Anticipation and Anxieties

“Aiya is truly adorable.” Ziyao couldn’t help but exclaim, her gaze fixed on Aiya, who was adorned in a magnificent gown.

“Don’t stare at me like that,” Aiya murmured, shyly covering her face. She was wearing the very gown she was meant to don the following day.

Commissioned specially for Aiya by the Empress, the dress was intricately embroidered with elaborate patterns, lending an air of exceptional nobility to the wearer. Its blue and white palette, combined with a large bow tied at the back and Aiya’s slightly flushed cheeks, made Ziyao feel as though she might lose all self-control.

How I wish I could pull Aiya into a hug and ruffle her hair.

“Ahem, Miss Ziyao, your gaze is far too intense.” Ailin, standing nearby, found herself unable to watch any longer. Ziyao’s current state was hardly different from Raphael’s when she had been ushered out earlier.

“Ah, my apologies. It’s just that Aiya is so incredibly cute.” Ziyao reached out, gently patting Aiya’s small head. “Ah, I have no regrets in life now.”

Aiya’s warm, soft head felt exceptionally comfortable beneath her touch. Aiya, in turn, blissfully narrowed her blue eyes, clearly enjoying the sensation. For some reason, being petted by Ziyao simply felt wonderful.

Watching the two young girls, who were now practically glued together, Ailin—the sole sane individual remaining—buried her face in her hands. These two little ones had grown increasingly close recently, often sticking together without a moment’s notice.

Why does Miss Ziyao feel even more dangerous than Miss Raphael?

“Speaking of which, is Elena ready?” Ziyao suddenly remembered Elena. Yesterday, she was still rehearsing her lines, wasn’t she?

“Princess Elena? She‘ll be staying here tonight, and she mentioned she wanted to show us her gown.”

Oh! Elena’s gown. Ziyao’s anticipation grew.

“Alright, Princess, it’s time to take off the dress,” Ailin continued. “I still need to clean it.”

Reluctantly, Ziyao released her hand, which had been lingering on Aiya’s head. She had wanted to keep petting her a little longer. What a pity; patting Aiya’s head was truly addictive.

“I’m only just realizing now that His Excellency, the Sage of Tranquil Waters, is also a pervert.”

As Aiya needed to change, Ziyao stepped out of the room, only to find Raphael waiting at the door.

“No, this is merely my affection for Aiya,” Ziyao replied with utmost righteousness.

“Heh, are you sure it’s not the same issue as before?” Raphael asked, her arms crossed and a skeptical expression on her face.

“It shouldn’t be. If it were the situation from before, the impact on Aiya and me wouldn’t be so minor. At least, I don’t feel like it is.” Ziyao pondered for a moment before giving a rather uncertain answer.

While her relationship with Aiya had deepened somewhat quickly, it still felt like a normal pace. They’re just little girls; it’s perfectly normal for their relationships to progress so quickly. Although… Ziyao wasn’t essentially a little girl herself.

“Forget it, what does it have to do with me?” Raphael sighed. “Are you ready?”

“Of course. If the information is correct, tomorrow should pass smoothly,” Ziyao nodded.

For this major operation, the Royal Family had mobilized every resource at its disposal. Now, the Royal Family had a clear understanding of the assassins’ plan. One Seven-Star leader, three six-stars, ten five-stars, plus several hundred low-to-mid-tier operatives—such was the composition of the assassins this time.

It wasn’t strong, even bordering on meager. Considering that there were already more than ten Sage-level combatants gathered in the Imperial Capital, a single Seven-Star assassin was hardly a threat.

“But don’t you find it too strange? Only one Seven-Star.” Since there were doubts, it was certainly better to clarify them.

“Indeed, this is a major operation. One Seven-Star leading? Heh, are they coming to die?” Raphael rubbed her temples, sharing the same confusion. As the Church’s chief representative in the Imperial Capital, she had meticulously reviewed all the intelligence gathered. Yet, it truly was just one Seven-Star.

“The Church will deploy one Cardinal this time, along with the Royal Family’s few. That’s a total of six. Surely, they won’t find a weakness?”

“Hey, seven. Seven, alright?” The Sage of Tranquil Waters felt ignored.

“Yes, yes, seven. However, if the assassins can truly reach Aiya’s side, then that would be our failure.”

If, despite such thorough preparations, assassins still managed to get close to Aiya, then she, as the Saintess and Roland’s representative, might as well commit suicide to atone. Still, a sense of unease lingered in her heart.

“If all else fails, we’ll activate the contingency plan.”

The contingency plan involved preventing Aiya from attending the Blossom Festival, as the young Princess had never participated before. Laying in wait was always simpler than standing openly. However, this method also had a significant flaw.

“But then the protective forces here would be extremely weak,” Ziyao stated. “After all, the Emperor’s side is the most crucial.”

The Emperor, exposed to everyone, was the most vulnerable, thus requiring at least five to six top-tier combatants by his side. This would instantly reduce Aiya’s protective detail to a single Cardinal. The risk was too great.

“It’s better to act with His Majesty and the others,” Ziyao ultimately suggested.

If they moved with the Emperor, the protective forces for both could be integrated, totaling seven… no, eight top-tier combatants. This was a defensive line that no normal person could breach. Unless a demigod appeared, of course. But Roland wasn’t without its own demigods, though those old geezers were incredibly reclusive and wouldn’t bother moving unless it was a truly major event.

“That’s the only way,” Raphael sighed, feeling extremely nervous. That old hag had simply dumped all the trouble here onto her, truly disrespectful of her elders.

The two exchanged glances, both letting out a sigh simultaneously.

Bang—

“Ziyao, are you there?”

Elena’s vibrant voice drifted up from downstairs.

That girl truly feels no pressure, does she?

“Elena, stay downstairs for now! I’ll be right there!” Ziyao shouted down. She now understood why Raphael had been so sarcastic with her a few days ago.

“Then I’ll head down first.”

“Go on, go on, hurry up.”

Slowly descending the stairs, Ziyao immediately noticed the large bag Elena was carrying.

“A gown?” she asked.

“Yes, two sets in total. Mother picked them out for me,” Elena nodded excitedly.

What’s there to be excited about? Ziyao admitted she couldn’t understand what Elena was thinking.

“Oh, by the way, do you have some free time tomorrow? How about we go shopping together?” Elena asked, her face flushed, posing a question Ziyao had never anticipated.

“No, I have to accompany Aiya.”

“Oh.” Elena instantly deflated. Her sister, indeed, was more important.

Ziyao raised an eyebrow, sensing something peculiar. Had Elena… taken the wrong medicine?