The night was quiet, with moonlight shining down on the earth, making it unusually bright.
In a room, Ling was still kneeling on the ground, with her head lowered. Her stomach growled from time to time, clearly because she hadn't eaten since morning.
When will this punishment end? I really want to eat.
Ah...
I'm so hungry...
Ling couldn't help but wail in her heart.
Suddenly, there was the sound of high heels stepping on the floor outside the door, followed by the door being opened.
Ling raised her head and saw Iris walking in.
"Madam Sister, I was wrong." Ling quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at Iris.
Iris squatted down in front of Ling, reached out and pinched her chin, making her look directly at her.
"What did you do wrong?" Iris said coldly.
Ling glanced at Iris's hand, then at her icy gaze, trembling in fear.
"I... I shouldn't have lied to Madam Sister, I... I..."
"Speak."
"I... I should have honestly answered." Ling weakly said.
"Hmm." Iris snorted lightly and let go of her hand.
Ling bit her lip and continued, "I... I shouldn't have hidden anything."
"Go on!"
"I just wanted to improve my relationship with Madam Sister, I didn't want Madam Sister to dislike me!" Ling whispered, "But I... I..."
Tears kept streaming down Ling's face, looking pitiful with tear-stained eyes.
Iris looked at Ling's tears, her face expressionless, still extremely cold.
"Continue." Iris said.
"Wuwu~" Ling cried, "Madam Sister, I was wrong, I won't dare anymore, please don't be angry, okay?"
Ling's voice trembled as she spoke, showing that she was really afraid of Iris.
Iris ignored her and just sat quietly on the side, watching Ling.
Seeing that Iris still didn't react, Ling felt a little scared. She didn't know if Madam Sister would continue to punish her.
Ling didn't dare to lift her head, tears kept flowing down.
Iris looked at Ling's crying face, a hint of pity flashed in her eyes. She sighed and said, "Get up."
Upon hearing this, Ling tried to stand up, but her legs were so sore that she couldn't stand up at all. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and her body was shaky, about to fall to the ground.
Iris reached out to catch her, holding Ling in her arms, and then took out a black handkerchief from her pocket to wipe away the tears on Ling's face.
"If you ever do it again, I won't forgive you, do you understand?" Iris's voice was still icy cold, but there was a hint of gentleness in her tone.
Joy appeared in Ling's eyes. She looked up at Iris and asked, "Madam Sister, you... you forgive me?"
"Hmm." Iris nodded.
"Then... can I go have a meal now?" Ling looked at Iris expectantly, "I'm so hungry."
Iris took out a blood bag and a food box from her storage space and handed them to Ling. "Take these."
"Okay, Madam Sister." Ling said happily, she quickly took the blood bag and food, opened the food box, and found that it was filled with her favorite delicious dishes.
She immediately couldn't wait to stuff the food into her mouth, chewing vigorously, disregarding her image, like a hungry beast, eating with relish.
Although Ling's eating manners were not befitting of royalty, Iris chose to overlook it. After all, Ling hadn't eaten for a whole day, and she was really starving.
No matter what, Iris couldn't be too harsh on her sister.
While Ling was eating, Iris took out the Dragonwood Jade Pendant and placed it on Ling's lap. The gentle healing power immediately flowed into Ling's knees, giving her a warm and comfortable feeling.
"Thank you, Madam Sister." Ling looked up at Iris, her eyes shining with joy and gratitude.
"Don't mention it, it's what sisters do." With that, Iris took off her coat and headed towards the bathroom.
Ling was a little stunned. Was her sister really concerned about her? Did she not dream it all up?
Thinking about this, Ling's cheeks turned slightly red, revealing a pure and shy expression like that of a child.
She neatly folded the black handkerchief given to her by her sister and put it in her bosom. She would keep everything her sister gave her safe. At the same time, she made a firm resolution in her heart that she would never make such a foolish mistake again.
In the bathroom, Iris took off her clothes, revealing smooth and flawless skin that emitted a faint enchanting halo in the misty steam, intoxicating anyone who saw it.
"Baixi is right, Ling just longs to be loved. As her sister, I should be gentler to her," Iris thought to herself.
After taking a bath, Iris changed into a clean nightgown and sat on the bed with her hair down. She looked at Ling and said, "Go take a bath and get ready for bed."
"Yes, sister," Ling obediently stood up and went to the bathroom to take a bath.
After bathing, Ling walked out of the bathroom, ready to leave her sister's room.
At that moment, Iris called out to her, "Where are you going?"
"Back to my room to sleep, sister," Ling replied obediently.
"No need, you can sleep here with me," Iris said calmly. She had already decided to nurture this little sister well and never mistreat her like before.
"Yes, yes!" Ling happily nodded and quickly sat on the bed. "Sister, I'm going to sleep now! Goodnight!"
"Wait!" Iris took out a hairdryer and started blow-drying Ling's hair.
"Sister, what are you doing?" Ling asked in confusion. There was a strange joy in her heart, feeling that her sister seemed to have become gentler.
"Drying your hair for you," Iris said lightly.
"Oh, thank you, sister," Ling smiled, her face filled with happiness.
After blow-drying her hair, Ling covered herself with the blanket and went to sleep.
As Ling closed her eyes, a sweet smile appeared on her face. This feeling was so wonderful!
Suddenly, a fair and slender hand wrapped around Ling's waist and pulled her into an embrace.
This was the scent of her sister, this was her sister's embrace.
Ling's breathing became rapid, her cheeks flushed, and her whole body tensed up.
"Sister, what's wrong with you?" Ling trembled, her voice trembling as she asked softly.
"Didn't you want me to be nicer to you?" Iris's voice was extremely cold, but it was mixed with a strong sense of indulgence.
Upon hearing this, Ling's heart filled with joy and she said, "Yes, sister."
Tears welled up in her eyes, tears of gratitude.
Her sister was really concerned about her! She had never thought that her sister actually cared for her. She had always thought that her sister hated her.
Ling's nose felt a little sour, and she couldn't help but lean into Iris's embrace. In this intimate feeling, she gradually fell asleep, sleeping soundly.
After Ling fell asleep, Iris opened her eyes and looked at Ling with tenderness and love.
Iris gently stroked Ling's face and said, "My silly little sister, this kind of care won't help you survive in this chaotic world. I'm willing to be harsh to you, to make you hate me, despise me, and even have the urge to kill me. If I die in the war, you won't be sad."
"If everything goes according to plan, you will become the iron-blooded Empress of the Shuowang Empire. Now that we have fully recognized each other, I will rearrange the plan for your future."
...
The next day, sunlight streamed into the room through the window. Ling slowly opened her eyes and saw her sister getting dressed. She sat up and said, "Good morning, sister!"
"Hmm," Iris nodded and said, "If you're tired, you can continue lying in bed. From today onwards, your house arrest is over. If you want to go out and play, find Baixi and let her take you around. Remember to wear a veil."
"Understood, sister," Ling nodded, her cheeks still slightly flushed. It seemed that she hadn't fully awakened from the warm and happy atmosphere just now.
Iris gently rubbed Ling's head and then left the bedroom.
Has Sister become much gentler? Could it be because of the effect of the patch?
It seems so.
Ling had a sweet smile on her face, feeling a warmth she had never experienced before from Sister's care.
"I want to grow up quickly and help Sister with her troubles."
With that thought, Ling got up, dressed up, and changed into her training clothes before leaving.
The training was all done according to the plan Iris had set before. Although it was a bit tough, Ling was determined to persevere and show her concern for Sister through actions, not just words.
...
In the court, Victor was reporting the results of the first round of the martial examination to Iris.
"Give Marlen Virellet's spot, Virellet is a special admission. Send these winners to the military camp for the second round of the martial examination. There is no time limit, until the instructor is satisfied," Iris ordered.
"As you command, Your Majesty," Victor said.
Just as Victor left, a demon soldier in black armor entered the hall. He respectfully knelt before Iris and said, "Your Majesty."
"Sai Fen, today a group of vampire youths will enter the military camp. I need you to train them as an instructor. Train them to the death. If anyone slacks off or breaks the rules, either kick them out or double their training," Iris said calmly.
"As you command," Sai Fen replied.
"Also, there will be a red versus blue competition every half month. They must draw blood!" Iris added.
"Understood!" Sai Fen respectfully accepted the order.
...
"Chaos, do you think the pure white demon Yar has the ability to govern?" Iris sat on the Your Majesty seat, propped up her feet, and casually asked while drinking tea.
"Yar is fully capable. With her abilities, she can govern a country well," Chaos spoke highly of Yar.
"That's good to hear." Iris nodded in satisfaction. "I wonder what expression Aunt Ancestor would have if she knew about my identity."
Thinking of Aunt Ancestor, a hint of anticipation appeared on Iris's face.
"Hehe, I hope you won't be overwhelmed by Yar's affection." Chaos thought to himself. Anyway, when he spoke, Iris liked to hear the opposite.
However, Chaos also enjoyed seeing Iris being at a loss. It was quite entertaining. There used to be Lilia, but he wondered who could control this mischievous vampire girl now.