.
Wang Zheng calmly observed the movement on the grand stage.
There were fewer instruments than the night before, and the sound checks had already been done. Everything pointed to Yen Bai being the one to sing. She was curious.
The queen's gaze lingered on the completely empty boxes of Liu Wei and Li Zhang. She already missed her. Restlessness filled her.
Her mind brimmed with expectations and thoughts of the future.
It seemed impossible not to think about her girlfriend. Soon, they would finally be able to attend a concert together, officially as a couple representing the royal family.
That simple thought was enough to make her cheeks warm.
"Your Majesty…"
The queen was pulled from her reverie by a male voice. She turned briefly toward it—Yen Bai stood there with her staff.
The man wore an exquisite suit, the reddish fabric contrasting with golden details.
Bloody Spring seemed to be the perfect stage for guests to flaunt their wealth and power. The queen knew well that if they could, many of them would have covered themselves entirely in gold and gemstones.
"Yen Bai."
The beta smiled, attempting to show warmth. "Tonight I will sing for Your Majesty. I hope you'll enjoy it…"
It was almost a duty for participants to greet the queen in her box, just as Chen Fu had done. Yen Bai followed the same custom.
The queen smiled in return, trying to match his courtesy. "It will be a pleasure to listen."
Yen Bai carried an odd aura—one that always left the queen unsure whether to trust him or to feel uneasy.
The beta bowed politely and left with his entourage. It wasn't more than twenty minutes later that the performance began.
Yen Bai took the stage with a massive choir. They performed traditional, romantic, and classical songs.
The beta had carefully chosen pieces recognized across the continent.
His voice filled the theater, and the queen felt her body vibrate with the rhythm.
He sang passionately, interacting with the audience, and if anyone had called him an artist, no one would have doubted it. Yen Bai carried himself exactly like one.
The show lasted about an hour, the time passing quickly.
He alternated dramatic songs with lighter ones. In one such moment, the theater went completely dark.
He closed his eyes, surrendering to the choir and the stirring sound of the orchestra.
Sweat glistened on his face. He seemed to be singing more to himself than to the queen.
As he lifted the microphone for the final song, the instruments swelled around him, but his voice didn't follow—the microphone had gone silent.
Wang Zheng noticed the commotion on stage as they scrambled to replace it.
What she didn't expect was to see movement in the boxes that had been empty until then.
Panic spread as people began rushing out.
"Huan Yang, go see what's happening—"
A deafening blast shook the air.
BOOOOM!
The queen barely had time to finish her sentence before the explosion cut her off.
Huan Yang pulled her into his arms to shield her. Neither knew what was happening.
The only thing Wang Zheng could be certain of was that Huan Yang had fainted against her.
He was taller and heavier, and she couldn't bear the sudden weight. Both collapsed to the ground.
Screams echoed around her, followed by the crashing of debris.
She couldn't tell if seconds or minutes passed, but eventually guards reached her, hurriedly pulling Huan Yang's body off and rushing her toward safety.
"Get the queen out! The ceiling is coming down!"
Meanwhile, inside the palace, Liu Wei and Li Zhang were chatting animatedly.
They had already eaten dinner and were now sharing ice cream, their laughter filling the room.
Li Zhang was indeed a charming woman. Liu Wei hoped, deep down, that she could stay in touch with her even after all this was over.
Good friends were rare—like flowers blooming in the desert.
Li Zhang popped a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth, her eyes lingering on the young princess. They hadn't brought up the obvious subject—the queen—but sooner or later they would have to.
After all, it hadn't gone unnoticed that the queen had opened Liu Wei's door while she was supposedly asleep.
"Weiwei… are you and the queen together?"
"What do you think?"
Li Zhang chuckled. "I think that would make a great romance plot."
The rose-scented young omega had already suspected there was something unusual between Liu Wei and Wang Zheng. Yet after learning of the strong diplomatic ties between Wang and Martana, she had convinced herself that their closeness was nothing more than friendship.
But her doubts lingered, and each day the queen and little princess seemed closer and more entwined.
Liu Wei briefly lowered her gaze. A pang of guilt struck her—she had stolen Li Zhang's chance to win Wang Zheng.
But despite the guilt, she felt no regret.
"It just… happened."
A deep sense of belonging welled up inside her. Wang Zheng was hers. Hers alone.
Li Zhang smiled faintly, though awkwardly. Yes, she had lost to that child.
A soft sigh escaped her lips, tinged with regret.
She wasn't sad exactly, but the bitterness of defeat was hard to ignore.
"Well, I understand… Who would've thought the queen would actually choose an omega…"
Liu Wei smiled at her words. She was right—few would have guessed it.
"Yes, you were right all along."
Li Zhang knew their relationship would cause scandal if revealed, but the temptation to know more was irresistible.
"How long have you two been together?"
Liu Wei couldn't help but smile under her friend's curious gaze. It reminded her of long conversations about boyfriends and their adventures.
"Not that long…"
Li Zhang thought for a moment. She could sense hesitation in the young omega's voice.
"Are you afraid it won't work out? That you won't have time to truly date?"
The young princess let out a weary smile. She was terrified—but would she admit it so plainly?
She toyed with her fingers, then sighed deeply.
"Mom and Dad would probably arrange a marriage for me. I'd have a child or two and pretend to be happy… The future is uncertain, and yes, I'm scared. But I've already made my choice."
There was no future for her if Wang Zheng wasn't part of it. Liu Wei already knew that.
Li Zhang was taken aback by the maturity in the little princess's words, and saddened too, knowing she was burdened with so many duties and expectations.
Li Zhang herself was a princess only when convenient.
She didn't have to deal with arranged marriages or obligations for her nation.
Maybe now she understood how fortunate she was to be free to choose her own path.
"I see. You're so mature for your age…"
Liu Wei chuckled softly. "You think so?"
Li Zhang nodded. "Yes. I probably never married because I'm no longer a princess. My father doesn't need to force me into it."
"Aren't you interested in anyone? Do you like omegas?"
Li Zhang had never defined her attraction. She liked people.
But when it came to pheromones, she couldn't deny her fondness for the sweet, mellow scent of omegas.
"I like the smell… It's so sweet. Addictive."
Their conversation was cut short by the ringing of Li Zhang's phone.
"Hi, Mom… Explosion? No, I didn't go tonight… I see."
Liu Wei's heart clenched at Li Zhang's anxious expression as she listened to the call.
She leaned in, trying to catch every word, hoping to piece together what had happened.
But she already knew—something terrible had.
"Liu Wei… there was an explosion at the theater."