Chapter 390: Waiting

At the mention of this, Yu Zhizhi stammered, "I... I... I was afraid of being thrown out back then, so..."

She had come to the Extreme Ice Palace as a tribute, and at the time, Canglan hadn’t wanted her to stay. He’d wanted to throw her out immediately. In a panic, Yu Zhizhi had no choice but to use the marriage alliance as an excuse.

Louis didn’t probe into the reasons why. All he cared about were the little rabbit’s true feelings.

"So, you don’t actually want this marriage alliance?"

Yu Zhizhi nodded slowly.

’If she had the choice, she would definitely prefer to leave the Extreme Ice Palace after completing her mission.’

But she knew too many secrets about the Moon Ascending Royal Family. Because of that, Yu Zhizhi was increasingly worried—Canglan would never let her go.

’The truth about the Ice Crystal Dragon, his bloodlust, and that one fatal, special night...’

If his enemies found out about Prince Canglan’s condition that night, it would be the perfect opportunity to kill him.

Louis gazed at the small female in his arms. Her eyes were downcast as if she were burdened by countless worries. Her rabbit ears slowly drooped, and whatever she was thinking, she snuggled deeper into his embrace.

"Do you want to come with me?" Louis asked, holding her gently, his nose brushing against her hair.

Louis’s voice was exceptionally gentle, putting her at ease.

Like the warmth of a hearth on a snowy night.

Yu Zhizhi nodded, but then quickly shook her head. "N-No, I can’t. I can’t leave yet."

’My mission isn’t finished yet.’

’Even if I run away, I have to wait for the system to confirm the pregnancy first.’

’Otherwise, if it’s not successful, everything I’ve done will be for nothing. Most importantly, if I try to come back later, it will be too late...’

Yu Zhizhi gently clutched the front of Louis’s shirt and whispered, "Wait for me a little longer, okay?"

"Okay," Louis replied.

He didn’t ask why. Whatever the little rabbit’s reasons were, he would respect her wishes.

Yu Zhizhi suddenly remembered something. "Lou and Spider, are they okay?"

"They’re fine. We reached an agreement for this trip. I’ll be in control of our body for now, so they won’t be appearing so easily."

Louis’s tone was gentle.

’Lou and Spider are both impulsive and might escalate things, which would make it more difficult to get the little rabbit out of here.’

’Fortunately, our goals are aligned, so it was easy to come to an agreement.’

’I’ve fabricated this "Teacher Vic" identity, so I’ll stay by the little rabbit’s side for the time being.’

’When the time is right and she’s willing to leave, I’ll take her directly from the Extreme Ice Palace.’

Yu Zhizhi remembered that just this afternoon, Louis had been the teacher instructing her in Spirit Art. ’So his presence at the Extreme Ice Palace is a secret?’

"What if..." she began, her voice filled with apprehension. "What will happen if Prince Canglan finds out you’re here?"

Louis knew she was worried.

He stroked the little rabbit’s cheek and answered softly, "Nothing will happen."

’We’ll just have a fight, that’s all.’

"Really?" Yu Zhizhi gazed nervously at the man before her.

"Yes." Louis smiled.

’It had been so long since she’d spent time with him like this...’

’Before, it was always in her dreams. It never felt this real.’

A faint smile remained on Louis’s face as he noticed the little rabbit gazing at him, her eyes sparkling.

He slowly leaned closer, their noses touching gently.

Trembling, Yu Zhizhi closed her eyes.

Louis gave her a gentle kiss.

It was tender and lingering.

Though many thoughts ran through his mind, Louis held back. In certain situations, his other personalities were prone to surfacing.

Later that night, he held the little rabbit, coaxing her to sleep.

Yu Zhizhi hadn’t slept so soundly since coming to the Extreme Ice Palace.

’It was as if all the dangers of the world had been shut out.’

Breathing in Louis’s scent, she slowly drifted off to sleep.

「The next day.」

When Yu Zhizhi woke up, Louis had already left her chambers.

The maids were waiting outside, and upon hearing her stirring within, they came in to help her wash and dress.

Yu Zhizhi had rested well that night. Her complexion was rosy, and a faint, happy smile lingered in her eyes.

"His Highness has returned. He requests Ms. Zhi Zhi join him for a meal."

The smile on Yu Zhizhi’s lips froze.

’...Huh?’

’So soon?’

’He’s usually gone for several days whenever he leaves.’

’Why is he back after only one day this time?’

Yu Zhizhi nodded.

She walked toward the adjacent chambers.

Canglan had already changed into his daily attire. Hearing footsteps, he raised his eyes to look—

The small Rabbit Clan female was wearing a lavender, waist-cinching long dress. Her complexion looked excellent; she must have rested well.

Yu Zhizhi held her breath slightly. She glanced at the low table in front of Canglan, where a plate of sliced meat and a goblet sat.

’Bright red wine...’

’Or blood.’

Yu Zhizhi breathed an inward sigh of relief. ’It looks like the Big Tiger doesn’t plan on drinking my blood today.’

She sat down in her seat.

"Did you see Cang Jie yesterday?" Canglan asked, initiating the conversation.

Yu Zhizhi picked up her fork. "I did. Prince Cang Jie came to say goodbye. He said he was going to the Special Zone."

"After we’re married, we’ll have to make a trip there as well," Canglan said calmly.

Yu Zhizhi looked at him. "...Oh."

Canglan’s brow furrowed. "Aren’t you going to ask why?"

He couldn’t shake the feeling that the little rabbit was distracted today.

Or rather, she seemed completely uninterested in their future married life, like a mere bystander.

Yu Zhizhi paused for a moment. "...To do what?"

"To visit my mother."

The first thing that came to Yu Zhizhi’s mind was her memory that the Crown Prince’s mother had already passed away. ’Ah, are we going to visit her grave?’

She nodded. "Alright."

’So Prince Canglan’s mother is buried in Moonrise’s Special Zone.’

’That’s in the northernmost part of the Empire, a place even colder than the Extreme Ice Palace.’

’But... the wedding probably won’t happen, anyway.’

’By then,’ Yu Zhizhi thought, ’I’ll probably have already left this place with Louis.’

Feeling a pang of guilt, she avoided looking up at Canglan and focused on stuffing food into her mouth.

In addition to her daily meals, there was an extra Nutrient Liquid to replenish her blood.

The sight of it now made Yu Zhizhi’s neck ache. ’Ugh, if only the Big Tiger didn’t bite people...’

Canglan felt a wave of inexplicable irritation.

He set down his fork and drained the liquid from his goblet. The substance, which had never tasted good to him, now seemed impossible to swallow.

’Ever since tasting her...’

’All other blood now filled him with a visceral repulsion.’

Outside the door, a Lizard Servant bowed. "Your Highness, Teacher Vic is here. He’s the one Prince Cang Jie arranged to teach Ms. Zhi Zhi Spirit Art in his stead before he left."

"Cancel this afternoon’s class for now."

Canglan stood up. As he passed the little rabbit, he said, "Go take care of Jeral after you finish eating."

Hearing the name "Vic," Yu Zhizhi’s hand, which was holding her fork, trembled slightly. "Can I have my lesson after Jeral is asleep?"

Canglan shot her a glance. "So eager for your lesson?"