Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

At the Royal Palace of Chiboa, 

Completing all his work in the study, Shin Tinming finally closed his books and files. Putting his working glasses back on the table, he looked at the butler. "These files are done. You can send it to the administrative people for the last check. If everything is fine with the background of the proposals, ask them to not delay the things further. This will be really profitable in the long run". 

He said and the butler nodded before going forward to take the files mentioned, in his hands. "I will do this as the first thing in the morning, Your Majesty". 

The man nodded as well before turning to leave. Behind him the butler made sure to switch off the lights while keeping other things in order. 

Completing his work in his study, Shin Tinming went straight to his bedroom, expecting his wife to be already asleep there. Not to forget, the Queen has got the habit of sleeping early on time, while he has got habituated to work until late at night. They looked poles apart, but still shared the best compatibility in the world.

Shin Tinming's brows wrinkled in a frown as he took his steps inside the room. Though the room was dimly lit, setting the ambience for a sound sleep, the bed in the middle was comforting no one to sleep; rather was all empty like none has ever stopped to sleep there. 

Turning on his heels at once, he went out to find a maid. "Where is your Queen?" he asked and the maid at once politely bowed and replied. 

"Your Majesty, Her Highness is still working in her office. She has yet to have her dinner" 

"Yet to have her dinner? Is there no one looking after her meals? How is it so late today?" The man was even more upset than before. This was not the way his wife lived as usual. What had happened around that has made her so busy all of a sudden. 

At the blasting questions, the maid was at once scared. Looking down at the floor, she cowered a little before saying out her words in hesitation. "Y – Your Majesty, earlier we have gone to the office to inform Her Highness about her dinner being prepared. But she declined saying that she will have it later after completing her work". 

Shin Tinming's brows did not ease. Without saying any further words to the maid, he simply turned to walk in the direction of the office. Reaching at the distance, he paused again. "Prepare the table and bring it to your Queen's office," he said, before again strutting his way to the office.

In the Queen's office, inside the Palace. The room was still bright and the faint sound of clicking keys of the keyboard was in the air, making people aware of the serious work going inside the room. 

"Linda, that will be all for today. You have already worked hard and also need rest. So, proceed with further work tomorrow."  Chen Rui said to her secretary as her fingers still worked on the keyboard. 

Linda, the Queen's secretary really looked exhausted but she still had stamina to proceed. "It's okay, Your Highness. I can still work a little longer. I can accompany you and …" She was about to say more but paused when saw the door of the office getting pushed the next moment. 

Realizing who had come, she immediately stood up to greet, "Your Majesty!" Hearing her greet, Chen Rui's fingers also halted as she lifted her head up to look at her husband. 

"Ohh, you are here. Have you completed your work? I thought you would be working a little late." She said, and Shin Tinming only shook his head. 

"I seem to be fast today. Everything was completed on time." He said, before looking down at the papers his wife was working on. "You are still working this late. Is there any matter pending?" He asked, before taking a file in his hands. 

Chen Rui smiled at his concern, shaking her head once in nothingness. "It's nothing important. Just a yearly thing. But for some reason, I am getting the vibe that this year will turn out to be an important one, later. So, I was working in advance to make things perfect". She said as slowly and slowly, she saw her husband's brows furrowing in severity. 

Knowing well what that seriousness was about, she was about to explain to him but before she could start, the man took the lead. "This? Rui, are you serious about this?"

The woman had already seen these questions coming, so she didn't panic. Instead, she maintained her smile, giving a nod, "That's fine. Give me a moment, I will dismiss Linda for the day and then we can talk." She said and then turned to her secretary, asking her to leave. 

"Linda, it's fine. You have worked really hard today and we also have to work tomorrow. So, go, take a good rest today and come on time the next day. For the rest of the things, it's almost done. I will wrap it alone. Good night!"

The secretary this time immediately nodded, before taking the files and her bag to leave. "Good night, Your Majesty, Your Highness," she said before bowing slightly and taking the leave. 

Only once when she left did Chen Rui turn to look back at her husband. "Okay, now she is gone and we can discuss the topic you are fuming on." She said leisurely, folding the files at the front while maximizing the document on the computer. 

Shin Tinming looked at her eased expression and could no longer keep himself restrained. "Rui, what is this? Are you serious?" He said, putting the file back on the desk, keeping it open on the page that held Li Xue's profile on the top. 

"What there to be serious about, Tinming? This has been my job for years now and I have all grown used to it. It no longer troubles me or puts me into stress" Chen Rui said again, before closing everything to give her sole attention to the man.