Speaking Up Early
"Your Majesty?!" Princess Yun's face paled slightly as she hurriedly curtsied, forcing a smile, "Has Your Majesty finished the morning court session? I shall not intrude upon Your Majesty's time with this… this one with whom you are reminiscing. I take my leave."
With that, she turned flustered and attempted to depart.
"Did I grant you permission to leave?" Sebastian sauntered over to the pensive little mermaid, who was lost in thought, and looked at Princess Yun with a bemused smile. "...Princess Yun?"
He cast a sidelong glance at Lu, who remained absorbed in her thoughts, seemingly oblivious to his presence, his lips pressed together slightly.
…What is the matter with this little one?
He was currently standing up for her, yet she remained so composed—
Earlier on the island, it was clear that even a simple act of roasting a fish had garnered her admiration.
Princess Yun halted abruptly, lowering her head as she stared at the hem of Sebastian's dark dragon robe, biting her lip in frustration. "Your Majesty speaks truly; it was my momentary lapse of judgment."
…Had His Majesty truly targeted her for the sake of this unknown foreigner?
Princess Yun had entered the palace for familial reasons, but also of her own volition—
After all, who wouldn't desire a partner as exceptional as Sebastian, a man of great stature and influence?
However… despite her aspirations, this man seemed disinterested in the harem, rarely setting foot there unless the consorts sought him out in the imperial garden.
Even when they managed to meet, his demeanor remained indifferent, regarding them as he would any ordinary servant.
Consequently, rumors inevitably circulated outside. Yet the palace consorts discreetly consulted imperial physicians, who confirmed that His Majesty was in excellent health, rarely suffering even minor ailments, let alone hidden afflictions!
Princess Yun firmly believed that with her perseverance, she would one day win His Majesty's heart and fulfill her desire to sit beside him as his esteemed consort.
But now, everything was being disrupted by this wild girl of unknown origin!
Was she not allowed to see who had captivated His Majesty's attention?
The more Princess Yun thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Unable to vent her frustration at Sebastian, she redirected her anger toward Lu.
She refused to believe that this girl would remain in the Yining Palace for long!
When they crossed paths again, she would ensure that Lu would regret it!
"I find you indeed quite lost. If memory serves me correctly… the Yining Palace is not a domain where consorts of the harem are permitted to enter."
Sebastian spoke with indifference, glancing around the room before raising an eyebrow in silent disbelief. "And not only have you come, but you have also chosen a place like the bathing pool…?"
If it were not for the knowledge that Princess Yun was notoriously dim-witted and often used as a pawn by the other concubines, one might wonder what purpose she had in coming to such a place. Furthermore,Sebastian had overheard Princess Yun's boastful remarks outside the hall, leading him to surmise that she was merely seeking trouble.
Princess Yun's expression was somewhat unnatural as she hesitated, racking her brain for an excuse. "I merely... merely..."
Merely what? She hadn't thought much of it at the time! She simply entered when she felt like it!
Fortunately, that wild girl had not yet had the chance to enter the water... otherwise, her explanation would have been even more convoluted!
"Return and be confined for two months. If I discover that you continue to act in such a manner…"Sebastian narrowed his phoenix-like eyes, leaning casually against the white jade pillar of the hall. "You would not wish to know the consequences."
"After all, if a single daughter brought into the palace were to bring ruin upon your entire family, I imagine your kin would not be pleased."
"Your Majesty?" Princess Yun looked up in disbelief, gazing at the handsome face that had once haunted her sleepless nights, now seeming like that of a stranger.
All because she had entered the Yining Palace just once?!
But clearly, this girl had only just arrived a day ago!!
"What is it, Princess Yun? Do you have any objections to my decision?"Sebastian asked, his gaze calm and unwavering.
"...No, I do not. I take my leave." Princess Yun, dazed, cast one last glance at Sebastian's impassive expression before turning to depart.
Once the flamboyant yet inexplicably dejected figure vanished beyond the palace doors,Sebastian finally shifted his gaze openly to the little mermaid seated calmly at the edge of the pool.
Surrounded by swirling mist, the steam enveloped Lu entirely, her dark blue hair cascading down her back, and the delicate droplets clinging to her long eyelashes glimmered like jewels, enhancing her vibrant complexion.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "I have resolved one of your troubles; do you not wish to express your gratitude?"
Lu met his gaze, blinking her blue eyes, but suddenly retorted, "Is this place reserved for the empresses of past generations?"
Sebastian paused, then broke into a smile. "Indeed, why do you ask?"
...Such a quick reaction?
He had expected it would take her at least ten days to half a month to realize the significance of this place.
Lu puffed up her cheeks, her eyes widening with indignation as she insisted, "But you clearly told me you had no empress before!!"
Otherwise, she would never have followed this human here!!
In fact, she had wanted to ask him the moment he entered.
However, given that this was his domain, and he had to argue with that inexplicable woman who had entered uninvited, she certainly could not interrupt.
Yet, he had the audacity to say that he was arguing for her sake? And he acted as if nothing had happened, completely unperturbed!
"So it is a matter of past empresses."Sebastian quickly grasped the implication, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"You have deceived me!!" Lu exclaimed, furious. "If you had told me earlier, I would have... I would have..."
"What would you have done?"Sebastian raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Lu faltered, her blue eyes glaring defiantly at the young man before her, yet the words she wished to say remained stuck in her throat.
...How frustrating.
But having come this far, could she truly return over such a trivial matter?
Wasn't that a bit of a loss??
Yet to simply concede... how could she bear it?