Chapter 151: Winnie, Forget Her (62/140)

When leaving Ushi City, the elves who had endured the betrayal and war at Yufeng Valley, as well as the days of house arrest in Ushi City…

***

All of them turned back to look at the towering, majestic Ushi City, which was slowly brightening in the morning light.

Their feelings were complicated.

Setting foot on the road home now, however, there was a hint of delight, lightness, and excitement.

As they passed through the streets on their way out, they could see that the commoners’ expressions were completely different from when they had first arrived.

They wore looks of happiness and anticipation that the elves couldn’t quite comprehend.

Even though the living conditions had not obviously improved yet.

But just looking at their spirits, it was many times better than before.

The streets after the great battle were under repair, and the City Defense Army was patrolling at every moment.

Even the high-crime alleyways now had City Defense Army patrols walking back and forth.

Winnie sat in the carriage, and just now she had seen quite a few hoodlums being arrested, shouting their grievances.

On the surface, Ushi City’s prosperity still could not compare to Monsell…

***

But in terms of the spirit of the commoners, it was much better than in the Imperial Capital.

In fact, it was better than any other place Winnie had seen.

Now and then, she could hear many passersby humming songs as they walked.

And it wasn’t just the omnipresent slogans that praised Velis’s merits and greatness—these praises lingered on the lips of every passerby.

From the fanaticism in their eyes, it was clear how beloved the restored Real Imperial Princess was.

But at this moment, Winnie only wanted to sneer in her heart. Real Imperial Princess? Fake Imperial Princess?

There was only ever one Velis, that tyrant!

She had fooled everyone and even made those pitiful commoners sing her praises!

How hypocritical!

“What’s wrong, Winnie? You look so unhappy. Are you feeling unwell or are you hurt?”…

Karo Mama sat across from her, asking in concern.

Her thoughts interrupted, Winnie withdrew her gaze and shook her head. “No, Karo Mama, I’m fine.”

“Really? That vicious woman locked you up for so long—she didn’t do anything overboard to you, did she?”

Something overboard?

Would the thing she had agreed to herself—taking on the seven days of solitary confinement—count?

Winnie shook her head again.

Karo Mama let out a helpless sigh.

“Winnie, I think it’s best to let this matter end here.”

Those words seemed to stir something in Winnie, and she retorted intensely, “End here? Why!?”

“Because to begin with, it was us who tried to assassinate her for the Water of the Sacred Tree, and later she even saved us.”

“A lot of unpleasant things happened in the middle, but continuing to fight with that woman isn’t good for us.”

“So let bygones be bygones. Come back to the Elf King’s court with us, spend some years training, and then go out to gain experience again.”

“What!? ” Winnie asked in disbelief. “Aren’t we going to Monsell, but returning to the Elven Realm!?”

“Yes.” Karo Mama smiled kindly, reaching out to pat Winnie’s head.

“After all that’s happened, we’ve gotten entangled with the Empire, so to avoid affecting other elves and for our own safety, it’s best to leave.”

“Her Majesty the Queen thinks so too.”

“And… this time, since the Restoration Army of Storm Valley and the Glorious Restoration Church betrayed us, Her Majesty has ordered that they be regarded as enemies.”

“From now on, our activities in the Okam Empire will be severely restricted.”

“You must understand, in the eyes of others, we’re walking treasure chests.”

“So, for your safety and mine, Her Majesty the Queen has summoned us back.”

The decision wasn’t exactly wrong, but to Winnie, it was unacceptable.

The elves had been hunted and betrayed here, and she herself had suffered all sorts of ordeals.

And now, without having avenged a single grievance, she was supposed to go back!?

“No! I won’t agree!”

Winnie shook her head resolutely.

“If we go back, what about the Water of the Sacred Tree? Are we just giving up our business in the Okam Empire?”

“Our kin will continue to look for the Water of the Sacred Tree, and business will naturally continue.”

“For now, the Empire isn’t planning to tear up relations with us elves, and besides, we just established cooperation with Velis…”

Karo Mama continued to persuade her.

“But you have to remember who you are, Winnie. You’re the Queen’s daughter—you’ll inherit her place someday!”

“Your safety is important! And right now, in your condition, you need a period of seclusion and reflection back home.”

“As for what happened in the Okam Empire, let it vanish with our departure.”

Winnie wanted to argue back, but Karo Mama stopped her with one line.

“Is the real reason you want to stay because you’ve fallen for that person?”

“How could I!” Winnie leaped from her seat, only to hit her head on the carriage roof.

Thud—she clutched her head in pain and sat down again.

“I’d rather die, jump out of this carriage and get smashed to death, than ever fall for her!”

Winnie bared her teeth and hissed, “I can’t wait to chop her up right now! Strip her bare and humiliate her ten thousand times over!”

Next, both Karo Mama and Jenfenny, who’d been silent all this while, gave her odd looks.

“What are those looks for!?” Winnie snorted in annoyance, “I really will chop her up!”

“That scoundrel Velis—I’ll never let her off for as long as I live!”

Karo Mama hesitated, but it was Jenfenny at the side who reminded her.

“Winnie, Karo Mama never said who ‘that person’ was…”

***

In an instant, Winnie fell silent.

Her face changed from blank, to ashamed and furious, then flustered, even fearful…

***

In the end, she strangely went back to an expressionless look.

After a long while, the carriage bumped over a dirt hole.

Only then did Winnie mumble softly, “Fine, I’ll go back.”

“You smell like you just had a bath?”

Jenfenny asked curiously.

Would Winnie really have the leisure to bathe on the day of her departure?

But Winnie’s next answer shocked and almost made both of them doubt their ears.

“Mm, she washed me. Even gave me a box of Bath Cake. Want some?” Winnie wore a self-mocking expression.

Thinking of how Velis had talked her into agreeing with those gentle words…

The ambiguous, indecent scenes came flooding back into her mind, refusing to stop.

The golden-haired elf clenched and unclenched her fists, over and over.

Karo Mama shook her head and sighed softly, “Forget about her.”

“I really haven’t kept her in my heart… I just want to kill her…” Winnie insisted.

“Let’s hope… so.” Jenfenny and Karo Mama exchanged a glance and sighed together.

After sending Winnie off, the only companion left in the Castle Lord’s Mansion was Victoria.

Velis finished counting the elves’ ransom, then took Victoria with her on a carriage tour of Ushi City.

The Registration Office next to the Castle Lord’s Mansion was lively as always, but that can wait.

***

Walking through the city, Velis could clearly feel her fame growing by the day.

Then she went to the Sacred Forest Grand Plaza where Becky was—by now, a complete stage had been set up there.

These days, Becky’s song repertoire had grown.

Velis was also thinking of writing original songs for promotion.

On stage, that masked figure radiating light and hope had become increasingly skilled.

Maybe she was still shy and withdrawn offstage, but at least when singing her heart out, Becky had much less fear.

After watching Becky, Velis went to check on the deployments, patrols, and training of the Xionghu Army and Youma Army.

With Hill Yu gone, home visits for both armies were temporarily suspended.

Because Velis was short-handed now.

Next, she visited the construction progress at the west city gate and met with Borden, Nidnia, and the commoners who were temporarily housed in makeshift shacks.

After a round of kind inquiries and reassurance,

Having delivered food and consolation funds, Velis gained even more popularity.

After that, she took Victoria out of the city.

They strolled around the outskirts of Ushi City until midnight before returning.

“Your Highness, what were we looking at this afternoon?” Victoria couldn’t help but ask after her bath.

“I was checking how much land would be suitable for farmland—turns out there’s quite a lot,” Velis replied with a smile.

“In the past, it was all monopolized by noble families, rich merchants, the City Defense Army, and the Castle Lord’s Mansion. Now it can be reclaimed and redistributed.”

Victoria asked curiously, “What are you planning to do?”

Velis just gave a mysterious smile and didn’t answer directly.

“Go to bed early, Victoria. After I finish tomorrow’s arrangements, you’re coming with me on a long trip.”