Kingdom’s Bloodline

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Thelma recovered from her initial shock and confusion.

"You want to take me away? Take me back to the stars?"

The lights around the dining room swayed slightly in the wind, as if echoing the girl's words.

She raised her head, her voice trembling: "Is this your truth?"

Facing the girl's blue eyes, Thales was speechless for a while.

The slight embarrassment and the relief of relief climbed into his heart at the same time.

I.

I just said...

Thales had a splitting headache, but the words were out of his mouth. He could only keep thinking about this sudden idea and the possibility of implementing it.

The prince kept rubbing his hands, observing the expression of the Grand Duchess:

"I mean, I think... you're now..."

But Thales immediately closed his mouth: at this moment, the Grand Duchess was staring at him quietly through the pince-nez that the prince gave her with a look that Thales could not understand.

At that moment, Thales felt that he didn't know the girl in front of him.

"But why should I go with you?" Selma said softly, her voice seemed to come from tens of meters away, hazy and ethereal.

"In what capacity and for what reason should I go with you?"

Selma gently turned her head, her voice was steady and her sentences were broken, as if she was bearing an incomparable weight: "Could it be like the agreement His Majesty Nunn said back then... as your fiancée?"

At that moment, the girl's eyes seemed to have some kind of terrifying power, forcing Thales to look elsewhere, as if the other's expression was the most terrifying poison in the world.

The Second Prince had never been so embarrassed.

Perhaps only the occasion of meeting King Kessel for the first time can be compared to this time.

Especially after he realized that he might have said something that could easily be misunderstood.

Thales took a deep breath,

Shaking her head hastily: "Hey, no, Selma, I didn't mean to ask you to elope with me just now..."

At that moment, it was as if someone froze the air in the room.

The Grand Duchess lowered her head.

"What is that for?" Selma said slowly, her voice turning cold.

Thales, who was getting more and more embarrassed, let out a painful breath, and spent several seconds reorganizing his emotions.

"Freedom Alliance, Marriage, Vassals, Black Sand Territory, Qiyuan City," he squeezed out these few words bluntly, and the sentences were not coherent, "All these, these are just the beginning."

"In the future, you will even face more and more terrifying things, such as having to make cruel choices, such as the conspiracy that the enemy has been brewing for several years..."

For example, you may eventually lose the position of Grand Duke, and the tragic fate that will follow.

"You will see more and more terrifying things, but you are standing in the most vulnerable position, with pitifully few chips in hand, and even the people around you..."

Thinking of Nicolai's secretive look and Lisbane's serious and solemn demeanor, Thales subconsciously kept silent.

"I can't protect you all the time, Selma, and neither can anyone else," Thales took a breath, and the more he said, the more he felt heavy:

"For your safety, to stay away from these dangers..."

The Grand Duchess raised her head slightly, interrupting the Prince.

"I see."

Thelma's expression changed.

"Take me away for my safety," Selma looked away and snorted with a half-smile: "I see, that's the reason."

"I see."

"There can't be any other reason, is it—you just can't say the word."

that word?

Thales looked at her like this, and an unspeakable feeling filled his heart.

No.

No, Thelma, you...

"Just like in the past," the girl sighed softly, with slightly melancholy eyes: "You worry about me, love me, and pity me—just because I am weak and need protection, just like a certain puppy."

"So you have to take me away."

"Just like in the past, that's the reason—the only reason."

Thales took a deep breath: "Selma..."

But Thelma seemed lost in her own world and ignored him.

"That's right, that's me, the weak and helpless me who closes my eyes and waits for death, always waiting for others to reach out."

Thales was slightly taken aback.

The girl's eyes were fixed in the air, and her voice trembled slightly:

"Do you still remember, six years ago, when I was captured by that monster—the plague of blood...it was full of people, or all of human parts: eyeballs, lips, ears, internal organs, hands and feet, drenched blood, all trembling in front of your eyes... dark, slippery, bloody."

Thales' memory was brought back to the hydra Kirika - Giza's pet - and he felt a sense of discomfort when he thought of those severed limbs.

He lowered his head, did not speak, and had nothing to say.

"I remember trembling and crying," Thelma said, pinching the tablecloth tightly in her hands, looking pale at the food on the table, "because all I could do was cry, all I could cry, all I could do was cry." Cry, all I can do is cry and wait to die."

"At that time, can you imagine how I felt?"

The lights in the dining room flickered slightly, and the shadows of the two trembled accordingly.

Thales only felt his tongue was heavy.

"I'm sorry, that's..." he said with difficulty.

That's my fault.

The prince whispered in his heart.

It was me who caused you...

Thelma suddenly raised her head and stared at Thales closely, her eyes softened a lot.

"Until you, Thales, you appeared in front of me holding that strange dagger, covered in blood and exhausted," the Grand Duchess spoke calmly, but could not hide the ups and downs in her voice: "It's like you are in the same At night, with the majesty of His Majesty Nun, he pulled me away from his side without hesitation."

Thales paused slightly.

"When I was most desperate, it was you who came to save me." She said flatly.

"You are the only bright color in that nightmare, Thales."

"Can you imagine that feeling?"

Thales stared blankly at Thelma, who was behaving unusually, feeling quite uncomfortable.

"Just like now, again," the Grand Duchess sighed slightly, looking at the knife and fork next to her hand with a complicated expression: "Are you coming to save me again?"

"Save that girl who has been under your care and protection all this time, save that shy, timid, trembling little cunning?"

"Because that's the only image I have of you, isn't it?"

"So, I will never be able to be looked up to by you, and you will see me as an equal."

Thales frowned deeply, only to feel that the strangeness of the girl in front of him was getting deeper and deeper.

she……

"Selma," Thales' voice unknowingly carried a hint of doubt and uneasiness: "What happened, why did you... ask such a question?"

Thelma sneered.

"You know, for more than a month, Charles has been trying to convince me that it's not a good thing to get too close to you."

The Grand Duchess shook her head vigorously, as if she wanted to shake something dirty out of her mind: "But I told him: From that nightmarish night six years ago, I knew that even Charles, even Nicole Lord Lai, even Justin, even the entire Dragon Clouds City have betrayed me."

"You, Thales Canxing, will stand in front of me and protect me without hesitation—just like facing disasters six years ago."

Thales trembled violently.

"If you are like this, I can't even believe it," Selma lowered her head, with a bitter arc on her mouth: "Who else can I trust?"

The girl turned her gaze, trying to block the crystals in her eye sockets with the reflection of her glasses, but Thales still captured the moment.

"I know you have a lot of secrets, Thales," Selma said in a hoarse voice with tiredness and disappointment, "Whether it's obsessively looking for records about the War of the End and dragons, or going out to play chess once a month Your request, or the plague of blood and the plague of blue clothes, and the reason why they wanted to find you..."

At that moment, Thales didn't speak.

But when he looked into the girl's eyes, he couldn't help trembling slightly.

turn out to be……

"But I didn't tell any of them to Charles." The Grand Duchess took a deep breath and said, "I know you must cherish these secrets very much, and I also know that since they are your secrets, they will never be harmful to me. .”

"Yes, Thales, I believe in you," Selma said hoarsely, with her head lowered, "I believe in you with my life."

silence.

A complex and unspeakable taste flooded Thales' heart, making his mouth bitter.

Yeah, Thelma isn't a featureless little girl.

On the contrary, she is sensitive and sharp, but most of the time, she hides herself behind the lens.

No one knows, and probably no one cares.

including me.

"But, Thales Canxing, what am I to you?"

Thelma raised her head with difficulty.

Once again, the girl gritted her teeth and said, "Is it your burden? Is it the responsibility you can't shake off? Is it the bargaining chip in your hand? Is it worth you to save me again and again like this? Or is it the fiancée you are forced to agree to? "

Thales swore that he had never seen such an expression on Thelma's face.

It was mixed with complex emotions ranging from melancholy, hesitation, pain, resentment, anger and grievance, all gathered in the crystal-clear eye sockets overflowing behind the lens of the Grand Duchess.

It seemed that the little slippery man he had known in the past six years was just a false shell, as if the Selma in front of him was the true face that Thales had never discovered.

"No, neither."

She suppressed the tears that were about to be forced out of her eyelids, choked up and said:

"Now, I understand."

The second prince couldn't say anything anymore, he just stared blankly at this little cunning guy he didn't know, or he didn't care about.

Selma twisted her stiff neck, desperately forcing herself to look at Thales.

In the choked up voice she couldn't hide, there was a hint of sarcasm unknowingly:

"You, Prince Thales, are different from most noble people. You have a unique and warm heart, and you have your own principles. You can't bear the suffering of those around you while you remain indifferent..."

"So you always reach out to the weak, don't you?"

"like me."

Thales looked at her sadly, only feeling that his chest was heavy.

In the depths of Selma's crystal eyes, there was disappointment and pain, and an indescribable light was released behind the lens.

"You can't see me being forced to decide on a marriage, you can't see me being in danger, you can't see me facing the princes alone, so you came to save me without hesitation—just like you didn't Return to the Palace of Heroes with hesitation, just like facing the Grand Dukes."

"Of course, you still feel guilty and feel that you should be responsible for sending me to the position of Grand Duke, right?"

"So you pity me, sympathize with me, help me, protect me," Thelma tried to make her sobs sound like a sneer, but she was clearly unsuccessful, "but I'm nothing to you at best. Just one of the countless weaklings you have pitied and rescued—whether I want it or not, there are no more."

The next second, the girl clenched her fists and her arms trembled slightly, as if she was enduring some great pain.

An uneasy silence returned to the dining room.

Only two breaths remained: one trembling and unsteady, the other long and dull.

Thelma gritted her teeth, her eyes behind the pince-nez were soaked with tears, and her jaw quivered slightly.

Finally, a drop of crystal slipped from the corner of her left eye.

Thales closed his eyes, and he lowered his head with a sigh.

Thelma gritted her teeth, she stretched out her hand, trembling but firmly wiped away the tears on her left cheek, but couldn't stop the tears from sliding down her right eye: "So, you will never put me and you together In the world, I will never be regarded as, as yours, yours..."

She couldn't go on.

Thelma turned her head to the other side, preventing Thales from seeing her tears.

"That's what 'Take Me Away' is all about—a few underdogs who need to be rescued no more than you save any puppy on the street, because that's where I am in your eyes."

"Selma..." Thales sighed, and he tried his best to force himself to speak, while deliberately avoiding the topic he least wanted to talk about: "Maybe you shouldn't think so much, we always Partners who have fought side by side..."

"partner?"

"No."

"You said that Lyanna Turbak is like a brilliant diamond, shining brightly under the sun, making you never forget it," Thelma smiled coldly with tears in her eyes, with a sad and determined expression: "In contrast , Thelma of Dragon Clouds City, no, the little slippery head of Dragon Clouds City is probably just an annoying and incompetent weakling, waiting for your charity and protection."

Thales clenched his fists.

"Of course not," he gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words: "You...you are different to me."

"different?"

The girl took a deep breath, took off her glasses, and vigorously wiped away the tears on her face.

Selma shook her head, and snorted coldly with a choked voice:

"No, Thales, it's been six years, I know you too well."

"Maybe you haven't noticed it yourself: the only women you can really admire and admire are those girls who are strong, independent, self-exuding, and radiate dazzling light. Your eyes will always be lit up for them."

Thales frowned.

"For example, the duchess, even if she is thousands of miles away, she can still make you admire from the bottom of my heart; for example, the lady officer Jiny, as a teacher, even if you haven't seen her for six years, she has not faded from your heart for a moment; for example, the fortress She is the flower of the storm, and she is the warrior who resists like an iron wall when the storm comes."

The second prince took a deep breath, only feeling his tongue stiff.

"Even the female vampire you mentioned, the one who betrayed you and drove you to a corner, that ugly monster called Sarina or some kind of Talina."

"At least she is powerful and terrifying, making you feel extremely afraid every time you mention it, vigilant and inexplicable, and then put her in the most important position in your eyes."

Thelma put her pince-nez back on, slightly red and swollen around her eye sockets.

"Only people like them can attract your attention, make you unforgettable, stand in front of you, look directly into your eyes, and talk to you as equals and independently," her tone returned to calm, but the words His emotions were full of coldness: "And that girl who can only shrink in the library, is obedient to the vassals, is terrified of politics, and trembles in the face of difficulties, she can't..."

"She can only hide in the corner of your eyes forever, be protected, led, and pitied forever, and can only be helped by you, favored by you, and rescued by you."

"I can never stand in the same world as you."

"Even if you are as noble as you, even if you are kind, even if you are kind, there is no difference between my vassals: only a strong woman can make them submit, and similarly, only an independent and self-reliant woman can make you look at me—for example, soon In front of you, the female warrior from the Heisha leader."

"And if I'm just a weak girl, I will receive contempt and contempt from my vassals, but when it comes to you, it will be condescending pity and sympathy."

Thales had nothing to say.

He wanted to tell her no, that it was all speculation.

but……

Thales remembered what Miss Jinx told him before:

[Many times, it is precisely because of Your Highness's concern, consideration and company that a lady feels that she is safe, so she puts down her worries and vigilance. 】

[But the problem is, she is not safe. 】

【She shouldn't feel that way either. 】

Yes, little slick, Thelma, what is she to me? Responsibility for guilt? A sustenance reserved for mercy?

Or because of her...

Thales raised his head and looked at the girl's clear and beautiful face, which was slightly flushed against the platinum-blonde hair color, and felt a burst of depression in his heart.

The little girl who looked up in a daze in the library seemed to appear before her eyes again.

It has been six years. When I brought her out of that hall, I probably never thought that today would be here.

But, for six years, I thought I knew her well.

I thought I was helping her, protecting her, wishful thinking for her...

Thales sighed: But in fact, I never knew her, nor did I try to marry her.

just treat her as...

"Have you forgotten, Thales?" Selma looked at the cold broth on the dinner plate, snorting subconsciously, "You told me before that you don't want me to be forced to Be what other people want,"

"You want me to be who I want to be."

This time, the Grand Duchess of Dragon Clouds City raised her eyes without any hesitation.

"so……"

"I refuse, Thales."

The girl didn't tilt her head, nor looked away, she looked straight into Thales' eyes, her tone was affirmative:

"I won't go with you."

"If I listen to your words and leave obediently, shrink back and leave happily, then I will always be that little girl who was helped by you."

"I'm fed up with being a little girl, Thales," Selma exhaled, holding her belly pale, and she gritted her teeth with firm eyes: "I'm fed up with being 'yours'." 'Little girl, enough of being led away from danger by you, living in a greenhouse."

There was a cold light in the depths of Selma's eyes, and she released an indescribable coldness behind the lens: "Besides, as the Grand Duchess of Dragon Clouds City, I will not, and cannot, leave with a Prince of Stars—no matter what I face No matter what kind of difficulties and obstacles, fierce enemies and fierce battles, this is my home, I was born here, and I will die here."

Until one day, I can stand face to face with you.

Thales.

she said silently.

Silence returned in the dining room.

The Grand Duchess and the Prince sat on both sides of the dining table, facing each other quietly, as if the food on the table was just a decoration.

After what seemed like a century, Thales finally spoke with difficulty.

"Selma..."

He didn't know whether it was disappointment for himself or for the other party, and whispered: "Okay."

The second prince let out a long sigh, his eyes darkened: "I see."

Thelma chuckled, let go of the hand that was pressing on her abdomen, her face softened slightly.

"fine."

The Grand Duchess seemed quite depressed, she shook her head.

"I know," she said lightly, "I know that you are just impulsive occasionally."

Thales frowned slightly.

she……

"You're not alone, Thales." Thelma looked out the window with a complicated expression, as if she was looking at a painting covered in a veil, which was hazy and difficult to discern.

"Behind you is your country, your people."

"Have you considered the consequences of kidnapping the Grand Duchess of Dragon Clouds City?" The Grand Duchess smiled and shook her head as if to ridicule, but that smile seemed rather difficult to Thales, "You bring Leaving me just keeps me away from troubles, but it will bring more people and more terrible disasters."

"If you come to your senses," Thelma sighed, "if you reconsider this choice, you won't say that again, because of your reasons for wanting to save me, and because you can't bear to see them suffer and suffer." The reason is the same."

"In this world, there is probably no girl who is worth such a price for you."

Thales clenched his fists.

No.

You, you are still different after all.

Who are you……

Who are you……

Just then, the dining room door rang.

"Ma'am, Prince, I'm sorry to disturb you," the Earl of Lisbane's deep voice came steadily: "May I come in?"

The weird atmosphere in the room seemed to be broken in an instant.

Thales and Selma hurriedly collected their mood, adjusted their state, and welcomed the Lord Regent in.

The Earl of Lisbane was still in that serious attire, with a calm expression. He didn't seem to see the red eye sockets of the Grand Duchess, nor the disappointed expression of the prince.

However, the moment Lisbane spoke, listening to his unusual tone, Thales had an ominous premonition.

really.

"Your Excellency the Grand Duchess, Prince Thales, the raven from Qiyuan City has just arrived."

Lisbane's words made the two suddenly serious.

"The elders meeting of the Freedom Alliance has just ended: the first test letter has been sent to Qiyuan City, proposing to lower the tariff."

Selma took a breath: "So..."

Lisban nodded, his eyes solemn: "The Grand Duke of Qiyuan City, Kurikun Roni has issued a warrant to fully mobilize all the troops and supplies of his directly subordinate territories and vassals, and at the same time recall the wandering troops stationed in the Great Desert, Block all borders leading to the West."

Thales' pupils tightened slightly.

In the Hall of Heroes, the image of the strong-tempered long-haired Grand Duke reappeared in his mind.

At that moment, Lisban's expression was extremely solemn: "At the same time, he sent a large-scale official mission, which will arrive in Dragon Clouds City soon."

Thales and Selma looked at each other, their minds were confused.

The prince raised his head: "Ronnie sent an official mission, it shouldn't be just to say hello - I guess, he has already learned that the black sand leader has sent someone?"

Lisban raised his eyebrows slightly and snorted softly, as if he was blaming Thales for his actions a few days ago.

"Please be prepared, both of you, no matter who is behind this chess game," the Lord Regent glanced at the two of them, his words seemed to have the power to brew a storm, covering the small dining room:

"It's already started."

"A storm is coming."