CHAPTER 474: CHAPTER 474: THE COST OF GROWTH

Lin Fu didn’t surprise Xia Huangyu with her words. Although Joseph IV had passed away ten years ago, many on Capital Star and among the Nobles still remained loyal to him. Some had defected to the Lost Association under Evelyn’s name, but even more had gone into hiding.

Compared to Flora, Evelyn’s influence was much weaker.

Once she returned as Princess Freya, it would undoubtedly provoke disputes and rekindle turmoil.

Xia Huangyu really wanted to ask her, didn’t she want to seize back the Imperial Throne? But the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back.

Just as Lin Fu had said, the Empire couldn’t afford another civil war. Otherwise, the losses would be too great. On the borders, the Democracy Alliance and the Free Federation were constantly waiting for an opportunity to exploit the Empire’s weaknesses and bare their fangs.

Lin Fu looked at Xia Huangyu with a trace of understanding and mockery in her eyes; she saw through the inclinations of his heart.

Indeed, no matter how good their relationship, when it came down to making a choice, Xia Huangyu definitely preferred her not to return. Such was human nature.

Countess Ingrid finally composed herself and returned to being the distinguished and graceful Countess, personally hosting Clive and his party. She seemed not to notice the mental suppression rings around Lin Fu’s and Xia Huangyu’s necks and warmly entertained them.

To receive such treatment as a prisoner was incredibly fortunate. There were those who had privately objected earlier, wanting Lin Fu and Xia Huangyu to experience the treatment they received when they were first captured. But as Lin Fu’s hair color changed, no one spoke up.

Clive was lodged in the main building while the rest could only stay in the side building. Lin Fu and Xia Huangyu’s rooms were connected, with Jon on their left and Jesse on their right. The security was loose on the outside but tight on the inside. The two of them had no weapons or equipment, and with mental suppression rings around their necks, they were essentially powerless.

And yet, they were watched so closely even under these circumstances.

Dinner was delivered directly to their room, consisting of local specialty foods made from the meat of a type of mutant beast. The taste was quite good, but Lin Fu had little appetite. She was about to force down some food when she heard a knock on the door.

It was Xia Huangyu.

After letting him in, the two simply sat on the carpet in the room, with a wooden coffee table laid out in front of them. Lin Fu sipped her drink while Xia Huangyu, who quite enjoyed gourmet food, ate elegantly, a stark contrast to his seated posture.

"How is Theresa doing?"

"Like she’s lost her soul, she hasn’t come out of her room after returning," Xia Huangyu said with a displeased expression when he mentioned Theresa. "Now, who knows what she’ll do! Just watch! She’ll continue to make a mess of things."

"No, she won’t."

"Why do you say that?"

"Before, she was still living in a Princess’s dream. Now that she’s woken up, she has to pack away that arrogance."

"I think she’s very unwilling to accept this."

"It’s useless," Lin Fu said, revealing a contemplative look.

"What’s the matter?"

"I just suddenly remembered the days right after my father died when I first went into exile." The memories came unbidden, unexpected yet so vivid.

"Those days were tough. After my father died and my uncle was crowned, he sent his confidants to assassinate us frantically. Many people died, so many people died to protect me..."

Her voice grew increasingly somber.

She finally understood why Flora, who was once so cheerful in her past life, seemed so unfamiliar in her memories. It turned out it was the lives of those people, so vivid and vital, dying one after another to protect her, forcing her to grow up.

If she didn’t grow up, she would only bring harm to those around her who cared about her.