Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Leaving the Palace to Find Noah

The night descended like a heavy swath of black silk, pressing down on the Imperial Palace, threatening to envelop the majestic structure and everything within it in endless darkness.

Su Yaoyao lay in bed, tossing and turning. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, making it impossible to sleep.

When she finally drifted off, she was plunged back into the same heart-wrenching nightmare.

In the dream, Noah’s shocked, disbelieving eyes stared right at her, as if trying to see into her very soul.

Then, as if it had a will of its own, her hand flew up. A sharp SLAP echoed through the deathly stillness.

A red welt instantly appeared on Noah’s face. His eyes filled with a complex mixture of hurt and anger. Tears welled, but a stubborn pride kept them from falling.

"Yaoyao..." Noah’s tear-filled voice was like a sharp arrow piercing straight into Su Yaoyao’s heart, causing her to let out a pained whimper even in her sleep.

"No!" Su Yaoyao jolted awake. She glanced around; she was in her bedchamber, and the sky had already brightened. It was a dream, but the slap she’d given Noah was all too real.

Her forehead was beaded with sweat, and her nightgown was soaked through, clinging uncomfortably to her skin.

She gasped for air, the images from the dream still vivid in her mind. Guilt washed over her like a surging tide, threatening to drown her completely.

"Noah..." Su Yaoyao murmured, her eyes filled with a mixture of regret and heartache.

Unable to bear the gnawing torment any longer, she shot out of bed. She hastily changed into a set of simple clothes, ready to rush out and find Noah.

However, as she reached the door and was about to step outside, the image of Augustine’s anxious face flashed through her mind.

She vividly remembered how furious Augustine had been the last time she’d snuck out of the palace. His frantic worry for her safety was seared into her memory.

Her feet stopped in their tracks as if caught in an immobilization spell.

’No, I can’t make His Majesty worry again.’ Su Yaoyao changed direction and headed for Augustine’s study.

Her heart grew heavier with every step, as if a great stone were weighing it down.

When she finally reached Augustine’s study, she took a deep breath to calm her turbulent emotions and knocked softly on the door.

"Come in." Augustine’s deep, slightly weary voice drifted from within.

Su Yaoyao pushed the door open gently. Augustine was sitting at his desk, nearly buried under a mountain of documents. He looked up at the sound, and a flicker of surprise showed in his eyes when he saw her.

"Your Majesty..." Su Yaoyao walked slowly to stand before Augustine, her head slightly bowed. A trace of apprehension crept into her voice.

"What is it, Yaoyao?" Augustine set down his pen, his expression concerned. "Is something urgent, for you to come so early?"

"Your Majesty, I... I wanted to tell you that I want to leave the Imperial Palace to find Noah." Su Yaoyao summoned all her courage and looked up at Augustine, her eyes a complex mix of determination and guilt.

Augustine’s expression soured instantly. He frowned slightly, his eyes flashing with an indescribable mix of emotions—helplessness, disappointment, and a faint hint of worry.

He fell silent for a long moment, simply watching her desperate expression as a profound sense of helplessness washed over him.

’He knew she had always cared for Noah. It was a fact he had to accept, even if he found it difficult to stomach.’

"You really have to go?" Augustine finally asked, his voice laced with an undeniable weariness.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I have to." Su Yaoyao bit her lower lip, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly.

Augustine sighed softly. After a moment, he said, "Fine. I’ll go with you."

Su Yaoyao looked at the mountain of documents before him, moved by his offer but keenly aware of his duties. "Your Majesty, affairs of the state are more important," she said quickly. "You manage countless tasks every day. You can’t neglect them for my sake."

Augustine’s brow furrowed as he glanced at the documents on his desk. They were the revised male protection laws, which required his personal review and approval. So many of his subjects were waiting; the matter was indeed urgent.

Augustine sighed again in resignation. "Very well. I’ll send Roland with you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" A flicker of relief lit up Su Yaoyao’s eyes, and her voice was filled with gratitude.

"You know your status is... unique," Augustine added with a resigned sigh. "To avoid causing unnecessary commotion, remember to wear your mask."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand." Su Yaoyao looked at him gratefully, touched by his understanding and consideration.

Afterward, Su Yaoyao donned her mask and left the Imperial Palace with Roland. The two headed straight for the Sea Clan’s residence in the Imperial City.

The steward of the residence saw Su Yaoyao and couldn’t help but eye her up and down with curiosity.

Females were exceedingly rare in this world, especially one who exuded such a unique aura.

Seeing this, Roland immediately stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Su Yaoyao and fixing the steward with a cold glare.

He snapped, "Insolence! How dare you stare at Her Highness like that!"

The steward, startled by the sudden move, took a closer look and recognized the man as Roland, the Captain of His Majesty’s Knights.

He jumped in shock as a thought flashed through his mind. He secretly guessed that the masked female before him must be the Holy Female.

The realization sent a cold sweat down his back. His knees went weak, and he dropped to the ground with a THUD. "This lowly one was blind!" he stammered, trembling. "I did not realize I was in the presence of the Holy Female! Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

Su Yaoyao’s heart clenched. She quickly gestured for him to be quiet. "Shh! Keep your voice down. I don’t want to reveal my identity," she said, her voice hushed as if she feared the slightest sound would attract unwanted attention.

The steward nodded vigorously, promising to keep his voice to a whisper.

"Where is the Second Prince of the Sea Clan?" Su Yaoyao asked, her voice trembling with urgency.