The two week wait was a masterclass in controlled frenzy.
With her commanders gone and the most audacious heist in Netherworld history underway, Empress Xue Lian did not pace her rooms in anxiety. That was a luxury she couldn't afford. Instead, she channeled all her nervous energy into a whirlwind of reform, branding, and psychological planning.
The first order of business: rebranding. "Demonic Realm" had such… negative connotations. It spoke of mindless destruction and mustache twirling evil. She was building something new, something stable. Something that could, theoretically, appeal to a righteous celestial Enigma.
She made a decree during a open court session, her voice carrying over the assembled, confused lords. "Henceforth," she announced, "we are not merely a 'realm'. We are the Luminous Dynasty. Our power is not one of mindless chaos, but of refined shadow and formidable order. You will adjust your terminology accordingly."
The court murmured. Luminous Dynasty. It was elegant. It was powerful. It was a lie so bold it circled back to being brilliant. Archduke Jin looked like he'd swallowed a live eel, which Xue Lian counted as an unqualified success.
Next, she dove into the social matters of her newly christened Dynasty. Her initial reforms had been about safety and food. Now, she targeted culture and community. She established public gardens in the capital, using magically reinforced soil to grow the vibrant, stolen mortal plants, creating oases of color in the stark landscape. She commissioned artisans not for weapons, but for public art sculptures depicting the history of the various demon clans, not just their battles, but their artistry and traditions.
The demons, initially baffled, began to thrive. The concept of leisure, of enjoying beauty for its own sake, was a novel one for many. They started to exchange ideas with her, tentatively at first, then with growing enthusiasm. A Stonemason demon showed her how to better infuse obsidian with stability charms for her new buildings. A Weaver from the Spider Silk clan presented a new, incredibly strong fabric perfect for both banners and safer work uniforms.
Xue Lian, the former accountant, found herself learning from them. She learned about the intricate social structures of the Oni clans, the silent language of the Shadow Stalkers, the potent, natural alchemy of Netherworld herbs. She was no longer just imposing her will; she was building a dialogue. Her empire was becoming a collaboration.
And through it all, in the quiet moments, she planned. Not for war, or economics, but for the most delicate operation of all: the wooing of Lan Yue.
She outright laughed at her own mental phrasing. Wooing. It was such a ridiculous word for what was essentially a high stakes campaign of strategic persuasion. But that's what it was.
Stockholm Syndrome was a pun, obviously, she thought, sketching ideas on her velvety paper. But the core principle is sound: familiarity breeds comfort. Comfort breeds attachment. She wasn't a monster; she wouldn't use abuse or isolation. Her methods would be far more insidious.
Her plan was built on a foundation of calculated kindness and curated exposure:
The Gilded Cage, Mk. II: Lan Yue's quarters were already luxurious. Now, Xue Lian personally oversaw the addition of small comforts. A bookshelf filled with not just demonic histories, but treatises on celestial philosophy and poetry. A high quality guqin, should she wish to play. A window that could be opened to a curated view of the less hellish parts of the capital and the strange, beautiful constellations above. Everything was designed to be comfortable, engaging, and just familiar enough to disorient.
Controlled Autonomy: Lan Yue would be a prisoner, but one with choices. She could choose her meals from a menu (featuring Xue Lian's new recipes). She could request specific books or cultivation materials (which Xue Lian would vet and often grant). This illusion of control was crucial to preventing outright rebellion.
The Empress as a Fixed Point: Xue Lian would be her sole, regular point of contact. She would be consistently calm, intellectually challenging, and unfailingly respectful. She would be the source of all good things: interesting conversation, answers to questions, new comforts. She would make herself the sun around which Lan Yue's small world revolved.
Exposure Therapy: Slowly, gradually, she would expose Lan Yue to the "Luminous Dynasty." She would show her the thriving markets, the peaceful farms, the demon children playing in the new gardens all from a safe, controlled distance at first. The goal was to systematically dismantle the "demons are mindless monsters" dogma with irrefutable evidence.
It was a soft coup of the heart and mind. A siege of generosity.
Finally, after two weeks, a pulse of energy echoed from the palace gates. The extraction team had returned.
Xue Lian remained on her throne, projecting an aura of bored anticipation, though her heart hammered against her ribs. Kairo entered first, followed by his elite team. They were bruised, bloodied, but standing tall. Behind them, carried on a litter woven from shadows and stabilized by Kairo's own energy, was Lan Yue, unconscious but seemingly unharmed, her serene features pale against the dark fabric.
"Your Majesty," Kairo said, kneeling. "The target is secured. The Azure Cloud Sect took the diversion. We encountered minimal resistance on extraction. We have two wounded, none gravely. And… we lost three in the initial diversionary assault led by Commander Kael."
A somber silence fell. Xue Lian closed her eyes for a moment. She hadn't known their names, but they were hers. "See to the wounded. The best healers. For the three who fell…" she opened her eyes, her gaze hard. "They are heroes of the Luminous Dynasty. They will be interred with full honors in the new Hall of Valor. Their families will want for nothing."
The gratitude and fierce loyalty in the eyes of the soldiers in the room was palpable. They had expected perhaps a nod of acknowledgment. They received a sovereign's grief and respect.
"Now," Xue Lian said, her voice softening as she looked at the unconscious form of Lan Yue. "See that our… guest… is made comfortable in her chambers. Let no one disturb her. I will attend to her when she wakes."
As they carried Lan Yue away, Xue Lian allowed herself a single, deep breath. The first piece was on the board. The game, her most dangerous and delicate game, was finally beginning. The wait was over.