"Your authority skill... I have to say, it’s quite special."

The little swan smacked her lips, giving her own assessment.

The black swan glanced at her and said:

"If you like hearing him say it, just say so directly. What’s with all the hemming and hawing?"

Olivia slowly typed out a question mark.

Not really.

Is Ais getting addicted to this teasing?

Aren’t you afraid she’ll go all out again for a third time and take Louis along to roast the two of them?

Wait, who was the one who wanted to go all out in the first place?

The little swan fuzzily had some trouble remembering.

But Ais did say one thing right.

She indeed... quite wanted to hear Louis say it again.

The black swan, understanding the little swan’s thoughts, slightly raised the corner of her mouth, reached out to wrap her arms around Louis’s neck, stood on tiptoe to give him a kiss, and took the initiative to say:

"Say you love me."

Louis widened his eyes.

The little swan was almost fuming.

"You, you you you you..."

"What’s wrong with me?"

Ais turned her head to glance at the little swan and calmly said:

"Anyway, under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t appear in his daily life, so there’s no need to be too concerned. As long as Beatrice isn’t in front of me, what’s wrong with saying I love him?"

Her words seemed a bit guilty as she specifically emphasized Beatrice’s absence.

But it still made the little swan’s anger boil over.

Ais smirked.

Only she, who knew the little swan best, understood how to break her defenses.

This time, returning to Tino City, she indeed intended to see Beatrice, but her situation destined that once the issue with Beatrice was resolved, she would go solo.

In other words, Tino City wouldn’t become her shackles.

She’s always been this headstrong.

Even societal norms can be disregarded by her.

Does she like Louis?

Quite a lot.

Would she have a child with Louis?

Hard to say, depends on future needs.

Will she stay by Beatrice’s side?

Certainly not. She’s determined to protect Beatrice, but she also has her own ideas.

Most of Ais’s memories linger in the time when she was the Queen of Shadow Country.

Whenever her mission ends, she might just set sail and explore other places.

A thousand years of solitude and waiting require a long time to heal.

So she’ll absolutely not pursue anything like "being together with Louis forever".

Whenever she misses him, she’ll just come back and see him.

But the little swan is different.

The little swan will spend a considerable amount of time, if not the rest of her long days, accompanying Beatrice.

She’ll develop irrational thoughts.

Or perhaps she hasn’t realized till now, that she harbors a barely noticeable feeling.

That is, she hopes that one day, she can openly stand by Louis with a position that holds weight.

Not as Beatrice’s sister, not as the Second Princess of the Ense Empire, not as the frail princess kept in seclusion.

But as someone who can be by Louis’s side as his lover in front of everyone.

Even if it’s as Beatrice’s "accessory", it wouldn’t matter.

Ais, observing people by herself, noticed this.

But Olivia herself couldn’t easily realize it.

She only instinctively felt she shouldn’t let that small seed of affection sprout.

But what does this have to do with Ais?

Ais expressed disdain for this and unhesitatingly offered another kiss.

Louis happily accepted it, repeated that phrase, and added,

"Really beautiful."

This time, the little swan couldn’t sit still.

"Ais, you sneak snacks behind Sister Wang’s back."

"So what if I do, what can you do about it? If you’re unhappy, go tell Beatrice!"

The little swan felt her bottom line was seriously breached, so she chose to redraw the line.

She hugged Louis and said, "I want to hear it too."

Though she seemed to be acting petulant, Louis still saw the faint desire in her eyes.

What else could Louis say?

He could only meet her expectation, gently rubbing her small face, saying:

"So cute."

"Hehehe."

The little swan climbed down from him, satisfied.

At this moment, the soundproof barrier of the carriage had apparently disappeared without anyone realizing.

Lumi looked at the little swan, who was laughing heartily, with a calm face.

The originally cheerful little swan instantly lost her smile.

Not so funny!

Oh no!

She’s been caught by Sister Lumi!

"What are you looking at me for? Go ahead, keep nibbling until Beatrice appears before you."

Once these words came out, even the black swan, who seemed fearless, became alert.

The best way to manage these two indeed seems to be Beatrice. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Lumi’s gaze shifted to Louis, becoming intense.

"His Highness Louis, the Eye of Truth provides clairvoyant abilities. Do you think Lady Beatrice can see your every move from Dragonbone Prairie in Tino City?"

Louis, who was just a bystander, shuddered instinctively, sitting up straight.

It seems the Queen’s intimidation isn’t limited to just her sister.

But regardless, they’ve finally returned to this city.

Louis will also finally meet his beloved.

...

Location: Imperial Palace

The dusty carriage stopped in front of the Imperial Palace.

As Louis and the others alighted, they immediately drew the attention of the Forbidden Guard.

"The Second Highness... sa-sa-say?"

Several members of the Forbidden Guard looked, utterly bewildered, at the two highnesses stepping off the carriage, instinctively rubbing their eyes, then turning to Louis.

Louis’s face twitched slightly, but he still explained: