Stratholme is the second largest city in Lordaeron, after Lordaeron itself, and once housed over 200,000 residents. If only the land area is considered, it is even larger than Lordaeron.
This was a pivotal moment in Arthas's fall from grace. Arthas's massacre of the city resulted in the emergence of 200,000 Undead, significantly expanding the Scourge's power and ultimately leading to the city's corruption.
For months, Fenna and her Ashen Army had been clearing out the Undead here, and now the clearing is finally complete. Tens of thousands of people now live here. Although living conditions are poor, at least they are no longer homeless, and many people feel a strong sense of belonging to this place.
They were the city's first citizens, each allocated a property with both housing and shops. In Lordaeron, such a property would cost at least a thousand gold coins.
Although Stratholme is not as lively Lordaeron, as long as Lordaeron does not abandon the Eastern Plaguelands, it will gradually become bustling again, and the entire city will recover.
Night had fallen, and most rooms were dark with their lights off. Stratholme was fast asleep, with only a few rooms still lit as the Ashen Army patrolled the streets, maintaining order in the city.
Fenna is still awake.
The Holy Light's blessing allowed her to maintain ample energy with only three or four hours of sleep each day. Of course, human faith in the Holy Light requires prolonged meditation and prayer to obtain greater power from Holy Light, Fenna would set aside two or three hours each day for meditation and prayer.
Holy Light is tangible but intangible; it is the outward manifestation of light, just as shadow is the manifestation of darkness.
The Holy Light power of Paladin is not inexhaustible. Every battle and healing session consumes a certain amount of Holy Light power, which needs to be restored through meditation and prayer.
Of course, because of Ashbringer, Fenna's recovery speed is many times faster than that of other Paladin.
Even without meditation, she can continuously replenish her Holy Light power. The gem embedded in Ashbringer is very special, as it is very compatible with Holy Light.
She wasn't meditating; instead, she was standing by the window, looking at the houses, the streets, the city, and thinking about someone.
Liadrin has been gone for half a month.
She was recalled by Kael'thas primarily to better and more conveniently train the High Elf Paladin, but there was another purpose: to reforge the Quel'Sister Swords. The person she always dreamed of would also go to Quel'Thalas to participate in the reforging.
Will he come to see me?
Why hasn't he shown up after half a month?
Has he returned to Lordaeron? Or is there someone... more important, more attractive to him than himself?
Fenna is a very confident person, and also a person with sharp vision.
She is straightforward by nature and doesn't like to guess what others are thinking, but the Holy Light has endowed her with strong thinking abilities, allowing her to see through complex appearances and grasp the essence of things at a glance.
So she actually knew very well:
Jiang Jie only saw Lilian as a younger sister, and had no feelings for Queen Calia whatsoever, not to mention that little maid. As for Jaina, for some reason, Fenna always felt that Jiang Jie didn't actually like her, and seemed to have a prejudice against her. Was it because he didn't want to play the role of the twin sisters...?
Not to mention Sylvanas, their relationship isn't as good as rumored.
So, Fenna really shouldn't worry.
But she was still worried and started overthinking.
Is this what's typical of women in love—their IQ drops to zero?
Fenna didn't know; she only felt her face getting hot and suddenly remembered what Liadrin had said before she left.
" Fenna, Nicholas will definitely come to see you! If he doesn't, I'll teach him a lesson for you! Remember, these next few days, find a few tailors to dress you up nicely. Oh, and I remember a jeweler came to Stratholme; have her make you some decent jewelry. Trust me, men all like pretty girls, you need to learn how to dress up!"
Fenna walked unconsciously to the wardrobe.
Open it. She's only 24 years old this year, which is considered a minor according to the lifespan of Half-Elf. Jiang Jie is also a minor, so they're a perfect match.
She was a very beautiful girl, inheriting her parents' good genes. At her age, she should naturally like pretty clothes and jewelry and dress up beautifully. That's how girls from wealthy families in Lordaeron and Silvermoon City are, and Jaina was no exception.
But she hasn't worn a skirt or anything like that for many years.
From the day she became Paladin apprentice, she has only ever worn Paladin armor.
She'd completely forgotten what she looked like in a dress.
"How about... we give it a try?"
Fenna hesitated, worried that she might not look good in a dress.
She gritted her teeth, paced back and forth, hesitated for a long time, and finally made up her mind.
The custom-made clothes made by the human tailor were not difficult to wear, but it took her a long time. This was because she hadn't worn them for many years, and more importantly, because she wanted to look beautiful, so she was very careful when putting them on.
Then put on your jewelry: necklace, earrings, bracelet...
However, Fenna was troubled.
She doesn't have any mirrors here, not even one.
"Damn Liadrin, she didn't even leave me a mirror before she left! What am I going to do? I wonder if I'll look terrible..."
"Won't!"
A gentle voice suddenly came from behind her. Fenna trembled all over, then covered her face, too afraid to turn around.
She was worried that she might not look good in this outfit. Liadrin said that first impressions are important, and since it was the first time she was wearing this kind of dress in front of him, she had to make a good impression.
"You're really beautiful, Fenna. You're the most beautiful angel in the world, without a doubt."
The sound grew closer, and a pair of hands embraced her. Soft breaths touched the skin of her neck, warm and ticklish, then intensified.
Fenna felt her own heart beating faster and faster, and she could also feel the other person's heart beating faster and faster, which made her feel lost and confused.
"Turn around, put your hand down, let me take a good look." The voice was gentle.
Fenna obediently turned around, put her hands down, and then leaned into the other person's arms, feeling a little shy and at a loss.
"So beautiful. You should wear clothes like this more often. You are the most beautiful girl in the world..." The voice trailed off and then disappeared. Fenna let out a soft moan, unable to speak.
Neither of them could speak.
The lips were moist, but the movement was a bit clumsy.
The first time was always like this, but a doubt suddenly arose in Fenna's mind: why was she so clumsy, while the other person seemed so skilled? Had they practiced with someone?
Of course, this last bit of doubt disappeared as the other person's hand slowly explored.
Her lips parted, and a slightly annoyed voice rang out. "The dress is beautiful, but it's a bit troublesome to undo it..."
Fenna tried to resist, but she had no strength left and collapsed limply against him, thinking, "So be it." Although she wasn't mentally prepared, she had actually been looking forward to this day for a long time, hadn't she?
It's better to do it sooner rather than later.
Liadrin said that the sooner she wins someone's heart, the better, otherwise it might be stolen away by someone else. If Calia insists on taking her, can she really win?
And who knows if he's actually been with other women? He seemed so skilled...
That's it, let's do it tonight...
A pair of hands were groping, and lips were still moist. Fenna felt herself getting lighter and lighter. The early spring weather was still a bit cold, but fortunately, the other person was warm, which made her feel comfortable.
Liadrin said it would be more comfortable from now on, although it would hurt a little, but that's how it is the first time...
As Fenna was thinking this, she suddenly heard a voice.
"Huh, what are you doing? Hmm, I feel like I've seen you somewhere before. Hmm, three hundred years ago or three thousand years ago? Which timeline and which point is it? Hmm, I can't remember, this is so annoying..."
Fenna's whole body stiffened.
The next moment, an angry growl rang out:
" Chromie!"
"Get out of here!"