Tanya took a moment to collect herself, her heart heavy as she returned to her palace chambers.

"Your Majesty, you’re looking much more radiant today," Verdant said, gently brushing Tanya’s hair, the long strands draping elegantly over her shoulder, styled into a flowing cloud bun.

Tanya remained silent, her eyes staring blankly at her reflection in the bronze mirror. Below the corner of her eye, a delicate beauty mark was painted.

Verdant selected a sheer garment from the golden camphorwood wardrobe, handling it carefully as she presented it to Tanya. "It seems Your Majesty is particularly fond of pink. This misty pink chiffon robe was a special gift from the Emperor."

Tanya took the robe. The fabric was soft and smooth, and in her hands, it exuded a faint scent of cherry wood.

"Leave me for now."

Tanya twirled a few times in front of the mirror before leaving her chambers, her posture intentionally straightened.

"Your Majesty, Eunuch Belmont just reported that the Emperor is resting in the Imperial Garden. Shall we go and have a look?"

Thinking of Heliam, Tanya resolved that once her task was complete, she would find a way to kill that dog of an emperor!

"By the way, who is the Emperor with in the garden?" Tanya asked casually as they neared, but Verdant's response nearly made her trip.

"Your Majesty, it's Lady Francois Chaise."

[Fans]Lover’s Tears: Wow, wow, wow!

[Fans]Potato Chips Taste Good: A love triangle!

Tanya glanced down at her attire—soft pink, lacking a certain air of authority.

Walking forward under the scorching sun, she had been walking for quite some time but still had not reached the Imperial Garden.

Ahead was a peach grove, and as a breeze brushed her face, it carried a distinctive fragrance of peach blossoms.

"You seem in high spirits, my consort." Heliam's voice suddenly rang out from behind her. Tanya's body stiffened. She quickly turned, only to bump into a solid chest.

Against the light, Heliam's handsome features came into view—proud, aloof, his deep-set eyes casting a penetrating gaze. From this angle, Tanya could clearly see his slightly curved thin lips.

And his large nostrils.

"Your Majesty..." Tanya’s voice softened a little.

Heliam, however, was unaffected. He took Tanya’s delicate hand and led her in the direction of the study. Francois Chaise, who should have been there, was nowhere to be seen, and instead, the emperor was inexplicably pulling her somewhere else. What kind of plot development was this?

Tanya quickly withdrew her hand. "Your Majesty... I heard that Lady Francois is in the Imperial Garden as well."

At the mention of Francois Chaise, Heliam’s lips curled into a barely noticeable smirk. His chiseled jaw tightened, and his handsome face turned cold as ice, his presence even more imposing. "How could I not know that you and Francois are such good friends?"

Seeing his reaction, Tanya paused thoughtfully for a moment. "Perhaps I should go and have a look around the study..."

Heliam narrowed his eyes and, after a moment, grasped her hand again.

The two walked toward the Imperial Study.

...

As soon as they entered the study, the scent of ink and parchment filled the air. Tanya had no time to marvel before being pressed down by a firm chest.

Heliam’s handsome face loomed close, a wicked smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Has my consort missed me?"

Tanya awkwardly wriggled beneath him, which only seemed to irritate Heliam.

"Move again, and I’ll execute you on the spot." Heliam tilted Tanya’s chin up. Sunlight filtered in through the window, dancing across her forehead. With her makeup, her face looked dewy, as if one could squeeze water from it.

"I wanted to see how Your Majesty looks when reviewing state affairs," Tanya weakly pushed at him.

Heliam’s gaze darkened as he studied her, seemingly trying to discern the truth behind her words. After a while, he lazily leaned back on the dragon throne.

"I’m tired. Why don’t you read for me?"

Tanya stiffened, picking up a scroll from the golden camphorwood desk, clearing her throat.

[Fans]Snark Monster: Am I the only one feeling something off here...?

[Fans]The Day He Rested on the Mountain: +1

[Guest]White Dragon of the Waves: +10086

"From the Southern Dynasty, the beauty Evelyn, renowned for her beauty, was presented to the court as a gift by Southern merchants."

Tanya abruptly stopped.

Why was she, as a consort, reading such things to the Emperor? A strange feeling crept over her, but she missed the faint smile playing at Heliam’s lips.

The next passage, "The imperial guard Alexander, brave and valiant, shows no mercy to evildoers..."

This one seemed normal—wait, Alexander?

[Fans]Loving Hug: Alexander!

[Fans]Sprite Soda: He's back again?

[Fans]Farmer’s Spring Water is a Little Sweet: Careful! This is definitely a test from the Emperor!

Tanya’s mind raced, thoughts scattering far and wide before finally settling—

"This must be the wrong Alexander."

"Why did you stop reading?" Heliam's voice came from behind, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder, his lips brushing close to her ear.

Tanya awkwardly turned her head to the side. "In reply to Your Majesty, I just found it familiar."

Heliam’s voice became even softer, coaxing her, pressing closer, "Is Vivienne interested in this imperial guard?"

Tanya’s body trembled, and she immediately knelt down. "I... just thought it odd that such a mundane matter would appear in a report for Your Majesty. Surely such trivial things might irritate you."

Heliam’s smile deepened as he forcefully pulled her into his arms.

"With you here, I’m not irritated."

His words startled Tanya, and she tried hard to maintain a bashful expression, though her face simply flushed red.

"You're so naughty..." Tanya batted her eyelashes, striking a coquettish, hesitant pose.

Heliam lifted her chin with his finger, his thumb brushing across her soft lips, desire sparking in his eyes.

As his handsome face drew closer, Tanya’s mind was suddenly filled with the image of Alexander’s rebellious yet handsome face.

"Assassin! There's an assassin! Guards, catch the assassin!"

The sharp voice halted Heliam's next move. His eyes flashed with impatience, and finally, he merely pinched Tanya’s face. “Go and check.”

Tanya let out a breath of relief, shuffling along behind him.

The last time someone yelled about catching an assassin, the "assassin" had been Alexander, dressed in a blue eunuch robe. Tanya wasn’t sure why she thought of him now—perhaps because that face, so devilishly beautiful, was impossible to forget.

Sunlight wrapped around Tanya in layers, casting a soft glow on her as she squinted her eyes. Ahead of her stood a man clad in silver armor, holding a long sword, kneeling on one knee.

His voice was cold and low.

“The assassin was just a cat. No harm done.”

Tanya was pulled from her memories by the familiar voice. The man inclined his head slightly, his thin lips curling into a cold smile.

It was him.

[Fans] - Nongfu Spring Is a Bit Sweet: Holy crap—Alexander!

[Fans] - Machine Spirit: Why is it him again? I’m calling the cops!

[Fans] - Little Buried: Is this a hallucination?

[Fans] - Ahri Dreams of Traveling: ...Why is the assassin a cat?

Tanya’s eyes suddenly reddened, her peach blossom eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Alexander, clad in his silver armor, looked dashing and handsome, his towering nose like a statue carved from stone. It was hard to imagine what kind of imposing figure lay beneath that armor.

Alexander’s cold smile deepened. His thin lips moved as he silently mouthed a few words—

"Toilet washing maid."

Tanya's heart instantly plummeted to freezing depths.

“Why is there a cat in the study?” Heliam’s expression darkened, his hand resting on Tanya’s shoulder.

Against the light, Tanya could make out Heliam’s furrowed brows. Impossible...

Heliam... doesn't recognize Alexander?

Has he lost his memory? Or... have I lost mine?

“Perhaps it came from the Chaoyang Hall, Your Majesty. I am conducting a thorough investigation,” Alexander’s playful smile faded into seriousness, his gaze flickering briefly toward Heliam’s hand gripping Tanya’s right hand.

“Forget it.” Heliam waved dismissively. “Vivienne, come with me.”

Tanya stumbled along, Heliam’s hand naturally sliding to rest on her waist.

“Your Majesty.” The low voice sounded again, Alexander bowing his head even lower. “Lady Francois recently troubled Your Majesty in the Imperial Garden and expressed her wish to meet you again. I bring her message.”

Heliam paused, his eyes deepening as he reconsidered his intention to take Tanya into the room. With a casual remark for her to rest well, he left.

Alexander had barely risen before Tanya grabbed his armor. But with too much force, she stumbled and fell into his chest.

“As brainless as always,” Alexander sneered down at her, his chest firm and solid.

Tanya quickly returned to the point, “What are you doing here!”

“Catching assassins,” Alexander responded matter-of-factly.

“I meant—weren’t you... dead?” Tanya blinked wide-eyed, filled with disbelief.

Alexander raised an eyebrow at her poor attempt at being cute. He pinched her cheek, leaning in close. “Just how badly do you want me dead, woman?”

Tanya chuckled awkwardly, “No, no, I’m glad you’re back.”

Then she realized something, “But weren’t you the assassin? Why are you dressed in silver armor now? What’s with this outfit? Are you a secret service agent or something?”

Tanya was sinking into deep self-doubt. “Could it be that I’ve really lost my memory...”

Alexander’s response was a scornful laugh. “I’m a game bug, virus king, you know? Getting rid of me isn’t that easy.”

Tanya’s eyes welled up with tears.

“It’s over... I didn’t lose my memory， the system is broken, and so is Alexander’s brain...”

A few black lines appeared on Alexander’s forehead as he gritted his teeth. “You’re asking for it!”

Tanya nodded, her eyes shimmering. “But it’s so good that you’re back.”

Sunlight fell on her forehead, casting a radiant glow, while a gentle breeze swept through the study, rustling the flowers and grass. This woman, even when crying, was smiling.

Alexander turned his head awkwardly. “I don’t want to be remembered by a maid.”

The barrage of [Fans]s exploded across the screen.

[Fans] - Am I Blind: Halfway through the live stream, the cold tyrant turned into a tsundere Alexander. Awooo—

[Fans] - Machine Spirit: Welcome back.

[Fans] - Azure Silk and Green Hair: Kiss, kiss!

[Fans] - I Also Like Eating Bread Crusts: Ahhh, run, Alex! The antivirus is coming!

[Guest] - Candlelight Flicker: I also saw it... the system suddenly shows it's running an antivirus...

Guest - I Am a Programmer: Beep, the antivirus is arriving at the scene with a 40-meter-long sword—

System Message: System Manager has entered the live room—