.
Wang Zheng looked at Hui Xu and his wife, Hong Bo, bitterness tightening in her chest.
She hated them in that moment. If not for their presence, she would already be on her way back to the palace. Back to Liu Wei.
Liu Wei was her only concern—her only thought.
Would she be alright? Was she in pain? Did she have a fever? Were her glands burning?
How could Wang Zheng focus on anything else?
Her anxious thoughts were pierced by the sharp scent of ginger spreading through the air.
Hong Bo was shameless. She flooded the room with her pheromones, never subtle, always heavy-handed. Though not unpleasant, they were thick, insistent, calculated—meant to attract, to dominate, to demand attention from any omega nearby.
The queen's gaze rose to meet the black eyes of the alpha before her, catching the defiant curve of her lips. Wang Zheng took in a long breath, but refused to respond with pheromone. She would not fight here, not now. She turned instead toward Huan Yang.
The young alpha stepped forward immediately, calm, polite, yet radiating the cinnamon heat of his pheromones as though it were nothing at all.
The Huan family had always been strong—alphas of high caliber, generation after generation. For Hong Bo to challenge him, she would need to expel far more pheromone than she could sustain. Her disadvantage was already clear.
Wang Zheng despised everything about Hui Xu and Hong Bo. That Chen Fu was connected to them only deepened the bitter irony.
Huan Yang lingered at her side, keeping his posture neutral, his words soft. But every glance was deliberate, every phrase chosen to steady the air. He knew the queen could not leave the theater before the performance ended.
Even if her heart pulled her to Liu Wei.
Yes, being at the princess's side seemed like the only right choice now. But later? Later it could raise suspicions, even create dangers neither of them could afford.
The princess was safe. She was in the palace. She had the infirmary, and beyond that, the royal hospital itself if need be.
The situation, though painful, was under control.
"Your Majesty," Huan Yang murmured, "I am in constant contact with Liu Wei's maid…"
Wang Zheng nodded, impatient. Her eyes flicked briefly to the clock on the wall.
"Good. Keep me informed. The performance is about to begin—shouldn't you be in your seat?"
Chen Fu checked his wristwatch, surprise crossing his face at how much time had passed.
The scent of fish needed to return to the stage.
"Queen, please enjoy the show," he said kindly, and with steady steps, he left the chamber.
Hui Xu and Hong Bo followed his movements with their eyes, smiling politely. Shouldn't they leave as well?
The throne was far too tempting. Its carved arms gleamed under the light, the cushions looked soft, luxurious. To sit, even for a moment, would be irresistible.
Hong Bo was the eldest daughter of one of the most traditional families in the Wang dynasty. Many of her brothers and cousins still fought to secure the Hong line's right to succession.
She herself never declared allegiance openly. But there was no doubt: she desired the throne as much as she desired the Wang family's ruin.
Hui Xu squeezed her hand tightly and bowed, reluctant but outwardly gracious. His smile practiced, his words smooth. "Your Majesty will be astonished by Chen Fu's talent."
Wang Zheng's lips curled into a smirk, the barest acknowledgment, empty of warmth. She only wanted them gone.
"Of course. I look forward to it."
When the room was at last empty, save for Huan Yang, the queen exhaled heavily.
"Tell the infirmary to be ready at any moment. And inform Anna they may rely on them completely."
Huan Yang nodded, already reaching for his phone to issue orders.
Wang Zheng drew in another deep breath. In moments, the theater lights dimmed, and the swell of music filled the air.
The performance had begun.
Chen Fu took the stage with a violin, the orchestra rising behind him. Their music soared—songs that could move some to tears, or lull others into boredom.
The queen could not deny his skill. But what was music to her, when her woman was in need?
Her heart remained in the palace.
Liu Wei lay in her room, her thoughts unraveling, her senses blurred. Whenever she felt movement in the space around her, whenever a presence drew near, her mind begged—prayed—that it was Wang Zheng.
But she could not see clearly. She could not distinguish who came and went. Everything was haze, disorientation.
Anna's hands were tied by circumstance. She could do nothing but lower the fever with damp cloths. Suppressors were forbidden during the Bloody Spring.
So she watched, helpless, as Liu Wei's lucidity drained away. The young omega whispered Wang Zheng's name, again and again, like a prayer, like a plea.
Anna's heart clenched.
Only when Liu Wei finally slipped into deep sleep did Anna leave the room, her steps soft and shuffling, careful not to disturb the fragile peace.
Outside, Li Zhang and Qui Mei waited in silence. They had lingered for hours, too worried to speak, too tense to relax.
When Anna emerged, they both rose at once, eyes fixed on her, desperate.
Her tired face broke into a faint smile.
"She's better."
Relief flooded them both.
"Truly? Thank heaven…"
Anna was weary, worn thin, but her devotion never faltered. Caring for Liu Wei was as painful as if she were caring for her own daughter.
The first day of estrus was always the most intense. But this time—hallucinations, fevers, sharp pain—it frightened Anna deeply. If the cycle dragged on longer, fiercer than before, what would she do without suppressors?
Normally, an alpha would remain through the estrus, comforting, steadying, fulfilling every desperate need. But with Liu Wei—what then? Could another omega bear that weight?
Could she ask the queen to stay at her side for hours, for days, without leaving?
The responsibility was immense.
Anna's eyes lingered on Qui Mei and Li Zhang. They looked exhausted, but she tried to reassure them.
"Don't trouble yourselves. I'll stay with her, I won't rest until she's well."
Qui Mei gave a small smile, stepping close in comfort.
"It isn't trouble. We care about Liu Wei."
Anna nodded, lowering her gaze to the damp cloths in her hand. She needed fresh ones. "I'll fetch more from the laundry. I'll return shortly."
"Go ahead," Li Zhang said softly.
When they were finally alone, the silence grew heavier, tinged now with relief—and with an awkward, unfamiliar shame.
What were they supposed to say?
Qui Mei felt her face heat. She was suddenly shy, strangely flustered. Li Zhang was so beautiful it was almost intimidating.
"Li Zhang… I'm sorry I left everything with you, with Weiwei."
The omega smiled gently. Caring for Liu Wei had not been a burden.
"It's alright. The situation was complicated. It wasn't your fault."
Qui Mei fidgeted with her fingers, trying to quiet her nerves. The scent of sandalwood thickened in the air, stronger than before. It was almost endearing. Li Zhang's lips curved into a hidden smile.
"I—I'm a big fan of yours…"
The rose-scented omega laughed, amused, warmed. To see the shy alpha stumbling over her words—adorable.
"Really? Which of my stories do you like best?"
Qui Mei thought hard, struggling to choose. "It's difficult… but I'd say Marked Bullet. I love Eunji—so sexy, so cruel."
Li Zhang widened her eyes in mock surprise, then pulled a playful pout. "Cruel? Do you think so?"
"Wicked women have a different kind of charm," Qui Mei replied without hesitation.
Their laughter rang together, light and easy at last.
Yes, wicked women had their allure, Li Zhang thought with a spark in her chest.
"I'm glad you like Eunji—and my stories," she said warmly.
Their conversation carried on, lively and bright, until hurried footsteps echoed down the hall.
The queen had returned at last.
She barely paused to acknowledge them before pushing through the door into Liu Wei's chamber.