The Queen’s Dilemma and a Stirring Heart

Within the Palace, Lisa Kael’s expression was grim. Kneeling before her, a woman clad entirely in black was reporting something.

As the woman’s report concluded, Lisa Kael’s face grew so dark it seemed to drip ink.

With a dismissive wave, Lisa Kael spoke.

“Alright, you may leave.”

“Yes!”

After acknowledging, the woman’s form flickered, and she vanished from sight.

Once the woman had departed, Lisa Kael leaned back into her chair, a heavy sigh escaping her lips, her face etched with worry.

Noticing Lisa Kael’s distress, Jiu Hui moved to stand behind her, gently massaging her forehead. She observed Lisa’s evident exhaustion, pursed her lips, but ultimately remained silent.

Jiu Hui found herself at a loss for words. While she had overheard the woman’s report, the specifics remained utterly incomprehensible to her, a newcomer to this world. The concept of ‘three races acting in concert’ was entirely foreign, leaving her without a clue how to console the girl whose distress stirred a strange ache within her.

Lisa Kael sighed softly, relishing the gentle touch on her forehead and the soothing comfort it brought. She closed her eyes slightly, leaning fully against Jiu Hui.

Jiu Hui gently shifted her hands to Lisa Kael’s shoulders, beginning to knead them with tender care.

For now, such small comforts were all she could offer.

Meanwhile, Lisa Kael had fallen into a deep reverie. The Winged Race, Beast Race, and Dragon Race had launched a combined assault against the Human Race. If their objective was the complete annihilation of humanity, such a formidable force would be utterly unstoppable. Yet, as the Queen of the Human Race, she vowed never to permit such a catastrophe.

“Come out!”

Her eyes snapped open, and Lisa Kael spoke.

Swish swish swish!!

Five figures materialized before Lisa Kael, astonishing Jiu Hui. They dropped to one knee, utterly silent, yet the very air in the room seemed to grow heavy with their sudden presence.

Lisa Kael looked at the five people before her, sat up, and after a moment of silence, spoke.

“Number One, Number Two, return and resume your previous mission. Number Three, proceed to the southwest border; you are to ensure Duke Ma’se’s safety, revealing yourselves only if absolutely necessary. Number Four, head to the southeast border; protect Count Kael’s life, similarly revealing yourselves only when crucial. Number Five, you go to… actually, never mind. You will continue to handle intelligence dissemination.”

Having issued her orders, Lisa Kael’s expression suddenly turned stern. “Remember,” she commanded, “with the exception of Number One and Number Two, the lives of the rest of you take precedence over the mission. You must not die!”

“Yes!”

Five synchronized voices echoed, and then, with a flash, the figures vanished from the room.

Yet, Jiu Hui sensed that two individuals still remained within the room.

She recognized them, or at least, the aura they exuded was identical to the individuals who had previously appeared to apprehend Jiu Hua. They felt the same.

As Lisa Kael’s words echoed in her mind, Jiu Hui felt a slight stir. ‘Those two must be the ones Lisa sent to protect me,’ she mused.

‘Am I truly that important to her?’

‘There must be some particular reason, though. We’ve only known each other for such a brief period.’

While a flicker of warmth touched her heart, seventeen years of life and experiences in her previous world compelled Jiu Hui to subconsciously seek such a rationale.

More accurately, the character she had forged and her approach to emotions in that other world prevented her from easily trusting someone’s affections.

A sudden thought struck her, however: if those two had been covertly protecting her from a hidden vantage point all this time, did that mean they had witnessed everything that transpired between her and Lisa Kael earlier?

At this realization, Jiu Hui’s face flushed crimson, and her body stiffened involuntarily.

‘Surely not,’ she thought. ‘Lisa Kael is their Queen. When the Queen is… engaged in *that* sort of activity, they wouldn’t dare to peek, would they?’

‘Then again, it’s not impossible. That lecherous woman might not care about such matters at all. Besides, perhaps they’ve witnessed it countless times before, when she was with others.’

For some inexplicable reason, as this thought crossed her mind, Jiu Hui felt a sudden pang in her heart. Her eyes dimmed, and a faint shadow fell across her face.

After the figures departed, Lisa Kael, still seated, leaned back into her chair, an inexplicable glint flickering in her eyes.

These individuals had been covertly safeguarding her since her ascension to the throne. She recalled how, immediately after her coronation, assassins had even targeted her in her sleep. They had consistently ensured her safety; with the exception of Number Five, who frequently ventured out to relay intelligence, the other four had never once left her side. Yet, this time, almost all of them had been dispatched, leaving not a single one to guard her.

Turning her head slightly, Lisa Kael glanced at Jiu Hui, who stood nearby. She suddenly noticed that Jiu Hui seemed somewhat amiss.

“What’s wrong?”

Lisa Kael inquired, a note of confusion in her voice.

Startled by Lisa Kael’s abrupt question, Jiu Hui turned to face her. Seeing the concern etched on Lisa’s face, Jiu Hui offered a slight smile. “It’s nothing,” she reassured, “I’m just a little tired.”

Lisa Kael glanced out the window. It was still far from evening; the sky remained bright, and dinner was hours away. Jiu Hui, she knew, was usually quite energetic at this time of day.

Though thoroughly puzzled, Lisa Kael did not dwell on it. At this critical juncture, she simply lacked the mental energy to focus on such a minor detail.

“If you’re tired, then you should go and rest.”

Lisa Kael said with a faint smile.

Upon hearing Lisa Kael’s words, Jiu Hui, despite not feeling tired, nodded in acknowledgement and turned to leave the room.

After Jiu Hui’s departure, Lisa Kael picked up the document Number Five had presented during her report and began to peruse it with meticulous attention.

After a period of reading, however, Lisa Kael abruptly tossed the document onto the table. She irritably rubbed her forehead, her mind consumed by the lingering image of Jiu Hui’s troubled expression.

‘When did that person truly carve such a profound mark upon my heart?’

‘When did I begin to care so deeply about that person’s well-being?’

‘Initially, I had merely regarded her as bait, nothing more.’

‘Never mind,’ she thought. ‘Since I’m so concerned, I might as well go check on her. Otherwise, I won’t be able to concentrate on these documents at all.’

With that thought, Lisa Kael rose abruptly and exited the room.

Meanwhile, Jiu Hui, who had returned to her own room, now lay sprawled on her bed. Her mind was a torrent of imagined scenes: Lisa Kael with other girls, doing precisely what she had done with Jiu Hui herself. The more she dwelled on it, the more agitated she became, until finally, she buried her face in her pillow, her slightly visible eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

‘When did I start caring so profoundly for her?’

‘When did that lecherous woman truly manage to worm her way into my heart?’