Chapter 144 (1/2)

Just when Claire was in deep thought, a cold voice came from behind her.

“Claire.”

Claire did not look back. Of course she could tell who it was. It was the one who had always gazed at her disfavorably, Eric!

“Oh? Is something the matter?” Claire asked indifferently. She still hadn’t turned around.

“What’s with your attitude? And what’s what your attitude towards Father!” The ice cold voice now contained a trace of anger.

“Excuse me, who are you to talk to me like that?” Claire yawned lazily. Only now did Claire remember her haughty second brother had only one virtue: filial piety. In other words, this second brother of hers had come to admonish her rude attitude towards Father?

“I am your elder brother!” The voice was on the verge of exploding.

“What a joke, since when have you acted like you were my brother? Now you’re pretending like you are.” Claire laughed disdainfully. Slowly, she turned around, derision in her eyes.

Eric’s originally fiery expression froze.

“Venerable second brother, I advise you not to learn from your father, never fulfilling the responsibilities of a father, but stepping in once his daughter’s accomplished. Don’t t you think that’s ridiculous? Shameless?” Claire scoffed. She leaned back on the pillar lazily. “I don’t mind fighting you right now.

Eric’s expression instantly darkened. The girl before him was not a coward who could be scared off by just a few words any more.

Claire’s expression suddenly turned icy, not a trace of warmth in her eyes. “But be aware of the price of fighting me. I might just kill you without batting an eye. Do you think you’re my match currently?” Her voice was even more frigid than her gaze, radiating a murderous aura. An enormous, terrifying power burst out abruptly, then disappeared as quickly as it had arrived.

Chills ran down his spine and he trembled. The sensation the girl gave him was so alarming and cold.

“Another word of advice. No matter if you support the crown prince of if you are a spy sent by the second prince, no matter how could fight, do not involve Mother. If anyone hurts her, no matter who, I will slaughter them.” Claire smiled lazily, as casual as if she were chatting with some friends, but the coldness that seeped through told Eric the girl was definitely not lying!

“Remember my words.” Claire laughed lightly, then walked passed Eric.

“The crown prince is the true successor of the emperor!” Eric’s determined voice came from behind.

Claire glanced over from the corner of the eye and saw the nearly mad loyalty in Eric’s eyes.

“I don’t care,” Claire waved offhandedly. “Just remember my words,” she said, then left.

Eric didn’t move, watching Claire’s retreating figure, his gaze complex. He turned and looked towards the greenhouse. When he saw the crown prince smiling, his eyes softened. Then, he clenched his fists tightly. The crown prince was his god, the true successor of the empire! He had to assist the prince until he was sitting on the throne!

The capital. Slowly, winter creeping in:

Cold wind blew past, slightly chilling.

Nightfall. Claire walked through a colonnade, planning on finding Lashia and give her her old storage ring. The space inside was more than enough for Lashia to use.

A breeze blew past. Claire frowned and gazed past the courtyard, then relaxed. She lept onto a rooftop, then hurried off into the distance.

Jean appeared from behind a pillar, watching silently as Claire’s figure disappeared into the night. He did not give chase.

“Chirp chirp?”

“Peep peep!”

Perched on Jean’s shoulders, White Emperor and Black Feather conversed. As for what they were saying, no one would know.

Jean gazed into the night without moving, a lonesome figure.

It was Leng Lingyun. It was Leng Lingyun who had been inside the courtyard, so Jean didn’t follow.

What did he come to find his lady for?

Jean stood silently, staring into the night for a long time.

Leng Lingyun flew and Claire followed. They flew all the way out of the city and finally arrived at a secluded area. After a moment, Claire realized it was where Alice and her cousin had ambushed her during one of her breakthroughs. Leng Lingyun descended and stood there silently. The wind ruffled his long, silver hair. He looked like he had stepped out of a painting.