Chapter 71: The Princess Awakens

“Is your magic even working? Chloe has been unconscious for two hours!”

“Her mindscape shows no anomalies.”

“If anything happens to her, I swear I’ll make you pay.”

Chloe’s eyes fluttered open. She caught sight of Alice, her eyes blazing with fury, clutching Wuxu by the collar.

A wave of emotion washed over her. Alice was actually confronting Wuxu, all for her sake.

Chloe cautiously peeked out, observing Angelica seated at a table. With a dining knife in her left hand and a fork in her right, Angelica swiftly devoured the remaining food. Empty plates, piled high like a precarious tower, adorned the tabletop.

“Don’t trouble Wuxu,” Angelica interjected. “I’ve already eradicated Alysia’s consciousness. Chloe’s awakening is only a matter of time.”

Angelica’s gaze flickered to Chloe, a faint smile gracing her lips. She gestured for Chloe to lie back down before turning her attention to Wuxu and Alice.

“By the way, have you two ever heard the story of Sleeping Beauty?”

“Sleeping Beauty?” Alice released Wuxu, her voice laced with suspicion.

“In that tale, a prince awakens the slumbering princess with a kiss.”

Angelica crossed her arms, casting a mischievous glance at Alice.

‘A… a kiss?’ Chloe quickly shut her eyes, feigning unconsciousness.

“What’s Sleeping Beauty got to do with anything?”

“We possess immense magical power. If a portion of that magic were transferred to Chloe through her lips, she might just awaken.”

‘Angelica, you’re a genius!’ Chloe showered Angelica with silent praise, the recent unpleasantness of being sliced in half completely forgotten.

‘A kiss from a beautiful girl… Hehehe.’

‘Even if she’s a pseudo-beauty over 300 years old, it’s not a big problem!’

“Hey, you’re not implying that I should…”

Alice’s cheeks flushed crimson as she deciphered Angelica’s words. She immediately shook her head.

“If it means she’ll wake up, then let me do it.”

Wuxu volunteered, clutching her chest, her eyes filled with resolve.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”

Alice stared tensely at Wuxu. Wuxu leaned down, cradled Chloe’s head, and slowly brought her lips closer.

‘Hehehe, Angelica, I adore you. But Chloe really wants Alice’s kiss more.’

“Wait, let me!”

Alice used her hand to gently push Wuxu’s face away.

“Alice, my magic reserves are greater than yours.”

“N-nonsense! I said I’ll do it, so I’ll do it.”

Though Chloe’s eyes remained tightly shut, she could feel Alice’s gentle breath on her face, carrying the sweet fragrance of sunflowers. It drew ever closer, closer still…

“This place is huge, wait, Alexei, what are you doing!”

Una suddenly appeared from nowhere, her voice as shrill as a cat’s.

Chloe jolted awake, her eyes snapping open. Alice, her eyes closed and lips puckered, was about to kiss Chloe.

“Aaaaaaaah!”

Alice sprang up from Chloe’s side, launching herself away. Her face was bright red, and steam seemed to billow from her head.

“Wh-when did you wake up?”

“Uh, just now.”

Chloe dared not speak the truth.

“Good, you’re awake.”

Alice sat up, cleared her throat twice, and deliberately averted her gaze.

Una swiftly rushed to Chloe’s side, rubbing her cheek against Chloe’s.

“Una saw everything, you know! You were trying to secretly kiss my Arloy, weren’t you?”

‘Arloy? What kind of name is that? Is it Alena + Chloe?’

“What are you talking about? I would never do such a thing.”

“Do what?”

Chloe feigned ignorance, turning her gaze towards Alice.

Alice’s eyes darted around, her hands unconsciously shoved into her pockets, a tune humming on her lips.

‘Hey, you’re being way too obvious!’

“It wasn’t a kiss; Alice was merely transferring magic. It was very pure,” Wuxu stated with a serious expression.

Wuxu’s explanation only made things worse, and Alice’s face grew even redder.

Angelica clapped her hands, bringing the amusing interlude to an end.

“Alright, alright, enough with the games.”

“Angelica, thank you,” Chloe said sincerely.

Though Angelica had severed Chloe’s lower half, and due to being in the mindscape, her body couldn’t recover quickly, forcing Chloe to remain as just a torso. The cold wind stung her face, and her lower body felt nothing. Her mind raced with anxieties, fearing Alysia might reappear, and she couldn’t move an inch, constantly bleeding from the severed part—it was sheer torment.

However, Angelica had delivered a crucial assist, which was enough to erase all of Chloe’s displeasure!

Angelica glanced at Wuxu and said, “You should thank her. She’s the one who sent me into your mindscape.”

Angelica forked up the last piece of steak and swallowed it.

“I’m full. Let’s go.”

“Go… where?”

“Back to Avros, of course. Did you actually want to stay in this wretched place?” Alice retorted irritably.

“Yay!”

Chloe threw her arms wide, cheering enthusiastically.

Finally, she could return! The foul air of this place had suffocated her.

“But… where are the others?”

Not only Norria, but the other Elders were also gone. Only the five of them remained in the royal court.

“They left, went back to their homes, to their mothers,” Alice said, spreading her hands in a helpless gesture.

“Lilith and her new husband followed Carl’s party, and those Elders scurried away as well.”

“It’s over just like that?”

Chloe struggled to stand, feeling as if everything were surreal.

Although she had anticipated this outcome from the moment she boarded the carriage, experiencing it firsthand still sent a profound tremor through her.

Cliff, like a seasoned pianist, had flawlessly performed a magnificent piece, earning Chloe’s involuntary admiration.

“It’s not over; it’s just beginning. Cliff has truly played us all for fools.”

Alice bit her fingernails, her brow furrowed.

Angelica suddenly rose and walked towards Chloe, then knelt on one knee, her golden-red robe trailing a mark on the ground.

“But I have resolved to pledge my loyalty to you, Divine Chosen.”

‘Eh? Eh eh eh eh eh? Why is Angelica suddenly acting this way towards her?’

Chloe was overwhelmed, blinking to confirm she was still in reality.

“But… didn’t you say you’d only acknowledge me once I became queen?”

“As one of the Three-Headed Alliance, your existence is equivalent to that of a queen.”

Chloe knew in her heart that this was merely a pretense.

The Elders were weakening, and Cliff had the Original Order behind him. Angelica seemed superfluous there, and the current situation clearly favored Chloe.

However, if Angelica was only defecting to Chloe for this reason… it seemed a bit too audacious.

“So, you’re finally choosing a side?”

Alice stood beside Angelica, arms crossed, with no surprise on her face.

“I heard you only stand with the victorious side, just like during the assassination of Caesar.”

Wuxu leaned against the wall, raising an eyebrow as she scrutinized Angelica.

Angelica straightened up, brushing her black bangs aside. A hint of confidence flashed in her golden eyes.

“Please don’t misunderstand. It should be: whichever side I stand on, that side will achieve victory.”