“Qianya, you serious?” The black‑haired elf named Ningqin stared, her golden eyes catching light like coins in a brazier, astonishment rippling through them.

“Mm… everyone, I have to go to the capital’s underground palace.” Her voice was calm, like moonlight over stone. “I already knew last time that Crimson Goose had betrayed us. I risked coming back because that underground palace holds a reason I can’t ignore.”

Qianya took a sip of water, cool as spring from a jade cup, then went on. “There’s another reason. The seal on the City of Woe may not be fully undone. Back then, I laid more than one seal beneath the imperial palace. Even if the original seal broke, mine remain. Crimson Goose won’t stroll in so easily.”

“Right now, we send a hard‑hitting squad and throw bait on the water—make it look like we plan to fight her for the City of Woe. She’ll mass her troops there, like wolves around fresh prey.”

“We seize the chance and take back Solitary Shadow City.”

Qianya swept her gaze across them, steady as a blade held level, then drew a long breath. “If I can make that trip to the underground palace, my strength will step up again. Even Crimson Goose, as she is now, won’t be a problem.”

“Really?! If Your Majesty grows stronger, this war could end!” Hope leaped like sparks in dry grass.

“Mm.” Qianya let a small smile bloom, light as dawn. “Duchess Zihua, I have that confidence.”

“That’s… that’s wonderful. Phew…” Duchess Zihua sagged into her chair, the sigh rustling like wind through reeds.

Among the dukes present, Zihua was the weakest. If war broke, her lands would bleed first, like fields under hail. Yet she chose to stand with Qianya’s side, the side seen as weaker. That warmed Qianya, like embers under ash.

“Then it’s settled. In a few days, we rally the army and strike Solitary Shadow City.”

“Yes!”

The room’s mood surged, a drumbeat before storm. What came next could tilt the war’s fate.

After the council broke, everyone returned to their camps like lanterns dispersing at dusk. Qianya sat alone, staring through the window at a night that felt deep as ink.

When this war ends… where do I go? What do I do? The thought rose like mist, then chilled.

The Duskmoon Empire is a tangle of thorns after this civil war. It’ll need long seasons to heal, like a forest after fire. My time to find her… gets pushed back again.

At that thought, impatience pricked her skin like nettles.

If not for Crimson Goose, I’d have set the empire in order already. I’d have slipped away to find that little one.

Her face darkened, storm under porcelain. The cup in her hand cracked with a sharp cry, shattering under the press of ambient mana.

But soon…

A wish I’ve carried for years will finally come true. When it’s over, I can—

“Qianya.” Ningqin’s voice came from the shadows, smooth as a cat stepping out of ink.

“Sis Ningqin, do you need something?” Qianya turned slightly, calm water over stone.

“Are you really serious today?” Doubt furrowed Ningqin’s brow, like lines in sand. “Only the two of us have traded blows with Crimson Goose, so only we know her true strength. Last time, together, we barely held under her pressure and pulled everyone back. And you said one trip to the underground palace lets you counter her? In the meeting, I wasn’t sure if you were steadying everyone, so I stayed quiet. Here, as your elder sis, I’ll ask straight—do you really have the confidence?”

Silence settled, cool as night dew.

Qianya drew a deep breath, like a diver before cold water. “Sis Ningqin, I’m serious.”

“At Heavenly Melody Academy, I found what I needed. Now I just need one trip to the underground palace to mend a flaw in myself. For over a thousand years, my bloodline kept me stuck, like chains under velvet. Even though my magic long surpassed my current realm, I couldn’t take the next step. But I’ve found the way. If I can purify my bloodline, I’m confident I can reach True God tier.”

Her mother came from the royal line of the Blood Elves. Her father was a half‑blood, Vampire and Blood Elf both. They lived far from the capital, in countryside lit by birdsong and slow afternoons. On idle days, her parents took her roaming like swallows across fields. They weren’t rich, but life was bright as lanterns. Then a disaster came, sudden as a night knife, and of the three, only Qianya survived.

Ningqin’s gaze turned complicated, clouds crossing the moon. “Qianya… I don’t get why you cling so hard to the Duskmoon Empire’s throne. For more than a thousand years, you poured almost all your everyday life into shoring up your crown. The weak have no right to be king, so for strength you stayed home for centuries, not one step outside. Is it really worth it?”

“If you’d asked me before, I’d say ‘worth it’ without blinking.” Qianya’s eyes wavered, like a star behind thin cloud. “But now… I don’t know.”

Before, I chased strength to honor my promise to Mother—be queen, let the Blood Clan live well. Now, I chase strength… to hold tight to what’s mine.

Only the Queen of the Blood has that right. Only the Queen of the Blood has a voice on this continent.

If I want a future with her, this seat is necessary.

Ningqin eyed Qianya’s bowed head and couldn’t help it. “Qianya? Do you… have someone?”

“Sis Ningqin?!” Qianya flushed, rosy as dawn on snow. “What are you even saying!”

Ningqin’s smile curled, playful as a fox. “You looked exactly like the tragic sap in manga who fights his heart out for a little girlfriend~ So I wondered if you had someone~”

“Tragic sap?” Qianya’s brow pinched, a line drawn with ink.

“Ah, that’s my professional jargon~ eheh.” Ningqin twirled a fingertip, eyes darting aside. “And no, I didn’t pick it up from some random comic!”

Qianya gave her a flat look, cool as slate. “No one alive—or dead—would buy that.”

“Sis Ningqin, go rest. I want some quiet.”

“Quiet—so that’s her name? Sounds like a girl. Didn’t expect you to like girls, Qianya…” Ningqin’s eyes lit with gossip, sparks on kindling. “So, how far are you two? Kissed yet? Done it? Does she like someone else?!”

Her excitement climbed, and a blush rose on her pretty face like wine warming porcelain.

“Get out!” Qianya snapped, temper flaring like a whip. She kicked, and Ningqin tumbled out of the room.

“Wah!”

Bang!

Qianya slammed the door, thunder in wood.

“Mm… I only asked a few more questions.” Ningqin pouted, then rubbed her backside and stood to leave, steps light as a cat. “As expected… girls in love blush easy. The book was right.”

Qianya leaned against the door, gaze distant, mind drifting like a paper boat on dark water.

“Love… is it?”