Chapter 114: Chapter 114: We are not friends


    Swan''s hand, which was holding the teacup, trembled slightly when Long Xiurong mentioned her status as the Beast King''s bride.


    She knew Long Xiurong only stated the fact, but it was still a bitter pill for her to swallow.


    Long Xiurong braced herself in case Princess Swan got offended, as it seemed that Princess Swan and the Beast King were pretty much exclusive and in love with each other.


    "That..... I understand. I never told him to exclude you either," Swan replied.


    "R-really?" Long Xiurong was astonished. She thought that Princess Swan would be selfish, and wanted His Majesty all for herself, which Long Xiurong found to be understandable.


    After all, Long Xiurong would probably do the same. She would be selfish and want His Majesty to stay loyal only to her. freewebnovel


    "Yes, I understand his curse and never tell him to ignore you. I''m sorry if he did that, as I am merely one of his wives, and in the end, he has all the right to decide," Swan said.


    "I... understand that as well..." Long Xiurong lowered her head. She had epted the fact that she would never be bedded by her husband because the Beast King only loved one woman. "It''s okay, Princess. After I heard what you two didst night, I understand that you two are in love. I never intend to force myself into the rtionship."


    "... I''m so sorry..." Swan felt conflicted.


    She felt bad for Long Xiurong who had been ignored. But if Gale ever spent the night in his new bride''s room, Swan would probably cry herself to sleep.


    ''No, it would be worse. I know that...'' Swan told herself. ''I would probably pray to the Goddess to take me, or let me leave, far from this castle so I will never have to see Gale''s face anymore...''


    "No, no, don''t be sorry. You can''t force a man to love you. I just didn''t expect His Majesty to be so upfront about it," Long Xiurong smiled bitterly. "I just hope that His Majesty won''t kick me out. What I said about me getting executed if he ever sent me back is true. That''s the custom in the Eastern Long Dynasty, as I will be seen as a disgrace."


    "That-I promise that you will be taken care of," Swan assured. "I will make sure that Gale-I mean, His Majesty, won''t kick you out."


    "T-thank you, Princess. You are very kind," Long Xiurong said gratefully. "But... I still stand strong on my decision. I''m not here to take anyone''s side, be it you or Lady Jade''s."


    "I never told you to take sides," Swan sighed. "I just want to make sure that you are more careful with her. She is not your friend, neither am I. I don''t think you''d want to be friends with a woman who is favored by your husband, right?"


    "That—I—" Long Xiurong was speechless yet again because Princess Swan was correct.


    Even if Princess Swan turned out to be a kind person, she wouldn''t want to get too close with her, because it made her bitter knowing that she would never get the chance to be with the Beast King because of her.


    "It''s alright. I understand," Swan nodded. "But we can still be more civil towards each other. I merely want his kingdom to flourish, because I''m not going tost for a long time anyway," Swan muttered.


    "What do you mean by that, Princess?" Long Xiurong asked.


    Swan smiled mysteriously.


    It was better not to tell Long Xiurong about the fate of those who weren''t Gale''s fated mate in the future.


    "By the way, you should drink the tea. Don''t worry, I assure you it''s not poisoned."


    Long Xiurong was debating about it


    for a moment before thinking, ''There''s no point in her trying to kill me. She already has the Beast King''s full attention, and someone like me won''t be a hindrance for her.''


    Thus, she decided to fill her cup with hot tea and slowly drank it while making eye contact with Princess Swan. She was cautious at first, and only took a small sip. She waited for almost ten minutes, and after nothing happened, she decided to take the second and thiresips.


    Swan chuckled, "I don''t need anything from you, Lady Long. I just don''t want you


    to get taken advantage of—or worse-die, because of Lady Jade''s ambition."


    Long Xiurong still didn''t fully believe that Lady Jade was hostile towards her, but it was not bad advice at all.


    "I''ll keep that in mind, Princess. Thank you for your advice."


    Swan smiled.


    She didn''t expect Long Xiurong to believe herpletely anyway. As long as she had at least an ounce of doubt for Lady Jade, she would eventually realize how cruel that woman could be.


    "That''s good enough for me. I don''t want any more victims. I... lost a friend because of her."


    "Because of Lady Jade?!"


    Swan nodded as she began to miss Rock Silverfang. She liked how honest he was, she never had a friend in her life after all.


    Thus, when Rock introduced himself and told her to treat him as a friend, she took


    it very seriously, and she wanted to protect her dear friend no matter what.


    "I can''t go into detail because I don''t have proof except his testimony. However want to make sure that you are not harmed. You might not see me as a friend, nor do I see you as one either," Swan stated. But you are Gale''s bride. I want to protect everything that he has, especially his Kingdom, including everyone in it. It''s my life mission before everythinges crashing down, at least for me."


    Long Xiurong saw the sincerity and steadfastness in Princess Swan''s eyes as if she truly put Gale above herself. As if she truly devoted her life to that one man.


    ''I thought it was His Majesty who loved her a bit too much. Why do I feel like Princess Swan loves the Beast King much more than he could ever love her?''