Want to see
The next day.
The warm midday sun filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a faint halo over Lu's small face.
Unconsciously, Lu murmured, her eyelids fluttering, and her translucent blue eyes slowly opened under the long-awaited light.
"Ugh."
She turned her head and glanced at the familiar surroundings.
Still feeling a bit dazed, she gradually realized—had she returned?
But how had she come back?
As she pondered this, Lu slowly sat up, looking down at her attire, which seemed somewhat familiar… it was the innermost dress she had been forced to wear yesterday morning.
The other cumbersome layers had been removed, which explained why she felt somewhat comfortable while sleeping.
But who had helped her undress?
Lu furrowed her brow, lost in thought.
"…Has the young mistress awakened?"
A palace maid gently pushed the door open, holding a tray of pastries. Upon seeing Lu seated, she paused for a moment, then knelt and greeted her with a smile, saying, "My lady has been sleeping for quite a while. The breakfast is warming in the small kitchen, and lunch has already been delivered. What would you like to eat?"
Given Lu's nature, she was easy to get along with as long as one followed her lead. The maids of Yining Palace were not particularly afraid of her; while they did not dare to be overly familiar, their interactions were comparatively more relaxed than in other palaces.
Lu looked up in confusion at the smiling maid, and only then did she recall that she hadn't eaten for a long time.
Thus, the little mermaid hesitated, saying, "...May I take a bath first?"
Having gone to bed without bathing the previous night, she surely felt quite unclean!
Although eating was important, after such a long period of hunger… a bath felt even more pressing!
The maid was taken aback but did not seem particularly surprised. She set down the pastries and obediently replied, "Of course, I shall prepare it at once."
"Wait a moment." Lu furrowed her brow, feeling somewhat conflicted.
"My lady, please feel free to command me," the maid paused and turned back, looking puzzled.
"...Um, where is your master? Where is he?" Lu blinked, nervously clutching the corner of her blanket as she spoke softly.
Although she had been somewhat dazed last night, she still had a vague memory of being carried, and she seemed to recall the beautiful eyes of Sebastian.
Waking up here this morning was not unexpected. It was just… something about that striking human from last night felt different.
The little mermaid bit her lip, trying hard to recall, but could only conjure a vague impression; any deeper thoughts were obscured by the golden glow of her hazy memories, which felt more like a figment of her half-asleep state—
Well, she couldn't be sure if she had remembered incorrectly.
Surely, she hadn't been so dazed by hunger that she imagined him to be as radiant as the sun?!
Lu was startled by her own thoughts, her face darkening.
Bah! He was certainly not her sun!!
"Your Majesty?" The maid hesitated, then replied, "His Majesty took you back yesterday and left on his own. I'm not sure why, but those who accompanied him returned with injuries. When asked what happened, they were all vague, simply stating they had taken a nap. Perhaps His Majesty went to address the matter."
This information was something the maid had overheard from gossip while leaving the palace that morning, and observing Lu's expression, she cautiously added, "However, while this incident is indeed strange, those who were injured only suffered minor wounds, and there is no serious concern. The torrential rain ceased once the ceremony concluded. Our Qi Kingdom is still under the benevolent protection of the dragon… My lady need not worry; it's merely a bit of entertainment."
After all, since His Majesty ascended to the throne, there had been no significant natural or man-made disasters in the realm. Even if occasional issues arose, His Majesty's abilities were more than sufficient to resolve them—
Yet, while His Majesty's competence was indisputable, everyone was aware of the unique circumstances surrounding the emperors of past dynasties, and the current sovereign's fortune was even more remarkable. This was an unspoken truth, understood but not openly discussed.
In the hearts of the people, such an enigmatic presence was always more alluring than any formidable power.
It also served to solidify the royal family's status.
"Oh…" Lu processed the influx of information, momentarily at a loss.
"So, does that mean he is very busy today?" The little mermaid finally concluded with great difficulty.
The maid was unsure how to respond and tentatively suggested, "Um, perhaps if you wish to see His Majesty, he may not be too busy…?"
"Shall I send someone to summon him?"
After all, although this young lady currently held no official title, her standing in His Majesty's heart had been vividly demonstrated over the past few days.
Now that the young mistress wished to see His Majesty, how could she dare to refuse on his behalf?
Especially considering that His Majesty had personally carried her back last night!
It was worth noting that the emperor had scarcely entered the harem over the years, let alone interacted with the consorts.
Being able to approach His Majesty… this is indeed a first. It was His Majesty who took the initiative!
"No need, I was merely inquiring casually," Lu shook her head, feeling uncertain and reluctant to disturb Sebastian based solely on such a vague impression—
What if she excitedly approached him only to be met with a denial, or worse, a hint of disdain?
"Could you prepare a meal for me? I'll go take a bath first."
Lu descended from the bed, gazing at the spotless floor, then, with a pouting expression, she searched for her shoes with bare feet.
The maid stifled a laugh, quickly fetching a new pair of shoes, "My lady, you were carried back by His Majesty last night, and your soiled shoes were thrown away by him."
We, the servants, had merely intended to assist, but to our surprise, His Majesty personally tended to the young mistress—
One must admit, she was quite muddy last night; anyone unfamiliar might have thought she had been dragged from a mire.
His Majesty had furrowed his brow throughout the entire ordeal.
Yet, he still took the time to tidy her up a bit and tucked her into bed before leaving.
Lu silently accepted the shoes, her ears tinged with a faint blush, and awkwardly murmured, "...oh."
She then strolled towards the bathing chamber.
Sebastian was engrossed in reviewing the embezzlement amounts related to the official who had attempted to incite him to execute the giant octopus, when he inadvertently glanced up and spotted a little eunuch from Yining Palace peeking in, eager to announce something.
"What is it? Come in directly."
The little eunuch cheerfully entered, granted passage by the guards at the door, "Your Majesty, the young mistress wishes to see you!"
Sebastian paused in his reading, "What?"
"The young mistress inquired where you were and seemed too shy to come herself, so she ended up alone and forlorn," the little eunuch recounted, recalling the maid's message he was to convey.
...That must be correct, right?
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
So pitiful?
This was unlike her usual demeanor.
"And then?"
He set aside the memorial, picked up a red brush, and casually leaned back in the wide chair, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly.
"And then…" the little eunuch hesitated, "not wanting to upset the young mistress, I came to find you."
What else could the Emperor wish to hear?
"She didn't ask anything else?" Sebastian pondered.
"...She did ask a few things, but I'm not entirely sure," the little eunuch replied honestly.
He wasn't among those who served her closely, so how could he know every word she had spoken?
"If Your Majesty wishes to know, why not ask the young mistress directly?" the little eunuch suggested earnestly.
He thought he had come up with a brilliant idea—this way, he could answer the Emperor's question while alleviating the young mistress's longing. How clever he was!