Chapter 29: Chapter 29: The Queen

Lu Xiao heated a glass of milk in the kitchen, planning to bring it to Ares. Even an apology needed an excuse.

However, just as she reached the top of the stairs, she saw the door to Ares’s bedroom open. Ares stepped out. It looked like he had just washed his face, as the bangs across his forehead were damp.

Upon seeing her, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by panic. “Sorry, I just…”

“It’s not your fault. I’m the one who should apologize. I didn’t consider your feelings. I was just thinking that when we got married, I made the decision on my own, and you might not have truly wanted it. It seems I did the same thing again this time. I’m sorry. I was only focused on not holding you back and didn’t think about how you felt. I’ll be more mindful from now on. Here, drink this milk to calm yourself. I’ll be more considerate of you in the future.”

Lu Xiao wasn’t very good at apologizing, but she didn’t run away from her mistakes either. She held out the milk, hoping Ares would forgive her.

Ares did indeed take the milk, but he kept his eyes on her and asked, “Why did you choose me back then?”

’If it wasn’t because you liked me, why would you choose me?’

The sudden question made Lu Xiao’s heart skip a beat. She wasn’t the original owner of this body, so how was she supposed to know? She had scoured the original owner’s memories but found none of being head-over-heels in love with Ares or feeling like she couldn’t live without him.

The only possibility was… “You can just say I fell for your looks.”

After all, Ares was genuinely handsome.

It was only natural to be taken by his appearance.

“So you don’t like me now?”

“…” ’I didn’t think it could get more awkward than it already was. How am I supposed to answer that?’

’Why does Ares suddenly seem so aggressive?’

“It’s not that, it’s just… Can’t we just say my conscience got the better of me? If you don’t want a divorce, we won’t get one. Can you please stop asking?” She really didn’t know how to make up any more excuses.

’I just want to cover my face right now. This is so embarrassing!’

Ares could see the utter embarrassment on the young female’s face, yet she didn’t turn and leave for fear of angering him.

’She’s just too gentle—so gentle that I don’t want to let her go, no matter the cost.’

“I don’t want a divorce.” He stated his thoughts bluntly. Having spent so much time with Lu Xiao, he had come to understand her personality to some extent.

He knew that sometimes, being direct was much more effective than dropping hints.

Sure enough, Lu Xiao nodded after hearing him. “Okay, no divorce.”

“Will this decision make things difficult for you? Will you get tired of seeing me every day? If so…”

“No. I’m… um, how should I put it? A bit of a slow burn. Since we’ve decided not to get a divorce, I’ll take on the responsibilities of a partner. But I need some time, and I think you do too. Can we just keep interacting like we were before and let things happen naturally?” Lu Xiao knew full well that if they chose not to divorce, given their current relationship, she couldn’t just play dumb. They had to talk things out clearly.

’I can’t possibly be married to Ares and still think of us as just ordinary friends, can I?’

However, her words were something Ares had never expected—no, to be precise, something he hadn’t dared to hope for.

He’d had such thoughts himself but hadn’t dared to voice them, worried Lu Xiao would find him greedy.

’But now, Lu Xiao has brought it up herself and even asked me for time. Doesn’t that amount to saying she wants to be my partner in the truest sense?’

If he had felt despair just moments ago, now he was filled with an equal measure of joy.

But he didn’t dare let it show too much, so he simply replied with a soft, “Okay.”

Hearing that “Okay,” Lu Xiao instantly breathed a sigh of relief. She felt like she could finally breathe properly again.

’So, this whole dating thing is really a bit difficult for someone like me, who only has theory but no practical experience.’

’Thankfully, Ares is a sensible person. He doesn’t force me and knows how to be considerate.’

’Thinking about it, Ares really is great.’

“Come on, let’s go inside so I can give you your Spiritual Soothing.”

Ares looked at Lu Xiao, who had already quickly composed herself. “If you’re tired today, we can actually…”

“I’m not tired. I’m full of energy. Let’s go!”

“Then let me finish cleaning up downstairs first. Otherwise, I’ll fall asleep later.”

“No need. I cleaned up before I came upstairs. It’s not like the housework is solely your responsibility. Whoever has time can do it. Hurry up and drink your milk before it gets cold.”

With that, Lu Xiao had already slipped into Ares’s room.

She came to this room almost every night; she couldn’t be more familiar with it.

Ares finished his milk, got into bed, and lay down, feeling that the atmosphere today was completely different from any other day.

Lu Xiao’s promise had swept away the anxiety in his heart, making him feel completely at ease.

Meanwhile, as she performed the Spiritual Soothing, Lu Xiao discovered that purifying the Dark Matter in Ares’s Spirit Sea was exceptionally easy today. The effects were even better than she had anticipated.

She was certain it wasn’t because her purification power had increased. It must have something to do with Ares himself.

’Is it because his emotions were released?’

The only difference compared to usual was that tonight, Ares had rarely shown his true emotions.

’So, does releasing emotions help a male’s Spirit Sea recover?’

An hour later, Lu Xiao adjusted the air conditioner’s temperature for Ares and returned to her room.

She didn’t rest right away. Instead, she opened her computer and prepared to write a plot outline.

What she had said to Ares in the hovercar wasn’t just talk, nor was it simple venting. She truly had this idea.

She was going to write a true “chasing the husband crematorium” story!

That’s right. “Chasing the wife crematorium” didn’t apply to this world, so she would write a “chasing the husband crematorium” instead!

*

Hans stood before the gates of Sofie Royal Manor, waiting for an attendant to receive him.

The cold night wind blowing through the mountains made his face ache.

But he couldn’t question why the Queen insisted on living here instead of the perfectly fine Imperial Palace.

Because all Imperial people knew that Sofie Manor was the former residence of the late Prince Li Ke.

And Prince Li Ke was Her Majesty the Queen’s one true love, forever.

Ever since Prince Li Ke passed away, Her Majesty the Queen had moved here to live, as a way to remember her late beloved.

If the Queen weren’t still handling her official duties normally, the Empire would have definitely fallen into a panic.

But aside from her official duties, Her Majesty the Queen no longer concerned herself with many other matters.

It was as if she wanted to be completely immersed in her memories of Prince Li Ke.

After a long wait, the tightly shut gates finally opened. An old female attendant who served Her Majesty the Queen shot him a cold glance. “Coming to see Her Majesty this late, you’d better have something important.”

“I know. The matter is indeed urgent, so I have no choice but to disturb Her Majesty the Queen’s rest. Please forgive my impertinence.”

“It is not my forgiveness you should be seeking. Say that to Her Majesty. Her life is already difficult enough, yet she still has to muster the energy to deal with matters from people like you. Not a single one of you gives her peace of mind.”

“We are too foolish and incompetent, unable to ease Her Majesty the Queen’s burdens!”

“As long as you know. Go on in. Her Majesty the Queen is waiting for you. Don’t take too long. Her Majesty still has to pray for the Prince later.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep