A Hardened Resolve

Warm sunlight coaxed Jiu Hui awake the next morning. Her eyes flickered with doubt as she gazed at the empty space beside her. While Lisa typically rose early, the complete absence of warmth from the bed suggested she had been gone for quite some time.

Donning her clothes, Jiu Hui pushed open her room door.

Observing the bustling figures in the corridor, a sudden realization dawned upon her.

Approaching the adjacent room, which belonged to Xiao Lü and Xiao Lan, Jiu Hui raised a hand to knock. After a prolonged silence yielded no reply, she gently pushed the door open. Seeing the utterly empty room, a shadow of disappointment crossed Jiu Hui’s eyes.

‘So, it seems I was the only one left out.’

This thought only solidified the resolve she had formed the previous night.

Stepping out and softly closing the door, she turned and stopped a passing individual. After clarifying Lisa’s current whereabouts, Jiu Hui headed directly in that direction.

As Jiu Hui walked, her heart grew heavy at the sight of armored figures, each with a grim expression, moving through the corridors.

Perhaps this war was far more severe than she had initially conceived. How many of these faces she now saw would still be present when it finally ended?

She considered herself, Lisa, Xiao Lü, Xiao Lan, and even that silly Aivy; it was entirely possible that some of them would never return to the Palace after the conflict.

Therefore, she *had* to grow stronger!

No matter the cost, she would become stronger!

In a world consumed by the smoke of war, remaining as she was would surely lead to her demise! She could not bear to watch Lisa, Xiao Lan, and Xiao Lü constantly navigate the razor’s edge between life and death while she herself remained in a place of supposed safety. Such a thing was simply beyond her.

Moreover, staying behind offered no true guarantee of security. Lisa, already burdened with overseeing three borders and three battlefields, could not afford the distraction of constantly worrying about Jiu Hui.

Jiu Hui did not wish for that, either. While she held a significant place in Lisa’s heart, Lisa was the Queen of this nation—and a truly capable one at that! No matter how much Lisa cared for her, Jiu Hui knew her own position could never supersede the welfare of the state.

Besides, having arrived in this world, it would be a true shame to never experience the battlefield itself.

Therefore, she *must* become stronger!

Her eyes, fixed on the grand door before her, burned with unwavering resolve!

Bang, bang, bang.

She raised her hand to knock, and upon hearing Lisa’s voice from within, Jiu Hui pushed the door open.

The sight within caused Jiu Hui to falter slightly.

A colossal table dominated most of the room, and around it stood six individuals. All six pairs of eyes were now fixed on Jiu Hui, their gazes heavy with unspoken weight.

“Um, have I perhaps arrived at an inopportune moment?”

The collective stares of the six figures made Jiu Hui inexplicably self-conscious, prompting her to speak with an air of caution.

Observing Jiu Hui’s hesitant demeanor, the solemnity on the faces of those in the room began to dissipate, replaced by expressions of amusement.

One young woman in particular, clad in soft purple armor, burst into laughter. Her gaze settled on Jiu Hui as she spoke,

“Lisa, is this your personal attendant? She seems quite amusing.”

Lisa, seeing Jiu Hui’s somewhat timid expression at the doorway, revealed a helpless smile. “All right, Jiu Hui, come over here.”

Jiu Hui glanced at the girl in purple armor, a flash of recognition in her eyes. ‘Wasn’t this the very person who had sought Lisa’s forgiveness last night? Her name, if Jiu Hui recalled correctly, was Anya.’

Standing behind Lisa, Jiu Hui’s gaze involuntarily drifted towards Anya. She hadn’t paid much attention the previous night, but now, she saw that Anya was actually quite beautiful.

She possessed a charming, energetic face, framed by a cascade of cherry-blossom short hair that fell to her shoulders. Her vibrant emerald eyes sparkled with life, exuding an undeniable vitality.

Coupled with her deep purple soft armor, she projected an air of valor and strength. In essence, she was a strikingly cool young woman, much like Lisa herself.

Anya seemed to notice Jiu Hui’s lingering gaze, for she playfully winked, sending a rather suggestive look her way.

Jiu Hui’s cheeks flushed crimson at Anya’s gaze, and she quickly lowered her head. Just then, her eyes met Lisa’s.

‘Oh, no.’

‘It’s over, I’m doomed. That woman has completely implicated me.’

Meeting Lisa’s gaze, Jiu Hui felt an overwhelming urge to cry, yet no tears would come.

‘Hey, hey, *she* was the one teasing me, not the other way around!’

Anya, standing nearby, watched Lisa and Jiu Hui, a cryptic smile playing on her lips.

“Alright, these are all the arrangements. You may proceed with the deployment accordingly!”

Lisa addressed the surrounding individuals with a calm demeanor.

“Yes, Your Majesty the Queen!”

With their affirmative replies, the surrounding individuals began to file out of the room. Before departing, Anya cast a slightly teasing glance towards Jiu Hui.

Bang!

The room door shut with a decisive thud.

Only Lisa and Jiu Hui remained within the room.

Jiu Hui looked at Lisa before her, letting out a pair of strained, dry laughs.

“Um, Lisa, who was that person just now? She seemed quite familiar with you.”

Lisa met Jiu Hui’s gaze and replied, “She is a comrade I fought alongside for a long time, even before I ascended to the throne as Queen.”

“Oh,” Jiu Hui responded, seeing that Lisa had no intention of elaborating further.

Lisa glanced at Jiu Hui, then turned her back to study the map before speaking again.

“By the way, did you come here to find me for something specific?”

Jiu Hui stared at Lisa’s back, momentarily stunned. Then, as Lisa spoke, the true purpose of her visit resurfaced in her mind.

“I want to become stronger!”

At her words, Lisa’s form stiffened. She turned to face Jiu Hui, her expression etched with utter surprise.

“Stronger? Why this sudden change of heart?”

Jiu Hui met Lisa’s gaze, her eyes unwavering.

“Because I want to go to the battlefield!”

“Absolutely not!”

Lisa’s refusal was immediate and unequivocal.

Jiu Hui, taken aback by Lisa’s stern expression, couldn’t help but ask,

“Why?”

“Because the battlefield is exceedingly perilous; a single lapse in attention could cost you your life!”

“Then why are Xiao Lü and Xiao Lan permitted to go?”

“Because they possess the strength to protect themselves!”

“Then, once I become stronger and gain the ability to protect myself, won’t I be able to join the battlefield?”

Lisa paused, momentarily stumped by Jiu Hui’s logic. Indeed, Jiu Hui had a valid point, yet Lisa could not allow her to go to war. Thus, she shook her head.

“Under no circumstances. There’s no need to discuss it further, or I will send you back to the Royal City.”

Hearing this, Jiu Hui said nothing more. She had no desire to return to the Royal City, especially not at this critical juncture.

After delivering a sharp glare to Lisa, Jiu Hui spun on her heel.

“Fine, if you won’t teach me, I’ll go find Xiao Lü and Xiao Lan instead!”

With that, Jiu Hui marched straight to the door and pushed it open. Seeing that Lisa made no move to stop her, she stepped out and closed the door behind her.

Lisa stared at the closed door, then sighed deeply, raking a hand through her hair in exasperation.

“Ah, what am I going to do?!”

****