Augustine’s heart leaped in alarm. His first thought was that it was Lucia, but then his gaze shifted and he saw the Nine-tailed Fox curled up on the floor under the bed, looking rather pathetic.
His gaze sharpened instantly. He strode forward and, almost subconsciously, coalesced his energy into a sharp sword, pointing it directly at the strange man on the bed. He demanded harshly, "Who are you? How dare you trespass in the Holy Female’s bedchambers!"
The very instant Augustine’s words fell, Mingye’s eyes snapped open as if triggered by so dangerous signal.
He slowly turned, his dark green eyes like deep, frigid pools, staring at Augustine with cold, intimidating power.
When Augustine saw his face clearly, his eyes narrowed, his tone filled with fury. "Mingye, what are you doing here?"
Mingye t Augustine’s gaze without fear. The corner of his mouth lifted in a slight, provocative smirk. "I’m here for my wife. Is there a problem with that?" His voice was deep and powerful, exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
Augustine’s face fell. He said grimly, "You snuck into the palace. You have no regard for the majesty of the Empire."
He drew himself up to his full height, his gaze radiating the inviolable authority of the Emperor.
But Mingye just scoffed and retorted, "Are you talking about the entire Empire, or just yourself? Your Majesty." He bit out the words ’Your Majesty’ with deliberate weight, his tone dripping with disdain for Augustine.
Augustine’s brow furrowed, and he declared loudly, "I am the symbol of the Empire! To offend is to offend the entire Empire!" The atmosphere between them instantly grew taut, as if a violent conflict could erupt at any mont.
Just then, the sound of their voices slowly roused Su Yaoyao from her sleep.
She groggily opened her eyes, not yet fully awake, hearing only the voices of two n echoing in her ears.
She rubbed her eyes, asking with a lazy, dazed air, "What’s wrong? What’s going on?"
The mont Augustine heard Su Yaoyao’s voice, he imdiately withdrew his sword. The stern expression on his face vanished, replaced by a gentle smile.
Mingye also quickly schooled his expression and said softly to Su Yaoyao, "It’s nothing, Yaoyao. His Majesty is here."
Su Yaoyao froze, her hand still at her eye. Her once-drowsy eyes flew wide as if she’d been struck by lightning, and she beca instantly more alert.
’This is bad,’ she thought. ’Mingye snuck into the palace by climbing over the wall! If His Majesty Augustine decides to make an issue of this, it’ll be serious.’
Su Yaoyao shot up into a sitting position, a pure reflex. She looked nervously at Augustine, who was standing by the bed, her heart thumping like a frightened rabbit.
She forced herself to remain calm, plastering a placating, slightly coquettish smile on her face as she said sweetly:
"Your Majesty, you’re so magnanimous. Mingye... well, he just missed so, so much that he did sothing foolish on impulse, like sneaking into the palace. So, could you maybe not punish him?"
As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with hope and pleading, looking just like a guilty child begging for forgiveness.
Looking at Su Yaoyao acting this way, the last of Augustine’s anger vanished without a trace.
He sighed helplessly and shook his head. ’So be it,’ he thought. ’What can I do when she defends him so fiercely?’
Then, Augustine lifted the food container he was holding. The gentle smile returned to his face, and he said softly, "I know you love the pastries from the Imperial Kitchen, so I had them prepared early. I was hoping you could have them as soon as you woke up."
Su Yaoyao’s eyes instantly lit up, delight twinkling in them like brilliant stars. She clapped her hands excitedly and said with a happy surprise, "Thank you, Ting! You’re the best!"
Afterward, they all sat down to eat breakfast together.
After a few bites, Su Yaoyao picked up Lucia, took out a syringe of nutrient liquid, and gently fed him.
As he ate, Lucia glanced at the two n sitting at the sa table, seemingly sharing a harmonious breakfast, and grumbled to himself.
’If I hadn’t woken up before Yaoyao and seen them at each other’s throats just now, I’d have been completely fooled by this peaceful picture.’
In truth, both Augustine and Mingye were well aware that the conflict and discord between them had long and complicated roots.
Although they had signed a peace treaty, it would still take ti to set aside their preconceived notions.
At the sa ti, they were both keenly aware that Su Yaoyao held an incredibly important place in both of their hearts.
Therefore, even though an undercurrent of hostility surged within them, they had a tacit understanding. These conflicts could be resolved in private; there was no need to compete in front of Su Yaoyao and put her in the difficult position of being caught in the middle.
After all, neither of them wanted to see her show the slightest hint of worry or sadness because of their conflicts.
Mingye thought about the one thing he absolutely had to do now that he was in the Imperial City: he still hadn’t registered his marriage with Su Yaoyao. He wasn’t her official Beast Husband yet.
Wanting to avoid any complications from delay, he turned to Su Yaoyao, his eyes filled with earnest urgency. "Yaoyao," he said, "let’s go get our marriage certificate after we finish eating. I want to beco your legal, official Beast Husband."
Hearing this, a blush instantly spread across Su Yaoyao’s fair cheeks, making her look enchantingly beautiful.
She lowered her head slightly, a shy but sweet smile playing on her lips. "Okay," she whispered.
Her voice was soft, but to Mingye’s ears, it filled his heart with joy.
Augustine, who had been eating his breakfast in silence, froze at Mingye’s words.
A flicker of dejection crossed his eyes, and a bitter feeling welled up in his heart. He found himself secretly starting to envy Mingye.
’Just when will I be able to beco Su Yaoyao’s Beast Husband?’
This feeling—of sothing being so close yet utterly unattainable—filled his heart with lancholy.
Augustine gently set down his utensils and slowly stood up. Forcing his expression to remain calm, he said, "Yaoyao, I have so docunts to attend to. I’ll get back to my work."
Su Yaoyao nodded, her heart aching a little for Augustine. "Make sure you get so rest, okay? Don’t work too hard." ’It really isn’t easy being His Majesty,’ she thought. ’There’s always an endless pile of docunts to handle.’
Augustine gave a faint smile and walked out.
Mingye watched Augustine’s retreating figure, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
anwhile, Lucia, who was still in Su Yaoyao’s arms, had also grown listless.
His head drooped, and his nine tails hung limply. His thoughts were surprisingly similar to Augustine’s.
’When will I be able to have a closer relationship with Su Yaoyao, like Mingye does?’
At this thought, he couldn’t help but let out a small sigh, looking utterly dejected.
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