A Throne, A Promise, and an Unspoken Truth

The cheers of the people continued to echo, becoming a rhythm that carried a newfound spirit. But for Arga, the sound began to fade, drowned in the whirlpool of his own thoughts. He stood at the edge of the stage, his gaze sweeping over the sea of people below. Their faces were full of hope, filled with a trust so immense it felt suffocating. For the first time since the day began, Arga felt something akin to conviction.

"This is just the beginning," he thought, his right hand slowly rising to signal his people to listen. The rumbling gradually subsided, and silence once again reigned over the square.

"Long live Kashgar !" he shouted, his voice resonating. "Prosperous Kashgar ! Thriving Kashgar ! Strong Kashgar !"

The cheers erupted again, this time more thunderous than before. His people shouted, repeating his words with a burning passion. Amid the uproar, Arga stood firm, his face turned toward the sky as if delivering a vow to the world. A new hope had emerged, now rooted in the hearts of every citizen of Kashgar . With each resounding cheer, the new Kashgar empire was officially born, carrying a promise of a better future for all.

Ningning escorted Arga to the main building in the heart of the city, which now stood tall and grand as the new palace. The scent of fresh timber mingled with a faint aroma of roses, wrapping the air in an atmosphere brimming with both hope and reverence. The evening sky painted the palace walls in golden hues, as if celebrating the dawn of a new era of governance.

They stopped before the sturdy main doors, adorned with intricate carvings of Kashgar 's emblem. Ningning stood straight, her hand raised firmly, as though signaling the beginning of something monumental. "For now, you will stay here," she said in a flat yet unmistakably resolute tone. Her gaze was steady, locking onto Arga's as he stood beside her. She gestured toward the courtyard, where fifty soldiers stood in neat rows, kneeling in reverence. Their heads were bowed, yet their presence exuded an aura of unwavering authority and loyalty.

"They are my personal guards. However, each district — 1, 2, and 3 — will soon send additional troops, under your command, Your Majesty," she continued, her voice cold but brimming with confidence. "For now, they will safeguard this palace. Our empire is still young, and we need to establish a system of governance, defense, and laws as quickly as possible."

Arga nodded slowly, his eyes sweeping over the faces of the soldiers standing resolutely before him. Though he appeared confident, doubt still lingered in his heart.

"You may leave now," Ningning commanded. Instantly, the sound of marching footsteps echoed as the troops departed the courtyard with near-perfect precision. Silence hung in the air after they left, creating a space where only the two of them remained — Arga and Ningning.

"Ningning," Arga broke the silence, his gaze filled with uncertainty. "You won't leave me here alone, will you? You're the one who pushed me to become emperor, so your responsibilities aren't over yet." His tone carried a hint of anxiety he tried to mask, but his earnest eyes betrayed his true feelings.

Ningning's sharp eyes seemed to pierce through the wall of doubt surrounding Arga. "Yesterday, during the election, you were so dignified and charismatic. I almost fell for you a second time," she said without looking at him, her tone laced with a subtle mockery. "But today, you're back to being your old self. That's not fitting for an emperor. From now on, maintain the charm and composure you had yesterday. That's what you need to command their respect."

Arga took a deep breath, her words resonating within him like a bell awakening his consciousness. "Alright, I'll follow your advice, Ningning. But before that..." He paused, looking at her with a rare gentleness in his eyes. "Let me say something one last time, because after this, I might not have the freedom to say it again. That night, in the valley of the Kashgar mountain village, I felt the same. My heart raced, confirming my feelings. I just wanted you to know that. But from now on, my attention and energy will be devoted to Kashgar . I hope you won't get jealous," he said with a teasing tone, trying to lighten the increasingly tense atmosphere.

Ningning fell silent, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush despite her best efforts to conceal it. She felt a surge of emotion compelling her to respond, but she knew it would only complicate things further. Arga was the emperor, and she was one of the district leaders. Such a relationship would only invite greater trouble.

"Ningning..." Arga called out, his gaze filled with concern. "Ningning, are you okay?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, she nodded slightly. "Yes... Your Majesty, I'm fine," she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Arga nodded, though he could sense that Ningning was hiding something. "Alright, Ningning. You may go home. I'll handle everything here," he said, though his tone carried a trace of hesitation.

Ningning bowed slightly, offering a final gesture of respect before turning to leave. Yet, as her steps carried her away, she felt an unfamiliar sense of loss — a strange ache, as though she were leaving behind something irreplaceable. But she knew that for Kashgar 's sake, she had to bury those feelings deep within.

However, Ningning suddenly straightened her posture, her gaze now resolute. "I've brought my belongings. From now on, I will live in this palace as your right hand, Your Majesty," she declared, her voice firm, leaving no room for argument.

Arga froze, raising an eyebrow at her. The statement caught him off guard. "Since when did you become my right hand?" he asked, his tone shifting to the weighty and commanding voice Ningning had wished for. Yet, in his heart, another thought surfaced, causing the corner of his lips to curl slightly. She was so arrogant before, but now my position outranks hers. Will these adorable moments keep happening?

Unconsciously, a small smile spread across his face.