Chapter 5: Innocent Female Mages

Half an hour later, the two arrived at Lady Agneth's Azure Manor.

"Oh~ Selena, what on earth is going on?!"

Lady Agneth let out a startled cry, immediately took Selena by the hand into the study, and swiftly ordered a maid to fetch a brand‑new set of garments for her.

As for Luosen, he could only stay in the ground‑floor living room waiting.

"Selena, what exactly happened? How did you end up staying with Luosen?"

In Lady Agneth's view, Selena seemed to look down on Luosen, often thinking his talent was too mediocre, wasting his imposing, robust physique.

But now, the two appearing together before her in such an almost absurd manner felt like a group of refined ladies riding a black‑haired wild boar.

She briefly thought she was dreaming.

In front of her close friend, Selena no longer hid the grievance in her heart; her eyes grew warm, almost to the point of tears.

"Anna, my brother lied to me. He swore to my father that as long as I could become a High-tier Mage, he would not interfere with my marriage."

"You know, for that oath I gave it my all, and within less than three years after my father's death, he treated the oath like a fart and dismissed it."

Lady Agneth understood: "Which person does the Duke intend you to marry? Kao's old king or Aaron's stinky king?"

"The latter."

"Oh~ Mother Nature above, you'll surely be suffocated to death by him!"

Lady Agneth exclaimed dramatically, her bright face showing a look of shared indignation.

"The Duke is truly overstepping; wait, I'll go find the Duke and plead on your behalf right now."

She strode toward the door.

But after only a few steps, Selena grabbed her forcefully.

"Anna, no need to trouble anyone; I've already refused. The price is to marry Luosen and accompany him back to White Sturgeon Island."

Lady Agneth's eyes widened in astonishment, as if she had just heard the most bizarre thing in the world.

"You Dawn Princess, Weilan's golden rose, to marry my foolish apprentice and become a Baroness in the desolate White Sturgeon Island?"

"Selena, tell me you're not joking!"

Selena sighed lightly: "Anna, I'm speaking the truth; my brother has already drafted the investiture decree. Though the ceremony hasn't yet been held at the Temple of Mother Nature, I am indeed the Lady of the White Sturgeon Island now."

"I of course know this is absurd, but I've thought it through carefully."

"Although this choice isn't great, it's far better than marrying the foul king."

"Luosen is diligent enough, his temperament is fine, and he's quite good‑looking—overall not lacking. Besides, I'm fully aware of his situation."

"Once he becomes the Lord of White Sturgeon Island, he'll surely find ways to improve the island's economy, so my days there shouldn't be too hard."

Lady Agneth listened attentively, her expression complex.

There was both sympathy and worry.

When Selena finished, she said softly, "Selena, stop deceiving yourself."

"You and I both know Luosen can't take you back to the island; he'll die because of you!"

Selena's face turned pale: "I think the same, and Luosen knows it. I wanted to refuse, but Luosen insisted on taking me. I... I actually liked him, and I couldn't hold back at that moment."

Lady Agneth frowned as she listened: "This truly catches me off guard. Selena, it's not that I don't trust you, but I need to ask clearly!"

Selena showed a hint of guilt: "Hmm, go ahead and ask. If he has already changed his mind, I'll return to Dawn Castle."

Lady Agneth nodded: "That's reasonable; I'll have Luosen come over right now."

She paused, then explained softly: "Selena, you know Luosen's father once served as my brother's guard and saved his life; our Luobote family believes in repaying debts, so—"

Selena nodded lightly: "Anna, no need to explain; I understand fully."

Lady Agneth finally turned toward the doorway and shouted: "De Wa, go call Luosen over."

Soon, Luosen pushed the door open and entered, his face resolute.

Seeing his expression, Lady Agneth furrowed her brows even tighter: "Luosen, I hope you understand this is a matter of life and death!"

Luosen nodded 'firmly': "Mentor, I fully grasp the seriousness, but I'm completely prepared, even if it means dying because of it."

"You"

Lady Agneth frowned, scolding: "You really are a worry, and you too, Selena, you keep causing trouble!"

At that moment, Luosen said softly: "Mentor, may I speak with you alone for a few words?"

"Just a few words."

Saying that, Luosen stepped out of the study; after a while, Lady Agneth followed and whispered with Spiritual Whisper: "Speak."

Luosen whispered immediately.

"Mentor, I'm neither foolish nor obsessive; I simply perceived Princess Selena's firm resolve to refuse marrying His Majesty Dange, which even sparked a death‑willing thought."

"I'm not intent on taking her back to White Sturgeon Island; I only wish to lead her out, to the city, so she can experience ordinary people's hardships."

"Perhaps she'll realize her own luck and abandon extreme ideas."

"As for trouble, there are indeed some, but as long as His Highness returns to Dawn Castle before nightfall, there should be no major issue."

Lady Agneth was taken aback, and she believed Luosen's words about eight or nine parts out of ten, because she knew Selena well enough to realize she might indeed do this.

"Fine, your plan is indeed feasible; we'll proceed as you suggest, but don't take the Princess too far, nor remove her from public view, especially don't tarnish her purity, or no one can save you."

"I understand, Mentor."

She laughed inwardly: "Once we leave the aristocratic district, it's like fish entering the sea." Returning to the study, Lady Agneth said, "Very well, since both of you are willing and fully aware of the consequences, I have nothing more to say; I can only offer you my blessings."

Selena let out a sigh of relief.

She examined Luosen again, finding him increasingly attractive.

"Hmm, Anna, this little apprentice is really good‑looking."

"His eyes are bright and spirited, his features somewhat ordinary yet carry a faint dignity; his stature is tall and robust, his clothing modest but clean and tidy, even his often overlooked teeth are scrubbed spotless—what are you daydreaming about, Selena!"

She felt her cheeks slightly warm, and besides, she hadn't even gotten to the main matter yet.

She looked at her close friend: "Anna, I don't have a single copper coin on me; I need to ask you for help."

Agnite nodded: "Of course, but money is useless on White Sturgeon Island; better to exchange it directly for supplies."

Selena sighed gratefully: "Anna~ you're really good to me, far better than my brother."

Before her words had finished, the door was knocked again, and the voice of the steward Dewa came in.

Lady Agneth, the duke's envoy has delivered an urgent document.

Bring it in.

Dewa walked in, holding a wax-sealed letter in both hands.

Lady Agneth took the letter, opened it, and her brows furrowed instantly; she glanced up at Selena, a hint of guilt showing on her face.

"What's wrong, Anna?"

"See for yourself."

Selena took the letter and, after reading a few lines, her eyebrows shot up in anger, her eyes flashing with fury, but she immediately drew several deep breaths, forcing her rage down.

"Anna, this isn't your fault; you've been good enough to me—if anyone's to blame, it's my heartless brother!"

Luosen was a bit curious: "What exactly happened?"

Selena directly handed the letter to him.

Luosen glanced at it quickly and saw that it read:

"Except for the husband Selena herself chooses, no one in the noble district of Dawn City may give Selena any assistance."

"No one may provide her with food, give her clothing, or let her stay overnight in their home."

"Nor may anyone, under the pretense of helping her husband, actually assist Selena. The duke's Black Guard will supervise this strictly; if discovered, a fine of a hundred times the amount will be imposed!"

"Selena must leave Dawn City within three days; as long as King Dange lives even a single day, Selena may not leave White Sturgeon Island for that day!"

Luosen commented: "Your Highness, the duke has exiled you to an island."

Yet in his heart he sneered: "Lade this guy, clearly a duke, is doing nothing but petty villainy."

Lady Agneth said: "Selena, consider this outfit a gift from me."

Even if it were a hundredfold fine, she would accept it.

Selena shook her head: "No, I can't let you bear such a huge loss."

She began to take off her clothes once again.

Luosen hurriedly stopped her: "Wait a moment."

Then he looked at Lady Agneth: "Instructor, I'll pay; may I buy you a set of movement‑friendly tight clothes and pants, plus a pair of waterproof thick leather boots and a thick cloak to ward off the cold?"

Agnite showed a troubled expression: "Luosen, I know what you mean, but my build differs from Selena's—she's much taller than me, so skirts and boots might barely work, but the tight clothing won't."

"If we try to make it on short notice, we won't have enough time."

Luosen nodded in understanding: "Then let's buy the dress she's wearing now, swap in a pair of waterproof high‑heel leather boots and a wind‑proof cloak. How much will it cost?"

"About seven Ogres."

Luosen immediately pulled out his money pouch: "Instructor, I'll buy it."

He handed the remaining few gold coins to the steward Dewa; thus, he had only five Ogres left in his pocket.

Selena gazed at her beloved, her eyes growing softer, and she immediately said: "Anna, I can't cause you any more trouble."

She then turned to Luosen: "Come on, my husband, take me back to White Sturgeon Island."

After saying that, she added seriously: "If you die because of me, I will certainly not live on."

The instructor was right beside him, so Luosen gave a sincere salute: "As you wish, Your Highness the Princess."

Lady Agneth gave Luosen a warning look and spoke sternly: "Be sure to treat Selena well; don't ever let me hear that she's suffering, or I'll come myself to give you a lesson!"

The implication was: "Don't go overboard!"

Selena didn't catch the implication; moved to tears, she stepped forward and gave Lady Agneth a big hug: "Anna, you're really good."

Lady Agneth gently patted Selena's back and said emotionally: "You must take good care of yourself."

Watching the two women cling to each other in a lingering farewell, Luosen secretly curled his lip.

"The princess has her romance, the instructor has her innocence."

The instructor's innocence lies in thinking too highly of the Dawn Duke.

In fact, the situation is that from the moment he left Dawn Castle, things have become utterly irreparable.

Of course, this has nothing to do with the instructor, so there's no need to spell it out.

Today's two updates.

(End of chapter)