Leonos hesitated before forcing a calm expression. "Your bond with His Majesty is strong... but please, do not overthink it. I will go check on him at once."
But as she left, Leonos did not head toward the Drawing Room. Instead, she walked toward the Princess's quarters.
Outside the drawing room, someone was peeking through the slightly open door. It was none other than the personal maid of the Chinese Princess, assigned to accompany the Emperor but remain outside. She had been eavesdropping ever since the Grand Emperor entered the room. Without wasting a second, she hurried away, making no sound as she rushed to warn the Princess and Leonos.
Her plan was to inform the Princess first, then Leonos, ensuring both she and the Empress could escape safely. However, upon reaching the Princess's chambers, she found the door already ajar. Hearing Leonos's voice inside, she paused and listened.
Leonos spoke, "The Emperor has ordered me to bring you to him for an important discussion."
The maid frowned. When did the Emperor give this order? She had been standing outside the Empress's room and had heard nothing of the sort. Then, a chilling realization struck her—just as the two concubines had betrayed His Majesty, Leonos could be planning the same for the Princess.
Glancing around, she spotted a flower vase nearby. Stealthily picking it up, she stepped closer to Leonos and, without hesitation, struck the back of her neck. Leonos collapsed, unconscious.
Princess Long Yan turned to her. "What took you so long?"
"Oh, can't you save yourself?" Maroon, the maid, scoffed. "You foresaw this with your Dragon Mana, yet you stood there like an obedient student. Am I wrong, Your Highness?"
"Whatever! Let's escape now!" Long Yan snapped.
Long Yan, with flowing black hair, striking red eyes, defined eyelashes, a crimson outline just below her lower lashes, and naturally pink, glossy lips, captivated all.
Maroon hesitated. "But what about the Em—"
Long Yan grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the balcony. Together, they leaped.
Maroon shut her eyes, convinced this was the end. But just before they hit the ground, Long Yan summoned her mana, creating a portal beneath them. As they fell through, Maroon shivered from the sudden cold and opened her eyes. Around them, the night sky stretched endlessly, thick with swirling clouds.
As they passed through, Long Yan clutched a red, spherical lavaliere—the Blood Tear of the Dragon Empress and, the very artifact the Grand Emperor sought to destroy. Chanting a spell, she unleashed its power.
A radiant white dragon emerged from the lavaliere, catching them midair.
"This is Yue Long," Long Yan introduced. "My traveling companion. Look below—doesn't the territory look breathtaking?"
Maroon, however, looked down with sorrow. Long Yan noticed and asked, "Why are you upset, Maroon?"
Tears welled in Maroon's eyes. "How could you leave the Empress behind to die? How could you be so heartless, Your Highness?!"
Long Yan's expression darkened. "The Empress Mother was already dead before the prediction from the sheer pain she felt after his death."
Maroon trembled. "Then why aren't you crying, Princess?"
Long Yan's voice was steady. "If crying for the dead could bring them back, I would cry."
Maroon fell silent.
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