"Much appreciated."
"It is my honor!"
Sang Luo followed the Raccoon Cat Beastman in white livery into the VIP lounge.
Duotu was nowhere to be seen.
"His Majesty is likely held up by other matters. I will go send soone to notify him. Would our two esteed guests please wait a mont?"
"There’s no hurry. You should all go attend to your own business. I’ll wait for him here." Sang Luo casually pulled a magazine from the bookshelf. It was about finance, which didn’t interest her, so she picked up a fashion magazine instead.
The Holy Envoy whispered a few words into Minos’s ear. After listening, he looked at Sang Luo. "Luoluo, I have so things to take care of. I’ll be back soon."
"Mm, go ahead."
Sang Luo waved her hand.
After Minos left, she continued to read the magazine.
Before long, the respectful voices of servants could be heard. Sang Luo thought Duotu had arrived and turned toward the door.
A graceful, beautiful woman in a magnificent green palace gown approached elegantly, with two servants holding up the train of her dress.
She had long, flowing, deep brown hair and delicate, lovely features. Her skin was particularly fair and smooth, without a single blemish, and her distinguished air was refreshingly striking.
"Princess Celia of Aus Country," Sang Luo said, closing her book and offering a small bow.
Princess Celia curtsied and smiled sweetly. "You must be the Holy Empress from the rumors. You’re so beautiful—even prettier than everyone says!"
"You flatter , Princess," Sang Luo replied with a gentle smile.
She subtly sized up the woman before her. ’She seems lively and easy to get along with, but it’s difficult to tell whether her feelings are genuine.’
Princess Celia dismissed the servants behind her and sat on the sofa next to Sang Luo. She cupped her face, gazing at Sang Luo as if srized, then suddenly gasped. "Wait a minute. I feel like I’ve seen you sowhere... I know you... Are you the Holy Empress, or... the late Queen?"
Sang Luo’s smile faded. "Princess, you must be mistaken," she said sternly. "It is common knowledge that the late Queen passed away from illness long ago. I am the Holy Queen to the Holy Monarch. Your words are quite offensive."
"I’m sorry, but I really..." Princess Celia trailed off. But as she looked at Sang Luo’s face, her conviction grew. "I saw a portrait of the late Queen in the Beast King’s chambers. It looked just like you—no, it was identical!"
She declared with conviction,
"When you and the Holy Monarch entered the palace, many of the older staff mbers saw you. They all said the late Queen had returned from the dead! That you and the late Queen are identical!"
"..." ’So she’s here to test .’ Sang Luo’s tone remained gentle. "The late Queen passed away more than twenty years ago. Most of the older staff in the palace are quite elderly now. Perhaps their mories are failing them."
"That can’t be it. Haven’t you noticed that you and I look a bit alike?" Princess Celia pointed to her own cheeks and mouth, a flash of bitterness in her smile. "When I ca to the Royal Palace a few days ago, those old staff mbers all said I looked a bit like the late Queen. After I saw her portrait, I had to admit there really is a resemblance."
"Celia, who let you co here!" A tall, blond man strode over, his voice filled with obvious anger.
He had heard their conversation.
Sang Luo looked at Duotu and greeted him with a smile. "Long ti no see."
Duotu pressed his lips together tightly, a complex mix of emotions flashing in his eyes.
Princess Celia looked between the two, as if she understood everything. She bit her lip, bowed, and then excused herself.
Only Sang Luo and Duotu remained in the hall, and the atmosphere instantly beca quiet and sowhat awkward.
It was Duotu who spoke first.
"I didn’t expect you to co."
"If I hadn’t co, how could I have witnessed such a good show? His Majesty Yalan certainly has a type. Is the plan to use a future Queen to reminisce about the late Queen?"
"It’s not like that." Duotu looked at Sang Luo and denied it flatly. "The Yalan Empire wants to annex Aus Country’s territory, and a marriage alliance is the best way to do it. This... this is just a coincidence. Don’t listen to her nonsense."
"It had better be that way. The thing I hate most in this world are n who use substitutes to satisfy their own desires. If he’d truly moved on from an old love to welco a new one, I could at least respect him for it. But to knowingly use a substitute to deceive yourself—that’s what’s truly shaless! It’s disgusting! And it’s sothing I will never forgive!"
Duotu froze.
The air at the doorway rippled slightly, then vanished, too fast to be perceived.
Sang Luo’s anger subsided slightly. She looked at the stunned Duotu and felt a pang of guilt. ’I accidentally dredged up so of my own bad mories and lost control for a mont.’
She softened her tone slightly. "Little Sun ca to the Holy Palace to cry to . He’s very upset."
"Hephis..." Duotu frowned, his tone tense. "I asked for his opinion. He said he didn’t mind marrying the princess of Aus Country."
Sang Luo saw the worried look on his face wasn’t feigned. She pursed her lips and said in a low voice, "Let ask you one more ti. Do you even care about your son?"
"Of course I care! He is my only heir! My most important child! I have already nad him Crown Prince of the Yalan Empire by the highest imperial decree—an edict that not even I can rescind. Everything I do... is for him..." Duotu’s hands, clenched at his sides, trembled as he spoke.
Sang Luo nodded. "I believe in your love for Little Sun, but he’s not the ignorant little cub he once was. He’s learned to hide his feelings. If you really care about him that much, you should spend more ti understanding what he truly wants."
"I..." Duotu was speechless, a desolate air suddenly surrounding him.
Sang Luo glanced toward the door and asked another question, "Do you really like this princess from Aus Country?"
Duotu didn’t answer.
Sang Luo didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh. "You’re still the sa as ever. You haven’t changed at all."
"..."
"Hephis doesn’t want a stepmother or new siblings. He’s miserable. He thinks you don’t want him anymore." Sang Luo rose and brushed past Duotu. "If you’re willing to make your son miserable for the sake of power, then I see no reason to let you keep him."
...
The night sky was clear, the moon bright and the stars sparkling.
Sang Luo went to the roof of Taoyuan Village. This was the best spot in the Beast King Palace for stargazing.
The statue hadn’t been torn down. She teleported, reappearing seated on its head.
Looking up, she saw the Milky Way, a river of countless twinkling stars, a sight of utter beauty...
The engagent banquet had nothing to do with Sang Luo. She had simply co along with Minos for the excitent, so she was happy to slip away and find a peaceful place to pass the ti.
Soon, the rich fragrance of flowers reached her nose. Minos saw Sang Luo was leisurely gazing at the stars and moon and didn’t disturb her, quietly sitting beside her to watch.
The night wind blew gently, and clouds veiled the moon.
Sang Luo withdrew her gaze and tilted her head to look at him. "How did things go?"
"The people of the Empire are probably going to be disappointed," Minos said with a smile.
"Oh? What do you an?"
"The engagent banquet has been canceled. His Majesty Yalan called it off himself. I heard the princess was heartbroken and cried, and was ultimately escorted back to Aus Country by a special envoy. As compensation, His Majesty Yalan sent extravagant gifts and agreed to let the princess choose any of the Yalan Empire’s talented young n as her husband, to forge a lasting bond between their two nations."
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