.
Liu Wei sat at the table with Wang Zheng.
They had finished their meal, and now they lingered with tea in hand.
The queen's focus was buried in her documents, yet the silence between them felt gentle, almost comforting.
The young omega couldn't resist stealing glances from time to time. Wang Zheng looked so beautiful when she was concentrated like that. Satisfaction swelled quietly in Liu Wei's chest—this was her omega. She could admire her as much as she wanted, whenever she wanted.
A sigh rose softly in her heart.
Between one glance and another, the queen finally noticed she was being watched so intently. She smiled, amused.
"What is it?"
Liu Wei adored her presence, but wouldn't it be more comfortable if the queen were working in her office? After all, her estrus felt calmer now, more under control.
"You can go to your office if you need to work," she offered.
The queen raised an eyebrow. "Does it bother you?"
"No, I like it…"
Wang Zheng reached out, touching her omega's hand, and smiled gently. "Then what's wrong?"
Liu Wei wasn't someone who embarrassed easily, but Wang Zheng had the power to turn her red as a chili pepper. "I don't want to bother you…"
The queen laughed lightly, then rose and wrapped her arms around Liu Wei from behind. She held her close, surrounded by the soft sweetness of mint.
"But you're my girlfriend," she whispered. "Why would you ever bother me?"
The little princess froze at that word. Girlfriend?
Her heart raced, her face burned. Happiness and excitement bubbled up uncontrollably.
"Girlfriend?"
"Of course. How else would we marry if we didn't date first?"
They were serious—serious about marriage, serious about being together.
Dating seemed like such a small step toward something much greater. With all the obligations weighing on their future, dating felt almost like a private indulgence, a small gift of affection shared only between them.
Liu Wei laughed softly, curious and happy. They were already engaged, so should dating even be a concern?
"Do you really care about that?"
The queen loosened her embrace just enough to sit on Liu Wei's lap.
"Of course."
"Then it's settled."
Liu Wei wound her arms around Wang Zheng's waist, and they stayed like that—warm, entwined, the minutes passing within a quiet embrace and light caresses.
The queen felt a tender brush against her cheek. She smiled, glancing around the silent, still room, realizing just how empty it truly felt.
"I was thinking… maybe it would be nice to put a TV in the bedroom."
The young princess blinked at her, surprised. A television? Was that really necessary? She followed Wang Zheng's gaze toward the bare wall, and the thought made her smile.
Everywhere Liu Wei walked, the castle was hushed and calm. No television signals, no stereos, no computers.
If she hadn't already seen the queen's laptop, she might have believed Wang Zheng lived completely detached from technology.
"TV? Why?"
The queen's expression was serious, as if the matter carried true importance.
"If we want to watch a movie before bed, how else would we do it?"
Liu Wei couldn't help but laugh. How could she be this cute, speaking so earnestly about buying a television?
"I've never seen a TV anywhere in this palace."
"There isn't one. Maybe in the staff quarters—but not in any of the rooms I use."
"Really?"
The queen nodded.
The truth was far less interesting. She simply had no time for television. Her days were filled with endless duties, and when she finally lay down at night, she preferred to let the world disappear completely.
But she had, on occasion, caught glimpses of dramas while visiting patients in the hospital. Pregnant women loved romances and comedies, and even more than that, they loved to gossip about the characters. The queen had learned countless storylines simply by listening to them laugh and chatter. Some laughed until they cried—pregnancy hormones ran wild.
Now, when she looked at the blank wall opposite the bed, the emptiness unsettled her. She wanted something more—more things to share, more moments, more ways to fill the silence with Liu Wei's laughter and smiles.
"I never thought about watching a movie," she admitted softly. "But last night I wanted to see one with you, and there was no TV."
So many nights, she stayed awake just to watch Liu Wei sleep. Maybe staring into that dark, empty room for hours had made her crave something different—something that carried the warmth of presence.
Silence had never bothered her before. But now, she wanted more. More of Liu Wei. More of everything.
The young princess tilted her head, thoughtful. Wang Zheng's words sounded like the conversation of a young couple planning their home. She liked that feeling.
"Well… when do you want to buy one?"
The queen leapt from her lap, rushing to the pile of papers on the table and pulling out her computer.
"Now. Help me choose?"
The young omega laughed with delight. She climbed onto the bed, waiting as her girlfriend hurried over. Girlfriend. The word alone was enough to make her smile endlessly. The world could crumble, and she would still feel this happiness.
"Alright. Bring your computer."
Wang Zheng joined her, setting the laptop down as they leaned into one another, bodies warm and pressed close.
"Will you choose one, and then ask Huan Yang to buy it?"
"Yes."
"Good."
The queen opened the search engine and began browsing.
She hadn't realized there were so many televisions, so many models, sizes, brands. Some looked identical, yet their prices varied wildly. It was like stepping into a brand-new world—curious and fascinating.
Liu Wei explained patiently, her eyes lighting up. She had always liked learning about electronics. Not obsessed with phones or computers, no—but fascinated by how they worked. The lighting, the colors, the illusion of depth. How could a TV create its own shade of black, or let darkness itself paint the screen? It all depended on the technology.
It even made her wonder about returning to art someday. But did she really want to? And if she did, would she have the chance?
The biggest question pressing against her heart was whether she could keep chasing her dreams while staying by Wang Zheng's side. Or would she be forced to give everything up—for her family, for the kingdom?
They spent half an hour looking through models, and Liu Wei's excitement grew. She was already imagining the first movie they would watch together.
What would be the perfect choice for such a first moment?
As she reached for the touchpad, her hand brushed against Wang Zheng's.
Yes. They could make this work.
"I like this one," Liu Wei said, her voice gentle. "It looks big. Maybe we wouldn't have to change it for years."
Wang Zheng nodded. "Do you think it's enough?"
The little princess glanced around the room. She knew the other chambers were built in a similar way, so her own bedroom could serve as the model for wherever the queen imagined it.
"Of course. Where would you put it?"
"Here."
"But it would be yours."
Wang Zheng set the computer aside and wrapped herself around Liu Wei's body.
The young princess caressed her omega's back, pulling her close.
"But you're my girlfriend."
"Yes… your girlfriend."