Suddenly, several people stepped forward and grabbed Tanya's arms, causing her blue garments to sway. Tanya nimbly dodged and tilted her head.

"You have quite the nerve, even daring to touch me."

Francois's eyes narrowed as they shifted to Tanya, deepening with intensity, a faint smile curling at her lips that caught Tanya off guard.

"Vivienne, how have you become so audacious, causing a scene in my palace so early in the morning? I know you visited Nebula Tower and attended the alliance meeting. The emperor stayed in your palace last night, yet you’ve become so arrogant due to his favor."

Francois suddenly made this baffling remark, leaving Tanya momentarily stunned. The gleam in her eyes was undeniable, but Tanya quickly composed herself, allowing a smile to return to her lips.

"Why do you say that, sister? Vivienne only came to seek an explanation. Little Eunuch Yew has spread rumors that someone in your palace has slandered me. I merely came to see why you hold such a grudge against me."

As Tanya spoke, her voice trembled slightly, her expression mirroring that of Evelyn, perfectly portraying a sense of grievance.

As expected, Francois's face stiffened, her cherry lips pressed tight as if to retort, but she was interrupted by a cold voice from behind.

"What is all this commotion?" Heliam's indifferent tone reached them. Tanya had anticipated his arrival but still feigned surprise, turning to bow before Heliam.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

A subtle smile played on Tanya's lips as she exchanged a disdainful glance with Francois.

You think you can compete with me? You’re still too inexperienced.

"It’s quite noisy this early in the morning."

Heliam took a few steps to his seat, fatigue evident in his features.

Tanya stood defiantly beside him, her smile becoming a source of mockery in Francois's eyes, prompting her to frown slightly.

"Your Majesty only stayed one night in Vivienne’s palace, and this morning, you could barge into my Twilight Palace. If you continue to indulge her, it seems Twilight Palace will never know a moment of peace."

Francois directly challenged him, her words sharp and devoid of Evelyn's delicacy, catching Tanya off guard.

Heliam raised an eyebrow but said nothing, causing Tanya’s heart to sink, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Francois interpreted his silence as tacit agreement, a hint of mockery on her lips. "Your Majesty should be careful."

Heliam frowned in displeasure. "Who said I spent the night in Fragrance Hall?"

Tanya’s eyes flickered with panic, which Francois quickly seized upon, her lips curling into a cold smile. "Naturally, it was Vivienne. Her maid claimed that the emperor visited her chamber in the middle of the night. Such boldness—surely that’s not mere favor but arrogance."

Tanya recalled what Tiffany had said the previous night, her panic intensifying.

Heliam, however, remained indifferent, his gaze lingering on Tanya, darkening with scrutiny.

"If I indulge her, what of it? I want her to be arrogant."

His nonchalant remark sent ripples of shock through Tanya, and even Francois widened her beautiful eyes in surprise.

Then, jealousy surged forth, deepening the gaze directed at Tanya as if it aimed to pierce through her. Finally, Francois moved, bowing slightly, "I understand."

Tanya wore a smile that seemed faintly teasing, but Heliam’s indifferent gaze scrutinized her. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on her face, while a chill emanated from Heliam’s eyes, causing Tanya to shudder.

"Have you managed to process your emotions now?" Heliam suddenly uttered a nonsensical question, but Tanya understood its meaning.

He was referring to what she had said to him last night! He still held a grudge!

Tanya’s eyes sparkled with confusion; her attempts to smile faltered as her heart sank.

This matter remained unresolved. As they exited Twilight Palace, Heliam suddenly stepped closer, leaning toward Tanya with a subtle smile.

"My dear hasn’t yet answered my question."

When he asked again, Tanya felt a bit flustered, chuckling awkwardly, "I... I’m not quite ready yet; I hope Your Majesty can grant me a few more days."

Heliam seemed to have anticipated this, his gaze shifting over her, finally turning away.

He said nothing further, leaving with a cold and proud demeanor.

Tanya sighed in relief as Tiffany followed behind them. The two intended to return to Fragrance Hall but encountered a figure clad in silver armor at the palace gates.

It was Alexander.

Tanya hurriedly stepped forward, but Alexander’s gaze was cold and distant as he swept over her before quickly looking away.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty."

His tone carried a hint of indifference and aloofness, the sunlight reflecting off his silver armor and momentarily dazzling Tanya.

Tanya nodded, her finely arched brows knitting together as she wanted to inquire about his intentions, but the coldness in Alexander’s eyes silenced her.

"You may leave now." Tanya turned to Tiffany and said.

Tiffany understood and stepped back. Tanya approached Alexander, gazing at his somewhat haughty expression, and smiled slightly. "Thank you for saving me last night."

She referred to the moment when Heliam had attempted to kiss her, only for King Aureliu to burst in with a knife, and Alexander’s flying dagger had intervened.

Without Alexander, she might have been kissed by Heliam.

Alexander's gaze ultimately shifted to Tanya's delicate face, the smooth sheen on her forehead accentuating her radiant skin. The red hairpin in her hair contrasted beautifully with her blue attire, creating an unexpectedly pleasing clash of warm and cool tones.

The gentle breeze lifted her clothes, causing them to sway lightly as a faint smile graced Tanya's lips. Alexander's eyes drifted to her cherry blossom-like mouth, which seemed to exude an irresistible charm.

He eventually turned away, his tone indifferent as he said, "Your Highness, no need for excessive words. This is my duty."

Tanya's brows furrowed tightly; Alexander's demeanor didn’t seem like a joke. The atmosphere around them cooled noticeably, and for some reason, she felt a discontent at his aloofness.

"Alexander, what's wrong?"

She glared at him, fuming, but Alexander looked away. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

"You're such a tsundere!" Tanya jumped in front of him, smiling mischievously. "We're comrades, after all! You're the only one from my world, so you can't let the system defeat you!"

Alexander fixed his gaze on her, his elongated eyes revealing a swirling affection, but he ultimately said nothing.

He bypassed her and walked away, leaving Tanya a bit annoyed at his lack of understanding.

The sunlight illuminated his figure, making him appear even more dignified, while he seemed to grow increasingly reserved in the fleeting moment.

Tanya hurried back to Fragrance Hall, where she was met with Tiffany's excited exclamation, "Your Highness, Eunuch Belmont is here!"

Tanya's eyes narrowed, her brows lifting. "Isn't he supposed to be with His Majesty?"

Just parted ways with Heliam, and now someone else was sent to Fragrance Hall?

"The maid doesn’t know, but Eunuch Belmont came through the back door, saying he has the Emperor's decree."

Tanya pondered for a moment. "Show him in."

Upon seeing Tanya, Eunuch Belmont appeared respectful, the golden decree in his hand gleaming. He instructed Tiffany to step back, declaring that this decree was specially issued by Heliam for Tanya.

Tanya frowned slightly and bowed respectfully. Eunuch Belmont cleared his throat, gradually revealing the decree.

"By order of the Emperor, Vivienne is indeed foolish. To enhance her understanding, it is decreed that Vivienne shall recite The Book of Her Wisdom every morning in Fragrance Hall, with Eunuch Belmont personally supervising."

After he finished, Tanya was momentarily stunned.

"Your Highness, why not accept the decree?"

Eunuch Belmont smiled, pressing the decree into Tanya's palm.

"Why is the Emperor issuing this?" she asked curiously. Was it really necessary for a concubine to be tested with The Book of Her Wisdom…?

Eunuch Belmont's smile widened. "Think carefully, Your Highness. Have you done anything recently to upset His Majesty?"

Tanya thought seriously for a moment.

Wait… could it be…?

Was it her comment about not having digested properly that left Heliam still upset?

Tanya felt tears welling up, weakly asking, "Do I really have to recite it every day…?"

Eunuch Belmont grinned. "Yes, I will make sure you follow the palace's decree. If you don’t…"

"Don’t what?" Tanya asked cautiously.

"You'll find out," he chuckled, "I won't disturb you further. I'll arrive on time tomorrow morning."

Tanya grimaced as she watched Eunuch Belmont leave, and Tiffany hurried in.

"Your Highness? Is something wrong?"

The gentle breeze ruffled Tanya's hair, her peach blossom eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Big trouble, very big!"

"What happened?" Tiffany's expression tensed.

"The Book of Her Wisdom… is it thick…?"

As night fell, stars filled the sky, a gentle light spilling before Fragrance Hall as if covered in frost.

Little Eunuch Yew hurried to Tanya, kneeling with a thud.

"Your Highness, Lady Evelyn wants you to know she’ll be waiting for you by the lotus pond."

What now?

Tanya raised an eyebrow, and Little Eunuch Yew added, "Lady Evelyn said that the guard Alexander is also there and seems to want to discuss Daisy."

"But haven’t we moved on from Daisy? Why bring it up again?"

Little Eunuch Yew shrank back, "I don't know; it was the maid by Lady Evelyn who told me. If you don't go, Alexander will be presented before the Emperor."

Tanya felt a wave of annoyance, seeing Little Eunuch Yew tremble, she finally relaxed her brow. "Fine, I'll go see her."

At the lotus pond, Evelyn wore a purple fur coat, the moonlight pouring over her, enchanting and graceful.

"Vivienne sister has arrived."