...
After five minutes of walking, Liu Wei was struggling to free herself.
"Majesty! Put me down!" she pleaded.
The young princess was touched by the gesture, yet being carried in such a manner made her feel exposed, her cheeks burning with shame.
Wang Zheng found the girl's reaction almost endearing; she looked so childlike. Still, the queen was determined not to relent and would only let her down once they reached the infirmary.
Her arms already ached, and if she paused too long, she feared she wouldn't be able to carry Liu Wei much further.
Her pride fueled her, yet it did not grant her superhuman strength. The queen was no superhero, her strength, like anyone else's, had limits.
"No. Let's tend to your foot first. You're covered in bruises…" she said.
"It's no big deal," Liu Wei replied.
Hearing the queen's serious tone, the princess felt her guilt swell within her.
Meanwhile, Wang Zheng sensed a burning warmth, her glands tingling under the sweet, minty caress that enveloped her. Liu Wei's natural fragrance and warmth only deepened her anxious sensations.
It wasn't deliberate; each time Liu Wei flexed her arms a little tighter, it inadvertently pressed against the queen, heightening her sensitivity to both her touch and the minty aroma.
Wang Zheng had never experienced such a sensation. Of course, she knew its implications, but feeling it especially through the touch of an omega was overwhelming.
Well, they were both omegas… but wasn't that acceptable?
She owed no one an explanation, why should she feel guilty if it wasn't wrong? She simply deserved to be happy.
After all, marriage between equals had been legal in Wang's country for several years, and technology had advanced enough that two omegas could produce offspring with their own genes and pheromones.
Happiness sounded wonderful.
Children, a lively home... perhaps Wang Zheng longed to see that future.
Liu Wei had no inkling of the thoughts running through the queen's mind. All the young princess could feel was an overwhelming, exhausting guilt.
She kept apologizing internally, and Wang Zheng began to wonder if the princess truly resented being cared for by her. Was it so uncomfortable to be looked after?
That fleeting thought brought a twinge of sadness, the queen only wished to nurse Liu Wei back to full health.
"Liu Wei," the queen said gently.
"Majesty".
"Have you forgotten that I'm a doctor?"
"N-no…"
"I'll take care of you. You're my guest."
"Okay," Liu Wei agreed obediently, resigning herself to being carried.
The queen was pleased with the princess's docility, and she couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hold on... You're a bit heavy," she noted.
Hearing this, the little omega gripped the back of the queen's neck even tighter. At that moment, Wang Zheng nearly saw stars, her legs weakened, and they nearly collapsed together.
Forcing herself not to let out a groan, the queen felt mortified.
Immersed in the sweet, almost tropical scent of pineapple and mint, Liu Wei remained oblivious to the awkwardness. "You are such a strong omega…" she murmured, finding a peculiar satisfaction in Wang Zheng's embrace.
The queen paused, watching Liu Wei lean against her chest and sigh softly.
From afar, an onlooker might never guess the depth of their connection, their pheromones mingled so naturally that one could sense an unspoken familiarity between them.
Something significant was blossoming within both of them.
Wang Zheng lost track of time as she gazed into Liu Wei's sweet eyes.
Liu Wei's throat grew dry as they pressed so closely together.
She felt her glands burn once more, she vividly recalled the moment her hand had grazed the queen's abdomen. She blamed the alcohol then, yet that memory now filled her with intense embarrassment.
Her face flushed, and her voice dropped to a whisper: "Q-Queen, please don't misunderstand…"
The queen could feel the rising anxiety in Liu Wei. The minty tingling returned softly, a sensation she preferred when it was sweet and intoxicating.
It was common knowledge that pheromones shifted with an omega's or alpha's mood, health, and intent, the happier and more content, the sweeter and more pleasing the scent. Whether an omega wished to convey reassurance, irritation, or excitement, the compatibility of their pheromones was essential; extremes clashed and caused confusion and irritation.
Pheromones were a vital language between alphas and omegas.
With a long, measured sigh, the queen continued walking, and in less than five minutes, they reached the infirmary.
As soon as they entered, one of the two nurses immediately cleared a bed so that Liu Wei could be attended to without delay.
Wang Zheng gently laid her on the bed before quickly retrieving a lab coat from a nearby closet.
"Get me a chair, please… I'll handle her wounds myself," the queen instructed. The nurse promptly set a chair beside the bed and began gathering the necessary supplies for cleaning and dressing.
Sitting next to Liu Wei, Wang Zheng tied her hair into a loose ponytail. A few stray strands fell across the queen's face, and in a delicate motion, Liu Wei tucked them behind her ear. Unconsciously, Wang Zheng closed her eyes and leaned in, savoring the warmth and fragrance of Liu Wei's skin.
Liu Wei reached out, gently caressing Wang Zheng's cheek.
Their breathing grew heavy, and by that time, the mingled pheromones had begun to fill the infirmary.
The queen tenderly took the hand that had been touching her face and kissed it, so sweet. Liu Wei's eyes darkened with desire. In that moment, neither could control the surge of pheromones or their emotions.
The two omegas gazed at each other in quiet contemplation.
Perhaps that timeless moment lasted five minutes or only ten seconds, they couldn't be sure. It ended abruptly when the nurse arrived with supplies for the bandage.
The palace staff, mostly betas, including the nurses, remained blissfully unaware of the intimacy unfolding between the queen and Liu Wei.
Wang Zheng opened her arms and began donning her white coat. The queen, so stunning in her work attire, looked both serious and elegant… undeniably sexy.
Deep inside, Liu Wei sighed; she longed for Wang Zheng with every fiber of her being.
"Alright, let me take a look," the queen said as she began examining the princess.
Supporting Liu Wei's leg on her knee, she helped remove her shoe.
Noticing slight swelling in Liu Wei's right foot and tenderness upon touch, she asked, "How did you fall?"
"I was walking among the trees, tripped over some roots, and fell to my knees," Liu Wei explained.
"Okay…" The bruises confirmed her story. Wang Zheng asked a few more questions and performed a basic examination.
After checking the wounds, she cleaned and bandaged them.
"It doesn't seem serious. In a few days, you shouldn't feel any pain," she assured her.
Liu Wei exhaled a relieved smile, looking visibly lighter.
"All you need is ice and rest. I'll prescribe some medicine and have Anna bring it to your room."
The little princess nodded, ready to obey any order from her beautiful doctor.
She trusted that with proper care, these wounds would heal without leaving scars.
The queen then rose and moved to a sink nearby. Rolling up her sleeves, she wet and soaped her hands.
Every gesture, every expression... every small detail was captivating to Liu Wei, who was completely enamored. At times, she even felt a twinge of irritation, could the queen ever grow tired of her? Deep down, she harbored many uncertainties.
Once she finished washing and drying her hands, the nurse returned with a pack of gloves, which she quickly donned.
Seated again, the queen efficiently handled the materials needed to clean and dress Liu Wei's injured skin.
Wang Zheng worked so swiftly that Liu Wei scarcely noticed the passage of time.
"Does it still hurt?" the queen asked softly.
"It does," Liu Wei murmured.
The queen laughed gently, amused by the young princess's melodramatic expression, so beautifully vulnerable.
In truth, Liu Wei's pain was mild, but she yearned to prolong their time together, even if it meant enduring another twenty bandage changes.
At one point, Wang Zheng whispered something to a nurse who quickly left, leaving Liu Wei in solitude, which only deepened her curiosity.
The queen then began removing her lab coat while keeping her hair tied back. She draped the white fabric over her chair and continued to chat lightly with Liu Wei.
"Well, if it hurts, I need to make it up to you," she teased.
"Okay," Liu Wei replied shyly. The intensity in the queen's gaze drew her in further.
Surprised by the sudden shift, the princess didn't protest, instead making room for both of them to sit side by side, legs stretched out.
The queen leaned against the headboard, clearly a bit tired, and sighed deeply.
"Tired?" Liu Wei inquired softly.
"Just a little…" the queen admitted.
Turning her face away briefly, the queen caught sight of Liu Wei's full, red lips and felt an irresistible urge to touch them. She swallowed hard.
Wang Zheng coughed quietly, trying to regain her composure.
"Liu Wei, do you know what semi-mature glands are?"
The young omega's eyes lit up with curiosity. Of course, she knew, everyone experienced that stage when differentiating into alphas and omegas.
"It's when the glands are nearing full maturation and the gender traits begin to manifest," the queen explained.
Nodding, she took Liu Wei's hand and interlaced their fingers.
"Some babies are born with semi-mature glands, you know? I was born that way."
Liu Wei looked both surprised and a little shocked, by the intimacy of the gesture and the revelation about the queen's nature.
"Really?"
"Yes. Everything you find surprising is just an omega who's been managing her pheromones since birth…"
At first, the queen felt irritated by Liu Wei's comments comparing her strength to that of an alpha. Wang Zheng feared the young omega might be disappointed to learn that she, too, was as fragile as any other omega.
The queen laughed awkwardly. "I'm still weaker than an alpha, I still have my estrus, and if I stay out in the rain, I'll likely fall ill… There's nothing extraordinary about me."
Liu Wei disagreed silently, and Wang Zheng could detect the comforting, sweet scent of mint rising. It was soft and kind.
"If I exercise, I can build muscle and be strong… If I eat well, I won't get sick as often… I simply live a highly controlled life. It's hard not to be healthy."
The young princess said little, instead admiring the faint blush on the queen's face, so beautiful and endearing.
Liu Wei was certain of one thing: no matter what Wang Zheng was or how she appeared, she would always be extraordinary.
Yet now the queen allowed herself a moment of vulnerability, a hint of shyness in front of Liu Wei. The silence between them was a bit disconcerting, heightening the queen's anxiety.
Wang Zheng even attempted to release the young omega's hand and return to her seat, but Liu Wei's grip prevented her.
Liu Wei looked at the queen with eyes full of desire. It didn't matter that they were both omegas, Liu Wei longed to claim the queen as her own.
With each passing second, their faces drew closer, their breaths mingled. The mingling of pineapple and mint overwhelmed Wang Zheng's thoughts, leaving nothing else but the urge to kiss Liu Wei.
"I'm so glad you are who you are... regardless of everything else... You take care of me so well... You're still beautiful and strong... All I can think is that I want you," the princess confessed in a husky, nearly inaudible voice. Her heart pounded, and her breathing grew heavier.
"... If you're an omega… be my omega then," Liu Wei whispered.
In a tender movement, Liu Wei released the queen's hair, gently sliding her fingers between them and pulling her even closer.
Their lips hovered almost together, so near yet not quite touching, barely a breath apart.
Liu Wei was young and daring. Despite her sweet, gentle appearance, her passion burned fiercely. "I wasn't ready at first… so please forgive me. From now on, I won't waste any more time".
Wang Zheng laughed softly at the playful defiance in Liu Wei's words; she could feel the girl teasing her sense of reason, driving her wild.
"How can I ever forgive you?!" the queen teased.
"I can offer you a kiss, what do you think?" Liu Wei countered.
"May I taste it before I agree?" the queen challenged, closing the distance between them. Liu Wei's softness and sweetness overwhelmed her.
The minty flavor on her lips was intoxicating, making her feel as if she were floating, with a thousand butterflies dancing in her stomach. Could someone be liked so deeply? She wasn't sure, only that Liu Wei was undeniably captivating.
Liu Wei had longed for this moment since the day she first saw the queen. Finally having her so close was both comforting and exhilarating.
A victorious smile played on Liu Wei's lips during their kiss.
Their soft skin pressed together in a tangle of eager teeth and intertwining tongues as they fought for space and dominance.
The taste of their mingled pheromones grew almost overwhelming, leaving them both breathless.
So hot.
Wang Zheng's hand glided along the princess's slim waist, eliciting a soft moan from Liu Wei.
They were both losing control...
The kiss grew intense and heady, until finally, both needed to catch their breath.
Liu Wei admired the beautiful sight of Wang Zheng, completely out of breath yet radiant after their kiss. She planted several tender kisses on the queen's cheek, watching as her face turned a delicate shade of red. The young omega smiled inwardly.
Witnessing the queen's bashful expressions was both dazzling and amusing—Liu Wei longed to see every hidden emotion.
The young princess couldn't tear her eyes away; she was utterly enchanted.
Feeling the queen's face flush as Liu Wei's gaze lingered, Wang Zheng covered the young omega's eyes with her hands. "Stop staring at me…" she chided gently.
Liu Wei grinned playfully. "But you're so beautiful, may I look?"
Wang Zheng couldn't help but smile at the silly charm of the girl. "Don't I look very old?" she teased.
The queen, though aging gracefully, was no less beautiful, but youth held a passionate allure. Liu Wei's confident smile and radiant aura made it seem as though she could conquer the world.
"I think you're perfect…" Liu Wei murmured.
Taking the queen's hand that still shielded her eyes, she brought it to her lips and kissed it.
The queen wasn't accustomed to such tender affection; her heart raced and her senses ignited.
"Don't say nonsense," she protested softly.
"I only spoke what I feel," Liu Wei replied with a confident smile. In that moment, they resembled two devoted lovers.
A thin white curtain still separated them from the rest of the world, yet it waited silently for them. Concerned by the delay, one of the nurses finally spoke, worried the queen might need assistance.
"Queen, are you still busy with the bandages?"
"No. I simply forgot to remove the curtain," the queen admitted.
Liu Wei laughed at the queen's embarrassed tone as she watched her open the curtains. No one appeared to notice anything amiss.
A nurse then carried a tray with two small containers and placed them on the bed. "The kitchen just sent what you ordered," she said.
"Thank you… Here. After eating, the pain should ease," the queen replied, recalling that she had requested pudding for Liu Wei. After a long day, nothing was better than a sweet treat, after all, sweetness could soothe even the deepest pain.
"Thanks," Liu Wei murmured.
The queen watched with a secret smile as the young princess ate the pudding contentedly.
"Sweet?" the queen asked.
"Yes, very sweet," Liu Wei replied, and Wang Zheng knew the compliment was meant for their kiss rather than the dessert. Her senses still burned with the heat of their shared passion.