396,

"Such beauty and grace!" Several men slowed their steps within the royal city.

This was the City of Dusk, the renowned academic capital of the continent.

As ministers of the country, every time they passed this stretch of grassy path, they couldn't help but look up.

"The king's sister, isn't it? Not only is his wife beautiful, even his sister is, how envy-inducing!"

"Haha, mind your words~ It wouldn't be good if someone overheard you."

The ministers, while chatting and laughing, never forgot their own positions and the occasion.

A group of men who, after their meeting conclusion, would pass through this place.

They would intentionally come here first, then stay back to discuss state affairs as an excuse to steal a few more glances.

For no other reason than a tiny window, a tiny figure.

The most beautiful woman in the continent, the sister of the Dusk King, the princess of Dusk, Elyse.

With her enchanting beauty, perfect figure, and melodious voice, she was the object of every man's desires.

As they dreamt of marrying her, Elyse would merely smile, causing the ministers to draw their swords instantly.

Elyse didn't mind the men's stares; as a princess of the country, she possessed confidence and arrogance far beyond ordinary people.

The more men lusted after her, the more it proved her extraordinary existence.

However, things were different now.

Elyse's smile was no longer out of joy but simply to brush off those stinking men who wanted to see her.

She had no interest in such small-minded men.

Clutching a token of love, Elyse remembered the man who had rejected her.

Heard that... after leaving the city of Allen, he never looked back and fled south...

Repeating this hard-earned intelligence in her mind, Elyse held onto her last hope tightly.

"South..."

Gazing at the distant sky, Elyse, a princess of the country, was also the canary in this royal city.

During the last conflict with the demons, Daniel's strategy required Elyse's intervention, granting her the chance to temporarily leave the city.

She had wanted to escape before and run away with the man back then.

However, despite ordering her maids to quickly follow the carriage on horseback, they all managed to catch up in the end.

This formidable physical capability was precisely why the Dusk King had dispatched the most powerful maid squad to prevent Elyse from acting recklessly.

In exchange for fulfilling the alliance between the two countries, they also protected the dignity of the nation.

No... actually, I... could have escaped...

Tears welled up in Elyse's eyes as she looked at the sky.

The real reason she couldn't escape was the disappearance of that man, Cyclone Theodore.

He vanished within the Tower of Lust.

The departure of her beloved robbed Elyse of the motivation to flee.

Recalling the time in the carriage, free from the restraint of her maids, being thoroughly captivated by Cyclone was when Elyse was truly happy.

"Your Highness?"

"Yes?"

A maid beside her approached, and Elyse looked at her, not understanding the maid's intention.

"What does 'south' mean?"

"Oh~ it's just... um... a bird flew by."

Under constant surveillance, Elyse had no chance of escape whatsoever.

If... I also had those wings of freedom...

Watching the flying crows in the sky, Elyse once again reminisced about the time spent with Cyclone.

That man... surely won't accept any constraints... surely...

"Don't worry~ Princess will soon be able to go out and play again."

Upon hearing the maid's words, Elyse couldn't help but break into a smile beneath her sorrowful expression.

But that sly smile was quickly withdrawn.

"Can I go out now?"

"Of course, our maid corps will also vow to protect the safety of the princess to the death."

Soon, it will be the first anniversary of the alliance between the City of Dusk and the Allen City.

Yes, after waiting for half a year, the opportunity Elyse yearned for has finally arrived.

"Well~ I trust in the strength of your maid corps~"

Just keep watching me...

Watching the smiling maids greeting visitors, Elyse made a vow.

I will definitely... disappear in front of all of you!!

Elyse once again looked towards the south, where the person she wanted to find was.