After the Black Moonlight’s "Death Escape" Failed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: The Wolf and the Whip-Wielder

◎ Do you want to be my dog that badly? ◎

With the help of two maids, Nameless changed into a set of light green attire. From the ribbons woven into her hair to the gemstone chain at her waist, every part was harmoniously color-coordinated, complementing each other as if meticulously styled by someone with a keen eye.

Even her semi-transparent veil was replaced. This one was woven from fine indigo threads into a light, breathable fabric; once draped, it not only concealed the lower half of her face but also hid the collar around her neck.

“I heard this silk came from the East,” the younger maid whispered, her expression filled with envy.

Before Nameless could ask more, she was pushed out of the room by the other, more serious maid. On the spiral staircase, they came face-to-face with Jiao Qingyin, who was dressed in cobalt-blue riding gear.

She seemed to dislike wearing dresses, always prioritizing mobility in her clothing choices. This time, she had even swapped her usual whip for a silver-white longsword, its hilt shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.

Jiao Qingyin’s expression was cold. Upon seeing Nameless, she turned and jerked her chin toward an accompanying figure dressed as a mage. Immediately, Nameless’s wheelchair floated up, gently ferrying her to the bottom of the stairs.

Nameless turned her head and watched as Jiao Qingyin descended the steps against the light, step by step, until she stood beside her.

“It suits you quite well.”

Nameless froze, thinking she had misheard. But Jiao Qingyin said no more, as she was promptly surrounded by servants and ushered into the carriage. It wasn’t until Nameless was out of sight that Jiao Qingyin allowed a look of slight annoyance to cross her face.

“Host, I did warn you…”

“…I just accidentally spoke my mind. Since no Role-Play points were deducted, let’s act like it never happened.”

As Jiao Qingyin focused on bickering with the system, Nameless sat in the following carriage, her hands slowly clenching as if trying to grasp something.

Jiao Qingyin once thought the original owner was the most tasteless person she had ever known. However, as their party drew closer to the Imperial Palace and she saw the glittering, golden architectural complex from afar, she realized this aesthetic style was likely a family inheritance.

The palace grounds were vast. As the current Emperor’s younger sister, the original owner had her own palace here, staffed by a sea of servants. As soon as Jiao Qingyin stepped off the carriage, she saw a dense crowd of people kneeling before her.

“—Welcome back, Your Highness!”

The synchronized shout was like a thunderous drum, causing Jiao Qingyin’s footsteps to falter. There are so many people here I’m about to develop social anxiety… Ignoring the crowd, she walked straight into the palace without looking left or right.

In the past, whenever the Prince entered the palace, she would bring dozens of slaves for her amusement. This time, however, the only slave in Jiao Qingyin’s convoy was Nameless. Furthermore, judging by her appearance and dress, she looked more like a noble lady from a prominent family.

Consequently, when Nameless followed Jiao Qingyin into the hall, pushed by a maid, the two nobles already waiting inside couldn’t help but look puzzled.

“Ollie, it’s been a long time.” One of the nobles stood up, walking toward Jiao Qingyin with shaky, hollow steps.

Jiao Qingyin recognized them as collateral members of the royal family and the two people the original owner was closest to among her many siblings. They were ranked eleventh and thirteenth; like the original owner, they were the type to be ignorant, incompetent, and utterly profligate.

Too lazy to recall their tongue-twisting full names, Jiao Qingyin addressed them casually: “Eleven, Thirteen.”

Eleven and Thirteen were visibly choked up. They had never been addressed like that before. But as a Prince, Jiao Qingyin’s actual status and power were far superior to theirs. Usually, they relied entirely on their relationship with her to act superior to others. If Jiao Qingyin wanted to call them that, they had no choice but to accept it.

The two exchanged a glance and continued to offer their natural, shallow pleasantries. After a few sentences, Thirteen, who was standing slightly forward, shifted her eyes and locked onto the girl behind Jiao Qingyin. “I almost forgot to ask, Ollie—is this lady a friend of yours?”

White hair, blue eyes, an unknown leg injury or disability, and a face mostly hidden by a veil… she had never heard of any noble fitting this description.

Jiao Qingyin lowered her eyes and locked gazes with Nameless for a second. Nameless’s eyes were docile, her demeanor like a little lamb at Jiao Qingyin’s mercy.

Getting better and better at playing the “good girl,” Jiao Qingyin thought. Instead of exposing Nameless’s status as a slave, she threw the question back: “What do you think?”

When dealing with people who overthink, answering a question with a question often leads them to fill in the blanks with their own wild theories, saving her the trouble of explaining.

Sure enough, Thirteen took on a thoughtful expression. When she looked at Nameless again, her gaze turned cautious. “My lady, it’s a pleasure to meet you…” As Thirteen introduced herself, she observed Nameless’s clothing, only to realize that every single accessory on the girl was worth a shocking amount. This made her even more eager.

Yet, after all that talking, Nameless only responded with a slight, cold nod. Thirteen was struck with embarrassment, and Eleven beside her was also displeased. However, before a conflict could start, they instinctively stole a glance at Jiao Qingyin’s expression.

The Prince was looking at the girl in the wheelchair with an air of indifference, showing no dissatisfaction with her attitude. It seemed Her Highness… was very indulgent toward this person.

Seeing this, Eleven hurried to smooth things over, introducing herself and asking for Nameless’s name. Noble genealogies were clear; a name alone was enough for them to judge many things.

“My name is…” Nameless paused. Whether intentionally or not, she took a specific look at Jiao Qingyin before answering. “Al.”

Hearing that familiar name, Jiao Qingyin’s expression stiffened.

The system let out a “ding.” [Detected that the protagonist has named herself, and it has been recognized by the World Consciousness.]

[System Note: Since the Host has already used one name-change opportunity, the protagonist’s name will be permanently fixed as “Al.” Replacing string… Replacement successful.]

Jiao Qingyin: “…………”

“Al?” Eleven was stunned. Generally speaking, nobles didn’t choose such simple, single-syllable names. She instinctively followed up, “And your surname?”

Nameless narrowed her eyes, as if smiling. “It’s a secret.”

When she was quiet, she had an aura like frost and snow; now, with a shift in her eyes, she looked strikingly beautiful, causing Eleven and Thirteen to daze momentarily.

Watching this scene, Jiao Qingyin let out a scoffing laugh. The two, who were uncontrollably attracted to Nameless, were startled and turned their gaze to Jiao Qingyin.

Jiao Qingyin had never named the protagonist because she considered herself a mere passerby in this world and didn’t want to leave any marks on her. In her view, the girl had a free and complete personality, and only she herself had the right to decide her own name.

But now—with the sound of Nameless saying “Al” ringing in her ears, Jiao Qingyin couldn’t contain her emotions. Coupled with the two fools lusting after Nameless, she simply didn’t suppress her displeasure and directly ordered them to leave.

Seeing her cold demeanor and remembering Jiao Qingyin’s past brutality, Eleven and Thirteen didn’t dare say another word and scrambled away.

Once the vast hall was empty of everyone but her and Nameless, Jiao Qingyin leaned down, bracing one hand on the back of the wheelchair. She closed the distance between them until it was so small that Nameless could see the suppressed fire in the depths of her eyes.

She’s angry… why is she angry?

Nameless’s heart throbbed wildly. After so many days, she finally glimpsed a trace of vivid life beneath the other woman’s mask again.

Sensing Nameless was distracted, Jiao Qingyin let out a cold laugh and pinched her chin, forcing her to focus entirely on what she was about to say. Her tone was dark as she questioned her word by word:

“—Do you want to be my dog that badly?”