After eating something, Shen Zhiyi came to the kitchen and saw Samus standing in front of a pile of dishes, his face and body covered in white powder.

"What are you doing?"

She walked over curiously.

My gaze fell upon the soup bowl, and I froze.

These……

It was a sweet soup that her mother had made for her before...

“Princess.” Samus put the plate he was carrying on the table, walked over, and took her hand.

Shen Zhiyi then noticed that he was wearing a small apron.

The white lace hem of his dress looked rather pitiful, stretched taut by his broad shoulders, muscular chest, and lean waist.

Coupled with his indifferent expression, it looked even more ridiculous.

Shen Zhiyi couldn't help but chuckle.

"Why aren't you sleeping? What are you doing here?"

Samus pulled her to the table. "The princess gave me such sweet food, so I want to make something delicious for her too."

Shen Zhiyi's cheeks flushed, and she glared at him.

This person...

Why do you say such nonsensical things anytime, anywhere...?

“I used moon dew powder and honey fruit from Liuguang City. Try it and see if it tastes like the sweet soup your mother makes,” Samus said.

He specifically sought out chefs in Liuguang City to learn from them, and also researched the flavors that the late queen preferred.

I searched through countless recipes and failed countless times.

After trying many different combinations and having several maids who had served the Queen taste them, we finally selected a few that tasted closest to the original.

I don't know which one fits.

Shen Zhiyi was shaken.

She looked up at his disheveled face and the exquisite sweet soups, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

She tried them one by one.

That heat surged from the tip of my tongue all the way to the bottom of my eyes.

Her eyes were slightly red as she stopped in front of a plate of sweet soup, her voice choked with emotion, "This looks very similar."

"No, it tastes just like I remember it."

"Samus, thank you."

She hugged him, smelling the fragrance of moon dew powder emanating from him, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Samus breathed a sigh of relief.

He bent down and hugged her, whispering, "I'm glad the princess is happy."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to do it and will only make you sad."

"fortunately."

He would do anything to make her happy, no matter how insignificant.

Verga has already assembled the army as instructed.

I also trained according to his method.

Results will be seen soon.

When the time comes, he will give her anything she needs.

Shen Zhiyi closed her eyes tightly, a smile playing on her lips.

Since her mother's passing, she hadn't felt this way of being cared for in a long time.

It's very sweet and delicious...

In fact, she did not taste the flavor of her mother's cooking from these sweet soups.

But what does it matter?

Some things should simply fade into the past with our memories.

She should also have the courage to let go.

However, he worked so hard for her that she couldn't bear to disappoint him.

I also wanted him to taste a little bit of the sweetness, just like this sweet soup...

A few weeks later.

Samus's power successfully broke through to SS level.

However, Shen Zhiyi discovered that there was no sign of the ancient bloodline within him awakening.

With the election ceremony just around the corner, she couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

That day, Ian asked her to go to the lab to look at a set of data.

"Princess, after my research, I have discovered that to awaken this ancient bloodline, one must possess intense hatred and a strong desire for plunder in order to succeed."

Intense hatred?

A strong urge to prey?

Shen Zhiyi frowned.

Ian said, "This bloodline has been dormant for ten thousand years, feeding on hatred. If the princess and Samus continue to live such a peaceful and happy life, I'm afraid... they will never gain power."

Not having power meant being controlled by the queen.

At that point, I'm afraid I won't even be able to save my life.

"Princess, I'm worried..."

“Then ignite his hatred,” Shen Zhiyi said coldly, “and his…predatory desires.”

She won't abandon him.

But the prerequisite for being together is that she has to keep her own life.

She wants both power and love!

*

"Princess! The Senate has passed a resolution to hold the succession election ceremony ahead of schedule!"

Upon receiving the message, Shen Zhiyi let out a cold laugh.

It seems her stepmother can't sit still any longer.

Recently, there have been frequent reports of orcs going missing in the city.

She has been secretly investigating this matter.

Now it seems there's no need for further investigation.

Her stepmother was able to hold the ceremony ahead of schedule without an army, so the disappearance of the orcs must be related to her!

What do they want to do at the election rally?

Shen Zhiyi lowered her eyes and pondered.

After a long pause, he looked up and instructed the maid, "Send a message to Ice Crystal City."

"Just say that I, the princess, have chosen my fiancé, and ask the Astoria family to prepare." Her eyes were cold as she parted her red lips and said, "The engagement ceremony will be held on the same day as the election ceremony."

"My fiancé must present me with a wreath of flowers before an heir is chosen."

"Yes!" The maid acknowledged the order and hurried away.

Shen Zhiyi slowly leaned back in her chair.

The empire possesses a crystal ball passed down through generations, called "Star Gauge," which contains the energy of each ruler.

Each successor must be approved by the celestial astrologer.

It can not only reveal a person's talent and ability, but also provide insight into all the power and support behind them.

The army, finances, and even public sentiment.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!