.
Wang Zheng was forced to stay through the entirety of Chen Fu's performance, even lingering for a brief toast between him and a few other guests.
Irritating.
The only thing that calmed the queen even slightly was knowing that Anna would be accompanying Liu Wei—she wouldn't have to face the world alone.
At the end of the presentation, Chen Fu beamed from ear to ear, like a cunning fox circling its prey with its flock.
Several elders greeted him, congratulating him for the outstanding performance, each gesture—smile, handshake, hug—like a subtle political vote, a show of support for their preferred candidate.
With firm steps, the queen approached, greeting everyone with her best smile. Many bowed reluctantly, resisting, but at that moment, she didn't care.
The queen spent the evening glancing at the wall clock, even listening to the tick of the hands—a punishment, perhaps, for leaving Liu Wei alone.
Time felt slow, almost leisurely.
She allowed herself a brief, guilty smile at the thought. After all, who would have imagined she would ever have someone beside her to worry about? For so long, she had pictured herself dying entirely alone in a vast, empty palace. But now, there was Liu Wei.
Gathering her belongings, she left with Huan Yang and entered her car.
The queen was terrible at hiding her affection for the young princess of Martana; rumors whispered wherever she went.
With Hui Xu and Hong Bo, it would be no different.
Chen Fu, taking advantage of the queen's absence, approached the uncles with glasses of wine. "The queen carries a different scent around her."
Hong Bo picked up her drink, lightly strumming the cup.
She smiled at her nephew's remark, having noticed the same sweet, minty scent herself. Truly delightful.
Hui Xu listened attentively, thoughtful. He knew the laws of Wang's country very well. "The queen cannot be marked. It must be a scent that simply lingered."
Hong Bo smiled at her omega's naive ignorance. "High-level omegas can temporarily mark other omegas."
Hui Xu blinked in surprise. "Do you think they're… involved?"
Chen Fu agreed with his aunt. He was witnessing a rare opportunity: an outsider moving freely through the palace, closely observed by his servants, aware of the subtle dynamics between the two omegas. "One of my servants saw Martana's girl leaving the queen's room, covered in marks."
Hong Bo sipped her drink, placing a hand on her nephew's shoulder. "Don't worry, she's nothing serious… Just follow the plan."
When the queen returned to the palace, she exited the car quickly, her footsteps echoing through the dark, empty corridors.
She caught a fleeting glimpse of Li Zhang and Qui Mei near the little princess's door and nodded to acknowledge them, desperate to reach Liu Wei.
Slowly, she turned the knob, met by complete darkness and the strong scent of mint. Wang Zheng paused for a moment, letting the aroma warm her body.
With careful, deliberate steps, she approached the bed. Liu Wei's eyes were closed; a sigh of relief escaped her. She was asleep.
The room was scattered with Liu Wei's belongings: cleaning products, clothes, jewelry.
Why did everything that belonged to Liu Wei seem so beautiful, so captivating?
Next to the bed was a table with chairs. The queen sat slowly, continuing to watch the young princess sleep.
Books lay scattered on the table; one had a bookmark. She felt a temptation to read.
Would it teach her more about Liu Wei? Help her understand how to please her? Reveal her tastes, her dreams?
Would it make her happy?
A sigh escaped her heart. Was this what it meant to be in love? It felt… good.
The bedroom door opened slowly. Anna returned, carrying clean cloths.
The beta couldn't hide her surprise at seeing the queen sitting so casually beside Liu Wei. Truly, these two cared for each other. She smiled.
Anna approached carefully, setting the cloths on the table. "Thanks for taking control of everything."
Wang Zheng's gentle smile conveyed real gratitude.
"It's okay. It's my duty."
They spoke in hushed whispers, careful not to wake Liu Wei.
The queen felt a twinge of guilt, knowing Liu Wei's glands had been strained. Anna agreed, acknowledging her own part in the situation. But could it have been avoided? Eventually, it would happen—if not with the queen, then with someone else.
It seemed innocent to assume Liu Wei would never fall in love, never reach such extremes. Anna understood that this moment was inevitable, and she felt comforted in being someone who cared for the young princess.
Anna smiled, lightly resting a hand on the queen's shoulder. She knew the queen might resist, yet it felt necessary—right—to offer comfort. Wang Zheng sometimes seemed like a small child, desperate for a reassuring word.
The queen wasn't accustomed to such contact. Her face warmed in embarrassment; she was a queen, comforted by a maid. Yet in that moment, it didn't matter.
"Yes, but queen… eventually she will strain her glands. She will fall in love, lose herself to someone… I'm glad it's you, but she still needs to be careful with pheromones."
Anna withdrew slightly, brushing Liu Wei's forehead—no fever. Relief.
In harmony, Anna and Wang Zheng shared the space, and Anna carefully explained Liu Wei's situation during the queen's absence.
Now, with Wang Zheng and Liu Wei somehow feeling like a couple, spending time together would ease the symptoms of estrus.
"I understand… Anna, I will spend all my free time with her."
Anna understood the value of the queen's time, yet the young princess was equally precious.
The queen hadn't even changed her clothes or removed her makeup; the only difference from the theater was a loosely tied ponytail.
She mentally noted to ask the queen for fresh clothes for Huan Yang.
"Thank you, queen."
Anna departed slowly, and Wang Zheng remained at the corner of the bed, gazing at Liu Wei as if she were a rare jewel.
And indeed, she was.