The sudden arrival of the Imperial fleet interrupted the two inside the room. Ji Mian, dragging along a brooding Alpha, pushed open the door.
“What’s going on?”
Hearing Ji Mian’s question, Jag’s expression wasn’t good. “Apologies, but for some reason… we’ve been discovered by the Imperial fleet.”
Outside the porthole, amidst the vast expanse of space, a row of silver-white, gleaming fleet formations lined up, like unsheathed steel blades, their edges pointed directly at the Berlon family.
“This was expected,” Ji Mian said calmly, his expression unchanging. “After all, an emperor is still an emperor, the real power behind the Empire.”
More than twenty years ago, when the newly crowned North still struggled to solidify his rule, it was difficult for him to track down the fleeing Catherine. But now, over two decades later, his authority likely extended to every inch of the Empire’s territory.
Though the Berlon family was determined to protect Chu Shiye and harbored deep resentment toward Emperor North, it was clear that, with the strength of one family alone, it was impossible to contend with the Empire.
After all, the family was just one branch on the sprawling, deeply-rooted tree that was the Empire.
“There’s still one way,” Jag suggested. “You could take the escape pod and sneak—”
“They’ve already found us,” Chu Shiye interrupted. “If they can’t find me, they’ll immediately begin a full search.”
Ji Mian added, “And North won’t spare you, either.”
Jag sneered. “He hasn’t spared us for decades.”
Despite his words, he didn’t bring up the idea of Ji Mian and Chu Shiye fleeing again, evidently realizing that such a plan was utterly futile.
The Imperial fleet remained still, seemingly waiting for its prey to walk into the trap. Ji Mian asked again, “If A-Ye goes back, what will North do to him?”
Chu Shiye’s expression shifted as he turned toward Ji Mian.
Jag hesitated before replying, “…Hard to say.”
“North still doesn’t have any children. Although he’s in his prime, it seems he’s suffering from some sort of rare illness. His body is deteriorating day by day,” Jag explained.
“He’s desperate for a successor to the throne—but one who is legitimate.”
Legitimate.
Even though Chu Shiye’s mother, Catherine, was North’s first love and the fiancée he once made heartfelt promises to… many years later, she was no longer North’s legitimate wife.
How ironic.
North had once abandoned her, yet now, he was desperately searching for her—and their child.
Ji Mian met Chu Shiye’s gaze. “So, do you want to see him?”
Before Chu Shiye could answer, he added, “Whatever you decide, I’ll be with you.”
Chu Shiye was silent for a few seconds. “No, but I will go.”
He wasn’t going to meet some so-called biological father. He was going for the sake of the Berlon family.
After all, it was his mother’s family.
Ji Mian nodded. “Alright.”
Though they had made their decision, Jag’s brow remained furrowed. He paced back and forth before finally speaking. “Let’s go.”
The airship turned, heading toward the Imperial fleet. The Empire’s forces seemed to have anticipated this, silently adjusting their formation to encircle the Berlon family’s fleet, “escorting” them to the Imperial capital.
As starlight spilled beyond the porthole, Chu Shiye sat beside Ji Mian in their room, his head lowered. “I’m sorry.”
Ji Mian looked at him—Chu Shiye’s face was full of guilt.
Ji Mian smiled softly. “Don’t blame yourself. This isn’t your fault.”
“And back in the Federation, you only revealed your spiritual form to save me—”
Before he could finish, Chu Shiye interrupted. “That wasn’t your fault either. They were the ones forcing you into a political marriage.”
Ji Mian: “Mm, you’re right.”
“So it’s all the bad guys’ problem. None of this is on you.”
Ji Mian’s voice was gentle. Chu Shiye silently hugged him tighter.
He liked holding A-Mian like this.
It made him acutely aware—A-Mian was his. His alone.
And A-Mian never refused him.
An Alpha was pressing heavily against him. Ji Mian raised a hand to pat his head. “Still, we should prepare for the worst.”
He met Chu Shiye’s eyes, smiling. “But before that, let’s make a little plan.”
——
Outside the Imperial capital, a deep red airship bearing the Berlon family crest waited.
Jag’s airship docked with it, the Imperial fleet making no move to interfere.
An elderly man with thick black hair stood waiting—Derek, patriarch of the Berlon family, Jag’s father.
Derek wasn’t surprised to see Chu Shiye, though his sparse eyebrows twitched slightly when he noticed the way Chu Shiye tightly held Ji Mian’s hand. But he said nothing.
Perhaps Jag had already informed him about Ji Mian. Or perhaps he understood what it meant for Ji Mian to stand here with Chu Shiye.
“Regardless, this time, we’ve dragged you into our troubles.”
Derek bowed slightly to Ji Mian. Ji Mian shook his head. “No, you haven’t.”
Derek nodded, then stepped in front of Chu Shiye. He raised his arms as if to embrace him—but instead, his hands landed heavily on Chu Shiye’s shoulders, giving them three firm pats.
“Go. Be careful.”
“The Berlon fleet will remain outside the capital.”
Jag seemed to realize something from these words, his expression shifting slightly. “Father?”
“Do what you must.”
Derek’s tone was calm.
“What happened back then… I won’t let it repeat itself.”
——
Imperial Capital, Atlan Palace.
Guided by a attendant, Ji Mian and Chu Shiye passed through the opulent yet frigid palace complex, arriving at the central palace where Emperor North awaited.
The attendant leading them had spoken only upon their first meeting. Most of the people they encountered along the way were similarly silent, the entire palace steeped in a stagnant, lifeless atmosphere.
Strangely, there were no guards outside the Emperor’s palace. At the foot of the steps, the attendant halted and turned. “Apologies. His Majesty wishes to see only the Prince. Please, this one will accompany—”
Ji Mian had expected they wouldn’t let him enter. Before he could respond, Chu Shiye spoke coldly. “No.”
The attendant’s expression didn’t change. “This is His Majesty’s order. Please understand, Your Highness.”
Chu Shiye: “I said no.”
As if touching a forbidden boundary, Chu Shiye’s dark golden eyes flashed with a dangerous chill.
Though the attendant addressed Chu Shiye as “Your Highness,” his demeanor had lacked true respect throughout their journey. Now, faced with Chu Shiye’s gaze, he instinctively recoiled, fear creeping into his voice.
“M-my apologies… But His Majesty’s orders… I cannot—”
“While it is His Majesty’s command, I doubt he is so inflexible.” A leisurely voice sounded from behind the attendant. A tall, slender figure emerged. “Must you trouble His Majesty’s honored guest so, John?”
The attendant—John—startled. “Your Majesty!”
The moment this “Duke” appeared, Ji Mian recognized him.
Dorn.
The only S-rank spiritual ability user in the galaxy. Imperial Duke. Father-in-law of Emperor North.
Though past seventy in age, his appearance remained that of a man in his early thirties, his face adorned with a benign smile, like a pampered noble in his prime.
When Ji Mian first visited the Empire years ago, Dorn had looked exactly the same—unchanged.
“Young Master Ji.” Dorn’s gaze lingered on Ji Mian’s face, his smile deepening. “After all these years, you remain as—”
Before he could finish, Chu Shiye stepped forward, blocking Dorn’s line of sight.
Dorn’s eyes flickered. He chuckled. “Oh, It’s His Majesty’s long-lost Prince.”
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
He offered a slight bow, then departed without another word.
Dorn vanished quickly. The attendant kept his head low. “Your Highness, please forgive me.”
Chu Shiye said nothing. Ji Mian spoke instead. “Now, may we enter?”
The attendant bowed nervously. “Yes.”
He stepped aside, not daring to look at the two again.
The steps were long, and entering the palace required passing through a corridor lined with intricate reliefs.
The corridor was empty. Chu Shiye looked at Ji Mian, the cold, blood-tinted aura in his eyes not yet receded.
Just now—those people had tried to take A-Mian away from him.
No one could take A-Mian away. No one could steal this person from his side.
Ji Mian gently soothed him. “I’m not going anywhere.”
His warm fingertips brushed over Chu Shiye’s brows, and the ice in those dark golden eyes slowly melted. Chu Shiye let out a low “Mm,” then took Ji Mian’s hand and pressed it lightly against his cheek.
At the end of the corridor stood a heavy door carved with elaborate patterns. Beyond it—the Emperor of the Atlan Empire, Chu Shiye’s so-called “father” by blood.
Chu Shiye exchanged a glance with Ji Mian. Under his reassuring gaze, he reached for the door—but before he could touch it, the massive gates swung open on their own, revealing the frigid expanse of the throne room.
Despite it being daytime, the interior was pitch-black, shrouded in oppressive darkness.
Ji Mian: Hmm, has the Empire’s economy deteriorated so badly they can’t afford lights?
The thought flitted through his mind as he and Chu Shiye heard a deep voice resonate from the depths of the hall.
“So… this is the Crown Princess you’ve chosen for yourself?”
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