Chapter 130: The Princess on the Verge of Breakdown

Chapter 130: The Princess on the Verge of Breakdown

Her voice was husky and magnetic.

She wanted to taste what this felt like.

On her beautiful face, a mix of innocence and desire was apparent. Though her movements seemed clumsy and inexperienced, her actions were bold beyond belief.

Aph locked eyes with Shia, her expression sincere.

"This life, I've sworn to be the sword and shield that protects Princess Violet."

Her sudden declaration of loyalty left Shia slightly baffled. Was she practicing her confessions with him as a stand-in for Violet?

Aph's lips curved slightly into a smile.

"So, in this lifetime, I suppose I won't be meeting any other men."

Her voice deepened, carrying an ambiguous tone.

Shia returned her gaze, noticing the layered meanings in her eyes.

Aph leaned in closer, her voice dropping even lower.

"At least, when I'm with you, I feel at ease..."

Her sentence dissolved into silence as her lips parted slightly, brushing against his.

This time, unlike before, her kiss carried a new level of intimacy, her technique far more daring.

Shia couldn't help but feel like he was becoming the stereotypical golden-haired homewrecker, stealing affection away.

Wasn't his original intent to do good? How had he ended up sabotaging friendships between close sisters instead?

---

With Shia's guidance, when Aph faced Violet again, something about her had changed.

She now understood that sometimes, things were better said out loud.

"Your Highness."

Aph knelt on one knee, bowing her head low.

Violet looked at her knight with a mix of frustration and annoyance. She had always considered Aph a good sister, but Aph's excessive deference to their roles made her uncomfortable and upset.

Violet pursed her lips, turning slightly away in a sulky display of childish defiance.

"Your Highness, everything I've done has truly been for your sake."

Aph's tone was stiff and awkward, but then Shia's words echoed in her mind: to be honest, to express her feelings clearly.

Violet, however, felt even more aggrieved at those words. Just as she was about to lash out, Aph continued speaking.

"Your Highness, my aim is to help you become someone worthy of wearing the crown."

Aph raised her head, meeting Violet's gaze.

The princess hesitated, her expression still tinged with resentment and grievance, but curiosity and confusion began to seep in.

The dissatisfaction, anger, and frustration in her eyes seemed to lessen slightly.

Aph's heart pounded. Could she really say all of this?

Under Violet's questioning gaze, she gathered her courage and began to list Violet's shortcomings.

"Your Highness, your life has been smooth and privileged, and your noble status has often made you lose empathy for others."

"If you were merely a noble lady, this wouldn't be a major issue. But as a ruler, you need to be inclusive, patient, and adept at strategic compromise."

"Your Highness, you're too proud. While personal excellence is important, a ruler also needs the recognition and love of the people."

"For some time now, I've seen changes in you. You've learned to endure temporarily, and your temperament has softened considerably."

"Your Highness, seeing you grow day by day makes me happier than anyone else."

"Your Highness, I want to protect you, to help you improve, and to truly be your sword and shield."

Though her delivery was still somewhat awkward, Aph managed to convey everything she wanted to say.

Violet was visibly moved by the sincerity in Aph's gaze.

Aph wasn't just her loyal knight; she was also a caring elder sister.

Violet opened her mouth as if to speak but hesitated. She couldn't bring herself to be as honest as Aph.

Instead, she shifted her gaze slightly, stepping forward to help Aph to her feet.

"Hmm, I know."

At the critical moment, the tsundere princess faltered. She couldn't muster the courage to openly admit her feelings.

Their gazes met, and though Violet couldn't put her emotions into words, the bond and understanding between them brought smiles to their faces. Their friendship was restored.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly, but…

"Aph, I still think you should stay away from that villain. I don't want him to hurt you."

Violet held Aph's hands tightly, her tone filled with concern.

Being bullied by that man was her burden to bear alone. There was no way she'd let her dear Aph share in such humiliation.

Aph hesitated, her expression blank and uncertain, a faint blush creeping onto her face.

"Your Highness, I… I don't think he's a bad person."

Violet's expression darkened.

"Not a bad person? He's already done… 'those' things to me, and you still think he's good?"

Violet's frustration grew. She clung to Aph's hands, her warnings becoming more insistent.

"Aph, don't let his handsome face deceive you. He may seem gentle and polite on the surface, but he's absolutely terrible deep down."

"Your Highness, I think you've misunderstood him. He's actually a good man."

Aph's gaze dropped to her toes, but her view was blocked by her ample chest.

Violet hesitated, looking at the bashful knight, and felt an unspoken frustration rising in her chest.

'Do you even know what he's done to me!?'

Yet Violet couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.

Their recently mended friendship cracked again over their differing views of Shia.

Violet remained steadfast in her belief that Shia was nothing but trouble and hoped her dear Aph would steer clear of him to avoid being hurt.

Meanwhile, Aph truly believed Shia was a good person. He had helped her so much without asking for anything in return.

How could Violet's impression of him be changed?

Aph pondered deeply until a daring idea sprouted in her mind.

Perhaps, if she made Shia her man, Violet wouldn't reject him anymore?

The more she thought about it, the more feasible the plan seemed.

---

That night, Violet had a nightmare.

In her dream, her beloved sister and cherished friend Aph appeared before her—with a pregnant belly.

"How could Aph be pregnant!?" Violet's disbelief was written all over her face as she stared at Aph's rounded form.

As Violet stood there, stunned and thunderstruck, Aph spoke sweetly, her voice filled with happiness.

"Your Highness, I've found true love, and I'm expecting a baby. Soon, I'll have a happy family."

"No!" Violet's mind reeled, struggling to accept this.

But Aph wasn't done speaking.

"My feelings for you remain as deep as ever, Your Highness, so I want to share my joy with you. Allow me to introduce my man to you."

With those words, Aph turned to look behind her.

Violet's gaze followed.

From the shadows, the silhouette of a young man emerged, slowly stepping into view.

As the figure approached, Violet froze in shock.

How could it be… him!?

The young man stepped up to Aph's side, their hands intertwining effortlessly. They exchanged a warm smile, their connection brimming with sweetness and understanding.

After sharing a loving glance, the pair turned to look at Violet together.

Violet felt as if she had plunged into an icy abyss, her body paralyzed as if by a spell. She couldn't move, couldn't speak.

The world around her seemed to collapse as she plummeted into an endless void.

Yet, those two remained, their heads slightly tilted, faces glowing with bliss, staring at her.

"No! No, no, no!"

This can't be happening. This absol utely can't be real!

"NO!"

Violet bolted upright in bed, gasping for air.

The room was dimly lit, the only source of light a small night lamp in the corner, casting soft illumination across the space.

Her wide eyes darted around, taking in the familiar surroundings of her bedroom. Relief washed over her as she realized it had only been a dream.

She lifted a trembling hand to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead. Her body was sticky and damp, her nightgown clinging to her skin.

But the remnants of the dream lingered, leaving her with an unsettling unease.

Aph, her beloved sister figure, appearing before her with a swollen belly was bad enough. But the fact that her partner was 'that' despicable Shia?

The thought of him made Violet's emotions spiral.

What did she feel for Shia?

Hate, fear… and something else buried deep within.

He had stolen her pride, humiliated her on multiple occasions, and yet, the feeling of being powerless against him stirred something unfamiliar in her.

Shia was the only one who treated her as an equal, disregarding her status as a princess. Everyone else revered her with awe and deference. Only he looked her in the eye and showed no hesitation in challenging her.

The mixture of anger, fear, and something unnameable gnawed at her.

Unconsciously, Violet placed a hand on her chest, her large breasts obscuring the sound of her rapid heartbeat.

What was this feeling? Displeasure at Aph being involved with her hated rival? Or something more personal, something that felt like a violation of her territory?

The emotions were too complex, too tangled to unravel.

Especially when she thought about Aph's attitude toward Shia. It troubled her to no end.

"How did that villain manage to deceive my dear sister like this?"

But one thing was crystal clear in Violet's mind:

She had to protect Aph from him.

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