Landlord in the Arctic

After the team sent to rescue the Bear Tribe departed, silence fell over the wooden cabin.

In a dimly lit corner of the living room, Andrei moved with cautious, silent steps, approaching Natasha, who was casually cradling Coca-Cola on the sofa.

He leaned down slightly, bringing his mouth close to Natasha’s ear, and spoke in a very low voice.

"Your Highness, I just sent a message to Lengwan via satellite phone, requesting the company to send a plane to the Crown Territory to pick us up..."

"And what did they say?" Natasha’s lips curled into a cold, meaningful smirk.

Her long fingers gently stroked Coca-Cola’s smooth fur. Her movements were elegant and unhurried, as if the dire situation around them had nothing to do with her.

Coca-Cola seemed to sense the strange aura emanating from Natasha, lifting its head uneasily and letting out a meow.

A fierce light glinted in Andrei’s eyes. He gritted his teeth, his voice laced with resentment and frustration. "They... they said the airspace in the Far North Region is currently restricted. No planes are willing to come."

As he finished speaking, the corner seemed to be shrouded in an even heavier gloom.

Natasha had already anticipated this outcome. Her expression remained unchanged; she only subconsciously tightened her hold on Coca-Cola.

At the same time, the cold smirk on her face intensified.

"Isn’t this the day they’ve been waiting for? When people get old, their minds are always full of schemes. Do you remember the story I told you about the fisherman and the golden fish?" Natasha tilted her head back slightly, her gaze passing through the curling smoke of the fireplace toward the ceiling. Her tone was a mix of wistfulness and derision.

Andrei’s expression turned grim. Hearing her words, he immediately gave a solemn nod.

Having followed Her Highness for many years, he knew that every word she spoke held a hidden meaning and dared not be complacent for a moment.

"I remember. A fisherman caught a talking goldfish. To buy its freedom, the fish promised to grant the fisherman’s every wish. When the fisherman’s wife found out, she first had him ask the fish for a new wash-tub, then a new house, the life of a noblewoman, the status of a Queen, and finally, she even wanted to become the ruler of the sea, demanding the goldfish serve her personally."

"And the final result?" A flicker of interest shone in Natasha’s eyes. She continued her questioning with great curiosity, like a wise mentor testing a student.

Andrei quickly replied with deference, "In the end, the goldfish took back all its gifts. The old woman returned to her former life of poverty, sitting on the threshold of her dilapidated house with the same broken wash-tub before her."

"Exactly. The greedy will ultimately lose everything." Natasha nodded slightly, her gaze returning to the blazing fire in the hearth, the dancing flames reflecting in her eyes. "Have the Rose ready. If the Crown Territory can’t hold out in the end, we will evacuate immediately."

"Your Highness, the Rose’s modified airframe and equipment can completely withstand the current cold wave and blizzard. Why don’t we evacuate now?"

Andrei frowned slightly, his face full of confusion. He couldn’t quite wrap his head around it.

After all, the Rose was sitting in the camp’s hangar.

When it was ordered, we had the aircraft manufacturer perform special modifications to the airframe and onboard systems, giving it an extremely high resistance to cold.

It would have no problem taking off safely in the Crown Territory’s current cold wave.

’Why is Her Highness not only refusing to evacuate but also playing this tedious game?’

"Don’t you find it interesting?" Natasha lifted her chin slightly, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the living room with detached calm before she spoke again. "When a person is in grave danger, their truest, most primitive nature is often revealed. Faced with a threat to his survival, with the fear of the unknown, I want to know if he will show courage and fearlessness, or selfishness and cowardice."

’Are you still observing Feng? Could you really be planning to take Feng as your partner?’

Andrei was shaken, seeming to understand the deeper meaning behind Her Highness’s words.

But in the end, he didn’t voice his thoughts.

He gave a slight nod and turned, walking away with a steady gait. His retreating figure radiated deference and obedience to Natasha.

Natalia, who had been listening to their conversation in silence, waited for Andrei to leave before slowly walking to Natasha’s side.

She placed her warm, strong hands gently on Natasha’s shoulders, the gesture filled with endless care and affection.

"Is it time to make a move?" Natalia’s voice was soft and low, as if afraid to disturb the quiet yet turbulent atmosphere.

Without turning around, Natasha raised a trembling hand and gently placed it over Natalia’s, as if seeking strength and comfort.

"Auntie, it’s not that I want to. It’s that those people can’t sit still any longer. They’re the ones who did it to my father and mother, and now it’s my turn."

Her voice carried a hint of resigned determination. The once noble and aloof Queen now seemed more like a helpless child in front of Natalia.

"It’s all right. Your auntie will always be by your side. They all deserve to die." Natalia’s tone was firm yet gentle, but in that same moment, her eyes turned chillingly cold, like an enraged lioness ready to do anything to protect her cub.

A flash of guilt crossed Natasha’s eyes. She bit her lip and said softly, "I’m sorry. If it weren’t for me back then, you would be living with Uncle Frank now. You would have your own children, and what happened to Uncle Frank... wouldn’t have happened."

Her words were filled with self-blame, as if all the tragedies of the past were her fault.

"You are my child."

Natalia’s voice was soft but firm. She stole a glance at Frank, who was sitting on the floor playing a game with Fiona.

For an instant, a hint of softness appeared in her cold gaze, as if Frank’s very existence was the warmest harbor in her heart.

However, that trace of softness quickly vanished from her eyes, replaced by a venomous resolve.