...
Wang Zheng feels a gentle toutch on her shoulder. Li Zhang is watching her with a warm smile. "Your Majesty, you were sleeping so peacefully, I'm sorry to wake you."
The queen offered an awkward smile; she wasn't sure how long she'd been dozing while Li Zhang kept vigil. She straightened her slightly wrinkled clothes and reached for her purse.
Outside, the young omega, whose subtle rose scent lingered in the air, waited by the car, holding the door open. With a graceful gesture, she extended her hand to help the queen step out more comfortably.
It was still early, and this was the first time Wang Zheng had seen Li Zhang in casual attire. Li Zhang wore a pink floral dress paired with white sneakers, her auburn hair flowing freely in the morning breeze.
It was Li Zhang's turn to invite the queen for a date.
A delicate floral scent, light yet unmistakably natural, surrounded her without any added sweetness.
Together, they strolled through undergrowth near the rugged peaks of Wang Li. The sky was awash in hues of blue and orange, a breathtaking sight. After a short walk, they reached the top of a small hill where a large balloon awaited them.
"Your Majesty, would you do me the honor of a balloon ride?"
"Of course."
Li Zhang climbed into the spacious basket first, then extended her hand to the queen. As Wang Zheng's cheeks flushed, she noticed the other omega gazing at her with eyes as sweet as honey. It was clear how much Li Zhang cared for her.
A tinge of bitterness and a hint of guilt welled up inside Wang Zheng. She had feelings for Liu Wei, yet here she was on a date with Li Zhang, a situation that was both strange and confusing.
The queen counted down the seconds as she mulled over her decision. Would Liu Wei agree to be her wife?
What if Liu Wei simply wasn't interested?
Royal life, she mused, was like an elaborate game of chess, political interests prevailed while true love remained as rare as desert blooms. The queen had never had, and likely never would have, the time for genuine courtship. The closest she could come to romance was during the fleeting moments of Bloody Spring and the brief interval between engagement and wedding.
The council of elders' request for Bloody Spring underscored the urgency for marriage and an heir. Wang Zheng doubted whether Liu Wei would embrace a relationship suddenly laden with obligations. She sighed inwardly.
Nearby, a man responsible for piloting the balloon smiled kindly and bowed respectfully to the queen. She returned her smile and soon noticed the balloon's burners ignite, lifting them upward.
A few hours later, Liu Wei had finished outlining every detail of her ambitious plan. In essence, the young princess intended to execute a drastic renovation, and she needed workers ready to labor day and night. Anna fretted over the sheer volume of work to be done in such a short time; only Liu Wei would have the audacity to pursue such an ambitious scheme.
The queen had forbidden Liu Wei from venturing out unaccompanied until her foot was fully healed, and after their meeting, Liu Wei would need to undergo a series of tests to ensure her health. But that was a concern for later.
With a background in architectural projects and a photographic memory, Liu Wei meticulously drafted a plan for every necessary change. Even during the car ride to the site, she scribbled notes and researched ideas that might benefit her project.
Meanwhile, Anna chatted animatedly with the guards who had accompanied them earlier. Liu Wei had personally requested their company throughout her stay, and after some insistence, the guards relaxed and properly introduced themselves. In Wang's country, strict protocols governed royalty and the royal guard, each served in the name of the queen, presenting themselves as humble extensions of royal strength and bravery. Yet to Liu Wei, they were more like adventure companions; she disliked keeping them at such a distance.
The shy beta introduced himself as Chao Hong, while the astute older beta was named Shi Lian. Shi Lian happily recounted how the other guards envied her for being personally requested by the Princess of Martana, while Chao Hong blushed, only feeling comfortable discussing it once away from the palace. Liu Wei listened to their banter and found it amusing.
Glancing into the back seat, Chao Hong noticed the princess intently studying some papers on her lap, a sight that piqued his curiosity. "Miss Liu, what are the most urgent tasks for today?"
She paused, thoughtful for a few seconds, then replied, "The electrical work and the woodworking. The lighting is crucial at night, and since the place has been abandoned for years, it's challenging, we don't even know how damaged the wiring in the house and garden is… and I need a custom solid wood table for the meeting. Such orders usually take weeks, but I need it in two days."
The young beta looked surprised by the complexity of her plan, then smiled in satisfaction. "You can count on us, we'll make it happen." Glancing in the rearview mirror, Shi Lian added, "Yes, we're at your service." Liu Wei smiled gratefully; she knew she'd need every bit of help.
High above, Li Zhang and Wang Zheng had ascended enough to witness a breathtaking sunrise. They gazed at the horizon while sharing stories of Wang Zheng's ancestors. Wang Zheng especially admired how Wang Li had chosen a remote, mountainous region for her palace. In a country with a long line of kings and queens, it was nearly impossible for any province not to boast at least one palace. While many monarchs chose to reside in the same palace as their parents, others sought to build a new legacy by constructing their own home, a bold step indeed.
Li Zhang had selected the hills of Wang Li for their unmistakable romantic charm.
At least 200 years ago, an alpha queen named Wang Li had taken control of a turbulent kingdom. On her wedding day to omega Song Xiu, Wang Li asked where her wife wished to live for the rest of her life. Unconcerned with location as long as she could be with Wang Li, Song Xiu jokingly remarked that she would love to live as close to heaven as possible, so that whenever she gazed at the horizon, she could see Wang Li, even from afar.
Li's palace, perched atop the highest mountain, offered stunning views of the surrounding peaks, and the queen's quarters overlooked the grand capital. Li Zhang, a literature teacher, was well-versed in countless legends of Wang's royalty.
She studied and interpreted these stories daily and deeply admired how some kings had lived so passionately for their wives, Wang Li being one such ruler who built an empire and legacy that made her omega smile with joy.
Wang Zheng appreciated Li Zhang's evident excitement as she spoke about her ancestors, prompting a sudden question: "Li Zhang, don't you miss your country?"
Surprised, Li Zhang fell silent for a few moments before replying, "Wang's country is now my home. The place where I was born, the Li family no longer exists, and their descendants aren't welcome. If I ever return, I'd probably have my head torn off." The queen could detect the melancholy in Li Zhang's tone and gently asked, "Do you feel at ease as one of the Wang noble families?"
In Wang's country, nobility could be attained either by a direct peerage from the king or by purchasing a title. Li Zhang's family had bought their noble status after seeking refuge here. Although she already held the title of countess from her homeland, a few years ago the queen had appointed her as a duchess after she became the youngest tenured professor at the Royal University.
For the Li family, a noble title was not only essential for safety but also the fastest route to permanent housing. Even though Li Zhang was no longer in line for a throne, she lived happily and independently, nothing was missing.
The flower-scented omega briefly gazed at Wang Zheng and sighed with contentment. That meeting had been a unique moment in her life. She couldn't hide her admiration for the other omega, so strong yet delicate. Glancing back at the horizon, she remembered something. "Your Majesty, you must be hungry. Shall we have something to eat?"
"Sure."
Inside the balloon, a small table and chairs had been specially attached for dinners and romantic meals. Li Zhang had prepared breads and desserts for the tour. They sat down, and the young omega retrieved a small thermos of tea, pouring two cups.
They still had time to admire the scenery and converse, and Li Zhang savored every moment.
Meanwhile, when Liu Wei arrived at the queen's former residence, her first task was to meet with the cleaning crew. She carefully explained which areas she intended to use and which spots required special attention.
The house was filled with dust, and the wall separating the garden from the kitchen had collapsed, leaving heaps of debris, leaves, and vegetation remnants.
She didn't mind the mess, her sole concern was making the space safe and perfect for a delightful picnic.
After a lengthy discussion, the cleaning crew began their work and finished several hours before Liu Wei's scheduled meeting with Wang Zheng. Next, she gathered the woodworkers and divided them into two teams. The first team was tasked with building a simple garden table. If time permitted, she might have requested something more elaborate, but given the urgency, she settled for a six-seater table and two benches. The second team was even more critical, they were to construct a support structure to prevent the house from collapsing. Despite its rustic appearance, Liu Wei refused to risk the queen's safety. They planned to install pilasters in the most affected area and build an arch structure to ensure added rigidity where the wall had fallen.
Within just over an hour, the chaotic sounds of cutting wood, hammering, and vacuum cleaners filled the air as everyone worked tirelessly. When the electricians arrived, they inspected the wiring and concluded that despite its age, it was in good condition, only minor maintenance was needed.
This news delighted Liu Wei; one less problem to solve.
She then coordinated with them to install an exterior lighting structure, which would occupy most of their time.
The day passed quickly, and Liu Wei showed no signs of insecurity or fatigue. She followed the plan meticulously and ensured that everyone else did the same. Meanwhile, the omega watched as the cleaning crew removed dead plants and branches scattered throughout the garden, already envisioning the perfect final result.
A satisfied smile spread across her face.
"Anna, get food for everyone, we're working long hours, and it's getting dark."
The first day on the job was exhausting, and the days ahead promised to be even more challenging, but Liu Wei was determined to make everything perfect.
Late that night, Wang Zheng returned to the palace. After her pleasant walk with Li Zhang, she rushed to assist an urgent patient admitted to the royal hospital. A few hours later, the patient's condition stabilized, and her baby was born healthy.
Completely exhausted, the queen desperately needed food and rest.
Upon arriving home, her secretary greeted her, escorted her to her room, and updated her on all that had transpired during her absence.
It wasn't until after the second dusk that the queen finally felt ready to lie down and sleep, but the silence from Liu Wei left her uneasy. "Huan Yang, send this medicine to Miss Liu," she instructed.
The young alpha, with little left to do, awaited her dismissal so he could return to his room. He quickly agreed, though he hesitated before accepting the medicine the queen held. "I believe Miss Liu Wei hasn't returned to the palace yet…" he remarked.
The queen's worry deepened. The young princess had barely recovered from her fall. Was she overexerting herself? Did she even have time to rest? For the first time, Wang Zheng felt genuine concern for someone—Liu Wei was truly special.
"Is she with someone?"
"Yes, with Anna and two royal guards."
Huan Yang noted the relief in the queen's posture, silently amused at how she resembled a teenager in love. It was truly remarkable.
"I see… Keep me informed if you hear anything. If you don't locate Anna today, deliver this medicine to Liu Wei first thing tomorrow morning."
"Certainly."
"You may go and rest."
The young alpha headed toward the door, pausing briefly to add, "Okay, tomorrow Your Majesty should rise early for your meeting with Yang Fan…"
"It's all right," Wang Zheng replied with a weary sigh, waking up early… again.
Huan Yang swiftly left the room; if the queen was to rise at 7, he'd need to be up by 6, a demanding routine for both. The queen watched as her door gently closed before finally lying down on her bed. Gazing out at the starry sky through the open window, she sighed and closed her eyes.
The next day promised to be exhausting. She would rise early to catch a flight to Yang Fan's country, a journey that included a date far out in the middle of the ocean. The queen needed rest to face another day of such engagements.
Meanwhile, Liu Wei felt her legs grow weak from fatigue. The day had been grueling, and she reeked of dust. Anna and the royal guards, exhausted from their duties, shared her weariness. A pang of guilt struck her, she knew they were suffering for her sake—but it was necessary. She vowed that once everything was over, she would properly reward them… perhaps with some duck.
When they arrived at the palace, the guards halted the car. Liu Wei requested that they continue on their way and not accompany her. Too tired to argue, they agreed. Anna and the princess trudged toward her room, too drained to do much, sleep was all they needed.
"Anna, just get my pajamas ready. I'm going to take a shower and then lie down. Don't wait up… go get some rest."
Anna nodded kindly, grabbing a fresh set of clothes as the princess headed to the bathroom. Liu Wei took no more than half an hour to get ready, and she was so exhausted that she fell asleep without drying her hair. She didn't mind if it remained a bit damp, she simply couldn't keep her eyes open any longer.
Her final act before surrendering completely was to check the time: 3 a.m. Indeed, it had been a very long day.
When dawn broke, another long day awaited.