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Seven days later, the envoy from the Southcroft Empire appeared in Sinderin City of the Eastvale Empire. and Margaery, as Chief Minister of Wellspring Hall, personally received them.
Arnette stepped forward and cupped her fists, “It is I, Arnette.”
Greetings, I am Chief Minister of the Eastvale Empire Cabinet, Margaery of Glowsend. Margaery returned the gesture. After a brief introduction, the two looked at each other in silence.
Arnette had not expected that, in such a short time, Margaery had gone from being an orphan who left the Chancellor’s estate to, step by step, reaching her current position, the second only to the ruler, commanding thousands. She was poised, her gaze calm, and she radiated integrity.
Margaery also had not expected that, upon seeing Arnette again, the person before her was utterly different from the Tessa in her memory, who would topple at the slightest breeze and cry at any moment.
At that moment, she appeared almost androgynous, her posture straight, white robes fluttering, eyes clear and resolute. There was no trace of hardship left.
Margaery had to admit, the woman before her was formidable. The two stared at each oti. before Arnette said, “I’m sorry.”
.or a while
Margaery looked at her for a moment and replied, “If I were you, I might not have done better.” No one could remain so rational when facing the murderer of their mother.
They both had a long road ahead, trudging through the mire step by step, only then discovering who they truly were, why they lived, and seeing the truth clearly.
After all, we are only human. Margaery let the past drift away with the wind and made a gesture of invitation. “Princess, please.”
The two walked side by side toward the Foreign Affairs Hall. Margaery wore a pale gold round–collared robe, gentle and refined as jade. Meanwhile, Arnette was dressed in white, cold and ethereal.
The crowd was stunned. “A smile upon meeting erases all grudges. Who in the world could truly do this? These two both possess great magnanimity!”
The Grand Chancellor naturally considers peace and has set aside personal grievances. After all, Arnette is the Princess of the Southcroft Empire, abandoned and wronged outside her homeland. If she were to die in the Eastvale Empire, Southcroft would surely go mad.
Arnette is formidable as well. If not for their conversation, I would hardly believe she was once Tessa.
Indeed. She endured humiliation and hardship to avenge her mother, and after experiencing countless trials, she now returns with a clear and open heart. Clearly, she was acting before.
They are both people destined for great things.
Discussion buzzed all around. Margaery and Arnette walked ahead, both feeling complex emotions.
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Margaery looked forward and said, “I never expected our reunion would be under such circumstances.
Indeed. Arnette sighed, “I lived for revenge for twenty–six years, only to discover one day that it was all an illusion.”
“What are your plans for the future?” Margaery glanced at her.
Arnette took a slow, deep breath, stopped, and looked at her. “I have already written to my parents, explaining that what lies between us is a personal grievance, unrelated to the Eastvale Empire or Southcroft Empire. If you wish to seek retribution, I have no complaints.”
Margaery looked at her, recalling past events. Arnette once mistook her for an enemy.
After a moment, Arnette laughed softly. “And are you not also a pawn? Keaton used you, and the Wallen family used you as well. You are nothing more than a spy cultivated by the Fourth Prince of Southcroft, Keaton Wolfe, and others, a medium for the Wallen family to vent their inner filth. We are both victims. There is no need for mutual destruction.”
Margaery turned and looked toward the Golden Throne Hall. “Today, women of our empire can attend school, engage in commerce, serve in the military, and enter officialdom. I believe this is the flourishing age I desire, not one where all women are confined to the inner chambers, fighting to the deat er the one or two men they can reach.”
I am only sixteen years old. Then, she glanced at Arnette. “And you are only twenty–six. We still have many years ahead of us, so why look back? There is no need for me to tear apart someone else’s life.”
She looked at Arnette, the corners of her mouth lifting in a radiant smile. “Blessings and misfortunes are intertwined. If I had not died, not suffered, not crawled through darkness, I would not have seen the truth, nor would I have reached the heights I stand at today. In a sense, those who hurt me in the past were all benefactors to me. And you are the same.”
Arnette was moved, her heart trembling. “You truly are different.” She looked at Margaery, taking a slow, deep breath, as if something cold and dark within her dissipated. “If everyone I met in the first half of my life were monsters, then you are the guiding light.
“You are the only one who is normal. And also the only one who makes me feel genuine admiration. If you and I were to switch places, I might not be able to do what you have done.
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Today, I am the envoy of the Southcroft Empire, and you are the host of the Eastvale Empire. But I can see a difference between you and me. You already stand atop the mountain, overlooking the vast rivers and lands, gazing up at the brilliant stars in the sky.”
“Your eyes are filled with hope and beauty. The world is vibrant in your view. With your boundless spirit, you naturally do not care about the storms of the past. By comparison, hatred is too small. It cannot contain your immense vitality. “” As for me…” Arnette took a deep breath, lowered her eyes in melancholy. “I still have a journey ahead of me. Perhaps in a few more years, I will be able to be like you.”
“But meeting you, I feel very fortunate. Let us go. Our meeting today is for the peace and prosperity of our nations. The people of both countries will be grateful to you. Without you, achieving this level of peace would be near impossible.
Margaery smiled. The two of them walked into the Foreign Affairs Hall together. Along the way, Arnette
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added, “You have also lent me a helping hand. Otherwise, in a while, I would have to return under the guise of a spy, and in the end, I would most likely die tragically in the Eastvale Empire, never knowing who I truly am or for whom I have risked my life.”
Margaery asked, “Has your stomach illness gotten better?”
Arnette gave a bitter smile. “My stomach illness is cured, but now there is a parasitic worm in my body. Perhaps this is retribution for having strayed from the right path.”
Margaery raised her hand and felt her pulse. “Give it another half a month. Once your face has almost healed, I can force the worm out of your body. May you have a new beginning.”
She looked at Arnette, meeting her clear gaze, her feelings very complicated. For someone like her, playing the role of Tessa was also risking her life. The past was too painful to recall.
Arnette sighed, “There is no turning back in life.”
If she could start over, how she wished she could have met a radiant woman like Margaery at the right time and place. If so, perhaps her soul would have been illuminated.
The peace treaty terms were signed with exceptional smoothness. Exactly half a month later, Arnette witnessed the grand wedding of Margaery and Dashnell. Watching their harmony as rulers, she revealed a sincere blessing in her eyes.
This blessing was somewhat different from others. Others wished for Dashnell and Margaery to grow old together in happiness. Her blessing, in addition, held a secret hope.
She felt that Margaery’s happiness and success were like a distant lighthouse, so that from now on, whenever she thought of it in the far south, there would be a light shining in her heart. That would give her the strength to walk toward the light.
Before leaving, she left Margaery a note with only one sentence: [May our kingdom be filled with peace and prosper in years to come, and may we both remain unharmed.]
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
