When Faust first heard about the cycle of the kin-slaying curse from Charlotte, he thought it was an Oedipus-style tragedy. He told himself it was a classic trope, one that had to be savored carefully.
If the change of the throne merely required a display of 'loving mothers and filial daughters' in a bloody struggle, he would at most sigh at the cruelty of royal politics.
But for 'oneself' to kill 'oneself'... to be honest, even with the prince of Qingxi's flexible bottom line, it felt truly twisted.
Faust could not help but ask the fairy:
"Wait, didn't you say a 【witch】 is a darling of fate? How could the original 【Snow White】 be so miserable, to the point of being mocked and cursed by a dragon?"
Where was the wheel of destiny? Help her out, wheel of destiny!
For a fate-defying dragon to bully a heaven-blessed witch was simply an outrage against the heavens!
【It has always been said that a witch is destined to find happiness. As for whether she will experience hardships in between, or how many, that is hard to say. Regardless, happiness after bitterness is still happiness.】
Mephistopheles’s voice sounded as if he were stifling a laugh:
【In fact, for the script of fate, it seems that the more suffering one endures in the middle, the more complete the final happiness appears to be.】
So, it was a 'no pain, no gain' situation?
Faust reflected calmly for a moment and realized it truly was the case. A protagonist had to be tortured—it was that whole 'beautiful, strong, and tragic' archetype.
Sigh, I can't talk to you anymore; that's typical female-oriented angst novel logic.
"Twisted? It is indeed very twisted, and morbid enough."
Seeing Faust's complex expression, seemingly shocked by the truth of the curse, Selena withdrew her gaze and said indifferently:
"It is truly unbelievable. Before me, so many tragedies of kin-slaying occurred. Just thinking of such an ugly thing makes me shudder!"
As the Snow White spoke, she wrapped her arms around herself, trembling slightly as if she had been touched by something filthy.
"I am absolutely unwilling to follow in their footsteps and commit the subhuman act of matricide. I believe none of the previous 【Snow White】 ever wanted to do it, but under the dragon's curse, they all shared the same end."
The charmingly beautiful black-haired girl took a deep breath, placed one hand on her hip, and tilted her head.
"So before this, the court was in a constant state of debate. The ministers all wanted me to die to preserve the queen, and I... I agreed with that method and accepted it gladly."
Faust spoke bluntly, "That is nothing more than delaying the inevitable."
Snow White responded loudly, "Of course it is delaying! But what of it? As long as I do not have to be stained by such a blot!"
Whoa, wait!
Hearing that the princess of Midwinter had self-destructive thoughts, the prince grew genuinely anxious.
If the 【Snow White】 before him disappeared, how was he supposed to complete the script? Would he have to go find the Queen of Midwinter? Was the former 【Snow White】 also a princess?
Faust hurriedly said in a sharp tone:
"Don't say such irresponsible things! I see that you just want to run away!"
Seeing the prince of Qingxi reveal a nervous expression, Selena raised a delicate eyebrow and spoke with a half-smile:
"Are you worried about me, Prince Faust?"
Faust admitted frankly, "Indeed, I am worried about you. If I were a blind man, hearing your voice would make me imagine a beauty as picturesque as poetry, let alone with my sight being perfectly intact. I have no desire to see such a beautiful existence wither. It is only human nature."
"Heheh, you certainly know how to use sweet words. How many girls have you left dreaming of you?"
Selena pressed a hand to her forehead, sighing in a tone as if she had found a kindred spirit.
"However, I suppose I lack the right to lecture you on that point. If things continue as they are, my charm will also cause the kingdom to fall into turmoil and division. Excessive charm is a burden for people like us, isn't it?"
Faust: "..."
No, actually, I’m not quite that narcissistic.
"But there is no need to worry. I no longer have those thoughts."
Snow White looked at Faust with a radiant smile.
"As for why I changed my mind... why don't you guess the reason yourself?"
Seeing Selena's mysterious demeanor, Faust could not help but grumble inwardly.
Do I even need to guess? It's obvious she's been blinded by desire; her head is probably full of thoughts about how to get me into bed.
No, perhaps it's more than that.
Faust lowered his eyelids slightly, trying to sense the Snow White's gaze through his peripheral vision.
There was no mistake. That was the look of a hunter sizing up prey. She didn't just plan to devour him; she wanted to take him captive as a servant to her charms?
Heh, how interesting.
Faust pretended not to have guessed the reason and changed the subject.
"That's not important. Since you don't plan to end your own life, what do you intend to do next?"
Selena lightly tapped her soft, flawless cheek and said:
"Next, I must find a way to survive. That executed frost-walker won't be able to hide things for long. Once Mother uses the magic mirror again, she will know my location. Hmm... I will face the pursuit of an entire kingdom. I'll ask one last time: do you really intend to accompany me? You will die."
"Death is not frightening. Death is a cool summer night, offering a worry-free sleep for all."
Faust said calmly, "I am willing to fight by your side, through life and death."
The princess of Midwinter brushed aside her dark hair and said meaningfully:
"Casting life and death aside... since you are staking your life, what reward do you seek? The position of a partner? I have no wish to use my feelings as a bargaining chip. Unless... I receive a formal, sincere proposal of love from a prince. Only then could I consider it."
Selena's meaning was unmistakable; she wanted Faust to express his love first before she would give a corresponding answer.
She's holding a grudge over the embarrassment from earlier.
Faust caught the hidden meaning. He immediately unfastened the sword at his waist and knelt on one knee before Snow White.
"Let's put the matter of marriage aside for now. Speaking of which, for me to interfere in Midwinter's civil war as a prince is too dangerous for the Qingxi Kingdom."
"Therefore, I would like to ask you, Selena, to temporarily appoint me as a knight of the princess of Midwinter. Only then can it be considered legitimate."
How about this move of 'retreating to advance'?
"A knight who guards the princess... You understand me well!"
Selena smiled at the sight. She clapped her hands together in excitement and said:
"Of course. If my title as princess is still recognized, it is easy to appoint a knight on a whim. Even if it isn't recognized... you are my knight alone."
The black-haired girl took the longsword and tapped it lightly on Faust's shoulder. Her beautiful eyes stared fixedly at the young man's divine, handsome face. A mysterious competitive urge ignited in her chest—
I must make this man completely devoted to me! Head over heels!
After the brief appointment ceremony ended, Faust stood up and met the princess of Midwinter's clear, pure silver eyes.
Ho, I've met my match.
This Lady 【witch】 is completely different from Viviana; she is truly difficult to handle. But no matter—
I must make this woman completely devoted to me! Head over heels!
In an atmosphere thick with a strange scent of gunpowder, the prince and princess maintained their smiles, regarding the person they were attracted to as an opponent, each wanting to take the dominant position in this relationship.
Rate on N.U.
