Chapter 125: The Arrival of Princess Miller

As Crown Prince Treshi finished his impromptu performance and took his seat once more, the clock had already struck around nine. Yet, this hour marked the true beginning of nightlife in the United Kingdom, so it could still be considered quite early. What followed was essentially a series of speeches from the leaders of the various factions and the three princes, each rallying support for their respective sides. Prince Quill and Prince Charles also delivered their own addresses, though their efforts carried little weight since they had just lost the military exercise.

On the large screen, the vote counts for the four factions showed some fluctuations. While the factions from Scotland and England experienced significant shifts, Ireland’s numbers barely moved, lingering at just under ten percent. Such a paltry share of votes was far too insignificant to sway the overall outcome. “Ah, it’s such a pity! Our Irish princess never makes an appearance here. If she did, perhaps the situation would be different,” remarked the host, Phelps, with a hint of regret as he glanced at Ireland’s miserable tally.

“The Irish princess?” Treshi asked curiously.

“Oh, I nearly forgot,” Phelps responded. “Your Highness has traveled extensively, so you might not be familiar with the details. The Irish princess emerged about ten years ago. To explain: a decade prior, the former queen passed away. The King of the United Kingdom—your father—took a new queen. However, this new queen apparently had a daughter from before, rumored to be the king’s illegitimate child. Of course, we have verified that the former queen died of illness, so legally, the king’s actions were not improper. But regarding the illegitimate daughter—well, you know how many great men have mistresses. It’s something we accept. Yet many refuse to acknowledge the Irish princess’s place as a royal heir. May I ask how you, Crown Prince, view this matter?”

“Well, to be honest, I’m somewhat displeased. When you’ve only ever known one legitimate child and suddenly face an illegitimate one, it’s natural to feel some resistance. But I don’t seem to have much of a bond with my father, so I’m willing to regard her as my own sister. As for more personal feelings, I’m afraid I’ve only just returned to the United Kingdom, so I haven’t developed any yet,” Treshi said plainly. He was indifferent to the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Children are innocent; any faults lie with their parents. This estrangement partly explained the strained relationship between the Crown Prince and the King—though it wasn’t the sole reason, it was certainly a contributing factor.

“Is that so?” A clear, melodious voice suddenly rang through the hall. It was a woman’s voice, not loud but delicate and enchanting, like a bird’s gentle song. A figure appeared where Treshi had once stood: a princess clad in a splendid, pure white gown, her dark, lustrous hair flowing elegantly—a beauty of Eastern lineage. Indeed, the current queen was also from the Eastern Alliance, but this Irish princess shone with even greater brilliance. Her jet-black eyes clearly did not belong to the Mistra dynasty, yet no one doubted her royal status, for her aura was beyond ordinary.

The soft click of high heels echoed across the stage. The princess had no attendants nearby, standing alone as a radiant blossom amid the gathering. Princes Quill and Charles craned their necks to look, but only Treshi remained composed—his familiarity with that face was too profound. The only difference was the length of her hair and its luxurious style. Modern medicine could not have made hair grow so long in mere days. He recalled someone with that same visage, yet her hair had never been so long. How could it be possible in such a short time? The sight startled him, though he kept his expression neutral.

The emerald of the United Kingdom—indeed, its jewel—Princess Miller had arrived.

“Long time no see, my dear brothers,” Princess Miller greeted politely, nodding to them. Then she turned to wave at the audience as if performing some grand aristocratic ceremony. It was unprecedented. Princess Miller rarely appeared before the public; she was not a particularly prominent figure, yet her breathtaking beauty left an indelible impression, even on her two brothers.

Yet despite this, someone refused to show her any respect. That someone was none other than Crown Prince Treshi. Upon seeing Princess Miller approach, he immediately rose and turned to leave.

“Treshi! Stop right there!” Miller snapped angrily as he tried to escape.

“Apologies, I have some matters to attend to. I can’t stay long. You know, if I linger here too much, His Majesty might send troops after me,” he replied.

“That’s no excuse to run away. You want to flee because you saw me, don’t you? Did I offend you? You said you didn’t want to see me. Ever since I returned ten years ago, you haven’t come back until today. Is it because of me or because of our mother? You just said you’d accept me as your sister—are you having second thoughts now?” Miller’s voice grew sharp, a glimmer of tears in her eyes. But Treshi remained unmoved.

“They’re not the same thing. I told you I don’t blame you. I just can’t forgive Father for moving on so quickly—taking a new love so soon after Mother’s burial. And they already have a ten-year-old daughter. It feels like a betrayal. Remember, I was only twelve then, and Quill and Charles were just ten. And you’re only a year younger than them. I don’t understand why Father did this. Perhaps it’s the nature of nobility,” Treshi sighed and returned to his seat.

“But I must say, after all these years, you’ve only grown more beautiful. I suppose this is our first proper meeting, isn’t it? Before, I only saw you from afar, barely knowing you. Later, I found out I had a sister. How ironic,” he said, rising and approaching Princess Miller. Bowing, he performed a hand-kiss.

“You resemble someone I know—a woman my brother is involved with. I’m curious about your relationship,” he whispered into her ear, using ventriloquism so his lips barely moved.

“If I told you we were twin sisters with no blood relation, would you believe me?” Miller’s face remained unseen by the cameras, as she stood with her back to the audience.

Thus, the four heirs to the United Kingdom’s throne were finally gathered together.