Faust: "I've never been this serious!"
Becoming a witch's fate was not something to be handled lightly. According to Mephistopheles, although the 【witches' feast】 was destined to happen, the process was completely uncontrollable. It was not a script one could simply sit back and watch.
If allowed to fester, it might not just create world-shaking turmoil, but destroying a small kingdom like Qingxi would be effortless.
"Is that so..."
Viviana’s long, curved eyelashes blinked as she spoke.
"Then I wish Your Highness success in achieving your desires."
The prince of Qingxi shrugged and said, "Having said that, my only lead right now is that left-behind shoe. It's truly difficult to find the other person."
Viviana looked toward the palace gates. Despite the heavy control of the court guards, almost every girl who tried on the shoe displayed hysterical symptoms.
It was as if that shoe possessed a demonic charm; everyone was desperate to put it on, willing to pay any price to do so.
Faust's brief departure had not improved the situation; instead, it had only intensified.
This scene made Faust frown involuntarily. The influence of the 【witches' feast】 had exceeded his expectations. He even felt a hint of regret for using this method to screen candidates.
At this rate, wouldn't the minds of the entire kingdom be twisted?
While Faust was worrying, Viviana came to his side and quietly removed her hood.
Faust glanced at the knight maiden with slight surprise.
For some reason, ever since the engagement was broken off, Viviana had always concealed her appearance when she was in front of him.
At least in Faust's memory, this childhood friend had not shown her face so openly in a long time.
Seeing her so suddenly now, Faust was actually stunned by Viviana’s beauty.
Features so exquisite they could drive one mad formed a perfect harmony on her incomparably soft face. It seemed any slight alteration would be a profanation of such a flawless being.
Her pale golden hair flowed casually over her shoulders and framed her cheeks, reflecting an intoxicating glow under the sunlight that made the girl’s skin appear even more fair and pure.
This picture-perfect sight caused Faust to hold his breath instinctively.
Viviana turned her melancholic purple eyes toward the prince of Qingxi and asked:
"What is it, Your Highness? You look as if you’ve never seen me before."
Faust snapped back to his senses and took a sharp breath.
"Hiss... maybe it's because it’s been so long, Viviana. Why do I feel like you've... become much more beautiful? Are you using some kind of beauty potion?"
Heaven be his witness, he wasn't just flattering his childhood friend; Faust truly felt that way.
Viviana shook her head and said:
"You're overthinking it. I am exactly the same as always. I have never changed."
As she reached the final words, the girl intentionally emphasized her tone.
Faust tried hard to remember. In his memory, Viviana had indeed always looked like this. Her features hadn't changed, but the feeling she gave off was significantly different.
How should he put it? Previously, even though he knew Viviana possessed beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, the philandering prince had hardly viewed her as a woman. But now, his heart actually skipped a beat.
To put it bluntly, he was feeling a physical reaction.
While Faust was deep in thought with a frown, Viviana spoke:
"Do you really think you can find her this way?"
"All I see is a crowd of people driven mad by vulgar love. If she does not wish to see you, then you are simply exerting effort in vain."
Faust immediately gave a bitter smile. "There's no other way. I can only assume she wants to see me but is unable to for some reason."
"However, if I must say... I probably have a few more leads."
Under the calm gaze of his childhood friend, Faust said:
"Although our time together was short, I have a general guess about her situation. That girl should be someone who has suffered from unfair treatment."
Viviana raised her delicate eyebrows. "Is that your own observation?"
"Even though it's a bit of a gamble, besides the shoe-fitting, send people to look elsewhere. See if there are any hardworking, resilient, and poor girls within the kingdom who have suffered from injustice."
Faust rubbed his chin and looked at the girl.
"Can I leave this matter to you, Viviana?"
Although the prince of Qingxi had many loyal subordinates, few were truly capable of handling matters independently. Viviana was undoubtedly the person he could rely on most.
Because Viviana was a genius—and not just a common genius, but a super genius!
Whether it was the occult path, martial arts and swordsmanship, or administrative management, military strategy, and even art and literature, Viviana was proficient in almost everything.
Such talent once led the old king to consider making Viviana the heir to the throne.
Yes, Faust's expensive adoptive father had spoken quite openly with him about it. After all, to the king, the bloodline of the throne didn't matter; he only wanted a monarch who could lead the Qingxi Kingdom away from destruction and toward greatness.
Since the throne could be passed to an adopted son, giving it to the daughter of a friend was also an option.
Back then, Faust almost thought his position as crown prince was lost. But in the end, for some reason, the king abandoned that bold idea, shaking his head and saying:
"Being hailed as a super genius at such a young age is not a good thing."
Now, Faust naturally knew that his core advantage lay in the favor of the fairies. But back then, the prince didn't know that and was scared out of his wits by that move.
Thus, when the king settled for second best and tried to set up his adopted son with Viviana, Faust had been incredibly resistant.
What a joke. The Roselin family already controlled the kingdom's royal guard. If Viviana also became the princess consort, would this kingdom be named Qingxi or Roselin?!
To the old king, the name truly didn't matter; he only wanted the kingdom to survive.
But Faust didn't think that way. The Qingxi Kingdom had to become great in his hands. If not, it would be meaningless.
Although it wasn't Viviana's fault, he had to admit that a rift had formed between him and his childhood friend after that incident.
Sigh, my own ugly desire for power.
Faust sighed inwardly and spoke softly to Viviana:
"I know this task is asking a lot, but it is truly important to me."
Due to the Roselin family's special status in the kingdom, Viviana was not Faust's absolute subordinate. Their relationship was more akin to a king sharing the world with a powerful clan. Even as the crown prince, it was difficult to order her around with absolute authority.
He could only play the emotional card.
Viviana stared quietly at the prince. After a long moment, those beautiful and deep purple eyes finally closed gently. She placed one hand over her chest and nodded in a formal salute.
"Your Highness, if this is your sincere wish... I will make it happen."
"However..."
The girl took a step forward, her exquisite face drawing close to Faust. Golden strands of hair brushed against the man's neck as she breathed a scent like orchids.
"I need your absolute support—a permit that grants me approval no matter what I do."
Rate on N.U.
