.
Huan Yang was waiting for the queen at the palace entrance.
The car was already parked, ready to take her to the theater.
That same theater would host the entire week's second stage of Bloody Spring.
The queen quickly stepped into the vehicle, with Huan Yang following right after. The alpha could clearly sense another pheromone lingering close to the queen's own—sweet and pleasant.
Wang Zheng wasn't used to seeing Huan Yang so rarely. Normally he was always at her side, faithfully following her everywhere, protecting and advising.
Now they were finally on their way to that evening's performance.
Tonight, it would be Yen Bai's turn. Although the queen wasn't particularly eager for her performance, she held a quiet hope that she wouldn't be disappointed.
She smiled, content.
Huan Yang noticed her peaceful, happy expression and couldn't help but feel curious. She and Liu Wei were obviously close.
But how close, exactly?
"Your Majesty seems happy."
The queen smiled. Yes, she was.
Wang Zheng felt a warm, grateful happiness—as if the world itself had grown lighter.
"Does it show?"
The beginning of Bloody Spring had felt like the beginning of her unraveling. She had no positive feelings about it at all and had even considered making a scandal just to avoid marriage.
She had once believed she would likely be the last of her dynasty.
Would the Wang family, after so many years and conquests, truly come to such an end? It was unfortunate, but it had felt inevitable.
"Your Majesty has already made her decision, then."
She nodded. Her heart was clear. "Yes… I want Liu Wei to be my wife."
"Does she know that you will need an heir?"
"Yes, but let's take it one step at a time… Bloody Spring must end first."
Wang Zheng knew it was essential to keep her relationship with Liu Wei secret for now. But when the competition was over, there would still be many issues to face. They were both omegas, and it was impossible for them to conceive an heir naturally.
Tradition dictated that a queen and princess should accept a good alpha, bear several children, and live dutifully for their kingdoms.
Family and the crown were supposed to come first.
And yet, they had chosen—almost instinctively—to live without regrets, without fear. They knew the worst was still ahead, and though they couldn't yet imagine how bad it might be, they were ready to face it together.
The queen blushed at the thought that she was already, in a way, engaged. "He agreed."
Bloody Spring remained the greatest obstacle between them.
After all, it wasn't just a contest for Wang Zheng's heart, but for her title, her fortune, her companies, her land…
Each contestant held a secret desire to be chosen, to share her throne.
The entire process was meant to be slow and deliberate. A choice would only be made at the end, after much deliberation. After all, the competition had been demanded precisely because the late king had shown no interest in producing heirs or securing the dynasty's future.
At first, Wang Zheng had been ready to choose anyone—or perhaps no one at all. But Liu Wei had revealed herself to be a rare gem she simply couldn't give up.
And she wouldn't.
Huan Yang glanced at the papers in his hands and noticed a receipt. He had purchased the television the queen requested. "It's already bought, and should be installed tomorrow."
"Excellent."
Huan Yang was curious about these changes. A television was a big step for someone who only used a computer out of obligation. He often wondered how the queen managed to live in such isolation.
It was no secret that she kept a phone only to stay in contact with the hospital and its staff.
The computer was for reading and writing documents. She didn't watch movies or shows, didn't seek out ebooks, wasn't even interested in music.
She had no passion for cars or electronics of any kind.
The palace was grand and beautiful, but also undeniably outdated.
The décor hadn't changed in at least two generations; most of the furniture and structure remained intact.
The only improvement Wang Zheng had ever made was a renovation of the ventilation system. She had never even considered changing the rest.
Huan Yang privately thought Liu Wei didn't seem like the type to enjoy living in such an old, traditional space. It was amusing to watch the queen slowly step into a world so unlike her own. "Does Your Majesty intend to renovate the palace again?"
Perhaps that was the joy of loving someone so different—always learning, always discovering.
She looked at him curiously, catching the smile on her secretary's face. He was clearly enjoying this. "Do you think it's necessary?"
He thought for a moment, then nodded sincerely. "There has never been a true modernization here. You only touched the ventilation system."
The queen considered this seriously. He was right.
She had never cared about rooms beyond her own, nor about subjects beyond her research on pheromones.
Her days already felt exhausting, filled with work. Coming home to more concerns had never appealed to her.
But the brief thought of seeing Liu Wei choose a sofa, or maybe a wallpaper pattern… That sounded like a memory worth creating. "Prepare a plan for renovating the palace… And what about the house in the forest?"
Though it hadn't been long since the first stage of Bloody Spring, she already had plans for that little house hidden among the trees.
Yes, that house could truly be a queen's home.
The renovations and cleaning Liu Wei had done there had revealed how precarious the structure was after a decade of abandonment.
The place had only survived because of the support beams the young princess had insisted upon. Without them, the house would have collapsed.
For Wang Zheng, that house was like a glimpse of paradise. A refuge. A home they could build together—with a stream, a garden, flowers and fruit trees.
Maybe it was when the soft light fell on Liu Wei's face, or when they sat talking under the old apple tree… Maybe that was when she first fell in love.
She couldn't be sure. But she knew the place was filled with meaning, with emotions—and she wanted Liu Wei's presence to mark every corner.
Her scent, her clothes, her books.
It was clear: the house was meant for them.
She was determined to restore it completely and offer it as a gift to Liu Wei. That little piece of heaven would no longer be hers alone—it would be theirs.
"They're having trouble with the structure. Without those beams Liu Wei requested, the house wouldn't have lasted much longer."
It almost felt symbolic—Liu Wei arriving to save her from collapse. The queen smiled, satisfied.
Now she would take care of everything, so they could live well together.
"I see. Make it perfect… It will be my engagement gift to Liu Wei."
Huan Yang looked surprised, but nodded and made a note in his small book.
Everything would be perfect.