Qin Xue's beauty was like a rare treasure in the Empire, a jewel in the palm of its hand. Her smile was like a lily blooming in the darkness, illuminating the whole room.
For a moment, Ronald was stunned.
He rubbed his nose, taking a few steps forward. With a slight bow, he greeted, "Your Highness, it's an honor."
"You know me?"
Qin Xue sized him up, noting that he was handsome, with clear eyes and refined features. Still, something about him seemed strangely familiar.
She tilted her head, curious. "You look so familiar. Have we met before?"
Ronald smiled, shaking his head. He didn't answer her directly. Instead, he asked, "What is it that you're looking for, Your Highness?"
"Hm… Can you help me find something? A flower called Seven-Leaf Flower. It has seven petals, each a different color."
"The Seven-Leaf Flower!" Ronald exclaimed, his eyes widening. That was a rare and precious medicinal plant, one often used in alchemy. Why would the princess be looking for it?
He glanced around. This was just a small inn's garden, there was no way they'd have something like that here.
But then he paused. He couldn't sleep anyway, so he might as well humor her for a while. Who knew? Maybe he'd learn something useful.
"Of course, Your Highness. I'll look into it right away."
The moment the words left his lips, he realized his slip-up. He had been so used to addressing imperial figures as "Your Majesty" or "Your Highness" that he forgot he was no longer part of the empire himself.
Sure enough, the princess's large, beautiful eyes narrowed as she studied him. Something didn't seem right, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Ronald breathed a quiet sigh of relief. It seemed the princess wasn't as sharp as she appeared.
Under the moonlight, the man and woman searched the garden for the elusive Seven-Leaf Flower, chatting idly as they went. Through their conversation, Ronald learned that although the Empire was being pressed from both the North and South, with over two million soldiers deployed, the situation had stabilized.
In the north, the Empire's forces were on the defensive, holding back the main forces of the steppe tribes at the northern frontier. The south, however, had been on the offensive, crushing through the Blood Wolf Tribe's lands, turning the region into a bloodbath and seizing vast, fertile territories.
But the Blood Wolf Tribe, along with allied forces from the Bimon and other tribes, put up fierce resistance. The Empire, for its part, needed time to consolidate the newly acquired territories. So, for now, both sides were at a standstill.
There was a quiet confidence in Qin Xue's words. The Empire, having undergone a century of reforms, was now a powerhouse that no typical Yellow-tier race could rival.
It wouldn't be long before the war reignited.
Meanwhile, other Yellow-tier races had also been embroiled in wars of their own. Chaos was truly on the horizon.
This year's auction in the city of Chaos was particularly grand, hosted by the legendary Tianhu Clan, and the treasures up for bid were unparalleled. Besides Princess Qin Xue, the Empire's second prince, Qin Ji, had also arrived, accompanied by important figures from several of the Empire's vassal states.
After chatting for a while, Qin Xue suddenly asked, "By the way, you've told me so much, but you still haven't told me your name."
Ronald scratched his nose, about to answer when suddenly, Qin Xue's eyes widened.
"I remember now! You're Ronald from the Sun and Moon Kingdom!"
Ronald froze. He hadn't expected her to remember him.
But he wasn't afraid; sooner or later, his identity would be revealed.
Without warning, Qin Xue's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Traitor! Surrender now!"
She launched herself at him with a swift kick.