Liu Wei was carefully observing the gown on her body. She hadn't intended to wear it on this trip, but she wanted to impress the queen.
The dress was opulent and luxurious , made from the finest fabric and adorned with rubies and diamonds.
The bright red made it eye-catching and attractive; it was definitely a stunning dress. She sighed in satisfaction.
But putting it on required the help of her maid. The part above her waist featured a beautiful braided corset in the back. Liu Wei watched Anna through the reflection in the mirror as she gently pulled the small ribbon that would fasten and tighten the corset.
"Miss, how are you feeling?"
She touched her abdomen; she could breathe, and it was tightly secured but still comfortable. Perfect. "The corset is fine."
"You will be the most beautiful at the entire feast."
Anna was very proud of her princess. Serving her was an honor and a pleasure. The motherly affection she lacked in her personal life was overflowing with Liu Wei.
Liu Wei smiled at the compliment. "Thank you, but I don't intend to be more beautiful than the Queen."
Anna was pleased with her princess's response. After all, surpassing the queen was unimaginable for any commoner, though some nobles might still dare to try.
Liu Wei didn't dare to compare herself to the queen. The young omega wanted to admire the Queen in all her glory . She felt deep in her heart that this woman made her think too much, but she wanted to keep thinking more and more about Wang Zheng. She wanted her days to be filled with that thought; she longed to dream of the sweet smell of pineapple.
"This outfit is quite different, but it's a remarkable design."
"Yes. What time does the banquet begin?"
"6 p.m."
"Good. We still have time. Please bring me some tea."
Liu Wei slowly walked to the small table next to her bedroom window while lifting the skirt of her dress. She sat down and watched the time pass until it was time to go downstairs and join the party.
"Right."
The young princess, lost in her thoughts, observed the small movements in front of the palace. Workers came and went. Her room had a prime view of the main gate, so anyone arriving would be seen in advance.
The sky was already starting to darken, and more and more dressed guests appeared and entered.
Her tea was not as sweet as that made by the queen. She wondered if she would ever have tea made by the queen's own hands again. Despite feeling guilty, she couldn't control her desire to have more and more of the queen for herself.
A familiar face appeared in front of the palace. In sportswear, Yang Fan looked so noble and strong; she was definitely a formidable alpha.
Liu Wei now wondered: how would the queen look in such sportswear? She could feel her glands heating up at that fleeting thought. Very appealing .
The royal hall was crowded . There were many people and many smells.
Normally, in a crowded place, a high-ranking omega would be overwhelmed and nauseated by all the smells. But despite being filled with pheromones, the room was large and well-ventilated; she didn't feel uncomfortable.
Liu Wei actually felt surprisingly comfortable . It was very difficult for her to find a closed space where she didn't get extremely sick from the excess pheromones, but the ventilation system worked very well throughout the palace, constantly expelling the pheromones.
The young princess didn't know, but the royal ventilation systems were equipped with small devices that released pheromone inhibitors to reduce the effects of pheromone exposure . This high technology existed in only a few countries. It was specifically designed to delay and prevent omegas from entering estrus due to excessive contact with pheromones.
In her years of governance, the queen had ordered a complete renovation of the palace. This move was initially met with disapproval by the councils advising the royal family, but as Wang Zheng soon led the country into a period of financial prosperity, there was no reason to deny such a request. Within a few months, the ventilation system was installed. Wang Zheng didn't make this change for herself but hoped that one day a future monarch could live happily and peacefully, enjoying every corner of the palace with their large family without concern for pheromone effects.
Liu Wei held a half-full glass in her hand and stared intently at the space at the center of the hall. There were the swords, just waiting to be used. It wasn't just Liu Wei who was anxious; everyone there eagerly anticipated the duel between the queen and Yang Fan. There was great excitement about witnessing Wang Zheng's abilities against an experienced alpha.
Footsteps echoed through the hall. The soldiers took their positions. The queen had arrived.
"Please welcome Her Royal Majesty, Wang Zheng."
"Long live and prosper the Queen."
Wang Zheng smiled with pleasure at the chorus of voices greeting her. It was rare for her to see the palace so full of people, and she found it thrilling to have all eyes on her.
The queen was dressed in boots , form-fitting black pants , and a loose white tank top with a black sports bra underneath. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and she wore small wrist guards . Despite the simple attire, everyone was amazed; the queen, an omega of unique beauty, looked stunning in any outfit.
She smiled and nodded. She walked slowly to the center of the hall and picked up one of the swords. She wielded it with ease and grace, recalling the techniques she had learned years ago.
She looked at the crowd, who watched her with keen interest. Her voice was clear and confident, and the room fell silent as everyone listened attentively.
"No formalities today. Enjoy yourselves, and as you all know, today we will have a little duel between me and Miss Yang Fan."
Yang Fan also approached and took the other sword. She smiled in satisfaction . The alpha was particularly excited about this little duel. She didn't truly intend to fight seriously , but she wanted to see if this omega would be a good match for a wife, and this seemed the perfect way to prove it to herself.
The queen smiled at the alpha; the fight was about to begin. "I hope we can entertain you all in the best way. Ready?"
"Of course."
The two positioned themselves in the small arena, facing each other and studying each other carefully. Around them , anxious gazes followed their every move.
"Would you like any specific rules, Miss Yang Fan?"
"Well, I usually fight until one of us is exhausted or surrenders, but we do have a feast waiting for us…"
"I don't mind fighting until surrender. It will be fun."
Wang Zheng had no intention of losing the fight, but she also wanted it to be a spectacle . She wanted the audience to feel the excitement of watching someone risk losing something important—whether it be pride or a gamble.
Yang Fan hadn't expected the queen to agree so readily to fight to the limit, and she was caught off guard by her easy compliance. Smiling with excitement , she replied, "I agree with whatever your majesty chooses."
"To make it more interesting, let's place a bet."
"A bet?"
"Of course. Whoever wins will be entitled to make a request, and the loser cannot refuse it—as long as the request doesn't involve the progress of the Blood Spring. Any other request is fair."
"Well, I accept."
"Great."
"Let's begin, then."
The guests whispered amongst themselves, only falling silent once the two combatants began moving, waiting for the first attack. Both appeared strong and graceful as they held their swords, standing in defensive stances.
Liu Wei's heart sank at the queen's proposal, even more fearful of the possibility that Wang Zheng might get hurt. It felt as though her heart was burdened with a heavy weight, making it difficult even to breathe.
Yang Fan, feeling vigorous , launched an intense attack toward the queen, but Wang Zheng moved with greater speed. Amidst the dodges and parries, the omega began to consider how to put Yang Fan at a disadvantage.
As no specific rules were defined for the duel, both parties employed every tactic at their disposal to win. The queen, using her swift movements, ran and climbed onto her throne, then leaped out of Yang Fan's line of sight.
Wang Zheng was panting, her legs trembling. She took refuge in the narrow space between the throne and the decor, seeking a brief respite until a plan formed in her mind.
Yang Fan searched under the tables and among the huddled guests, but her opponent was nowhere to be seen. Just when she least expected it, she felt a sharp kick behind her left knee and lost her balance completely.
In her younger years, Wang Zheng had been adept at kicks and punches. She aimed to make Yang Fan drop her sword, and, taking advantage of the distraction , she hurled the sword far away. The move caused an uproar among the spectators, and some even screamed in excitement.
Yang Fan, thrilled by the duel, began to evade the queen's relentless attacks. However, she eventually slipped and fell. The queen swiftly pinned her to the ground, the tip of her sword pressed against Yang Fan's neck. With a laugh, Yang Fan surrendered, "I surrender."
Both were panting and sweaty, their pheromones mingling aggressively. The nearby crowd recoiled as the intensity of the scent became overwhelming.
Yang Fan tasted the pineapple mixed with a bitter metallic tang, likely from a lost tooth sustained in one of Wang Zheng's punches.
Liu Wei, standing close to the action, could feel the pineapple-sweet pheromones intertwined with the sharp bitterness. She couldn't bear to watch and turned away, heading for a glass of wine. The scene was so distressing that she dreaded the request the queen might make of Yang Fan.
As the crowd began to thin out, the queen appeared to be engaging in cheerful conversation with Yang Fan.
"Your Majesty is truly a formidable fighter."
"Thank you."
"What will your request be, Your Majesty?"
The request was relatively simple but presented a considerable challenge. The drink was known for being unpalatable to most, even for alphas.
"Excellent."
The queen smiled with satisfaction and wiped the sweat from her face with a small handkerchief.
"Well, I'll take a shower and change. Please enjoy the feast. I'll be back shortly, and when I return, we'll have our drink."
The queen quickly exited the hall, accompanied by her secretary and a few maids.
Yang Fan watched the queen's back as she departed. The sweat on her own body was satisfying, and the defeat was not humiliating. She could feel her glands burning with desire, the urge to follow the queen was intense, and that feeling of longing was truly captivating.
The queen was a clever and agile fox.
Yang Fan made her way to the drinks table, grabbing a glass of ice water while chatting with her attendants. Liu Wei, who had stayed behind, overheard her.
"She's truly remarkable... This woman is an exceptional omega, my glands are on fire... Have a cold bath prepared and my clothes ready..."
After finishing her statement, Yang Fan's attendants moved off to carry out her requests, soon followed by Yang Fan herself.
Liu Wei sighed inwardly; the queen was indeed extraordinary.
Upon reaching her room, Liu Wei sank into her chair and exhaled deeply.
"My entire body aches."
The queen stretched out, trying to alleviate the soreness. Despite her impressive combat skills, she couldn't match the endurance of someone who was consistently active. Her opponent's blows had been hard and precise, and she knew she would likely be even more sore the next day.
She slowly removed her boots, and the simple act of placing her feet on the cold ground provided significant relief.
Wang Zheng had been fortunate to defeat the alpha and end the fight quickly; she was already at her limit and might not have lasted much longer at that pace.
Huan Yang observed that the queen was pushing her body to its limits and needed to take precautions to prevent illness. He made notes to ensure that medicinal foods and drinks were available during meals, as well as salt baths to aid in her recovery.
He was feeling frustrated. As a humble servant, all he could do was offer the best conditions for recovery; he couldn't interfere or prevent the queen from doing as she pleased.
"Is Your Majesty well enough to return to the feast?" he asked apprehensively.
Wang Zheng, hearing the concern in her secretary's tone, smiled to reassure him.
"I need to get back... Please arrange for a masseuse to come in the morning."
"Yes. She'll be here at dawn."
"Very well. I'm going to take a shower; in the meantime, prepare my dress."
Wang Zheng reflected on her recklessness—fighting an alpha to exhaustion was both foolish and illogical.
The queen, driven by her pride, often acted unwisely. Her history was replete with accolades and honors, and she felt the need to continually prove herself to everyone.
Wang Zheng hadn't practiced swordsmanship in years and seldom rode horses anymore. Due to the Blood Spring, she had been training intensively as though she had never stopped.
Foolish and reckless.
Her body was paying the price.
Despite her considerable stamina and strength, she was still an omega and needed to condition her body for physical exertion—something she hadn't done in a long time.
She sighed in exhaustion as she soaked in her bath, the hot water easing her fatigue, but she still had to return and join the guests.
In the royal hall, concern grew over the queen's prolonged absence, and rumors of her possible injury began circulating among the guests.
Wang Zheng was not one to display weakness, but alpha Yang Fan was a skilled military woman and could inflict serious harm with little effort. The likelihood of the queen being injured seemed quite plausible.
Liu Wei, though also feeling heavy-hearted, attempted to mask her anxiety with sips of wine. She had a high tolerance and was adept at drinking, making feasts and festivities manageable for her. However, the anticipation of seeing the queen and the overwhelming array of pheromones made her feel more tipsy and unstable.