Ji Mian and Chu Shiye exchanged a glance, each quietly observing the other.
Finally, Ji Mian broke the silence. “Does Your Highness need something from me?”
Chu Shiye answered succinctly, “Let’s have dinner together..”
It was a perfectly normal suggestion. Ji Mian nodded. “Alright.”
He rose from his seat, entirely unaware of the astonished expressions on the maids behind him.
As the sound of footsteps faded down the hall, one maid whispered excitedly to her companion.
“This is the first time His Highness has ever invited someone!”
“I can’t believe the Crown Prince is willingly interacting with someone. Is it just because of formalities since the other person is his betrothed?”
“I doubt he cares about formalities at all.”
“…Forget it. We’ve never been able to figure him out anyway.”
—
Walking side by side down the corridor, Ji Mian and Chu Shiye were accompanied by no attendants.
Suddenly, Chu Shiye asked, “You don’t want to marry me, do you?”
Ji Mian’s expression didn’t falter in the slightest. With the same calm demeanor, he replied, “Not at all. This marriage benefits both of us, doesn’t it?”
Chu Shiye fell silent, saying nothing more.
Ji Mian glanced sideways at him.
The Empire’s Crown Prince was famously cold and indifferent, entirely unmoved by external matters.
From the moment they met, this aloof young prince had shown no emotion, treating Ji Mian no differently than anyone else.
To Ji Mian, this was a good sign.
He had assumed that Chu Shiye would take him to meet Emperor North, but instead, the dining area was arranged exclusively for the two of them.
A series of exquisitely prepared dishes were served, each dish reflecting flavors more aligned with the Federation’s cuisine than the Empire’s.
Ji Mian was slightly surprised, quickly deducing that Chu Shiye must have specifically instructed the chefs.
He offered the Crown Prince a small smile.
The hand holding Chu Shiye’s knife and fork paused imperceptibly, though his face betrayed no change.
After a pleasant meal, Ji Mian noticed that Chu Shiye still showed no intention of taking him to see Emperor North.
“May I take a stroll nearby?” Ji Mian asked.
Chu Shiye replied immediately, “I’ll accompany you.”
Ji Mian turned to look at him.
Even in the midst of a sunlit garden, the Crown Prince’s icy demeanor seemed to chill the air around him.
With a soft smile, Ji Mian changed his mind. “Actually, I’m feeling a bit tired. I think I’ll return to my room to rest.”
Chu Shiye studied him for a moment before nodding. “Alright.”
—
By evening, Ji Mian was finally brought to meet the Emperor.
Emperor North, the current ruler of the Empire, was technically in his prime by the standards of the interstellar age.
Yet he appeared as though he had entered his twilight years, his regal attire doing little to mask the air of decay surrounding him.
After a brief, formal exchange of greetings, North addressed Ji Mian.
“I hear you’re a support-type ability user with healing powers,” he said, his voice raspy.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ji Mian replied politely.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at North’s deeply wrinkled face. “Good. I’ve been feeling unwell lately. Perhaps after the wedding, you can treat me…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Chu Shiye interjected coldly, “Father, I’ll take him to rest now.”
For some reason, Chu Shiye’s tone seemed even colder than usual, as if laced with suppressed emotion.
North didn’t stop them. “Go ahead.”
Chu Shiye lightly gripped Ji Mian’s arm through his sleeve, leading him out of the Emperor’s chamber at a brisk pace.
As they walked through the empty, elaborately carved corridor, Ji Mian finally spoke. “You seem upset about something.”
“I’m not,” Chu Shiye replied curtly.
He stopped abruptly and turned to face Ji Mian, his golden eyes fixed intently on him.
Ji Mian met his gaze without flinching.
Several seconds passed in silence before Chu Shiye spoke again. “Tomorrow is the wedding. Rest well.”
“Alright,” Ji Mian replied.
Chu Shiye escorted him back to his room, pausing at the door for a moment to glance at him one last time before retreating to his own quarters next door.
As the door closed behind Ji Mian, he frowned slightly.
Why does he keep looking at me? Does he already find me annoying?
A maid greeted him with a bright smile. “His Highness seems very fond of you.”
Ji Mian raised an eyebrow. “?”
The maid continued, “Haven’t you noticed? His Highness speaks far more when he’s with you than he does with anyone else.”
Ji Mian paused to reflect, his expression calm.
“Not at all,” he replied flatly.
Does the Crown Prince talk a lot?
Well… it certainly doesn’t seem like it.
“No matter what, His Highness truly likes you,” the maid said, her eyes sparkling with sincerity. “This is the first time we’ve ever seen him treat someone so gently.”
Ji Mian: “…”
That’s… not much to boast about.
Late at night, the maids quietly excused themselves, not disturbing Ji Mian’s rest. Ji Mian closed his eyes, though the unfamiliar room left him somewhat sleepless.
The next day’s wedding was an extravagant affair, filled with pomp and intricate ceremony, stretching from daylight to the late hours of the night.
At the evening banquet, Federation Prime Minister Charles attended with his closest aides, yet none of the Ji family members were present.
Chu Shiye’s gaze silently shifted toward his side—to his Crown Princess.
Ji Mian appeared lost in thought but noticed the weight of Chu Shiye’s gaze. He turned his eyes to meet the Crown Prince’s.
Chu Shiye raised his hand.
Ji Mian instinctively stepped back.
Chu Shiye: “…”
Expressionless, Chu Shiye lowered his hand and lightly adjusted the tasseled trim on Ji Mian’s shoulder.
“Thank you,” Ji Mian said softly.
Chu Shiye’s response was a simple, “Mm.”
When the banquet concluded, Ji Mian and Chu Shiye returned to their chambers—their wedding suite.
After removing the heavy ceremonial attire, Ji Mian took a warm bath and changed into a soft robe.
Emerging from the bathroom, he climbed into the plush bed, burying himself in its warmth and lying quietly.
A few moments later, Ji Mian seemed to remember something and turned his head.
Chu Shiye was standing by the side of the bed.
He had been there for quite some time.
Ji Mian couldn’t tell if it was just his imagination, but the Crown Prince’s eyes seemed darker and more intense than during the day, his gaze locking onto him like a hawk tracking its prey.
When Ji Mian finally acknowledged his presence, Chu Shiye knelt on one knee at the edge of the bed. His hand went to his tie, loosening it as he leaned slightly forward—
“Wait,” Ji Mian said abruptly, sitting upright.
Chu Shiye paused, his gaze calm and unwavering, reflecting Ji Mian’s image like still water.
Ji Mian spoke evenly. “You investigated me before this, didn’t you?”
Chu Shiye said nothing.
“You know that I’ve undergone gland surgery,” Ji Mian continued. “I can’t be marked, nor can I have children.”
Chu Shiye remained silent.
Ji Mian’s lips curled into a faint, sardonic smile. “I’m sorry to disappoint you. I won’t be producing the heirs you’re hoping for.”
Chu Shiye’s response was quiet and steady. “It doesn’t matter.”
Ji Mian blinked. “If you care about it—wait, what did you just say?”
Chu Shiye didn’t reply this time either.
Instead, he took a sip of red wine from a nearby glass, set it down, and leaned forward.
And then, without a word, he kissed Ji Mian.
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