Chapter 110 I'm so infatuated with Eleanor, I can't even imagine myself liking her...

The ceremony of drinking the herbal decoction does not need to be elaborate in folk customs.

This is because every year a group of people take the secret medicine and experience a third growth spurt and a new life.

But royalty is different; this ceremony also represents a possibility of succession.

Princess Eleanor's ceremony to become the fourth princess was supposed to be a grand celebration in the capital—which would also mean that she would become the temporary crown princess, the one closest to the throne.

But no one brought it up.

The ministers had reservations; on the one hand, they were unwilling to be ruled by a crippled king, and on the other hand, they felt that Princess Eleanor was indeed far wiser than Daza or Myrcella.

As for Eva herself, who made the suggestion, she didn't care at all. No one knew whether she preferred Eleanor to inherit the throne or simply hoped that her beloved daughter could live.

Will she survive?

Everyone can see that Eleanor is currently very weak. Will drinking the secret medicine help her gradually recover or hasten her death?

"don’t worry."

Seeing Andra's doubtful eyes, Eleanor gently kissed her lips, pressed her face against her warm chest, and whispered, "If I sensed something was wrong, I would have said so before the ceremony began."

In this life, there were no unexpected events that required a restart, and the third petal still had six bloodstains.

“...Mmm.” Andra hugged her lover tightly, her face still devoid of a smile.

She couldn't express her feelings beyond worry; as long as Eleanor survived, that was enough.

They embraced in the quiet side room, while the servants outside busied themselves with preparations for the special celebration.

Even though there were no instructions from above to hold a grand celebration, there was even a vague feeling that "it's best not to see anyone."

Eleanor's most loyal followers still sensed a special opportunity in the changing situation.

The market was brightly decorated, and citizens spontaneously cleaned the streets and hung colorful ribbons and bells on windowsills and treetops, creating a vibrant scene when the wind blew.

Finally, the auspicious day has arrived.

On that night when countless people prayed silently, Eleanor, draped in a scarlet cloak symbolizing a river of blood, greeted everyone in the banquet hall.

All the candlelight in the hall was concentrated on the long table in the center, while the ministers and attendants were hidden in the shadows, each holding a gold or silver cup filled with wine.

The elixir was supposed to be given to Eleanor by the priest, but Eva took the shallow dish filled with the elixir directly from the priest of Onoah, the god of kingship.

"Eleanor".

She called her daughter's name and handed her the shallow dish. "You know what you'll have to face if you drink it."

“Yes, I know.” Eleanor’s heartbeat was as usual; she had thought about this question a thousand times, ten thousand times in her mind.

What would I bring if I became king?

I will bring everything I can, and I will do my best to bring happiness to more people.

No decision can satisfy everyone.

How easily humans can disagree! Different appearances, talents, backgrounds... any difference can turn into bloodshed and sacrifice, and even outright rejection.

Even two people who seem to be on the same path to outsiders can turn against each other at some point. The balance of seeking common ground while reserving differences is both a beautiful and a difficult thing.

Even so, you will not give up.

Even so, I will not give up.

She picked up the shallow dish and drank it all in one gulp.

The clear-colored medicinal soup becomes slightly cloudy and settles upon entering the mouth, with a few fine powder particles melting instantly upon touching the tip of the tongue.

Everyone knew the changes that would occur after drinking the secret medicine, so they all made way for her.

Eleanor followed the flickering candlelight out of the dim hall and into the bright moonlight, walking step by step toward the newly dug pond in the garden.

Everyone who drank the herbal decoction experienced a rapid increase in fever within a short period of time, and underwent initial growth during a period of drowsiness.

Children from the common people would throw themselves into the stream under the supervision of their parents, and she would also be immersed in the water in the presence of her mother and ministers.

Rustling, rustling.

The girl threw off her cloak, and her snow-white gauze skirt floated away with the ripples on the water.

Feet, legs, waist, abdomen, neck... every step of a new life's arrival in the world is reversed at this moment, and the already grown body returns to the warm river.

bite......

A slight tinnitus caught the noise in the space, and as the lake water soaked into Eleanor's hair, she felt as if she had returned to that long and winding river of blood.

Her soul flowed along with the long river, and in a daze, she saw countless images.

Perhaps due to the effects of the secret medicine, this time she did not see her own memories, but instead saw... the past of humanity.

[Gods, Mother! Grant us strength!]

Human beings, insignificant as they are, bow their heads before the greatness of nature, willing to give everything in exchange for more blessings.

Hunger, cold, heat, floods, earthquakes, poison, and constant struggle and battles—they were so weak, their innate flesh unable to protect their still-developing wisdom.

They wept, pleaded, and executed large numbers of enemies in the name of sacrifice during wartime—just as they sacrificed the elderly and children of their tribe during years of famine, not truly for the gods, but for visible and invisible benefits.

"Mother, please grant us the strength to protect ourselves and others!"

Both those with selfish desires and those who are completely selfless shout towards the sky and the earth, their eyes filled with tears as they imagine a happy life and the warmth of being close to one another.

The Mother Goddess eventually showed mercy to humankind the next time she looked down upon them.

A mother will not prevent her children from making their own choices.

If this is the happiness you desire—then change it. Since you are seeking power, then change for the sake of that power.

Let the Blood River be reborn, exchanging one talent for another.

"What are you asking for right now, my child?"

Eleanor didn’t know what would happen to the others after they sank into the stream, but she figured not many would hear the Mother Goddess’s voice.

Two clear paths unfolded before her.

One path leads to brilliant power, another to vibrant vitality.

She realized something.

If she chooses the left side, she will undergo her third tempering as usual, unleashing a dazzling arc of power within her short lifespan.

If she chooses the right side, this energy will cleanse her body of toxins, allowing her to regain her lost longevity.

Eleanor instinctively reached out to her left, eager to experience the feeling of truly possessing power.

The powers she once possessed, though surrounding her and tightly held in her grasp, would quietly dissipate the moment she let go or encountered someone more attractive.

Wouldn't pure force be different?

Can it bring absolute advantage, unwavering confidence, and fanatical worship?

If she didn't experience it firsthand, she probably wouldn't be able to imagine the advantages or potential disadvantages of possessing this power.

However... Eleanor's fingers skimmed the surface of the water as she resolutely swam to the right.

"I will protect you."

She saw humanity's earliest prayers through the curtain of the Blood River: strong bodies and extraordinary martial prowess were once brought down for survival and protection.

She was not alone; she was never truly alone. She... possessed the most powerful lover in the world.

Andra, I want to believe in you.

Humans are not static, but the fact that I love you and you love me seems to have never changed.

If I remain devoted to you for the rest of my life, would you be willing to stay with me forever?

"Eleanor—don't scare me—don't...don't leave me."

The weeping lover's tears finally seeped into the river of blood and reached a new timeline.

Okay, then I'll stay by your side this time.

Splash, splash.

Eleanor's shoulders leaped out of the water as she took a deep breath in the moonlight.

She turned around, her long, dark hair clinging wetly to her healthy body.

All the spectators had already reached the riverbank, looking curiously at the newborn princess.

Eleanor has grown a little taller, probably barely reaching 1.7 meters.

Her body had nothing to do with being strong; her originally pale complexion had become much rosier, and her smile no longer looked weak.

After all, it's been too late, so there aren't many changes that can be observed, and it's likely that there won't be much change in the next two years either.

People applauded and congratulated her, and a hand reached out before anyone else, firmly grasping Eleanor's right hand.

Her lover's gaze remained unchanged, and she even nodded as if to encourage her.

The young princess looked up and smiled at Andra under his burning gaze.

The night was gentle. As the crowd dispersed, Eleanor thanked her mother and returned to her bedchamber, softly asking the question that had been on her mind.

"Andra, what do you think of me right now?"

In her past life, she certainly wouldn't have noticed many changes, but her heightened senses in this life make her exceptionally perceptive.

Andra paused for a moment when he saw her clearly; her expression didn't seem like genuine joy, but rather somewhat serious.

Andra lowered his head and carefully examined Eleanor's appearance, deliberately making a frowning gesture.

Thump!

Eleanor couldn't help but raise her little fist and punch her, the force landing on her abdomen finally having some strength, no longer weak and powerless.

Ouch!

Andra exaggeratedly clutched her stomach, her eyebrows relaxing at the girl's playful reproach, and she laughed heartily. "What are you worried about? You look beautiful! You haven't changed much from usual, you're healthy and adorable!"

"...Hmph, be serious!" Eleanor pinched her cheek, and this time she only needed to stand on tiptoe slightly to touch her lover's nose with her forehead.

Can you be serious?

Andra put away his playful attitude, hesitated for a dozen seconds, and then opened his arms to embrace his lover tightly.

"To be honest, there is a difference... I might actually prefer the feeling before - wait! It's the height, just the height!"

She pretended to cover her face, but found that Eleanor did not rush over to hit her, but stood still and listened quietly.

Andra relaxed her shoulders and lowered her head slightly—letting her forehead gently touch her lover's.

"I want to say... that kind of thing doesn't matter. The only person I like is you."

"My future wife must be noble, beautiful, kind, gentle, and full of wisdom!"

Childhood jokes speak of the beautiful elements that everyone loves.

What kind of person does she actually like?

Perhaps she was indeed a petite, lovely girl with bright eyes and a kind heart.

He would tenderly embrace her when he felt uneasy, and kiss her lips with a smile and say "Good morning" every day when the sun rose.

But those were all Eleanor, that was just Eleanor.

She has always only liked Eleanor's reflection; if Eleanor were to change, her preferences would surely change accordingly.

Eleanor, I can't even imagine myself liking anyone else.

When exactly did she fall in love with Eleanor?

Perhaps it was love at first sight; the moment the little girl handed him the flowers was the beginning of his heart fluttering.

It's also possible that during their second meeting, she... um?

Andra blinked, and in a daze, she seemed to see Eleanor raising her hand high, smiling and saying, "She'll be my guardian knight from now on!"

Well, that's her impression of Eleanor, isn't it?

That night, her sickly little princess held her hand under the covers.

[“Don’t run away!”] That stubborn look was so adorable, it still has a fuzzy feel to it to this day.

I will never run away, never.

Andra lowered his head and gazed at his lover, who was so close to him. In the eyes of the healthy Eleanor before him, he saw the same unease and longing as in the past.

Chirp.

A long kiss slid down the tip of his nose until their breaths mingled.

As night deepened, tender flowers quietly bloomed amidst tears.

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Author's note: Andra wasn't lying; she genuinely couldn't distinguish whether her preferences for her lover were her own or simply traits belonging to Eleanor.

Perhaps Eleanor perfectly embodied all her fantasies about a lover, which is why she loved Eleanor so deeply. Or perhaps she loved Eleanor so much that all of Eleanor's qualities were exactly what she admired most.

They will both realize at some point how much they love each other, but they cannot be equally sure how much the other person loves them.

Andra was too powerful and too proud. Without several lifetimes of reincarnation and comparison, Eleanor would not have been able to see the true, burning passion of that emotion through the illusion.

Only now does Eleanor understand that Andra, without her, cannot move towards the future, while Andra still does not understand this answer.