Ivy Shen instantly felt like a flock of crows was flying over her head, caw caw caw...
No way, this can't be real!
There's no way this thunderbolt-level drama is actually happening!
"Hehehehe..." Ivy gave an awkward laugh and looked at Nina Xu, saying, "Ha, that joke isn't funny at all." Seriously, what kind of nonsense is this!
"Sherry, I'm not joking. I'm serious—please believe me!" Nina Xu looked at her with total sincerity, her expression making it painfully clear: this is for real!
"Uh?" Ivy raised her eyebrows, face full of disbelief.
"Sherry, trust me, please trust me, I really, truly love you!" Worried she wouldn't believe it, Nina Xu hurriedly raised her hand and swore to the heavens: "I, Nina Goss, swear that every word I say is true. I sincerely love Chong Shenger, and if I ever lie to her, may lightning strike me down!"
"Hey, don't..." Ivy was already uncomfortable with men swearing oaths at her—let alone a woman!
"Sherry, I know my sudden confession caught you off guard, but I mean every word!"
Seeing this, Ivy Shen frowned and said, "Nina, I'm a woman! A woman!" She deliberately emphasized 'woman.' Sure, she'd seen all kinds of gay couples here, but this was her first time dealing with yuri. As a 21st-century modern girl, she could accept all sorts of alternative love—but only when it was someone else's business. She never said she'd accept it herself, and now, seriously, there was actually a girl crushing on her.
Pfft—she suddenly felt an urge to spit blood!
Sherry, of course I know you're a woman. If you were a man, I wouldn't even like you!
Ivy was speechless. What does she mean, she wouldn't like me if I were a man? Has she always had this weird quirk?!
Sherry, I know this is hard for you to accept, but I'm afraid if I don't say it now, I may never get another chance." As she spoke, Nina hung her head, looking so sad. Her current identity was super dangerous—she shouldn't have confessed so soon, but if her revenge failed, she'd die without Sherry ever knowing!
You... what do you even like about me? Seriously, can I swap out? Just thinking about a girl falling for her made Ivy's skin crawl.
Everything!
...
Sherry, do you believe in love at first sight? The Crown Prince fell for you at first sight, and so did I. The first time I saw you, my heart started pounding... But back then, it was just my heart pounding. Later, when Julia Shang kept bullying me and no one helped, you were the first to stand up for me. Actually, I'm great at martial arts, but I didn't want to reveal it. I never thought you'd be so brave without any skills. Since I was a kid, only my brother ever treated me this sincerely—until you." Nina looked at her with total sincerity.
Actually, she had no idea the real expert was right beside her.
Nina, this isn't love—it's... well, maybe you didn't get enough care as a kid, so now anyone who cares about you, you fall for. But that's not what love is. We're sisters." Ivy anxiously emphasized 'sisters.' If Nina could just go back to normal, Ivy would totally be down to be besties—she actually liked her, she wasn't annoying at all.
No, I get it, I really do. I love you. Here." She pointed at her chest. "Seeing you makes my heart race, not seeing you makes it ache." After saying that, she took a deep breath and walked to the window. "When I found out the Crown Prince liked you, my heart hurt so much. I was terrified he'd defile you—you're so good, so kind, how could that beast deserve you?
Ivy watched Nina mumbling by the window, not sure how to comfort her. Did she want a lover... or a mom?!
Yeah, kids like this probably never got parental love, so when someone cares, it's like a kitten desperately seeking a fuzzy mama.
We Utor Tribe people are famous for being bold. Once we decide, we go all in." She turned to Ivy. "Just like I fell for you—knowing I might die for revenge, but I couldn't bear the thought of dying without you knowing how I feel. Utor people are super daring, super intense. My brother was like that, and so am I. But I'm braver than him." She sighed. "If I succeed in assassinating him, I'll follow you to the ends of the earth. I don't want to end up like my brother—I want to stay by your side, protecting you, loving you... forever.
Please... don't do this... can we not have thunderbolts raining down right now?
Seriously, what kind of people are the Utor Tribe? Her brother liked men, she likes women?
So... how did their parents even get together?!
Are they... demons or something?
But can demons even get pregnant?!
Sherry, don't worry. Before I try to kill him, I'll make sure you're safely out of the palace. Otherwise, since you said we're sisters, if I get caught, he'll definitely suspect you. I love you—I won't let you be in danger!" With that, she suddenly grabbed Ivy's hand, her face full of devotion.
No—' Ivy quickly pulled her hand away, face burning with embarrassment. "My orientation is super normal, sorry, I can't accept women. I... I like men!"
Nina gave a bitter smile. "I know, but... you can't stop me from loving you. My heart only beats for you, and I'm not changing that anytime soon."
'Heh.' Ivy gave a helpless, bitter smile. For the first time, the usually decisive Ivy was stumped by a yuri confession.
Actually, it's not her fault. In the 21st century, you see all kinds of gay couples on Weibo and online, but in real life, she'd never seen it!
Fine, even as a low-key fujoshi, the most she could accept was guys loving guys. Pretty boys with pretty boys online were fun, but this was a girl—girl and girl romance?
Just thinking about it made her shudder, her pores all standing on end.
Wait, wait... that's it! Suddenly, an idea popped into her head—she could pair Nina with Colin Kerr. Maybe the two weirdos would...
Right, there's a saying—two negatives make a positive. Maybe these two oddballs would spark something new together!
Sherry...' Nina watched Ivy's suddenly sly grin, feeling a little lost.
I know. I'll wait for you to get me out.
Okay, don't worry, I'll get you out as soon as possible.' Hearing Ivy accept her plan, Nina smiled and added, 'And in the future, you have to marry a really good man—the best one.'
Ivy didn't reply, just smiled slightly. One man? Not likely—she already had several.
Sherry, you should head back soon. If you stay too late, people might get suspicious.
Okay.
I'll have a maid escort you back.
No need, I'll walk myself. It's not far anyway.
But it's already dark.
It's fine, this isn't outside—it's the palace! What is there to be afraid of? Besides, I'm in the Crown Prince's good graces now.' She waved and left quickly; she didn't want to stay another minute—the atmosphere felt way too weird.
Nina watched Ivy leave quickly, her face falling. She must've scared her badly.
Ugh, what kind of place is this, always full of weirdos?' Ivy muttered to herself. Just then, that haunting, sorrowful voice sounded again, making her heart skip a beat.
Ivy shuddered all over and blurted out, "Big Sister..."
Ah... ah...' This time, the voice was much quieter, but still heartbreakingly mournful.
Next second, she decided to follow the voice and search for the sister she'd never met but who tugged at her heart.