.
Wang Zheng and Liu Wei slept peacefully for several hours until they were awakened by a knock on the door.
Hearing it, Liu Wei's only reaction was to bury her face in the pillows. "Zheng, you answer the door…"
Wang Zheng, just as sleepy as Liu Wei, sat up slowly, trying to orient herself in time and space.
She was on autopilot, barely registering what the young omega had said.
Sleeping next to Liu Wei was deeply satisfying; she could sleep like a baby.
The little princess was soft and fragrant.
The queen wore light pajamas she had picked from Liu Wei's clothes.
With shuffling steps, she got up and went to the door.
When she opened it, she found Anna smiling, pushing a large cart loaded with a tray and other items.
Wang Zheng stepped aside to let her in, and she entered quietly.
Anna moved quickly but tried to be as silent as possible, knowing Liu Wei was likely still sleeping.
The little princess' sleep was restless during estrus.
Anna first set the breakfast on the table. "I brought your majesty's breakfast at Huan Yang's request… Make her eat, even if she goes back to sleep later."
Wang Zheng nodded. "Right."
After placing the food neatly on the table, Anna opened a small cart door and took out changes of clothes and some documents.
"He also asked me to deliver these clothes and papers."
The queen, now less sleepy, calmly observed everything being delivered.
Huan Yang was a high-level alpha; despite being the queen's right-hand man, he should remain far from Liu Wei while she was in estrus.
In the presence of an alpha, Liu Wei could react unpredictably to pheromones—from attraction to repulsion. Ideally, she should be left alone during this sensitive time.
Wang Zheng felt slightly guilty using Liu Wei's maid as her own, but there weren't many choices. Only Anna and Huan Yang should know about the omegas' relationship.
"Alright… Anna, sorry to bother you."
The beta didn't mind; if Liu Wei was happy, she was too. Moreover, with Wang Zheng by Liu Wei's side, her work was much easier. Her main task was delivering meals to the young princess's room.
"It's not bothersome."
"Could you help me with a few things while I'm with Liu Wei? Huan Yang is an alpha; he can't come to her room during estrus."
Anna agreed that Huan Yang should stay away. The young omega was so sensitive that his presence could provoke a strong reaction, creating a troublesome situation.
"Alright, queen. Just ask, and I'll arrange everything."
Wang Zheng smiled. "Thanks."
Anna glanced briefly at the bed. Liu Wei hadn't moved an inch since she arrived. She smiled inwardly—the girl had really managed to sleep.
"She looks tired."
The queen agreed; only she knew how long it had taken for the little princess to finally rest. "Yeah. Is her sleep always so chaotic during estrus?"
"Yes. During her first estrus, she stayed awake for several nights."
"I see."
Anna checked her watch briefly. "Majesty, anything you need, just call me. I'm available."
She bowed and quickly left the room.
"Thanks."
Wang Zheng nibbled on one of her favorite shortbread cookies while staring at the pile of papers. She had a lot of work ahead.
She felt tired just looking at it.
Another knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She answered without much ceremony, assuming Anna had forgotten something.
She was wrong.
"Did you forget something? Anna… Li Zhang?"
Surprisingly, it was Li Zhang at the door. The queen felt curious and surprised—what was she doing here?
The rose-scented omega shared the same curiosity. After all, what would the queen be doing so early in Liu Wei's room?
"Majesty?"
"Yes. What do you need?"
Wang Zheng felt nervous; no one was supposed to know about her and Liu Wei… but now someone did.
The queen knew that if anyone questioned it, she couldn't deny it.
She loved that girl—how could she deny it?
Her heart fluttered at the thought of having to manage this revelation, especially with Li Zhang vying for the position of queen mother.
Li Zhang seemed amused seeing the queen in Liu Wei's room and made sure she was in the right place. "This is Liu Wei's room, right?"
The queen nodded and glanced at the bed—Liu Wei remained completely still.
"Yes, she's sleeping."
Li Zhang paused, then decided to play the role of the considerate visitor. She wouldn't wake Liu Wei nor question the queen's presence.
Sometimes, ignorance is a gift.
"I see… Could you let her know I'll have dinner with her later?"
Li Zhang didn't want to miss any of the performances, but after seeing Liu Wei like this, she didn't want to leave her alone.
The queen would have to leave anyway, and Qui Mei was an alpha; it didn't make sense for her to accompany her cousin during estrus. So Li Zhang felt it best to stay with the little princess and keep her company.
Wang Zheng felt a twinge of jealousy, though she understood Li Zhang's intention. Still, she would be alone with her omega.
"Sure."
Li Zhang smiled gently and soon was far enough away for the queen to close the door and return to Liu Wei.
Wang Zheng walked slowly to the bed and saw Liu Wei wrapped like a present, only her eyes visible.
The young omega was tired but watched the activity in her room. "Who was it?"
"Li Zhang."
Liu Wei noticed a subtle shift in the queen's mood. "Something happened?"
The queen denied any jealousy. "Nothing… She just said she'll have dinner with you."
Liu Wei smiled; she enjoyed Li Zhang's company. "Good."
Wang Zheng felt her heart skip. "You won't miss me?"
Liu Wei stared at the queen, as if questioning her seriously.
Was Wang Zheng really jealous of Li Zhang?!