The boundless sea.
Ilina, surrounded by a throng of fishfolk, wore a look of solemnity.
"Little sister, you gave your jade pendant to Chen Yu?"
Ilina had wanted to ask this question since they left the encampment. Considering it was Illya's private matter, she hadn't pressed the issue.
However, the time spent on their journey had not diminished the matter in Ilina's mind.
On the contrary, it had intensified.
Others might not know the special significance of this jade pendant, but as the second princess of the North Sea, and as one of its holders, she was perfectly aware.
"Heh..."
Illya smiled charmingly, her face alight with a brilliant smile.
"I've made up my mind, it's him."
"This is terrible." Hearing this, Ilina's brow furrowed, and she propped her forehead with one hand. "Little sister, he's a foreigner. He has no status or standing here. Do you think Mother will agree?"
"Mmm..."
Illya tilted her head and was silent for a while, then her eyes lit up with a smile again. In a cajoling tone, she said with a laugh,
"Sister, can you give him a helping hand?"
"That's impossible!"
Without a hint of hesitation, Ilina flatly refused.
Ilina had never held a good opinion of Chen Yu. From their very first meeting, Chen Yu had defied her and rejected her invitation.
The three princesses of the North Sea each had different personalities.
Among the three princesses, Ilina was the most like their mother and the most suitable candidate to be the next Mermaid King.
Her personality was overbearing; she did not allow anyone to defy her words.
If not for Illya's sake, Chen Yu might have turned into a pile of ashes by the lake that day, and there would have been no further adventures.
Illya wanted her to help Chen Yu, but this was an impossible prospect.
"Oh, if second sister is unwilling to help, I'll go to eldest sister then." Illya pouted and turned her head away.
"Look at you..."
From her birth, Illya had been showered with affection.
Even someone as imperious as Ilina, upon seeing Illya's petulant behavior, didn't immediately think of sternly disciplining her.
"Why are you bothering eldest sister?"
"Besides, do you think Mother wouldn't know if I actually helped him?"
"Relying on our kingdom's resources, no matter how high he rises, do you think our clansmen will look up to him? Little sister, you need to consider these things too."
"And what about the people we usually associate with."
"Given our family's status over the years, and their intentions, I'm sure you understand."
Ilina and Illya belonged to the North Sea royal family.
Even in the entire Underworld, they were considered a top power. The people they associated with were influential figures in the Underworld, wealthy beyond compare.
Although Ilina didn't state it directly, she believed she had made her point clearly.
"Sister, do you regret it?"
Suddenly, Illya looked up at Ilina, her clear eyes asking a question.
"Regret what?" Ilina frowned. Illya's face was not as cheerful, and she whispered, "I heard from eldest sister that when you were at the magic academy, you had a very good friend."
Ilina, who had been walking in the middle, suddenly stopped.
It was as if a memory from the depths of her heart had been unearthed, and she lost herself in thought for a long time.
"What is there to regret." After a long silence, Ilina spoke to herself without concealment, "We were never people from the same world. The youthful infatuation of the past is no longer important. I am the crown prince destined to be the next King."
"And what's wrong with being the crown prince?"
Illya tilted her head, quietly gazing into Ilina's eyes.
"Just because we live in the royal family, must we be bound by differences in status? Sister, aren't we the royal family of the North Sea? Even as we are, can't we pursue freedom?"
For some inexplicable reason, Ilina was speechless for a long time, then she suddenly smiled and ruffled Illya's hair.
"Perhaps, sister was wrong."
Even Ilina didn't know why she said such a thing. It was possible that Illya's words had genuinely touched her and reminded her of the past.
Years ago, she was like Illya, never putting class or status into consideration.
She didn't care about the gap in their identities.
At what point had she become so vulgar?
"Since our little princess is so persistent, why don't we give it a try?" Ilina pursed her lips. "I will not provide him with any assistance, nor will I tell Mother about this. If he can appear honorably at the North Sea's sacred hall within a year, regardless of his identity, I..."
"Hmm?"
Illya's eyes were full of expectation. Ilina smiled slightly.
"I will no longer interfere in your affairs."
"Second sister, you're bound to lose." Illya suddenly beamed, her brilliant smile outshining even the pearls of the North Sea.
This confident demeanor made Ilina smile too.
"So confident?"
"Did you hear what I said clearly? There's only one year. In this Underworld where all forces are deeply entrenched, do you think he can truly overcome these class barriers as formidable as mountains?"
"Sister, why do you think the Heavenly God invited foreigners?" Illya tilted her head and blinked.
Ilina looked at her sister's expression and gently pinched her small face.
"You're the clever one~"
The Underworld had remained unchanged for too long. Noble families were always noble families, and the poor were destined to remain at the bottom for life. This solidified state of affairs was like stagnant water that had not rippled for ten thousand years, emitting a pungent stench.
All of this should have been overthrown long ago.
However—
Could a foreigner, summoned from abroad, someone at the very bottom, truly shake those towering trees with deep roots?
Ilina didn't know, but she was filled with anticipation.
For some reason, Ilina's mind conjured up Chen Yu's image. She didn't understand why he was the one she thought of at this moment.
But upon closer reflection, Chen Yu's development had indeed been unexpected.
In just one month,
He was able to establish a considerable force in this unfamiliar environment, recruit a group of people who trusted him, and even, incredibly, possess a city.
"Perhaps, little sister really chose correctly."
"If you can firmly hold onto that city."
Ilina whispered to herself, then focused her gaze on Illya's face, which was filled with pride – a genuine trust in Chen Yu.
"My, my, you're growing up too fast."
"Huh?!" Illya's eyes widened as she blinked. "Sister, don't say such things. I only see Brother Chen Yu as a good friend."
"Is that so? Then why are you competing with a human woman named Kailing?"
"I!!!"
Cornered by the question, Illya suddenly scrunched her nose and huffed, running away.
"I don't need you to worry about me!!!"