The families of these rebels dared not utter a word of complaint against Willis’s decision.
Especially after Nidnia brought people and publicly executed a few of the ringleaders.
In the current state of Ushi City, strong measures had to be taken.
And the deterrent power of blood was strong.
The relatives and families of these rebels immediately fell silent, timid and meek.
“Remember this!”
“You were originally sentenced to death!”
“But our Second Princess is compassionate and magnanimous!”
“She gave you a chance to live, so don’t be ungrateful!”
Nidnia stood at the very front, exuding an aura that made her look quite like a female commander.
It had to be said—people could change quickly.
To match Willis’s identity, she, Borden, and the others had to adapt to their current positions as soon as possible.
“But you don’t need to worry too much.”
“Our Lord said, as long as you behave well, regaining your freedom and becoming commoners again in the future is not a dream!”
“In fact, if you perform well in mining, you might even be promoted and gain wealth you couldn’t have imagined before!”
A mix of threats and sweet promises.
After Nidnia finished speaking, Wei Fu stepped forward to continue the lecture.
The gist was about the same as Nidnia’s.
Wei Fu himself had come from the hardships of being a miner.
So even though he had once hated these people, he did not make things overly difficult for them.
After dispersing everyone who had been reduced to slaves, he led the able-bodied laborers to the mines outside Ushi City.
Arranging them one by one.
Under Wei Fu’s guidance, the harsh environment of the mines improved greatly.
According to Willis, it was simple—
These people were wealth.
If they lived one more day, they could create one more day of wealth.
If they died, it was a blood loss.
Wei Fu was getting older, but he understood this logic.
So the tragic conditions of past miners would likely never appear again.
As for Nidnia.
Following Willis’s instructions, she left behind the women and children who couldn’t do physical labor.
As for the elderly…
Their numbers were few.
To put it cruelly, they were no longer of value.
Willis’s idea was to gather them into an empty courtyard, place them under strict watch, and provide them with daily food.
That was enough.
It was as much kindness as she could give.
Castle Lord’s Mansion
After the previous great battle, Karo Mama, Jenfenny, and other female Elves, who had gained partial freedom, did not cause trouble.
Since helping Willis suppress the rebels, the collars around their necks had been removed.
And a certain level of freedom was restored.
Except for being unable to leave within one kilometer of the Castle Lord’s Mansion and always being accompanied by soldiers.
They already had the bare minimum of freedom of movement.
Among them, two male Elves spent all day quarreling, full of energy.
When Willis heard it, she ordered them tied up and gagged.
Only then did peace return.
“Alright, you two, sometimes you have to bow your head under the eaves.”
Karo Mama said, looking at the two male Elves.
“And no matter what, that night, she saved us.”
“Even if we’re treated this way, if we can’t be grateful, at least don’t be full of hatred.”
Karo Mama sighed.
“In the end, we tried to kill her first. Being treated like this is normal.”
Jenfenny was a little indignant.
“Karo Mama, why are you siding with that demon!?”
“Why don’t we expose her true face and then use magic to burn down this Castle Lord’s Mansion!?”
“Hmph! You can try!”
At this moment, a City Defense Army guard nearby snorted coldly.
“If there’s any trouble, even if you can use magic, we’ll make sure you die!”
Not only did someone watch over them while eating and sleeping, even going to pick flowers meant being followed by maids.
They truly were being watched to death.
Jenfenny was so stifled by the soldier’s words that she could only huff angrily in silence.
Karo Mama forced a smile and asked,
“Little brother, do you know when Her Highness will let us see Winnie?”
“How would I know? When Her Highness wants you to see her, she’ll let you see her. Asking is pointless!”
The soldier snorted again.
***
On the other side, Willis arrived at Winnie Kanasha’s room.
She was the same as ever, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling.
But compared to the beginning, those lifeless eyes were much better now.
At least there was some spirit in them.
“Your Highness.”
The maid who was tending to her stood up.
Willis nodded.
“Leave it. I’ll do it.”
“Yes!”
After the maid left, Willis helped Winnie up and removed all her clothes.
From her forehead and hair down to her toes.
Just as she’d said, Willis cared for her like a maid.
Winnie turned her eyes, looking at Willis.
Each time Willis’s fingers touched her skin, Winnie trembled.
Sometimes, a certain fragrant liquid would seep out, dampening the sheets.
Like now.
Willis frowned.
“Already this big, and still wetting the bed?”
Winnie didn’t refute such a shameful thing.
A blush spread on her face, and her body trembled from time to time.
She was scared.
Sighing, Willis lifted her up and covered her delicate body with a blanket.
She carried her to the bathhouse prepared by the maid and entered the large bath with her.
Using flower petals, she washed her body.
Every inch of snowy skin was like a newborn.
Touching it was like a freshly peeled egg—tender, smooth, and elastic.
Willis washed with great care, not impatient at all.
She even enjoyed it somewhat, washing some places several times before feeling satisfied.
After finishing, she carried Winnie back to the clean bed the maids had prepared.
Then, she took the bowl and chopsticks from the maid and fed her bit by bit.
Winnie was obedient.
As Willis moved her hand, Winnie opened her mouth and swallowed.
“Chew slowly. Don’t swallow so fast.”
Willis scolded.
Winnie lowered her head.
After that, she chewed every bite for nearly ten seconds before daring to swallow.
After drinking water, Willis felt like she was caring for a bedridden girlfriend.
Of course, given Winnie’s current state, she would recover soon enough.
It was just that every time Willis was about to leave, Winnie’s gaze would become complex.
Only at that moment did she seem truly alive.
“Your Highness, someone is asking to see you outside.”
“Hmm?”
Willis asked.
“Who is it?”
“They say they are the Headmaster of the Royal Academy—Sylvester Joylu.”
“Headmaster?”
Willis was startled.
Why would someone of such an age come all the way from the Royal Academy to Ushi City?
Or was it an imposter?
No, it couldn’t be, right?
“Alright, I’ll come right away. Bring him to the main hall.”
“Yes!”
After the maid left, Willis gently tucked Winnie in.
Then she kissed her forehead—a ritual she performed every time before leaving.
“Alright, rest well. I’ll see you tonight. This Imperial Princess is leaving.”
Winnie kept her eyes closed, unmoved.
Willis didn’t expect a response.
Leaving the room, she went to the main hall.
Sure enough, she saw the kind, white-haired old man leaning on a cane.