Yu Xiang moved.
Not walked. 'Moved'.
Her body seemed to retreat backward, phasing through space itself. She passed through Helvora's still-kneeling form like a ghost traveling through solid matter—no resistance, no contact, just violet energy rippling where flesh should have met flesh.
And then she was in front of Helvora, facing her directly.
The queen found herself staring up into violet eyes that glowed with alien intelligence. Yu Xiang stood there, hands clasped loosely behind her back, her milky white skin almost luminescent in the chandelier light. Her purple hair fell in perfect waves around a face that showed no anger, no satisfaction—just cold, calculating assessment.
Slowly, Yu Xiang smiled.
It didn't reach her eyes.
"You are smart," she said, her voice soft as silk and twice as dangerous. Her head tilted slightly, studying Helvora like a merchant appraising valuable merchandise.
Then she asked the question that changed everything:
