"Who?"
Yae blinked, her voice tinged with confusion.
"Sister—"
Seeing Yae still enjoying her breakfast, Makoto puffed out her cheeks.
She nudged Yae's shoulder and said, "Haven't you noticed yet?"
"When Yū mentioned that woman this morning, his eyes were clearly off!"
Her sister, naturally a bit stubborn and not very smart.
Now, after getting pregnant, she's become even more obtuse!
"Heh, someone's trying to steal home... Who is it this time?"
Ei chuckled, propping her chin with her hand, her tone playful.
That certain sinner was truly popular.
It seemed like she needed to give him a good "lesson."
The pink-haired fox lady was already concocting interesting prank ideas.
"?"
Yae's gaze was distant, and she indifferently glanced at the smiling Ei.
Who was trying to steal home, didn't they have any self-awareness?
This best friend couldn't be kept.
"Alright, alright, Yae."
Ei picked up a skewer of Dango and offered it to her.
As a best friend, delicious treats should naturally be shared.
Here, the sweets are yours, and the man is mine.
What do you think, isn't that a good deal?
"Not interested, just put it there."
Yae snorted.
"Oh?"
Ei was slightly surprised when Yae showed no interest in the sweets.
Yae's reaction today was unusual.
She had a large appetite, yet didn't want sweets?
As Yae's best friend, the cunning fox lady sensed something was amiss.
Things were getting interesting.
"Hmm? Why are you suddenly so serious?"
Housai Palace was a little confused, witnessing the daily banter between these women for the first time.
What did "stealing home" even mean?
Makoto's expression was similar to the last time she showed it during the Archon War.
But the Archon War had ended a long time ago, hadn't it?
"..."
The women present silently shook their heads.
After all, Housai Palace was a neutral party; it was normal for her not to know.
"Sister, what exactly is going on?"
Yae put down her chopsticks.
After Makoto's mention, she had become curious as well.
"Sister, don't you think there's something unusual between Yū and the Cryo Archon?"
Makoto leaned forward, her hands on the wooden table, her expression solemn.
The hint of white beneath her kimono exuded immense pressure.
As expected of the elder sister of the supreme leader.
"Yū will not leave Inazuma."
Yae said softly.
It was impossible for the Cryo Archon to win over Qin Yū.
What could she offer Yū?
Power? Authority? Status?
Not only could she provide all of these, but she could even have children with him.
Could the Tsaritsa do that?
Wait a moment.
"...?"
The smile on Yae's lips slowly disappeared.
The memories of the Archon War were still vivid.
Not to mention that night between her and her sister, the Great Yaksha King, and Nahida...
How many Archons were already by Yū's side?
Could it be that...
"Sister, the Cryo Archon might be problematic."
Makoto nodded gently and held Yae's hand.
They must protect Yū and not let the Tsaritsa exploit any loopholes!
"Sister, what should I do?"
Yae's expression gradually became serious.
Yes, this Archon War was far from over.
"Sister, let's go to the Tsaritsa's place together!"
"Okay."
All the women said in unison.
Well, there were also the two fox ladies.
...
Meanwhile.
Qin, a certain individual, was unaware of what awaited him.
"Close the door."
The Tsaritsa's voice was calm, as if she were stating a trivial matter.
"...Yes."
Sandrone, though a bit unwilling, could only nod.
She cast a lingering glance at Qin Yū.
My partner, you mustn't have any strange thoughts about the noble Her Majesty the Tsaritsa.
What if she discovers something...
"Cough, cough."
Qin, a certain individual, nodded with a serious expression.
Just kidding, he was the most proper person.
"Sister Columbina, let's go."
Sandrone sighed softly, stood up, bowed, and took her leave.
"Mm."
Columbina nodded lightly.
She moved with light steps, her posture graceful and elegant.
As she passed by Qin Yū, her steps paused slightly.
"Qin Yū."
"What is it?"
"Remember to express your sincere apologies to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa."
"...I will."
Qin Yū scratched his head.
"..."
Columbina's lips curved slightly.
Suddenly, she leaned closer to Qin Yū and whispered:
"Her Majesty the Tsaritsa is very unhappy."
"After all, she took a long time to dress up, only to be drenched by someone."
"...!"
Qin Yū's heart skipped a beat.
Columbina was reminding him.
Had she already figured something out?
"You understand, right?"
Columbina's voice was like a lover's, elegant and mysterious.
...
With a soft click, the door was shut.
Inside the small room, only Qin Yū and the Tsaritsa remained.
"..."
Qin Yū looked at the Tsaritsa.
She had a cold expression, emanating an aura of aloofness that kept others at bay.
"I'll come over."
Qin, a certain individual, cleared his throat and walked over.
He didn't sit down but stood beside the Tsaritsa.
From this angle, he could see...
Very white hair.
"?"
The Tsaritsa snorted, making no comment.
"I'm sorry about this morning."
Qin Yū said softly and reached out his hand.
His fingertips felt a smooth, silky texture.
He gently lifted the Tsaritsa's long hair.
It was still a bit damp and clumped together from being hit by the water gun.
He silently dried it.
"Such beautiful hair, you must have spent a long time styling it."
Qin Yū murmured, as if observing a delicate piece of art.
"..."
The Tsaritsa felt his gentle movements, and her expression softened slightly.
She raised her face, gazing at the man who dared to approach and touch her.
Qin Yū was the first, and he would be the only one.
The two of them met each other's eyes.
Finally, Qin Yū smiled.
He was steady.
With Columbina's hint, coaxing the Tsaritsa was indeed highly effective.
The Tsaritsa furrowed her brows, "What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing, I just think Her Majesty the Tsaritsa looks quite beautiful today."
Qin Yū's words were light and natural, as was the truth.
He was honest, worthy of praise.
"Hmph, such a glib tongue."
A curve appeared at the corners of the Tsaritsa's lips.
It proved that even a domineering CEO couldn't be completely immune to the sweet talk from her younger boyfriend.
If you can talk, say more.
"This is the utmost truth."
Qin, a certain individual, smiled.
His fingertips brushed aside the strands of hair covering the Tsaritsa's nape. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Her fair skin was revealed, like warm jade.
The curve of the Tsaritsa's shoulder was elegant and exquisite.
"Tired?"
Qin, a certain individual, asked tentatively.
This was rare one-on-one time.
Would she like a massage to relax?
"What do you want to do?"
The Tsaritsa asked deliberately.
"...Nothing."
Qin Yū coughed lightly.
Damn it, he didn't want to pretend anymore.
"What do you mean by 'nothing'?"
The Tsaritsa propped her face with one hand and asked unhurriedly.
Her silver-gray hair cascaded down, with natural waves, beautiful as ice and snow.
She crossed her legs, her toes playfully hooking her high heels, swinging slightly in the air.
"No one to disturb us."
Qin, a certain individual's, gaze inadvertently shifted to her high heels.
Certain memories surfaced in his mind.
When did she take off her shoes, and why haven't they fallen off yet?
"Disturb what?"
The Tsaritsa's lips curved, and a hint of inexplicable light flashed in her beautiful eyes.
If you say it, perhaps I'll consider it.
"Uh... it's just..."
Qin, a certain individual, opened his mouth and was about to speak.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.
The intimate atmosphere instantly evaporated.
The Tsaritsa's beautiful eyes turned cold.
Was someone else disturbing her and her little boyfriend's private time again?
"Yū—!"
Qin Yū's eyes widened slowly as he heard the voice.
An inexplicable sense of tension surged through him.
"It's Sister Makoto."
Why was she here to see the Tsaritsa?!