...
The shortbread cookies were absolutely delicious. She savored them slowly as her heart began to settle.
Even though the queen had only been away for a short while, Liu Wei found herself unexpectedly longing for her return and the chance to rejoin the table. Instead, she watched as her maid, accompanied by the royal secretary, approached.
"Miss."
"Yes?"
"Has Your Excellency decided on your performance for the presentation? We are collecting this information in advance to better prepare the palace."
"Have the others already chosen?"
"Yes; only you and the Queen remain."
"Well, I'll dance to a song. Anna, please deliver the files to the secretary we've set aside for the presentation."
"I'll do it right away."
"Thank you."
Anna quickly departed to fetch the files, leaving the secretary to attend to Liu Wei.
"We will prepare everything for Your Excellency. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."
Liu Wei offered a small smile, though her mind was clearly elsewhere. "Of course… Is the queen all right?"
"The Queen?"
"Yes. She had to leave in a hurry."
Although many often inquired about the queen, few ever asked about her well-being. Huan Yang smiled, pleased to see that the princess cared so deeply for the queen he served.
"Yes, Your Majesty has just departed and is expected at the hospital soon. It's a complicated situation for the patient's family, but the queen is very experienced."
Liu Wei felt a measure of relief, though the notion of the queen pursuing a career beyond her royal duties intrigued her. Was there anything Wang Zheng couldn't do? Liu Wei doubted it.
"I see. That's good to know."
"Yes, i must take my leave now."
"Alright."
With only two shortbread cookies remaining and just enough tea to fill a cup, the sweet taste mingled with the confusion in her heart. Liu Wei had many matters to consider and resolve.
By noon, as everyone prepared for lunch, the guests carried themselves gracefully despite the queen's absence at the table. Naturally, they behaved with the awareness that the royal officials would serve as Wang Zheng's eyes and ears in her absence.
Liu Wei took the last chair in the row and, despite her efforts to remain inconspicuous, felt every gaze fixed upon her. Although some faces were curious and others even hostile, she managed to converse easily with the omega seated beside her, Li Zhang.
Not one for much talk herself, Liu Wei preferred to listen attentively as Li Zhang animatedly discussed various topics.
As lunch drew to a close, the room buzzed with lively conversation.
Yet Li Zhang, lost in thought, let out a sigh that caught Liu Wei's attention.
"I'm curious about the queen's performance," Li Zhang remarked.
Liu Wei's heart raced; she was deeply interested in anything concerning the queen.
"Many, indeed?"
"Absolutely! She excels at so much. She's won countless titles from numerous championships."
Listening to the admiration in Li Zhang's voice, Liu Wei felt a pang of jealousy.
"I see… You certainly seem well-informed about how things work in this country."
"I've been working here for a few years and have lived in this country for at least 15 years. I'm practically a local now."
Surprised to encounter someone with such a background outside a royal lineage, Liu Wei asked, "Are you of noble birth?"
Li Zhang then revealed a somewhat tragic backstory: her home country,a small island in the extreme south of EuroAsia, had been invaded by a neighboring nation, forcing the royal family to flee. They spent years seeking refuge abroad until Wang Zheng's country finally accepted them.
"I'm a princess without a country… It's a long story, but we received certain privileges from the royal family and were officially incorporated into the nobility. In exceptional cases, I'm even regarded as a princess."
This status was especially relevant in circumstances such as Bloody Spring.
It was evident that Li Zhang harbored an interest in Wang Zheng, and their shared status as omegas did not seem to hinder her in the slightest.
"I see. So you chose to come here."
"Yes… The queen has never been rumored to date anyone, not even for a youthful infatuation. I wonder if she might be interested in an omega like me… Perhaps I have a chance, don't you think?"
Liu Wei knew that she herself harbored deep feelings for the queen, but was she really willing to go that far? After all, in her country, marriage between two omegas wasn't even legalized.
"Maybe."
Though it had been several hours since nightfall, insomnia still plagued her. Even the soft bed and the crisp, clean air failed to coax her eyelids into drooping. Liu Wei took solace in her room, a sanctuary free of any lingering pheromones.
She used her rare free moments to read, the soft yellow glow of the bedside lamp her only light.
Suddenly, the sound of a car screeching to a halt broke the silence. Someone had arrived. Instantly, she rose from her bed and peered through the narrow gap in the heavy curtains, hoping it was Wang Zheng. Her heart leaped when she saw the car door open and the queen's elegant legs slowly emerge.
Tonight, Wang Zheng was dressed differently. She wore tailored pants paired with a high-collared blouse that accentuated her defined waist, while slightly disheveled strands of hair lent her an air of natural, understated sensuality that Liu Wei had never seen before.
A tingling sensation ran through Liu Wei as her heart pounded uncontrollably. Hidden in the shadows, she watched as the queen interacted with her servants, feeling a pang of envy at the warm, kind smiles Wang Zheng offered them.
Then, the moment of climax arrived: the queen suddenly looked toward the window. Their eyes met, and the queen flashed a broad, unmistakable smile. Liu Wei quickly ducked down and buried herself under her covers, her heart racing captivated by that smile. Even as she cowered in vulnerability, the princess couldn't help but shyly wonder: when would she be graced by that enticing pineapple scent again?
Wang Zheng found the little omega's reaction amusing. The girl exuded youthful energy, both sweet and attractive. Had it not been for an overpowering mint scent nearly overwhelming her, Wang Zheng's first impression of Liu Wei would have been very favorable.
While pheromones weren't definitive indicators of compatibility, some scents simply didn't blend well, perhaps that was the case here.
Casting one final glance at the window, the queen saw no sign of light or Liu Wei. After waiting for her secretary to approach, she finally entered the palace. She needed a proper rest.
The next morning, breakfast awaited on the table.
Liu Wei had slept peacefully until her maid gently roused her with a cool, almost icy touch that left her a bit dazed.
"Good morning, Miss."
"Good morning…"
"The queen is summoning all the guests for breakfast. She will make an official announcement. Please take a shower, and I'll help you choose a comfortable outfit."
"Okay."
Anna selected a cozy wool blouse paired with a simple black skirt for Liu Wei. Her long hair was styled in a side braid, lending her a sweet, gentle appearance. Her fair, slightly flushed skin needed only minimal touch-ups, a light application of lip gloss was enough to keep her lips hydrated, leaving her ready for the day.
The breakfast table resembled a small battleground. Everyone was dressed in fine, elegant attire to impress the queen, and each guest's personal servants appeared on edge, as though bracing for any eventuality. Arriving early, Liu Wei found herself alone at the table. She glanced at the unanswered messages on her cell phone; although she preferred reading books, she found the internet useful in moments like these.
Gradually, the other guests arrived and took their seats. Within fifteen minutes, everyone was present, including Wang Zheng.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, Your Majesty."
The queen wore a white dress adorned with black lace. Her slightly wavy hair lent her a cute and sweet appearance, a sight that Liu Wei greatly admired.
"Well, as you know, today marks the first official day of Bloody Spring, and the entire country is already in celebration. If you wander the cities, you'll hear music and laughter. The atmosphere is truly contagious, and today we will host the first official banquet with all the members of the nobility and royal councils."
In Wang Zheng's country, there are three councils: the Council of Elders, composed primarily of nobles; the Merchant Council, comprising the wealthiest individuals after the king; and the Clergy Council, made up of religious leaders from various faiths. Their role is to advise the king and, on rare occasions, to make decisions within their respective fields.
Royal feasts during Bloody Spring are always held before and after certain stages.
As the first stage is about to commence, everyone is prepared to be showered with alcohol and food. Every important figure in the kingdom, from nobles to merchants, will be present. It is a time of celebration, but also a moment for political maneuvering.
After all, a royal wedding is always a political act.
When one is king, every matter concerning the kingdom is scrutinized through a political lens; celebrations are not merely festive occasions, but opportunities for negotiation and alliance-building.
The queen continued her speech, "As you know, while you are inside my palace, all your movements are being monitored. I hope you don't mind… And finally, tomorrow we will commence the first stage of the event, with meetings held in order of arrival. You have already been informed of your assignments, so please prepare accordingly."
At that moment, Wang Zheng directed a pointed look at Liu Wei, a subtle warning that the little princess was expected to be well-prepared. Embarrassed, Liu Wei averted her gaze and focused instead on the small piece of cake on her plate. The queen chuckled as she noticed the girl's ears turning bright red.
"You are all welcome to leave the palace and explore the kingdom, so do not be shy. However, please notify the Royal Guard beforehand. Since you cannot use pheromone control drugs, it is crucial to ensure extra security…"
"…The guards are already prepared and will accompany you wherever you go. Additionally, we will provide some of our specialized barrier protectors for the glands. Although they are only distributed within the country, rest assured they are more effective than standard barrier protectors…"
Surrounded by several servants, and in the absence of her usual secretary, assisted by half a dozen others, a young woman approached and whispered something into Wang Zheng's ear. The queen smiled contentedly.
Wang Zheng had been the national equestrian champion for many years, only retiring from competition due to her demanding duties running the country. Now, she was planning a grand return to the sport and had requested that the venue for the national championship be the grand royal ranch, a perfect setting for a high-level competition. The queen intended to host a grand spectacle, complete with a fair and fireworks, for her subjects and guests to enjoy.
"Good. Ask my secretary to prepare a thank-you gift."
"As you wish."
The woman bowed slightly and quickly left the room, leaving everyone watching with curiosity.
The alpha with a distinct saltwater scent, Chen Fu, was the boldest to question the queen. "Your Majesty, are you very busy?"
She smiled with satisfaction. "No... It's just related to my skills presentation. I think it will be quite exciting."
"Good."
For Wang Zheng, the pheromone emanating from Chen Fu was particularly unpleasant, evoking the constant sensation of being adrift at sea, surrounded by fish and briny air. The other alpha, Yang Fan, then decided to address the queen.
"I hear you're a doctor. Do you have time to visit the hospital? I was quite curious about that."
Yang Fan, with a lighter and more relaxed demeanor than Chen Fu, made it clear that the alphas were competing to demonstrate who was the most impressive.
The queen laughed at this trivial competition.
Despite their constant need to assert dominance, Yang Fan had grown up in a traditional environment and believed in courting and pleasing an omega to forge a successful union.
He aimed to demonstrate genuine interest in Wang Zheng and to make her feel valued.
Although a female alpha might be considered ideal among alphas, a potential marriage between their countries would present significant challenges.
Wang Zheng would never relinquish her role as queen, and Yang Fan was the first heir to her country's throne. What would happen if they decided to marry?
Nevertheless, for Yang Fan, meeting new people and bolstering diplomatic relations with Wang's country was an enjoyable pursuit, even if marriage was not on the cards.
"Well, I'm the director of the royal hospital and primarily handle its bureaucratic aspects. I only work as a doctor in the most critical cases. We have many skilled doctors, so it isn't necessary for me to see many patients."
"Good. That's truly impressive."
Li Zhang, excited by the conversation, fondly recalled her college days. "I remember when we were in college, Your Majesty was very popular on campus."
Li Zhang had spent much of her life in Wang's country, and her passion for literature was well known. After publishing her first novel, she attended college and spent four years studying both classical and contemporary literature. Her talent eventually led to invitations to work as a temporary teacher and later as a permanent faculty member. Wang Zheng knew her well, part of the royal college's annual budget came directly from the royal family, and she was familiar with most professors. Li Zhang, a renowned omega author, was celebrated for her books, many of which had been adapted into films and series across EuroAsia.
The queen laughed heartily as she reminisced about her college days. "I had so many fan clubs following me everywhere, it was hard not to draw attention."
"I remember that some omegas even formed a fan club and attended all your competitions," Li Zhang added, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
Wang Zheng's eyes sparkled as she focused on Li Zhang, who seemed the bravest of everyone at the table. "Did you ever attend any of those events?"
Li Zhang paused and then smiled wistfully. "I started college just before you graduated, so I only heard rumors."
"Oh, I would have remembered you if you had been there," Wang Zheng remarked.
Li Zhang's presence, with her rose-scented aura, was striking. Her red hair and tanned skin formed a distinct contrast to the norms of Wang's country, making her stand out wherever she went.
"Really?" Li Zhang asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.
"Of course. They were quite boisterous and would follow me even under the scorching sun. I often had to ask them to bring cold drinks to keep themselves refreshed."
At the table, Yen Bai, a beta eager to stand out, felt a pang of desperation. Despite being third in line for his country's succession, he struggled with his own shortcomings and yearned to prove his worth.
"Your Majesty, what kinds of tournaments did you participate in?"
"I used to practice equestrianism."
"Do you still ride frequently?"
"No, not much these days. But occasionally, during official hunts, I have the opportunity to ride through the kingdom's forests."
At a loss for words, Yen Bai yielded the conversation to Yang Fan.
"I've heard you're an expert in martial arts. Is that true?"
Yang Fan, a highly skilled military figure who had mastered various forms of martial arts, replied, "Yes, but that was mainly due to the war back then. I never actually saw battle myself, a ceasefire was declared just as I was heading to the frontlines."
He was well aware of the history: when Wang Zheng was a young omega, she had to leave for the borders of her country, missing her father's death and never having the chance to properly mourn him.
The ceasefire had been crucial as both countries faced dire situations.
"Your Majesty, would you be willing to accept a fencing duel, just for fun?" Yang Fan proposed.
Wang Zheng raised an eyebrow, amused by the request. "Sure, why not? Just be gentle with me."
The table buzzed with surprise.
Could the queen really agree to a duel? Was she not concerned about getting hurt?
Yang Fan's excitement was palpable. "When can we start?"
After a moment's thought, the queen proposed, "How about we kick off today's feast with a little duel? After a good fight, there's nothing better than enjoying some wine and good food."
"Excellent," Yang Fan agreed enthusiastically.
Wang Zheng signaled to one of the quiet maids in the corner, "Please arrange a fencing area in the royal hall."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Now, enjoy your breakfast... It's truly delicious."