[Human Kingdom - Capital.]
Elara, leaning casually against the corner of their table, surveyed the throng of high-ranking guests filling the elaborate hall. A cynical smirk played on her lips.
"Seems they will be a show today," she muttered to her comrades.
"Show?" Precious followed Elara’s gaze, settling on a cluster of three elderly n positioned near the main pillars. They weren’t from the widely known top families, yet they commanded a noticeable presence and influence, and power.
"Those three? Could they be... The old guards?" Precious asked, a thread of confusion in her voice.
"Yes. Those are the late King’s maternal uncles," Ethan answered with a slight frown, adjusting his collar. "The removal of the royal power that was vested in their nas during the transition is surely not sitting well with them. They’ll be boiling in silent rage, and they will absolutely make things difficult for the Boss today."
"Well, should we intervene if that happens?" Precious asked, genuinely conflicted. Sunny had stressed that this was a political, not a military, event, so she mustn’t cause trouble.
"No," Elara stated firmly, her expression hardening. "A lot of things can happen today—snubs, insults, political maneuvering. But as long as it doesn’t escalate to a physical attack or an existential threat, we won’t act. This is the King’s trial."
The four exchanged glances, the tacit agreent passing between them.
"Hello, guys."
They turned to see Qin Li walking toward their table, his face alight with an open, honest smile.
"I knew Mr. Alex would take the throne," he said cheerfully, stopping beside them. "I just believed it."
"Young Master Qin? Are you so certain about that?" Elara challenged with a devilish smirk, resting her jaw on her palms. "Your own sister was a contestant, after all. Did you cheer for the Boss, or for your family’s candidate?"
"Haha..." Qin Li laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "It was... complicated. But I have faith in Mr. Alex. I know that even if my sister had won, she would have eventually yielded to soone like him... Lol, I don’t think it’s possible for she to even win in that competition."
"Okay. Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be with your family?" Ethan asked, gesturing toward the prominent Qin family table.
"Just greeting you guys. And I also wanted to personally congratulate Mr. Alex when he arrives," Qin Li explained, still smiling.
"Thanks for dropping by, then," Thomas said, his tone polite but dismissive.
"Hey guys, you don’t have to be cold," Precious snapped, feeling a surge of annoyance at her team’s distant attitude. Though they were subtle, she knew their ingrained distrust of anyone not directly in their core group.
Precious stood up, walked to Qin Li, and placed a friendly hand on his shoulder, deliberately looking at her three teammates.
"He is also an ally, one who aided the people during the crisis yesterday. So at least show so basic respect. The Boss would be angry if you disrespected soone who has helped us."
"....?!!"
Elara, Ethan, and Thomas were montarily stunned by Precious’s sharp defense. Qin Li was equally surprised. In the shadow of his powerhouse sister, no one had ever stood up for him or defended his role before.
"Thank you," Qin Li said sincerely, looking genuinely touched.
Precious patted his back. "No worries. Go enjoy the ceremony."
"Ok. Ok... I won’t apologize for my caution, but she is right," Elara conceded, relaxing back into her seat and rolling her eyes.
"You are still aloof as always," Precious lightly shook her head, a soft smile replacing her sternness.
Thomas and Ethan exchanged a quick, knowing look, but said nothing further, maintaining their professional facade.
"Did I do sothing wrong? Sothing I don’t know?" Qin Li whispered to Precious, still slightly confused by the rapid shift in tension.
"I don’t really know. That’s on them," Precious whispered back. "Anyway, you should co sit with us until the King arrives."
"Oh... Thanks, but I will stay with my family for appearances. Thanks again for the kindness," Qin Li said with a bright smile, and walked back to his table.
The mont Qin Li was out of earshot, the two n burst into low, suppressed laughter.
"Hahaha, that was so good!" Thomas said, wiping a tear from his eye.
"Yeah. Playing with her was excellent," Ethan added, grinning.
"Huh??" Precious was stunned, her expression blank as she realized they had been testing her. She stared at the two, completely speechless.
"Look at you, dear," Elara revealed, crossing her arms on her chest with a smirk. "We kind of suspected you liked him. Maybe he impressed you by the way he helped the commoners yesterday."
"Oh, you can’t hide that look at all. Maybe because it’s your first ti feeling that kind of attachnt," Elara teased.
"What... What the hell are you guys saying?" Precious stamred, feeling heat rush to her cheeks, staring blankly at the group.
"Co on, sit down. You don’t have to hide it. With your background as the King’s subordinate, you have a solid footing in this kingdom’s new hierarchy. Just relax," Elara said, tapping Precious’s empty seat.
"You—"
The opportunity for Precious to retort was lost.
"Attention, Honored Guests! It’s ti to welco our future King and Queen!"
The First Elder, Nicolette—her face still carrying the faint traces of terror from the previous day—announced with a practiced smile, gesturing toward the highly decorated central staircase.
The whole room turned their heads. Sunny and Josephine began their descent. Sunny was clad head-to-toe in shimring white ceremonial robes, and Josephine in a matching gown. Both garnts were adorned with shimring blue gemstones that seed to glow with a faint, inner light as the couple moved.
The entire assembly stood up, their gazes fixed on the two figures who represented both destruction and salvation. As they made their way to the twin thrones, the three bald, sneering uncles of the late King exchanged dark glances.
The royal couple finally stopped in front of Nicolette.
’Let the fun begin,’ the three uncles thought, their eyes alight with conspiracy.
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