Chapter 86 Bewitching Attila clearly saw the black snake open its lips...
With her wedding date fast approaching, Princess Norlana remains immersed in grief.
She published a news item in a newspaper she had founded two years prior.
The small column stated that Princess Eleanor was willing to open the Enlin Library to the public and also wanted to build an Enlin University next to the primary school so that more scholars could teach and impart knowledge.
coax!
This news caused a huge uproar. Some scholars immediately packed their belongings and prepared to leave, while others were chattering and expressing their opposition.
Unfortunately, only Norlanda had the legendary newspaper, mainly because printing and ink technology were very restricted, so opinions from other places could only circulate in one place and at one time, and could not be debated in the media.
Another piece of news, which didn't make it into the newspapers, leaked from the Norlana court.
It is said that, in order to show her respect for Hetuya, the princess would only select one thousand knights to accompany her to the Hetuya royal court.
The remaining hunters and the slaves who were released on the spot would either stay in Enlin as guards or join the Marigold Merchant Guild.
An organization called "Hengtong" quietly emerged.
Sometimes they acted as guards for the merchant guild, and sometimes they took on escort and logistics duties. Meanwhile, the Marigold Merchant Guild, to which they served, simultaneously conducted ancient banking business, steadily earning gold coins in this booming era.
Finally, the Hetuyas arrived before the little princess during the harvest season, carrying gold and silver treasures.
Their eldest princess casually tore off her thick fur with a wave of her hand, revealing layers upon layers of gift boxes beneath. These boxes were filled with gold and jewels, with large chunks of silver serving only as a bright backdrop.
Eleanor sincerely thanked Hettuya for the gift, showcasing her truly most valuable dowry to the guests who had traveled from afar.
Not a slave.
She claimed that everyone she brought was free and that she did not need slaves.
It's not a knightly order.
Hetuya didn't care about a mere thousand-person team, nor did she think that foreign knightly orders could "hunt" with them.
Enlin and the Chamber of Commerce?
These resources are certainly valuable, but they are firmly held in the little princess's hands, and can only be redeemed after her children grow up.
"Look, these are the latest type of textile machines."
Her Highness the princess led them to a manor in the suburbs to carefully examine the machines.
She said without reservation, "I will also have the artisans teach everyone how to raise silkworms, how to comb wool, and how to spin yarn."
In this way, every step from raw materials to finished fabric can be completed at Hetuya.
Although Hetuya is unable to control the profits from garment manufacturing and sales for various reasons, this portion of the profits is already enough to excite everyone.
Who doesn't know the price of silk? This isn't just spinning yarn, it's spinning money!
The gleam of the gold coins reddened the smiling faces of the Hetuyas, and even Attila slumped his shoulders, becoming gentle and refined.
The strong Princess Hetuya changed into clean clothes and quietly visited the silkworm rearing room. She even fiddled with the new spinning machine for a bit.
Attila wore a strange expression throughout, only regaining her composure when she attended the evening party.
She changed into her brand-new dress, fiddling with the pearl buttons sewn onto the sleeves as she awaited the arrival of the little princess. Her mind was filled with the "minor" squabbles that had occurred before their departure.
"Sister Wang, Princess Nolana is ultimately going to marry me!"
Alisa's arrogant expression was like a thorn deeply embedded in her heart, causing her pain all the way.
As the eldest princess of Hetuya, Attila automatically received many preferential treatments from birth.
The initial doting love from his mother, the enthusiastic teachings from the generals, the command of different legions... and even a remote but entirely his own territory.
But all of this came at a price; she was told from the beginning, "You are the eldest child, and you cannot inherit the throne."
She can still lead the army near the royal court only because King Hetuya is still young and has only three legitimate children.
When Agno gets older and has a dozen or twenty children, she will definitely be kicked out. Unless she encounters a mass "hunt," she will only be able to stay in her own territory and slowly rot away.
Attila was not going to sit idly by and wait for her fate.
As her sisters changed every day, growing from little boys into strong young adults, she never slacked off on her plans.
After all, Aguno was too mediocre and couldn't compare to his outstanding daughters at all.
Her ascension to the throne even depended on a whim of the neighboring King Eva in her youth!
Eva pruned the former Hertuya royal family, leaving behind a branch that was neither particularly good nor particularly strong.
Attila's time worshipping her mother was short-lived.
She looked at her mother with disdain, just as a genius like Andra looked at her.
Oh, and Aguno is still Hetuya's wolf king, of course.
After all, she is still very young, and her arms can still be drawn wide.
Attila sneered inwardly: Heh, but her hunting skills are no match for my little sister!
Attila feared Andra as much as he despised Aguno; stars can shine alongside the moon, but they vanish completely when the sun rises.
Andra—how exactly did he die?
Attila still couldn't be completely sure of the news; until she saw Andra's body, she felt something was amiss.
Fortunately, the news from Norlana put her at ease a little.
Attila, who was always an observer, knew best just how dazzling Andra was.
It was a gem that glittered among the rocks.
If Andra hadn't died, Princess Nolana would never have been so eager to remarry.
Attila's heart burned with the same fervor as her mother's and sister's, as she thought of the engagement to Princess Norlana.
She was a goddess who could turn stones into gold!
Before, when the little princess was with Andra, Attila couldn't sleep well every night.
It seemed that the moment he opened his eyes, the now-grown Andra would strut arrogantly on his horse, lashing out with his whip and shouting, "Awake, you lazybones? Get over here and help me set up the tent!"
The nightmare was ended so easily by reality, and the goddess in the dream would finally belong to the real King Hetuya—it made her blood boil!
......
The weather is fine tonight, and the oven in the yard is roasting goats, filling the air with the aroma of fermenting fruit.
Eleanor arrived as the bells rang, descending the jade steps.
The attendants held up the long train of the little princess's gown; the more solemn the moon-white dress, the more sorrowful the teardrop-shaped gemstones adorning it.
The guests looked up to admire the princess's painted eye makeup under the moonlight, then sighed and pondered how to describe the sadness in the beauty's heart to their families when they got home.
As Eleanor reached the last step, Attila stepped forward, her shadow looming over her.
The tall princess blocked the torchlight, casting a shadow on the girl.
Eleanor could indeed feel a dangerous pressure.
But this pressure is nothing compared to the breakdown and pain I experienced recently.
So she calmly raised her head and carefully examined the Princess Hetuya: after all, she had caused her some real trouble in two consecutive lifetimes.
Upon closer inspection, Attila and Andra have quite a few similarities.
They truly are sisters; their height, hair color, and the shape of their eyes and noses are very similar. The most obvious difference is actually their body shape: Attila is a bit more cumbersome.
Attila looked up as she descended the stairs, and that moment of almost stunned admiration reminded her of Andra.
Fortunately, they were standing on the same plane, and the tall Attila had to lower her head.
At least for this moment, the eldest princess's aggressive gaze and Andra's gentle smile were completely different.
Eleanor blinked to hide the slight moisture in her eyes.
Her fluttering eyelashes and amber eyes were like a round stone thrown down – crashing into Attila's heart with a thud, creating shimmering ripples.
Almost instinctively, she raised her hand, wanting to touch the girl's eye.
Crackling sound.
Eleanor's smile remained unchanged as she deftly tapped Attila's wrist with a fan, instantly bringing her back to her senses.
The eldest princess withdrew her hand regretfully: That's right, although Andra is dead, Alisa is not.
Even so, her gaze toward the princess still burned with a fierce flame.
She possesses all the qualities that require divine blessing: noble status, beautiful appearance, intelligent mind, and mysterious soul.
Such a perfect person deserves to be her - King Hetuya's wife!
She was determined to possess this beautiful prey, to have the lovely little princess nestled in her arms and whisper, "I will give you everything... my king."
...
The strong wine was drunk glass after glass.
The guests dispersed in an orderly fashion, guided by their attendants. Some praised the food in Norlana, while others pretended to be too drunk and stayed overnight in the luxurious palace.
Attila rose steadily and saw the princess, dressed in a more practical outfit, gracefully approaching her.
Whether it was her imagination or not, she always felt that the little princess's eyes were filled with the same emotions as hers.
Attila smiled confidently, pushed aside the attendant who wanted to speak, and walked towards the princess.
But when she saw Eleanor's expression, a sense of unease welled up inside her: Eleanor's eyes were too ethereal, as if she were recalling someone else through her.
Who else could it be but Andra?
She suppressed her anger, pursed her lips, and stood before the princess. After a few seconds of calming herself, she reassured herself: It's alright, it's a good thing Her Highness has this affection; she's more like Andra than Alisa... Damn it.
The petite girl came to her side, Eleanor's forehead only touching her chest.
Even though there were still two steps between them, it gave her the illusion that a little princess could lean her head up and be embraced.
"You... on behalf of Hetuya, have given me so many gifts. I should show you more of your dowry. I was a bit busy during the day and forgot to show you one."
Eleanor tilted her head slightly, making one want to follow her fair neck downwards, but unfortunately, it was all completely hidden by her close-fitting clothes.
Attila moved her throat, feeling a bit thirsty.
She understood the princess's implication: who would inspect the "missed" dowry at this time, away from others? She wanted to find a quiet place to have a proper talk...
"Really? Then I'll have to see for myself."
She laughed heartily, her sharp canine teeth gleaming.
......
Squeak-
The princess indeed led her to a side hall and personally took out a key to open the palace door.
The interior was slightly dim, with only two candles lit. However, it was clear that no one was hiding inside—the chest behind the door was open, and the gift boxes inside were too small to hide anyone.
Attila gave a wink, signaling his entourage to stay put.
Her friend winked at her in the queue, and the two exchanged a strange smile.
Snap.
The little princess waited until she entered before closing the door, deliberately leaving a shallow gap to show that she had absolutely no intention of breaking the cup as a signal.
Perhaps it was because she had drunk a little wine or for some other reason, but Her Highness's cheeks were slightly flushed.
Eleanor walked up to the gift boxes and opened each one as if she were counting her favorite jewels, showing her what was inside—bags of seeds.
"Don't underestimate these seeds; I specially selected them."
Princess bit her lip, and Attila noticed a faint bite mark on her lower lip, which looked quite adorable.
Eleanor bent down and patted one of the boxes: "Don't worry, I have agricultural experts in my team. Look at this one, it can grow snow-white—oh dear!"
The little princess looked at Attila with a reproachful gaze, but the upturned corners of her mouth made her look very alluring.
Attila had somehow wrapped her arms around Eleanor's waist, her long, golden-red hair cascading suggestively around the girl's neck.
She pressed her strong body heavily against the girl's shoulder, and asked with a smile, "My little princess... did you call me here just to say this?"
The candlelight flickered, its dim light enveloping the two women. If they had taken just two steps back, they would have been plunged into complete darkness.
"hehe."
The little princess suddenly laughed. For some reason, her sweet, whimpering laughter made Attila, who was usually so bold, freeze for a moment.
Eleanor raised her index finger and touched her lips, then slowly slid it to the edge of her cheek.
"Your Highness, I hope you understand that your actions were inappropriate..."
Before Attila could cry foul, Eleanor pressed her cheek so close to Attila's that she blocked his view.
"The one I want to marry... has always been King Hetuya."
In the chaotic candlelight, intertwined desires transformed into distorted snake shadows. Attila clearly saw the black snake open its lips for a moment, but ignored the falling venomous sap.
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