The sky was still dark. Scattered stars dotted the night, and a crescent moon cast a cold, silvery glow.
The night would have been beautiful—if not for that massive halo of light hanging there, far more eye-catching than the stars or the moon.
Lin Qi leaned against the balcony railing, silently staring up at the sky.
He couldn't sleep.
Even though he was already exhausted, the moment he closed his eyes, he could feel his heartbeat pounding violently—as if it were about to burst out of his chest.
It kept thumping over and over, to the point where even breathing became slightly difficult.
This was actually an old problem—probably anxiety?
He had been like this ever since he suddenly and inexplicably arrived at Chaldea.
Of course, Lin Qi knew it wasn't good for his health. He had tried to reason with himself, to convince his mind to calm down. But it didn't work at all. Things stayed the same—just as they were.
"Hah..."
Lin Qi took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled the air from his chest.
Deep breathing could at least barely suppress this inexplicable feeling.
"My guard—why do you still linger here at such an hour? Do you not wish to rest?"
Nero's voice came from behind Lin Qi.
According to Nero, Lin Qi was her personal guard—so he had to remain close to her at all times. Therefore, his quarters had been arranged right next to hers.
"It's nothing. Just… couldn't sleep a little."
Lin Qi shook his head and turned around to look at Nero.
He froze.
Nero seemed to have just returned from a bath. Her golden hair hung loosely behind her, a few stray strands playfully clinging to her forehead. A faint mist of heat still lingered around her body.
She wore a thin red dress draped over her petite body. Her full curves filled out the fabric, making it stretch tight. Her snowy shoulders were exposed to the cold air, slightly flushed from the hot water. If one looked closely, two crystal droplets of water still rested along her delicate collarbone.
Below the red dress, her legs—slender but not lacking softness—carried her forward. Her dainty, well-shaped feet, nails trimmed to perfection, stepped casually onto the red carpet. They looked like works of art displayed on a velvet tray—inviting, irresistible, begging to be admired and touched.
Nero very keenly sensed Lin Qi's gaze. Her expression instantly turned playful.
"Oh? So it seems my guard prefers my feet after all? Hm. Though that hobby is a little strange, it is not beyond my understanding."
"After all, I am the very incarnation of beauty. There is no part of this body that is not unmatched in perfection!"
As she spoke, Nero struck a dancing pose and spun in place.
The red dress fluttered in the air. Lin Qi could even see glimpses of her pale thighs between the swaying movement of the skirt. Her delicate feet traced graceful arcs along the soft carpet—like flower petals dancing lightly in a spring breeze.
Listening to Nero's words and watching her movements—Lin Qi's face reddened completely.
Even though Nero normally wore outfits that were far more revealing than this—somehow, this particular sight just hit Lin Qi much harder. Those previous revealing outfits never had much effect on him, but this—this was lethal.
"...Your Majesty looks very beautiful in that dress."
After struggling for a long time, that was the only utterly meaningless line Lin Qi managed to squeeze out.
"Heh heh! You have good taste."
This was exactly the kind of shy reaction Nero wanted to see. Her small effort to reveal some charm had not been in vain.
She stepped lightly to his side and leaned over the balcony with him.
Her generous curves pressed slightly against the railing, shifting shape with her movement. Her slightly damp golden hair lazily draped over the smooth whiteness of her chest.
Resting her fair arms on the railing, Nero tilted her head and looked at Lin Qi from the side—who was sneaking a nervous glance at her. Her smile only grew brighter.
"Do you not want to hold my feet? If you speak your heart sincerely, I may not be stingy with my reward!"
Nero raised one foot playfully, her soft toes gently brushing against the fabric of Lin Qi's pants.
Lin Qi quickly averted his eyes, refusing to meet Nero's teasing gaze.
"I'll pass…"
Unconsciously, Lin Qi reached up to touch the burn scar on his face. His expression darkened.
Nero's brilliance was too blinding. Standing before someone like her—with the way he looked now—how could he not doubt whether he had the right to walk alongside her?
The scars on his face were impossible to ignore. Nero had naturally noticed them the moment she met him, so she could easily guess what he was thinking right now.
Even Nero herself—if her face were ruined like that, she wouldn't feel good about it either.
"Emmm. You still haven't properly answered my question. After fighting for so long—if you don't get some proper rest, how are you to follow me into battle tomorrow?"
Nero hesitated for a moment—then decisively skipped this miserable topic.
"...It's just anxiety, really."
"Anxiety? I am standing right before you—what could there be for you to feel anxious about?!"
Nero straightened her back, hands on hips, full of energy.
"It's just that I keep thinking about all kinds of things—things far ahead in the future, things that may not even matter now—but I can't stop thinking, can't stop wondering what I should do…"
Lin Qi let out a small self-mocking laugh.
Maybe it was just part of who he was.
If Lin Qi had been carefree by nature—thick-skinned, easygoing—maybe he wouldn't worry so much. Maybe he could just walk wherever the road led him.
But he wasn't that kind of person. He carried a heavy sense of responsibility. He was sensitive. Before doing anything, he would think—predict consequences—wonder if he could really handle it all.
It wasn't that he would avoid doing hard things.
He would still do them—while drowning in overthinking.
Especially now—fighting alone in a foreign war—he was easily caught in endless mental exhaustion.
"I see—you're lost in the endless possibilities of the future, confused about what may come."
Nero nodded knowingly.
"That's not exactly what I meant…"
But before Lin Qi could finish—Nero suddenly raised her voice and cut him off.
"Is that not exactly the same thing?!"
"Uh—what is?"
Lin Qi blinked in confusion.
"The solution, of course! Is it not obvious?"
"You simply need to remember this—I—stand here before you!"
With a proud smile, Nero stood with hands on hips, right in front of Lin Qi.
Even though she was a head shorter than him—in that moment, her presence towered over him.
"You may face things in the future that even I cannot imagine—but here, now—your feet stand on my land!"
"You are my subject!"
"All the uncertainty before you—the hesitations, anxieties, the possibility of failure at the end of the road—let all of that be borne by me!"
"I shall cut through the fog of the unknown—I shall break through every barrier in our path to victory—and open before you the road to freedom that lies ahead—!"
"And you—need only follow in my footsteps—and quietly witness my glory!"
Silence lingered for two seconds.
A breeze drifted in from beyond the balcony—and Lin Qi returned to himself.
So no matter where I go—I always end up being the one protected, huh…
Looking at the small emperor before him, Lin Qi let out a helpless smile.
"Then—I'll leave it all in Your Majesty's hands?"
"Mhm! You may place your full trust in me!"
Nero nodded proudly—then suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Oh—right! I went to take a bath earlier and completely forgot to bring something!"
Without finishing her sentence—she ran off barefoot, disappearing into the depths of her chambers—her voice trailing behind her.
"Wait here! Do NOT wander off! I'll be right back!"
Watching the red silhouette disappear, Lin Qi quietly guessed.
So… she went to get something—for me?
About a few minutes passed.
Nero returned—hands held behind her back—hiding whatever she brought.
"Tadaa! Well? Are you surprised?"
She didn't tease him or make him guess. She simply stepped closer—and held out the gift she had prepared for her personal guard.
Lin Qi looked at what she held.
"This is… a mask?"
Resting in Nero's fair palm was a half-face mask—gold and white in color—with red roses inlaid along the design.
"Correct! I noticed the scars on your face long ago. So when we returned, I immediately summoned my imperial artisans to craft this mask for you—I designed it, of course. Only I could create such a beautiful masterpiece!"
Nero spoke proudly.
"You refused all my previous rewards—but this one, you have no right to decline!"
She forcefully pressed the mask into Lin Qi's hands.
Your Majesty… do you even remember what your previous rewards were…
Lin Qi didn't refuse. He simply examined it briefly—then put on the mask.
Her natural talent truly was terrifying. Even without measuring beforehand—the mask fit Lin Qi's face perfectly.
Not the slightest discomfort.
"Mhm! Just as I thought—without those awful scars in the way—you are indeed quite the handsome man!"
Nero nodded in satisfaction.
With half his burnt face covered, and with Nero's elegant design—the boost in Lin Qi's appearance was beyond obvious.
Even Nero, who had very high standards in aesthetics—looked pleased.
"That's a bit exaggerated…"
Lin Qi still didn't feel confident about his looks.
He didn't think he was handsome at all.
"Even if YOU lack confidence in your appearance—you must trust my judgement. I would never lie when it comes to beauty!"
Nero declared firmly.
Her thoughts jumped quickly—and after glancing up at the pure night sky—her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Oh—tonight's weather is truly lovely. In that case—"
Nero extended her hand toward Lin Qi.
"My guard—would you dance with me?"
"Huh? Me?"
Lin Qi pointed at himself in disbelief.
"Of course. There's no one else here—and with that mask, you already look like you're at a ball."
"But I don't know a single thing about dancing…"
"That hardly matters! I haven't enjoyed myself properly in so long. I finally have free time—don't you dare spoil my mood!"
Pretending to be angry, Nero grabbed Lin Qi's hand and pulled him inside.
Unable to resist, Lin Qi allowed himself to be dragged along by the willful emperor.
Standing on the soft carpet, Nero was still barefoot—her pale skin unstained and flawless.
"Your hands go like this… and like this… As for your feet—just follow my steps. It's only dancing—surely you can manage that."
Nero gently held Lin Qi's right hand with her left—and placed her other hand on his shoulder.
"Haha—i-is that so…"
Under Nero's guidance, Lin Qi stiffly wrapped his left hand around Nero's slender, soft waist.
They were so close—he could easily catch the intoxicating rose fragrance from Nero's body.
Compared to how relaxed she was—Lin Qi moved like a jammed machine.
"Very well—then let us—begin!"
The moment they struck the proper pose—Nero gave him no time to prepare and suddenly led him in motion across the carpet.
"W-wait! Shouldn't we at least go over the steps first?!"
Panicking, Lin Qi desperately tried to follow.
Nero acted as though she heard nothing. She kept dancing—and even sped up.
Through the window of the bedchamber—under dim lighting—the two figures could be seen dancing an awkward waltz.
One moved with ease—free and unrestrained.
The other—drenched in sweat—could barely keep up.
Nero watched Lin Qi's reactions as they spun.
Her bright eyes curved like crescents.
Lin Qi never dared to look up—watching his feet in panic the whole time—terrified he might accidentally step on Nero's delicate white feet and hurt those works of art.
Seeing him like this—Nero finally couldn't hold back anymore.
Letting her body fall back with gravity—she stepped onto Lin Qi's shoes—and spun wildly, pulling him with her across the carpet.
"Pff—hahaha!"
Golden hair scattered and danced through the air. Nero's smile bloomed radiantly.
Her clear, ringing laughter echoed throughout the room—paired with Lin Qi's frantic cries of alarm—
…