"Do you have any leads? About the executioner." Tanya raised her gaze, her large eyes brimming with a watery brilliance, like a clear mountain spring winding through Alexander’s world.

The whole sky brightened.

It seemed that Tanya truly possessed such magic—a power that made it impossible to look away.

From the very first day she entered Alexander's world, crossing mountains and rivers and overcoming countless hardships, being able to see her again, to have her right beside him—it was a blessing beyond words.

It took Alexander a while to refocus his gaze, and he chuckled softly, “Hmm... I have some vague clues.”

Tanya’s question had been casual, not expecting to actually get an answer. “What are they?”

A trace of surprise, along with a hint of heat, flickered in her black eyes.

Alexander shrugged nonchalantly, “I don’t want to say.”

Tanya froze for a moment.

“Fine, then don’t,” she said, sticking out her tongue as her silky hair fluttered gently in the light breeze.

“Would you like to stay here at Harmonious Hall for a while?” he asked.

Tanya raised an eyebrow. “Not interested.”

Alexander’s brow tightened, and his slender fingers pinched Tanya’s delicate cheeks, turning her face from side to side as he said in a low voice:

“Just recently, you were flaunting yourself at me in every possible way. Now, just because you’ve changed your clothes, you think you’re bold enough to speak like this?”

With her cheeks being squeezed, Tanya’s speech came out a little garbled, “Let go! I have a temper, too!”

Alexander laughed softly, his voice low and captivating.

Tanya hesitated for a moment.

Then her delicate fist pounded on Alexander’s chest urgently, while her other hand brushed away his hand on her face.

“Someone’s coming!”

Alexander’s dark gaze sank, and he swiftly pulled Tanya behind the dragon throne on the high platform.

Tanya cautiously leaned forward, trying to peer over the throne.

With a sweep of his arm, Alexander pulled her into his embrace, his eyes shifting to the other side with a deep gaze.

Tanya was stunned, catching the familiar and clean scent of his body, momentarily losing focus.

“You foolish woman. Indulging your curiosity without regard for the occasion. What if you got caught?”

He tightened his grip around her, his thick eyebrows arching high.

Tanya’s face flushed instantly, and she awkwardly turned her head away. “Le—let me go…”

“What did you say?” Alexander’s attention remained on the movement in front of the throne. Confirming that there was no one else in the hall, he exhaled lightly and turned back around.

Tanya’s body was taut as a bowstring, and when Alexander’s tall figure turned to the side, his lips seemed to brush against hers, almost but not quite touching.

A soft breeze seemed to sweep by, lowly circling Tanya’s ear, making the gentle wind near her ear intoxicate her senses.

It was clearly mid-July, but with Alexander nearby, even the breeze seemed to turn warm.

Under the dim candlelight of Harmonious Hall, Tanya’s smooth forehead shone with a hint of ambiguity.

He found himself inexplicably enchanted.

Tanya jumped back first, her eyes widening slightly, and her face flushed a deep red.

A trace of disappointment flashed through Alexander’s dark eyes, but he quickly composed himself. “Let’s go. The executioner has left.”

He stood up first and left without another word. His lips, still slightly burning from their earlier contact, bore a faint trace of her scent.

Tanya nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on Alexander’s silver armor, yet her steps quickened instinctively to follow him.

The silver armor reflected soft light under the flickering candle flames, delicately casting a glow in Tanya’s pupils.

She couldn’t help feeling a little sad.

It was a kiss, after all. Did it mean so little to him?

Alexander escorted Tanya to Fragrance Hall. Not far away, Verdant paced anxiously outside the main entrance, and Alexander halted in his steps.

Tanya took a few steps forward, just as Alexander turned around. The two exchanged glances, and Tanya, slightly embarrassed, lowered her head and quickly darted into Fragrance Hall.

Verdant noticed the commotion from afar. By the time Tanya rushed into the inner room, she had already caught sight of Alexander.

Verdant bowed respectfully from a distance, and Alexander nodded in understanding.

Alexander gazed at the courtyard walls of Fragrance Hall. Beside the walls stood an old tree, its appearance showing signs of decay. With a darkened gaze, he leaped effortlessly onto the tree.

On the other side, Tanya, touching her burning cheeks, looked on with clear eyes.

“To think an unintentional kiss would unsettle my heart like this,” Tanya sighed softly, covering her face as she rolled around on her bed.

“Are you going to sleep now, Your Highness?” Verdant pushed the door open and entered, noticing Tanya’s orange robe, and asked softly.

Tanya responded quietly, though the heat on her face only seemed to increase.

Verdant paused slightly.

“Then, shall I leave the window open a bit? Your face didn’t look too good just now, and the feng shui in the capital is strong. The room could use some ventilation.” Verdant took a few steps to the window, lifted her jade-like hand, and opened the window to a half-sized crack.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

Verdant withdrew, and after a long moment, Tanya slowly rose from the bed.

Alexander’s handsome and unruly face seemed to have taken root in her mind, impossible to shake off.

Tanya sighed in frustration and slowly slipped off the orange water silk dress.

Perched atop the old tree outside Fragrance Hall, Alexander finally found a few angles that allowed him to glimpse Tanya’s silhouette.

Watching her gently remove the water silk dress from her body, Alexander’s face turned a bit red.

Such a foolish woman.

He sighed inwardly and waited until Tanya had fallen into a deep sleep before turning away and leaping into the vast night.

The stars in the sky seemed to disappear entirely, and a light breeze brushed against his face, warm and comfortable.

When Tanya woke up again, it was already morning.

Sunlight angled lazily into the room, the weather clear and the air filled with a faint fragrance.

“Your Highness is awake?” Verdant approached the room, a small towel draped over her delicate hand.

Tanya quickly tidied herself up and stepped outside, squinting slightly as the sunlight reflected off the ground.

“How’s the investigation going, Your Highness?” Verdant asked curiously.

A faint smile appeared on Tanya’s face as Alexander’s haughty visage crossed her mind, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved up.

“There’s been some progress,” she said lightly.

Verdant’s smile broadened. “Good to hear. Where are you headed next, Your Highness?”

Tanya strode ahead briskly, a barely noticeable smile playing on her lips. “To the Imperial Guard Barracks.”

---

Inside the Imperial Guard Barracks.

Alexander stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze focused on a yellowed map spread out on the table before him.

“My lord, Lady Vivienne requests an audience.”

At the mention of “Vivienne,” Alexander’s brows furrowed slightly. A gleam flickered in his eyes, as if containing a faint starlight.

“Let her in,” he replied, his voice remaining cold and indifferent, as if the visitor had nothing to do with him.

“But… she’s—”

“It’s His Majesty’s order that I collaborate with Lady Vivienne on investigating the executioner’s case. Do you have any objections?” Alexander’s tone deepened, his eyes darkening, but he revealed no sign of impatience.

The guard shook his head vigorously before quickly retreating.

Tanya entered with Verdant following timidly behind, a faint smile lingering at the corners of her lips.

“No need for formalities,” Tanya cut in, stopping Alexander from any awkward display. Thinking herself reasonable, she glanced at him, amusement dancing in her eyes.

Alexander ignored her completely.

Tanya felt a flash of irritation, but her attention soon shifted to the yellow map on the table. Curious, she stepped forward and picked it up.

“What’s this you’re looking at?”

“Maps,” Alexander replied coolly, turning his head away.

Tanya played with the map in her hands. “Why are you looking at this? Is this… a map of the palace?” she asked, her finger pointing to the top of the map. A light breeze lifted her dark hair, and Tanya casually tucked a loose strand behind her ear, her gaze focused intently on the map.

Alexander sighed softly and gently took the map from her hand.

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the guards, leaving only Tanya and Verdant in the room.

“Verdant, would you like to step outside for a while?” Tanya asked, turning to her maid.

Alexander shook his head slightly and replied in a low voice, “There’s no need.”

“This is a map of the palace. I’m certain that the executioner’s appearance is not coincidental—it’s been orchestrated by someone.”

“You mean the executioner isn’t acting alone, and that someone in the palace is pulling the strings?” Tanya speculated.

“Yes,” Alexander answered quietly.

Verdant’s fine eyebrows furrowed. “But what about all the strange incidents in the palace? How do we explain those?”

Alexander hesitated for a moment before responding, “It’s simple: either someone is causing mischief from the shadows, or they’ve been colluding with others.”

“Is that so…” Verdant murmured in surprise.

“With the current situation, which do you think is more likely?” Tanya brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her bright eyes glimmering.

Alexander’s gaze darkened, remaining silent. His large hand lightly traced across the map.

“And where do you think she’s hiding?” Tanya rested her chin on one hand, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

Alexander froze for a moment, but when he saw the smile Tanya directed at him, his lips involuntarily curved into a faint smile as well.

“We need to analyze the motive first.”

“If you were to die, who in the harem would be the happiest?” he continued.

Tanya pondered seriously for a moment. “Everyone but me would be happy.”

This response earned her a side-eye from Alexander.

Verdant suddenly understood. “If we’re talking about who would be happiest, it would have to be Lady Francois or Lady Evelyn.”

Alexander nodded in partial agreement. “Not entirely correct.”

“Vivienne no longer poses a threat to Francois, so it’s unlikely Francois would go to such lengths.”

Verdant’s face darkened. “It seems then that Lady Evelyn is the most likely suspect.”

Alexander nodded. “But the person behind this isn’t necessarily doing it to gain the Emperor’s favor.”

“Then what’s their motive?” Tanya asked, curiosity piqued.

A sinister smile played on Alexander’s lips. “For revenge.”

A bloodthirsty gleam appeared in his smile, making Tanya pause in thought, her slender hand resting under her chin. “There have been a few incidents, yes.”

Her words confirmed Alexander’s theory.

He lifted his chin, casting a proud glance at Tanya before continuing.

“In that case, we’ll first target Evelyn. Once the time is right, we’ll reveal all the evidence.”

“And when will that be…” Tanya murmured with a sigh.