Vol 3. Chapter 49: Hostility
Three days later...
...would be Xue Tianao's coronation ceremony.
According to the laws of the Snow Night Empire, once the ceremony concluded, Xue Tianao would officially receive the crown bestowed by the ancestral spirit of the Founding Emperor, truly becoming the Emperor of the Snow Night Empire and obtaining the right to open the Imperial Mausoleum Treasury.
As for what was hidden inside that treasury...
Who knew?
Yumo didn't particularly care.
At the moment, Miss Yumo's heart was filled only with curiosity and confusion.
"Xue Tianao... inviting me to the Imperial Palace for dinner on the eve of his coronation, when he should be at his busiest...? What on earth is that supposed to mean?"
As she spoke...
The scene from yesterday's banquet, when she had met Xue Tianao, surfaced once more in her mind, causing obvious displeasure to slowly appear in the black-haired girl's ruby-red eyes.
At this point...
Yumo held nothing but disdain for his invitation.
Meanwhile...
Apparently noticing the contempt and indifference in the black-haired girl's eyes, Toma's growing anger gradually overwhelmed the unease and apprehension he had originally felt.
As Xue Tianao's loyal guard, Toma's respect for him was beyond measure.
Had Xue Tianao not extended a helping hand all those years ago, the orphaned Toma would most likely have frozen to death in the endless winter.
Thanks to Xue Tianao's assistance...
Not only had his family escaped poverty...
He himself had grown into a Seventh-Tier powerhouse and become a man worthy of standing tall.
Xue Tianao had given him a second life.
To Toma...
He was nothing less than a god.
Anyone who dared insult his god...
...would receive no courtesy from him.
Yet the black-haired girl before him clearly held not the slightest respect for Xue Tianao.
If anything, her tone was full of contempt.
His Majesty Xue Tianao is willing to invite you.
That is your honor!
And yet you don't even know how to appreciate it?!
Unable to suppress his anger any longer, Toma instinctively prepared to stand and reprimand the black-haired girl.
However...
Before he could even rise—
Two overwhelming forces descended from above without warning, crashing down upon his shoulders.
Toma's expression changed instantly.
A bead of cold sweat slowly rolled down his forehead.
The body he had just begun to lift...
...was forcibly pressed straight back into the sofa.
?!
Th-These two women...?! When did they...?
Only then did he realize that Qiu Mingtong and Zhong Xizhi, who had been quietly standing behind Yumo moments ago, had somehow appeared behind him without his noticing.
Before he could make a move, both women had simultaneously placed a hand on him, completely suppressing both his body and the battle aura flowing through it.
The commander of the Imperial Guard had no choice but to obediently sit back down.
No matter how fiercely he struggled...
The two women didn't budge in the slightest.
At that moment...
Toma's rugged face filled with shock and frustration.
His face had turned completely red from restrained fury.
Seeing this...
Miss Yumo let out a helpless sigh.
Annoying as the Child of Destiny might be...
He was still someone blessed by fate.
One of the prophesied saviors of the world.
His future achievements would be immeasurable.
If the Black Rose Family provoked Xue Tianao...
Wouldn't they become one of those disposable villain families that always got wiped out in novels?
If she wanted the Black Rose Family to continue existing after she eventually left this world...
Enmm...
It would probably be best not to make things too awkward with Xue Tianao.
Thinking of that, Miss Yumo revealed a faintly apologetic smile.
"My apologies, Sir Toma."
"I had no intention of disrespecting His Majesty Xue Tianao."
"I was merely... surprised."
"I never expected him to value us so highly that he'd personally invite me to the Imperial Palace..."
As she spoke...
Yumo subtly shot Qiu Mingtong and Zhong Xizhi a meaningful glance.
Although unwilling, the two women obediently withdrew the pressure suppressing Toma.
Having regained his freedom, Toma wisely refrained from causing further trouble.
After taking a deep breath, he barely managed to regain his previous composure.
"There's no need to be surprised, Miss Yumo."
"The Sadik Empire is the greatest nation in the south."
"As envoys of the Sadik Empire, it is only natural that His Majesty values your delegation."
"His Majesty hopes that the grievances between the Sadik Empire and our Snow Night Empire can come to an end during his reign."
"Only then can our two nations unite as one and eradicate those loathsome, hideous Abyss Demons lurking within the Great Winter Forest."
Toma spoke with complete seriousness.
However...
As he spoke, an inexplicable chill suddenly ran down his back.
After shivering involuntarily, he continued.
"In order to resolve the conflict between our nations, His Majesty has demonstrated complete sincerity."
"This includes mining rights in the northern territories, a new trade agreement, opening the border, cooperation in developing new weapons, and many other matters."
"These are all issues of great importance."
"His Majesty hopes to discuss them with you personally."
"Face to face?"
"Yes."
"After all, this would bring nothing but benefits to both of our countries."
With those words...
Toma slowly rose to his feet and respectfully presented the letter bearing the Imperial Royal Crest with both hands.
"So..."
"I sincerely ask that you accept His Majesty's invitation."
"..."
Looking at the invitation before her, Yumo narrowed her ruby-red eyes and fell into brief contemplation.
A moment later, she accepted the letter before letting out a helpless sigh.
"Sigh... Understood."
"But I'm sorry."
"I can't give you an answer immediately."
"I'll need some time to think about it."
"Of course."
"However, Miss Yumo, His Majesty is genuinely looking forward to meeting you and sharing a dinner together."
"I hope you'll give us your answer as soon as possible."
"Mm."
"In that case, I shall not disturb you any longer."
"I'll take my leave."
After receiving Yumo's nod, Toma wasted no further time.
Picking up his sword, he headed straight toward the manor's entrance.
As Toma and the other Royal Knights departed, silence immediately descended upon the great hall.
Under the somewhat complicated gazes of every member of the Black Rose Family, Yumo quietly looked down at the invitation in her hand before thoughtfully resting a finger against her chin.
A private dinner, huh...
He even sent me a gown and jewelry...
Heh...
—
However...
Yumo wasn't the only one inside the manor who had fallen into thoughtful silence.
Hidden behind a stone pillar on the third floor, a certain silver-haired girl secretly watched everything unfold.
As she stared at the departing envoy's back, Mengxi bit down hard on her index finger.
Fuck!
"Xue Tianao..."
Quietly muttering that name, obvious displeasure slowly emerged within her violet eyes.
Originally...
After stealing Sister Yumo's lips and secretly replenishing herself with a huge amount of Shadow of Silence Power through Yumo's bodily fluids...
Mengxi had been in an exceptionally wonderful mood.
Had the circumstances allowed it...
She probably would have been happily humming a tune by now.
However...
That wonderful mood...
...had been completely destroyed the instant she heard the name Xue Tianao.
The joy vanished from her face without a trace.
Only deep irritation remained.
And as more and more of the conversation between Toma and Sister Yumo reached her ears...
That irritation skyrocketed.
Dark energy gradually began gathering around the silver-haired girl.
Her slender fingers clenched so tightly...
...that they crushed the intricate carvings on the stone pillar beneath her hand.
?!
That bastard Xue Tianao...
Actually invited Sister Yumo?
To the Imperial Palace?
To discuss cooperation between the two countries?
Important diplomatic matters?
Bullshit!
Every single word was nonsense!
That bastard Xue Tianao has definitely set his sights on Sister Yumo!
There's no way this invitation has innocent intentions!
Damn it...
I knew he wouldn't just give up after the banquet...
I just didn't expect him to make another move this quickly...
As anger consumed her...
An overwhelming sense of crisis also continued growing within Mengxi's heart.
Not only was Xue Tianao trying to get his hands on her...
Now he actually dared target Sister Yumo too?
Constantly obsessing over me...
Fine.
I could tolerate that.
But...
Trying to lay a hand on Sister Yumo...
Absolutely not!
Why doesn't that damned bastard just die already?!
...
...Hm?
Die...?
That's right.
If Xue Tianao disappeared...
Then he could never keep coveting Sister Yumo again.
Not only would she never have to deal with that disgusting man...
More importantly...
Sister Yumo's goal was to cultivate the Chosen Ones so they could fight the Abyss Demons.
If Xue Tianao died...
Wouldn't that mean Sister Yumo would have no choice but to stay by my side?
The moment that thought crossed her mind...
A brilliant light flashed across Mengxi's beautiful violet eyes.
At that instant...
The silver-haired girl suddenly reached an epiphany.