“It really is tomorrow.” Luo Shangyu checked the date to confirm.
Qin Yu felt a wave of anxiety rise in her heart.
Entrusted with the kingdom’s affairs in a time of crisis, she was about to face such an important diplomatic event, and she worried that she might not be able to manage this reception.
“Relax.” Luo Shangyu patted Qin Yu on the back.
“It’s getting late. Let’s head back and rest early, or we won’t have the energy to face the Saint Roppu Empire Delegation tomorrow.”
“Mm…” Qin Yu knew that simply worrying wouldn’t solve anything, so she followed Luo Shangyu’s suggestion and prepared to return to the Eastern Palace to rest.
When Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu walked out of Weiyang Hall, the sky was already dark, with only a scattering of stars twinkling through the night.
Although Qin Yu was currently acting as regent and handling imperial affairs, she was, after all, still the Crown Princess, so she could only live in the Eastern Palace.
In Yongan City, November was already the intersection of autumn and winter, and the biting autumn wind carried the chill of winter, gusting into Qin Yu’s loose hoodie.
Qin Yu tightened the drawstrings of her hoodie to ward off the cold wind.
Suddenly, Luo Shangyu placed her hand on Qin Yu’s back, and waves of warmth flowed from Luo Shangyu’s hand, warming Qin Yu through.
“So comfortable!” Qin Yu felt the cold gradually dispelled by Luo Shangyu’s touch, her body once again bathed in warmth.
“How did you do that?” Qin Yu asked curiously.
“This is Atmospheric Manipulation Magic—heating the air with magic. Want to learn?”
“I’m afraid I won’t have time to learn recently.” Qin Yu wore a slightly regretful expression.
“These days, I have to discuss matters between the two empires with the Holy Roppu Empire Delegation.”
“Aren’t we allies with the Holy Roppu Empire?” Luo Shangyu grew curious at the mention of the Holy Roppu Empire.
“Mm, over three thousand years ago, we signed a treaty of friendship with the Holy Roppu Empire and the Boermai Empire, becoming allies.”
Qin Yu slowly recounted to Luo Shangyu the past between the Chengji Empire and the Holy Roppu Empire.
“Three thousand years ago, to defend against the eastern nations of the Southern Continent of the Illusory Realm, our three countries formed an alliance. Although those eastern countries never actually attacked, the alliance between our three empires continued to this day. Among them, our Chengji Empire and the Holy Roppu Empire have the closest ties, with envoys visiting almost every year.”
“If you have annual delegations, then you must have some experience handling them, right?”
“Even so, this is my first time hosting a foreign delegation. It’s different from just sitting on the sidelines, passively participating.”
“Then you’ll just have to improvise.” Luo Shangyu put her arm around Qin Yu’s shoulder.
“I believe in you—you can do it!”
“Mhm!”
***
When Qin Yu returned to the Crown Princess’s Eastern Palace, the maids quickly served dinner.
Seeing the bountiful dishes, Qin Yu’s worries about tomorrow were instantly cast aside—eating was, after all, the most important thing.
During the meal, Luo Shangyu asked, “Do you know who’s coming with the delegation?”
Qin Yu’s mouth was stuffed with food, so she could only shake her head.
“You didn’t finish reading that letter, did you? It listed all that, and there’s also a reception plan drafted by Qin Ling inside.”
“Uh…” Qin Yu was at a loss for words.
She had lost interest in the letter after seeing the delegation’s arrival date.
“Well, I have you to help me, don’t I!” Qin Yu argued. “I knew you’d remember for me! Hurry and tell me!”
Luo Shangyu: (ー_ー)!!
As expected of Qin Yu—still loves to argue!
“Coming with the delegation are Her Majesty Lysieltine Caroline, the Saintess Saint Lumia Kriat, and…” Luo Shangyu had just said two names when Qin Yu interrupted her.
“Wait, wait! What did you say? Lysieltine is the Empress now?” Qin Yu’s face was filled with disbelief.
“Are you two close?”
“She’s always come with the delegation every time before. She’s basically one of my only friends before I met you… But wasn’t she just the heir last year?” Qin Yu was utterly surprised.
“You didn’t know? Lysieltine was crowned Empress just two weeks ago—it was on the front page of the newspapers!”
“Eh?” Qin Yu didn’t have a habit of reading the newspaper, so of course she wouldn’t know.
“You should really read the paper more.” Luo Shangyu shook her head and had the maid fetch that day’s newspaper to read aloud, “Two weeks ago, the previous Emperor of the Holy Roppu Empire, Louis Caroline, passed away. The heir, Lysieltine Caroline, was crowned the new Empress at the Great Cathedral by the Saintess Saint Lumia Kriat herself.”
“I see…” Qin Yu mused after hearing this.
“Are you familiar with the Saintess?” Luo Shangyu suddenly asked.
“Lumia? She’s my other friend. Why do you ask?”
“The Holy Church worships the first Emperor of the Holy Roppu Empire from the primordial era. He dominated the Fantasy Realm with sacred Light Elemental Power. After his death, he was deified, and the Holy Roppu Empire established the Holy Church as their state religion.”
“It’s said that when selecting a Saintess, the Holy Church chooses those with sacred Light Elemental Power. So as the Saintess, how strong is this Lumia?”
With a hint of competitiveness, Luo Shangyu asked Qin Yu.
“Well…” Qin Yu scratched her head.
“I haven’t really seen her use magic, but I think she’s only around fourth or fifth tier… You’ll have to ask her yourself to know for sure.”
“Is that so?” Luo Shangyu sounded a little disappointed.
For her, it meant one less Light Mage to spar and discuss magic with.
Luo Shangyu continued flipping through the newspaper, and suddenly asked Qin Yu, “What’s your impression of the relationship between Lysieltine and Lumia?”
“Hmm…” Qin Yu tilted her head, recalling the past.
“Lysieltine and Lumia seem to be really close! Lysieltine is competitive and likes to win, while Lumia is gentle and easy-going. Their personalities complement each other naturally, so they get along very well.”
“Ha! Then this rumor might just be true!” Luo Shangyu pointed to an article on page six and read aloud: “According to the Empress’s personal maid, Her Majesty and Her Highness the Saintess share an extraordinary relationship; Furthermore, a certain informed individual claims that the two will get engaged at the end of this year.”
“Ah…” Qin Yu was stunned.
“Lysieltine actually likes Lumia!”
“Actually?” Luo Shangyu caught the key word.
“Last year, she asked me what I thought of Lumia, whether she was worthy of entrusting her life and such. I thought she was joking!” Qin Yu recounted in disbelief.
“That’s not official news,” Luo Shangyu pointed to the note on page six.
“It’s from a personal submission, so its authenticity is questionable.”
“Well, we can just ask them tomorrow!”
“Before that, you have to finish reading this.” Luo Shangyu handed Qin Ling’s reception plan to Qin Yu.
“Alright…” Forced to work overtime, Qin Yu was very reluctant.
***
By the time Qin Yu had finished memorizing Qin Ling’s draft and bathed, it was nearly eleven o’clock.
Luo Shangyu was already snuggled under the covers waiting for her.
Qin Yu climbed into bed silently, her heart full of emotions.
So much had happened since she last got up from this bed.
She’d been forced to confront her own nature, recruited Zhong Chang Gong, suffered through a coup, taken up the regency, judged Xu Feng’s Faction, and reorganized the Imperial Secretariat.
This succession of events left Qin Yu overwhelmed, and tomorrow she still had to receive the Holy Roppu Empire Delegation and discuss national matters…
It made her head ache.
Crawling under the covers, under the weight of all these pressures, Qin Yu’s heart began to crack.
Even though her two lifetimes together added up to more than thirty years, this was her first time shouldering such heavy responsibilities, so feeling overwhelmed was normal.
Under the covers, Qin Yu nestled her head against Luo Shangyu, and asked in a choked voice, “Luo Shangyu, what should I do…”
In front of others, Qin Yu always tried to maintain the dignity, calmness, and commanding presence of a Crown Princess; but now, before Luo Shangyu, Qin Yu showed her vulnerable side.
Luo Shangyu gently stroked the soft white hair on Qin Yu’s head and said, “Just do as your heart tells you. You’ve already done better than many emperors. Keep going. I’ll always support you, help you, and stay by your side.”
“Thank you…”
Qin Yu buried her face in Luo Shangyu’s embrace, secretly wiping away her tears on Luo Shangyu’s nightgown.
Luo Shangyu wrapped her arms around Qin Yu, pulling her close.
Feeling Qin Yu’s warm breath tickle her tender neck, Luo Shangyu felt a faint itch.
“Hehe…” Luo Shangyu chuckled softly, holding Qin Yu even tighter.
“Mmm… Luo Shangyu, I can’t breathe!” Qin Yu protested from within Luo Shangyu’s arms.
Luo Shangyu loosened her hold a little, and Qin Yu poked her head out, gulping for air.
Luo Shangyu ran her fingers through Qin Yu’s silky hair.
The scent of shampoo and the fragrance unique to a young girl mingled freely in the air.
Qin Yu’s white hair was as smooth as silk, spreading through Luo Shangyu’s fingers, feeling wonderful to the touch.
Qin Yu gulped in deep breaths, the suffocating feeling in her chest gradually fading.
As Luo Shangyu’s unique fragrance filled her nostrils, Qin Yu silently remarked in her heart: ‘So fragrant!’
“Are you trying to murder the Crown Princess?” Qin Yu feigned anger.
“Who told you to feel so good to touch? Holding you is just too comfortable!” Luo Shangyu laughed.
“Hmph!” As Luo Shangyu playfully toyed with her hair, Qin Yu half-heartedly protested with a soft hum—half satisfied, half helpless.
There was nothing she could do—the feeling of Luo Shangyu soothing her head was just too wonderful!
Besides, being held by Luo Shangyu was a kind of happiness.
“By the way, why did you make me the Regent?” Luo Shangyu asked quietly.
“I wanted you to help me! You’re the one I trust the most.”
“Is that all?” Luo Shangyu pressed further.
“……”
Qin Yu didn’t answer.
“I’ve read the history of the Chengji Empire’s history. There was once an emperor whose empress was also the Regent. Are you following her example?” Luo Shangyu supplied the answer for Qin Yu.
“……”
Qin Yu still said nothing.
Luo Shangyu could feel the warmth of Qin Yu’s cheeks against her, the temperature rising and seeping through the thin cotton pajamas—she could feel it clearly.
“Hehe…” Luo Shangyu chuckled softly.
The answer to this question was clear in both their hearts, yet unspoken, a silent understanding that lingered quietly between the two.