A shrill alarm blared across the entire Central Star System.
Standing before Su Xingye, Yu Lan froze for a moment before quickly coming to her senses and hurriedly asking,
"Is there anything I can get for you?"
"No."
"I have to go now. If you run into any trouble you can't handle, ask the housekeeper for help."
"I won't be able to reply to your messages right away from the battlefield."
Su Xingye's expression was more serious than ever before.
'Or rather, judging by the original owner's past behavior, the only messages she ever sent these men were just endless streams of clingy, childish nonsense.'
'They've probably blocked her number.'
After his quick instructions to Yu Lan, Su Xingye turned and ran for the main gate.
「Meanwhile」
Huo Zhanting, who was on the second floor, didn't come downstairs.
He leaped directly from a second-floor windowsill. His formidable 3S-level physique allowed him to land without the slightest tremor.
Reaching the door, Su Xingye called out, "Marshal."
Huo Zhanting gave a slight nod. As Yu Lan watched, the two men suddenly accelerated, leaping through the air and boarding a Starship at the nearby Star Port that was preparing for departure.
'I hope they both return safely.'
Yu Lan offered a silent prayer in her heart.
*
「Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace」
The moment the alarm began to blare, Louisa rushed to Queen Belina's private palace.
Belina, who should have been asleep long ago, had been roused by the piercing alarm. She now sat upon her throne in the grand hall, waiting for her attendants to report on the situation at a moment's notice.
"Her Majesty the Queen."
Louisa said with a respectful bow.
"You're here. Rise, quickly," Belina said, her tone tinged with worry.
"I wonder what the situation is out there."
Louisa offered a reassuring reply.
"Please rest assured, Her Majesty the Queen. As soon as the news broke, Marshal Huo and Major General Su boarded a Starship for Thirteen District."
"With the two of them there, I am certain there will be no problems."
"Marshal Huo's and Major General Su's strengths are plain for all to see."
"That's true."
Queen Belina nodded after listening.
One was Huo Zhanting, born into the military with a Marshal for a father, who had endured rigorous training since childhood. The other was Su Xingye, a commoner who had risen to the rank of Major General on the back of his own illustrious military achievements.
The strength of those two was indeed not to be underestimated.
Hearing that the two men were already on their way to the scene, not only Queen Belina but also the Star Citizens of Thirteen District, currently under assault by the Dark Planet, breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"But, I…" Louisa's brow furrowed, her expression turning hesitant.
Her expression, a complete reversal of the confidence she had just professed in Huo Zhanting and Su Xingye, immediately aroused Queen Belina's suspicion.
"What is it? Louisa, if you have something to say, speak freely."
Louisa spoke at once. "Actually, I'm worried about Lanlan."
She quickly recounted how Yu Lan had used an induction agent on Su Xingye earlier that night to induce his rut.
However, she omitted the fact that Su Xingye had already recovered by the time she arrived.
"Marshal Huo and Major General Su face untold hardships and fight bravely for the Empire."
"And yet Lanlan, for her own selfish desires, would do such a thing."
"Thankfully, I arrived in time today and prevented a terrible mistake from happening."
"But I've heard Lanlan's behavior doesn't stop there. On a normal day, she's constantly harassing them with messages. Now Marshal Huo and Major General Su are on the battlefield. If Lanlan continues to act this way…"
Louisa paused. "I fear it will break Marshal Huo's and Major General Su's hearts."
"I know that you care for Lanlan, Your Majesty, and want to give her someone to depend on."
"But any male beast would find Lanlan's actions hard to accept. If she were to accidentally provoke them…"
Louisa shrewdly let her voice trail off.
Huo Zhanting and Su Xingye, Yu Lan's betrothed, were not some useless male beasts who could be easily manipulated.
They were powerful and influential. If they were to truly become enraged…
...it was feared that even Queen Belina herself might find it difficult to protect her status.
Male beasts were powerful, yet they had rutting periods that required a female's soothing. Thus, females occupied the high positions in a society structured around one female to multiple males.
But high-ranking male beasts certainly did not lack for females to soothe them.
Sure enough, Belina's expression darkened.
She immediately ordered her steward,
"Send word. Have Yu Lan come to the Imperial Palace tomorrow. I need to see her."
"Yes."
The steward dutifully replied.
*
「The next day」
As Yu Lan was eating breakfast the next morning, the villa's housekeeper informed her of the summons.
Yu Lan, her face scrunched up from the odd-tasting green nutrient fluid she was drinking, tilted her head back and asked meekly,
"Did she say what time I should go?"
"The notice said 'as soon as possible.'"
"Your Highness, I have already arranged for your vehicle."
The housekeeper stood to one side with an impeccable smile, as if silently hurrying her along.
"Alright."
Lanlan sighed and rose from her chair.
'Just as well. I didn't want to drink any more of this strange-tasting nutrient supplement.'
"Let's head out now, then."
「Half an hour later」
Led by the guards, Yu Lan passed through layers of announcements and inspections before finally arriving at the entrance to a palace hall.
The moment she stepped inside, a sharp voice barked from within the room.
"Yu Lan! Kneel!"
Yu Lan's small figure froze.
She looked up and saw Belina on the main seat, panting heavily and looking furious.
And beside her sat Louisa, a smirk playing on her lips.
'I will absolutely not kneel in front of Louisa.'
'It would be too humiliating.'
"Why?"
Yu Lan asked stubbornly, looking utterly bewildered.
The moment she spoke, the anger on Belina's face intensified.
Even Louisa's eyes flashed with a strange light.
She considered herself quite knowledgeable about Yu Lan. A princess of noble birth who had been cast down to live in the slums, who had also lost her Healing Power—the most fundamental ability of a female. It made for a girl who was a mix of extreme inferiority and extreme arrogance.
In front of Louisa, she would feign arrogance, trying to compete for everything.
But in front of Belina, she was utterly subservient and eager to please, terrified of angering the Queen and having her princess title revoked.
In the past, Yu Lan would have dropped to her knees the moment Belina spoke. When had she ever dared to talk back and ask *why*?
"Why?"
Belina sneered. "You ask why? Don't you have any idea what you did last night?"
"Using an induction agent on Su Xingye to force his rut, you…"
"But he is the male beast you bestowed upon me, my fiancé. I was merely exercising my right as his Female Master. What did I do wrong?"
Before Belina could finish, Yu Lan cut her off with a matter-of-fact tone.
Yu Lan had spent the previous night cramming information about this world.
What the original owner did was immoral, but if one really examined the situation, it wasn't a major crime.
Therefore, kneeling was something Yu Lan absolutely would not do.
Yu Lan's pretty little face was a mask of confusion as she looked at Belina and Louisa, and she continued to prattle on.
"What's more, I already obtained Su Xingye's forgiveness last night. The entire incident can be classified as a bit of fun between me and my own male beast."
"If you don't believe me, you can contact Su Xingye right now and ask if that's what happened."
As she spoke, Yu Lan lowered her head as if to open her phone and make the call.
Belina's expression changed in an instant.
"Yu Lan, stop."
"Someone, take her phone away from her."