.”
“Acceptable? Acceptable...”
Livra repeatedly mulled over that word, and the delight on her face gradually spread.
“Acceptable?! Does that mean I can pursue Miss Shaya?!”
“I’ve already said it—who you like and who you pursue is your own freedom. I cannot influence what you think in your heart, nor will I use forceful means to make you give up.”
As Xiarette said this, she turned her head to glance at Belith, who was sulking behind them.
“And if we’re talking about using forceful means... then I probably wouldn’t be sitting here so steadily right now either.”
“Great... great!! Miss Shaya, did you hear that! I’ve been acknowledged! I now have the right to pursue you!”
“Alright, alright, I suggest you don’t celebrate too early.” Sheffy waved her hand, as if dispersing Livra’s excitement. “If nothing unexpected happens, this is where Xiarette will start laying out conditions. You’d better listen carefully.”
“Huh? Is that so? Right, ahaha... look at me getting so excited. Of course there will be conditions. Lady Xiarette, please speak—I will definitely abide by them!”
“......”
You all... actually guessed that I was about to propose conditions?!
Talking with smart people was truly frightening.
Xiarette wrapped one arm around Sheffy’s waist.
With the other hand, she raised three fingers.
“Three rules.”
“Mm-hmm! Lady Xiarette, please say them—what three rules? As long as you don’t oppose me looking at Miss Shaya, let alone three rules, even ten would be fine!”
“First, you are not allowed to stare at Sheffy for long periods. She doesn’t like being watched.”
“......”
Well then, that first rule already overturned what I just said.
“Second, before Sheffy says it’s okay—though I don’t think that day will come... in any case, if Sheffy does not agree, Princess Livra is not allowed to initiate any physical contact with her.”
“Th-that’s only right... but at least a simple hug should be okay...?”
“No. You are not allowed to propose any additional conditions.”
“I understand...”
“As for the third rule...”
For the third finger, Xiarette did not speak immediately.
Instead, she raised her head and cast her gaze toward the gloomy-faced Belith.
This small face, highly similar to Sheffy’s, did not suit a frown. Xiarette felt that she had been waiting for this very sentence.
“The third rule—Younger Sister Belith, you decide it.”
“When did I ever say I allowed her to pursue Royal Sister?”
“If you don’t want to decide, then forget it. I’ll think of something else.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll say it.”
Pfft.
That was why it was said—the Demon King’s family truly shared the same trait of speaking against their hearts.
Belith let out a sigh and walked to the front.
After exchanging a glance with Sheffy in Xiarette’s arms, Belith extended her hand.
“Royal Sister, hold my hand.”
“You think I’m a dog? You tell me to hold it and I’ll hold it?”
“Not holding it? Then I’ll hug you.”
“Hurry up, just hold it however you want.”
Belith grasped Sheffy’s hands with both of hers.
Cherishing and dependent, like a fish that had long suffered drought finally encountering the sea—and seeing the blue sky again.
“The third condition—Princess of Aurus, you’ve been calling Royal Sister by the name ‘Shaya’, right?”
“Y-yes... because when Lady Shaya was in the Kingdom of Aurus, she used that identity... I’ve gotten used to calling her that. Do I need to change how I address her...?”
“No. You can keep calling her that.”
“Hm?”
Sheffy Harl was the angel she had met in the snowy day, the name of Royal Sister that she knew well—the most beautiful name in the world.
Before Royal Sister said she accepted you,
you were not worthy of seeing the winter snow of the Demon King’s Castle.
As the three rules gradually took shape here, Timani, as a bystander, watched with a pounding heart.
“How terrifying... Sylatrella, did you see that? The battle for love is actually this cruel...”
“Yes, this is Lady Sheffy’s charm. Sooner or later, we will also stand on this battlefield, cutting through thorns.”
“Uh... did you just say something?”
“I didn’t say anything.”