Chapter197

Mathias always appeared cold and detached in her eyes. When she first woke up in this body, the first person she saw was Mathias lying on her bed.

At that time, his eyes were already blinded by torture. The legendary image of Mathias as the great talent of Xia Jing, admired by many, was something Elara had never seen.

What she saw was only a man whose pride had been shattered, reduced to a male pet, abused and humiliated, misunderstood and driven away by his family. Still, he couldn't give up his life and kept numbly supporting the Mathias family.

Mathias was always silent. He was indeed smart and talented, but he had buried his abilities long ago. He was willing to become a soulless male pet for the family that misunderstood and expelled him.

Every time Elara saw him before, she felt like he might break apart at any moment.

His expression was usually empty and confused. Even after Elara stopped the abuse, he seemed to have lost the will to live.

Now, this normally cold and vacant man unexpectedly bit her lips first.

Maybe because he had no experience or maybe because he was naturally gentle.

Elara could feel his whole body burning hot, pushed to the limit by the poison inside him. Yet his kiss was slow, clumsy, and showed a trace of instinctive gentleness.

Elara was stunned for a few seconds before trying to push him away.

But when she did, Mathias trembled violently and gasped urgently while still kissing her. The sound was like he would wither and die as soon as he left her.

His eyes remained vacant and empty, without any image of her inside, but tears slowly spilled from the corner of his eye.

It seemed his subconscious, buried deep inside, was also despairing over this miserable life.

The tear fell on Elara's face and felt hot.

Elara stayed silent and did not push the man away again. Instead, she signaled with her eyes for the nearby doctor, who seemed unsure where to look, to come over and continue the treatment.

The doctor was an elderly man over seventy. He looked flushed from the scene before him.

He dared not disobey Elara's order and stepped forward to examine Mathias, who was still holding Elara in his embrace.

"Ah?"

The doctor's face changed as he looked closely.

Elara could only use her eyes to ask what was going on since her mouth was occupied.

The doctor frowned, looking both relieved and puzzled.

"Mathias's poison seems to be relieved... but also not completely."

Elara held the man closer and looked at the doctor, signaling for more details.

"Well, the lust poison causing him to flare up anytime is indeed gradually decreasing. But it hasn't disappeared. Instead, it's being suppressed by a powerful medicinal force and inner strength inside you, all directed toward you."

Elara frowned and asked with her eyes for a clearer explanation.

The doctor organized his words. "Simply put, I didn't expect this either. Your body contains not only the power of the Sacred Spirit Nirvana Pill but also another strong medicinal power and a similarly powerful inner strength.

Under the control of this inner strength, the medicinal powers worked with the Sacred Spirit Nirvana Pill to remove Mathias's lust poison that flared up anytime. But since his body was altered to a man's body in the female-dominated kingdom, though relieved, the lust nature from the poison has permanently changed his body.

So, while the poison is gone, the lust nature remains a basic instinct. He might still have flare-ups from time to time."

Seeing Elara's eyes grow cold, the doctor hurriedly added what he had not finished.

"But don't worry! Because of the powerful inner strength and medicinal powers in your body, Mathias's lust nature now recognizes you as its master.

That strange lust poison in the female-dominated kingdom lets a lustful man recognize his master and obey the mistress's punishments. The others who wanted to humiliate Mathias and turn him into a beast used other poisons to stop the lust poison from recognizing a master.

But now, those poisons are gone, leaving only the unchanged lust nature, which recognizes you as its master.

So rest assured, Your Highness. Mathias won't have flare-ups around others. If you let him get close to you more often, he can return to normal and have no problems."

Elara stayed silent again for two seconds and then signaled the bowed Uno beside her.

Uno understood well and asked the doctor, "Is there any other solution?"

The doctor shook his head. "This is the best solution I know. Since Oswyn is with you, ask him when you return to Marigold City. For now, this is the best way to stabilize Mathias."

Elara gently patted the man's back as if comforting him.

She had not brought Oswyn with her this time going north, so this was the only way for now.

The doctor packed his medical box and left.

Elara still held the man until he stopped kissing. Then she half-supported him to slowly stand.

"Feeling better?"

Maybe having enough of her body fluid, the poison inside Mathias was suppressed for the moment.

He lowered his head, black hair covering his face, hiding his expression. He didn't answer Elara. Though no longer trembling, he still looked vacant.

Elara had many questions but knew he wasn't ready. She sent Uno outside to bring clothes for him and then ordered him to use light skill to secretly escort Mathias back to the princess mansion.

At the princess mansion,

Elara sent Mathias to the bath and told servants to clean him.

Halfway through, the servants suddenly shouted in alarm.

Elara rushed in without thinking and saw Mathias sinking at the bottom of the bath, eyes closed.

The attendant cried out and jumped straight into the bath, trying to pull him up but failed two or three times.

Elara frowned and stepped into the bath quickly, calling for Uno, finally dragging this man from the bottom to the shore.

He was pale all over, his face colorless, and his chest rising and falling weaker and weaker.

Elara climbed up the edge of the pool, soaked and sticky, seeing him in this state, she could only immediately lower her head and kiss him, performing artificial respiration.

After a long time, Mathias finally coughed out a mouthful of water, and his closed eyes trembled slightly as they opened a little.

Elara looked into his colorless eyes, her emotions boiling inside but still spilling out a little. She supported his chest with both hands, met his gaze, and said coldly,

"Do you want to die?! Mathias! You have long stopped wanting to live, so even after being tortured into this state, you still refuse to use my Puppet Soldiers?"

Mathias's eyes were empty. Even though earlier he had actively held her, craving a kiss, now, despite being on him, nothing registered in his hollow gaze.

Elara took a deep breath, forcing herself to soften her tone. She took a cloth from a servant, wiped his body dry, helped him put on clothes, and supported him up.

"Mathias, do you still remember what I said to you before I left Periwinkle?"

She half-held, half-hugged his weak body, letting his overly thin frame lean against her.

"As soon as I return to the capital, I will personally bring you to the Pei family! I will clear away the years of injustice, restore your innocence, and let your parents and relatives know how much you have sacrificed for them! I will also make sure the Pei family you belong to returns stronger than ever!"

"You sacrificed so much for the Pei family. Now you are so close to success, will you really give up, Mathias?"

Elara's voice was almost next to his ear.

Mathias lowered his eyes and trembled slightly but still said nothing.

Elara stood before him, raised her hand, and gently held his face, forcing him to look at her.

"As for the poison on you, don't worry. It's mostly been removed. You won't show symptoms in front of others and will be no different from a normal person."

"The remaining poison is nothing to fear. I will never let anything happen to you or ruin your innocence. Oswyn will come to Marigold City soon. He will help slowly remove the residual poison, and your body... I will find a way to help you recover."

"If you don't want to stay in the princess's mansion anymore, I will publicly clear your name and send you back to the Pei family. You will become the talented Pei young master of the capital again!"

"Forget that night's memory as a nightmare. Mathias, no one has touched your body, your innocence is intact, so don't dwell on it. I will also help you take revenge. Whatever you want from now on, I will try my best to fulfill, as long as…"

Elara looked at Mathias steadily and softened her voice, almost coaxing: "As long as you don't seek death anymore and want to live again, alright?"

Mathias's eyelids trembled again. His eyes remained empty, but Elara keenly noticed something flicker inside them after she said this.

She moved closer and repeated softly.

"The pain is over. If you want anything, just tell me. For those who harmed you, I will make sure they pay a hundredfold!"

"You know my temper. From now on, as long as it doesn't break principles, I will agree to all your requests. So live well, Mathias. You have suffered so much. You deserve sweetness. Leave all worries to me. You just need to live well, okay?"

In every way, Elara could not bear to see Mathias die like this. Much of the reason was because of her.

She wanted this man to find a will to live again.

Mathias looked at her. His empty gaze finally focused somewhat.

But he never spoke, only quietly looked at her very lightly.

His many wounds were still untreated.

Elara did not pressure him. Given his condition, any slight reaction was very good.

Still, because of his previous suicide attempts and the recently stabilized poison, Elara did not want him far from her.

The bath was just behind her bedchamber. She took his hand. Seeing no resistance, she led him back to the main hall.

She personally took various medicines from the servants and helped Mathias sit on her bed.

She took off his clothes and applied medicine bit by bit.

Mathias remained very quiet while she applied the medicine, almost obediently silent.

When she finished, Elara let him lie down and rest.

She sat by his bed, guarding him while handling battle reports and bamboo slip information she had not yet processed.

After an hour, Mathias had fallen asleep behind her.

He slept curled up like a baby, his slender body facing Elara. His hand hanging down gently grabbed her clothes' edge.

Elara had never seen him sleep like this. For a moment, she thought the cold-looking man had something cute beneath, and she understood he was lacking a sense of security.

Half an hour later, someone reported that Damon had returned and requested to see her.

Elara glanced at Mathias's hand still holding her clothes and decided not to leave.

She allowed Damon to come in directly.

...

Damon did not expect Elara to summon him in the bedchamber. He lowered his head and entered but sharply sensed another man's presence behind her.

He could not help but raise his eyes and saw Mathias curled up asleep behind Elara.

Damon lowered his gaze. His hand beside him clenched slightly, then quickly relaxed by his side. His tall body half-kneeling before Elara.

"Your Highness, I failed. I could not capture Lord Gregory alive."

Elara looked at Mathias, who was still asleep, then looked up at Damon. "Speak quietly and explain the situation to me."

"...Yes."

Damon lowered his voice and described what happened by the Dayuan River.

Because Lord Gregory held too many secrets, Elara wanted to capture him alive for interrogation. Unfortunately, fate was against them, and he ultimately died.

Lord Gregory was indeed dead, so the ending was not bad. She no longer had to worry about such a major threat.

"Damon, you have done very well. Do not blame yourself."

Damon had expected a scolding for not bringing back Lord Gregory. When he looked up, he saw Elara smiling calmly at him.

"You have worked hard, Damon. Not only this time, but when I was in Marigold City, you handled the matter with the Periwinkle Trading House for me. I will remember all your achievements. Soon, you will receive the rewards you deserve. Now go rest."

She continued, "Although Lord Gregory is dead, you did not get his body. If you still have grudges, you may go to his mansion and take what you need to honor your family. Your family's past grievances, I will personally clear once Marigold City is peaceful."

Damon's eyes flickered. He did not expect the princess to say that here.

Elara did not notice his expression and added, "Also, reward your soldiers well. I will not forget their merits."

Looking at the girl before him, who had grown more mature and natural in presence compared to months ago, Damon's feelings lifted. Then, when his gaze caught Mathias sleeping behind her, the feeling turned slightly bitter.

"This is what I should do! I thank the princess for her kindness on behalf of my late parents and family!"

Before Elara could refuse, Damon knelt deeply before her.

Rising again, his brow furrowed, "But... I still worry. The Periwinkle people took Lord Gregory's remaining family. Could they get what they want from them?"

Elara shook her head, "No, do not worry."

"Lord Gregory was naturally suspicious. The fact that Periwinkle received him with their army means what he took from Plumera was very valuable."

"Such valuable things would not be recorded on objects. He would only keep them in his mind. This prevents Periwinkle from using his own information against them."

"Since you killed him, even if Periwinkle took his family, they won't find anything crucial. You didn't bring back Lord Gregory, but you solved a big problem for me. Your merit is great."

Hearing this, Damon's guilt and unwillingness faded.

"Thank you, princess, for your explanation."

Elara smiled, "No need for thanks. Go now. Soon I will call on you again. Rest well and prepare."

Damon lowered his head to reply. His eyes glanced once more at Mathias sleeping on the princess's bed before leaving.

That afternoon, Elara listed officials in Marigold City who had long traded with Lord Gregory. After confirming the city's unrest was calmed, she sent Francis and his brother Francis's younger sibling with troops to sweep through the mansions and root out corrupt officials.

At the same time, the Qi family's soldiers had locked down the entire city. Before the cleanup finished, not a single fly could escape.

Although Lord Gregory was not captured alive, his many letters revealed many secrets.

Once those corrupt officials were caught, and after interrogating the Zhu, Yan, and Lin families who escaped through tunnels tricked by Lord Gregory, many secrets would come out.

After arranging these matters, night had fallen.

Behind her, Mathias still held her clothes and curled up asleep.

Elara did not leave. She quietly climbed into bed with him and fell asleep.

.....

Two days later

The cleanup in the city was nearly complete.

Marigold City was renewed. The once forbidden East and North districts were mostly empty. The city prison was nearly full.

Plumera was ready for revival.

The old chains were broken, and a new order must be built.

Elara, carrying Mathias with her, went to the Periwinkle Trading House outside Marigold.

Inside, Damon had reserved an entire building for Benedict.

Seeing Elara after months, Benedict's face lit with joy. He flew into her arms like a bird returning home.

"Sister... you finally came to see me. I missed you."

Benedict was still as clingy as months ago. Holding her tightly, his now taller body stuck to her like glue and would not let go.

Elara let him hold her, gently patting his stronger back.

Benedict had almost been tricked by Lord Gregory into addiction. Luckily, they caught it in time and had Damon watch over him strictly. Now he had grown taller and stronger and was fully free of his past dependence.

After he hugged enough, he pressed his face to her neck. Elara patted his back and asked,

"Benedict, do you still want to be emperor?"

He paused, looking up at her from her neck, curious.

Elara's expression was calm, as if speaking about something ordinary.

"Lord Gregory is gone. Those who worked with him will be eliminated one by one. Plumera is ready for rebuilding and needs a new order and ruler. Benedict..."

After hearing this, Benedict's eyes stayed curious as before. He seemed simply interested in what she wanted.

"I am here, sister."