She heard a "thud" and looked up, not knowing what he had thrown in, and asked in a muffled voice, "What are you doing?"
He said, "Making a wish."
"I want to make a wish too."
Then she saw Ruka search through all his pockets, but he couldn't find a single Star Coin.
"If you don't have one, let's forget about it." She had only mentioned it in passing.
But Ruka took the coat off her head and then removed a military emblem from his uniform.
"Throw this one."
She took the emblem, small yet weighty, shaped like a golden star surrounded by five horizontal bars. She did not understand what it symbolized, but it felt very precious, so she shook her head repeatedly.
"I don't have any wishes anymore, let's go back."
Seeing that she was unwilling to throw it, Ruka took off another emblem from his uniform and tossed it into the fountain like flipping a coin. Then he closed his eyes, and after a moment, he opened them again.
Out of curiosity, she asked, "What did you wish for?"
"Interstellar peace."
Do people really have such noble intentions?
Her eyes widened, and she was dumbfounded by the man's earnestness, even forgetting to cry.
She looked at the emblem in her hand and ultimately couldn't bring herself to throw it away. So she held it in her hand and silently made a wish in her heart. As she closed her eyes, Ruka turned his head to gaze at her, his eyes revealing an unperceived tenderness.
Seeing that Suisui's emotions had calmed down, and as she was about to return the emblem to him, he spoke first, "A made wish should be kept by oneself." Then he picked her up and walked straight ahead.
"I can walk on my own."
"The heels are a bit high, you can walk on your own next time."
On the way, neither of them spoke. Suisui, relaxing with the scent coming off his body, felt an inexplicable drowsiness.
She wanted to ask about the wound on his face, but then she remembered that he was engaged, and even though she was receiving his care now, she should still respect their boundaries. So, stifling a yawn, she said, "What did my examination results say?"
Ruka's steps hesitated for a moment as he looked down at her.
"You... are an Ancient Human."
... It sounded as though she had become some kind of relic.
However, at the moment her identity was revealed, Qiao Suisui felt no great panic, instead she began contemplating practical concerns.
"Hmm. So how are you going to deal with me?"
Ruka was taken aback, "I won't deal with you, and nobody else will either. Suisui, your existence is a stroke of luck for the Interstellar." And for me too. Ruka left the second half unsaid.
"No one's going to drag me off to a lab to dissect me?"
"Then they would be committing a severe crime and would have their genes eliminated."
"And no one will imprison me and force me to perform for a live broadcast?"
"Exploiting an Ancient Human for illegal profit would get one expelled from the Federation."
"Then, I won't be kicked out of your secondary palace?"
Ruka's expression tensed up a bit and he asked, "Did someone do something to you?"
"No, I just... feel that I am different from all of you, I am a misfit, am I not? Without spiritual power, without a Talent, unable to soothe any uprising factors like the other females."
Hearing that, Ruka felt the urge to pull her tightly into his embrace, but in the end, he only slightly tightened his arms and softened his voice, saying, "That's exactly why you're so precious. You have something we do not. I promise you, on the honor of the Sikoses Family, I will never let anyone harm you."
...and our child.
Suisui looked at him, his handsome face usually expressionless, yet at this moment, as he gazed at her, there was an indescribable tenderness. She immediately covered her chest, afraid her heartbeat was too loud for him to hear.
Perhaps because a heavy weight was lifted from her heart, she fell asleep in Ruka's arms on the way back.
...
"About this tall, extremely beautiful, glowing white skin that stands out in a crowd... She's been lost for ten minutes! Ten minutes, and you're still here asking me stupid questions!"
"Sir, please calm down, could you be talking about that female over there?"
Leberli, following the direction the police officer was pointing, found the person he had reported missing—she was in Ruka's arms, draped in a man's military coat, her little face showing signs of fatigue.
He immediately ran over to check on Suisui's condition.
"She's asleep," Ruka said.
Leberli, confirming that she was alright, cast a mocking glance at Ruka. "What, you looking to get hit again?"
In truth, Ruka had never left the hospital. He didn't want Suisui to see the injuries on his face, so he had been hiding in the shadows, following them, from Leberli buying her clothes to their conversation about spouses. Ruka had been there the whole time.
"What exactly do you want? Playing both sides? Sikoses, you can't have everything."
"Now's not the time for this discussion. You take her back."
Both subdued their voices without realizing it, but it did nothing to lessen the tension that was as sharp as drawn swords and readied crossbows.
It was only when Qiao Suisui couldn't see them that Ruka no longer concealed himself; he gently handed her over to Leberli, covered her with clothing carefully, his gaze never leaving her.
Leberli looked at him with no warmth, asking, "When do you plan to tell her about the pregnancy?"
"Wait a bit longer. I need to make some arrangements in advance."
"You mean with the Princess?"
"Yes. If the Royal Family finds out, Suisui will be in trouble."
Impregnating another little female before the ceremony would be a great disgrace for the Royal Family. More so, it was not just a matter concerning him alone, but the entire Sikoses Family; he couldn't let his family suffer because of him, nor did he want to see Suisui get entangled and hurt.
Leberli obviously also considered this. "If I were you, I'd just accept my fate as the Princess's consort and stop showing up in front of Suisui. I'll take good care of her and the child. You..."
Before he could finish, he was choked by the overwhelming pressure released by Ruka. In that moment, Leberli truly saw the murderous intent in his eyes.
"Leberli, I will not let my child be raised by another male. There's no need for you to play the good guy between her and me."
Leberli gave a wry laugh, "So what are you planning to do? Betray the Sikoses Family? Betray the Royal Family and dissolve your engagement with the Princess?"
It was meant as a jibe, but after he spoke and saw Ruka's calm expression and resolute eyes, he was taken aback.
"You're not seriously considering that, are you?"
Between the two of them, Ruka had always been the one who considered things more and was the more exceptional, the heir of the Sikoses Family who was never allowed to make mistakes. Leberli, on the other hand, was someone who acted directly, always acting first and considering the consequences later. Neglected by the Royal Family since childhood, he became rebellious and unrestrained, deliberately indulgent until he became more tactful after growing up.
"Even if she has your child, I won't let go," Leberli said.
"Is it because you truly cannot live without her, or is it just that you want everything I have?"
At his words, Leberli froze, unable to utter a response.
Ruka gazed tenderly at the person sleeping in his arms, unwillingly tidying the stray hair by her ear. When he dropped his hand back down, his usual expressionless demeanor returned; he no longer glanced at Leberli and left without another word.