.
Liu Wei felt completely stunned. An explosion?
Her first instinct was to leap to her feet, rush to the closet, and grab the first set of clothes her eyes landed on.
She snatched a random outfit and tossed it onto the bed.
Li Zhang stood frozen in disbelief. What in the world was happening?! She watched Liu Wei darting across the room, yet her own body wouldn't even flinch.
Would the queen be safe?
Liu Wei hurriedly finished dressing and ran after Anna, calling out, "Anna!"
Anna hadn't yet been told about the explosion or any kind of unusual event. All she could notice was how shaken and restless young Liu Wei appeared.
The young omega was never one to lose control so easily. Impulsive, yes, but usually methodical, always weighing the best course of action. To see her this unsettled was deeply unusual.
Anna's expression betrayed her confusion. "Princess?"
Liu Wei barely responded. All she wanted was to reach Wang Zheng as quickly as possible.
"Get the car ready. We're going to the royal hospital. And start calling Huan Yang for news of the queen."
Anna didn't ask questions. She simply nodded and hurried away.
Li Zhang remained in Liu Wei's room, still trying to follow the princess's frantic reasoning. "You're going there?"
The little princess gave a nervous nod. She wasn't one to talk much when on edge. "I'm going…"
She reached for her phone, scrolling quickly for any sign of Wang Zheng or Huan Yang. Instead, she stumbled upon a message from Qui Mei—her cousin was letting her know she'd be at the theater that night.
A chill ran down Liu Wei's body, her hands trembling. "Damn… Qui Mei is there too."
Li Zhang raked her fingers through her hair in disbelief. She could hardly process that this was really happening.
When Anna returned, Liu Wei didn't wait. She spoke while already striding toward the palace exit.
The car waiting outside was the same one she had driven the day she met Wang Zheng. The memory made her heart tighten even more.
She swung open the driver's side door, but just as she was about to slide into the seat, someone grabbed her wrist. "Princess…"
Liu Wei hated being stopped. Her anguished, impatient glare fell directly on Anna, who took a deep breath, trying to calm the young omega. But she knew it was useless.
"What is it, Anna?"
"Please—let me drive."
Liu Wei didn't even let her finish. She slipped into the seat and started the engine.
Anna sighed. She knew Liu Wei was an excellent driver, but watching her like this, agitated and reckless, felt dangerous.
Liu Wei gestured toward the passenger seat, silently telling her to get in.
Anna circled the car, fastened her seat belt, and murmured, "Just put the address in the GPS."
The princess handled the wheel deftly, but the sound of Li Zhang running toward them interrupted the moment.
"I'm going with you!"
Liu Wei slammed the brakes just long enough for her to jump inside, and in seconds the car was racing again.
The hospital was barely ten minutes from the palace. Liu Wei's foot pressed mercilessly on the accelerator.
She glanced briefly at Anna, who was fiddling with her phone. "Did you reach anyone?"
Anna's eyes were heavy with worry. "No… neither Huan Yang nor Miss Qui Mei's assistant is answering."
Liu Wei exhaled hard, emptying her lungs as though trying to release the weight pressing against her chest. "I hope you don't mind if I drive faster."
Anna feared speed—and Liu Wei knew it. The fact that she was pushing the car so hard only proved how anxious the princess really was.
"Miss…"
The sound of Anna's voice grounded her slightly. Liu Wei eased off the pedal, murmuring, "Everything's fine…"
When they finally arrived, the hospital entrance was swarming with journalists and citizens, desperate for information.
Her pulse quickened as she pushed her way through. After a struggle, she managed to slip inside.
Security guards fought to hold back the flood of people. Many tried to bluff their way in with excuses just to get close to the queen.
Liu Wei had no excuse either—only her family connection to Qui Mei granted her access.
Her heart was a storm of emotions. Her girlfriend and her cousin could both be hurt. She whispered silent prayers for their safety.
At the reception desk, a woman met her gaze.
"I need to know if someone named Qui Mei was admitted here."
The receptionist typed briskly. "And your name?"
"Liu Wei. I'm her cousin."
A few seconds later, the woman nodded. "She's being evaluated by the doctor right now. Please wait in the waiting room down this corridor to the left. The doctor will update you shortly."
Liu Wei followed the instructions, with Anna and Li Zhang close behind.
As she walked, her eyes searched desperately for any glimpse of Wang Zheng.
The hallways were filled with people in fine clothes—some injured, others simply panicked.
Finally in the waiting room, Liu Wei sank into a chair, frustration and helplessness overwhelming her. Li Zhang sat quietly beside her.
The princess forced a nervous smile at her. "Anna, please… look for any sign of Huan Yang or Wang Zheng."
Anna hesitated, reluctant to leave her. Li Zhang, sensing it, spoke gently: "I'll stay with her."
Anna sighed, half-relieved, half-weary. "Alright."
Silence settled between the two girls as the waiting room grew more crowded by the minute.
News spread that the explosion had occurred in one of the empty theater boxes. Most injuries came from debris as the roof partially collapsed, though some people suffered burns and serious wounds.
Word finally reached them that the queen had survived unharmed—but Liu Wei hadn't yet seen her with her own eyes.
Her heart remained restless, full of doubt.
A doctor entered the waiting room, instantly surrounded by anxious families. "Is there anyone here from Miss Qui Mei's family or staff?"
Liu Wei leapt to her feet with Li Zhang at her side. "I'm her cousin."
He guided them into a quieter hallway to speak.
"Miss Qui Mei suffered a fracture in her right arm, which we're immobilizing now. She also has minor first-degree burns, but she's completely out of danger."
Relief washed over Liu Wei. The weight on her shoulders lightened at last.
"She'll need to stay under observation overnight and rest for at least a week."
Liu Wei nodded, then remembered something. "Her assistant—she was with her. How is she?"
"What's her name?"
"Kim Mi-suk."
The doctor flipped through his notes and found the entry.
"She's also under observation. Miss Mi-suk was found unconscious, so we're monitoring for neurological concerns. But no fractures or burns were found."
"Alright," Liu Wei replied softly.
"She's already been admitted to a room in the infirmary. Please, follow me."
As they started walking, Liu Wei noticed Li Zhang wasn't following. She turned, arching a brow. "Not coming?"
The scene felt almost comical. Li Zhang looked embarrassed, clearly flustered about seeing Qui Mei.
The rose-scented omega really did shrink in her presence—adorably so.
"I can?"
Liu Wei chuckled warmly. "Of course."