Chapter 302: Must Stay by His Side

This was Yu Zhizhi’s first time entering the Royal Palace.

Teacher Dai Li helped her change into a light blue court gown. A maid bent down to arrange the voluminous skirt, while another stood behind her, tightening the belt.

Yu Zhizhi gazed at her transformed reflection in the mirror as Teacher Dai Li placed a delicate crystal hairpin in her hair. A kind smile graced her lips. "Ms. Zhi Zhi, this is your first time in the Royal Palace, isn’t it?"

Yu Zhizhi nodded gently.

Dai Li said, "Don’t be nervous. His Majesty the King is kind and magnanimous. Besides, with the Duke there, everything will go smoothly."

She looked at the Rabbit Clan female before her, skin as white as snow and eyes as bright as stars, and couldn’t help but marvel. ’Ms. Zhi Zhi is more adorable and beautiful than any S-Class female I’ve ever seen.’

Dai Li really liked this young lady from the Rabbit Clan.

She sent the two maids away and asked in a low voice, "Miss, regarding your First Beast Husband, do you have any thoughts?"

"During this visit to the Royal Palace, His Majesty the King might ask about your intentions."

’First Beast Husband...’

Yu Zhizhi hadn’t given the matter any serious thought.

Dai Li adjusted her silver-rimmed glasses. "Miss, you’re quite fond of the Paradise Leader from the Moon Rising Empire, aren’t you? It’s just that, with his status and position, he would never marry into Valoran. And you, Ms. Zhi Zhi, are extremely important to our Empire. When it comes to a political alliance through marriage, the King likely has other candidates in mind."

Dai Li had also seen the Rabbit Clan Lady send a bonding invitation to the Paradise Leader.

’She must be in such a difficult position right now.’

Dai Li said softly, "If you haven’t settled on a suitable candidate yet, Miss, you can just say that you haven’t made up your mind and need a little more time when asked."

Yu Zhizhi knew Teacher Dai Li was trying to help her. She nodded gently. "Mhm, I’ll keep that in mind."

An open-topped carriage was waiting outside. Aided by a servant, Yu Zhizhi settled into her seat.

The carriage drove away from the Duke Mansion.

The Royal Palace of the Valoran Empire was classical and majestic, with guards in dark red armor standing watch at the palace gates.

Led by a palace attendant, the carriage made its way to His Majesty the King’s tea room. The delicate fragrance of tea drifted from the courtyard.

"Ms. Zhi Zhi, please wait a moment."

After about an hour, the sound of footsteps came from the courtyard. Two councilors were leaving the study when they saw the young Rabbit Clan woman waiting at the entrance, and their steps faltered slightly.

One man’s eyes lit up, and he hurried over. "Ms. Zhi Zhi?"

This councilor was quite young, dressed in a crimson uniform with a golden belt. "I am Wei’an of the Keli Family. If you have the time, you would be most welcome to visit!"

He extended his right hand.

Yu Zhizhi lightly shook his hand.

The young councilor made a gentlemanly gesture for her to proceed. "His Majesty the King and the Duke are waiting for you."

Yu Zhizhi walked into the secluded courtyard. Across from the waterside pavilion, she saw a familiar figure through a wide, floor-to-ceiling window. Her anxious heart calmed a little.

Following behind the palace attendant, she slowly approached the tea room.

Inside the spacious reception room, in addition to the Duke, there was a young physician in white robes whom she didn’t recognize. He caught a glimpse of the guest from the corner of his eye and, knowing she was the Imperial S-level female His Majesty the King valued so highly, gave her an indifferent nod by way of greeting.

Yu Zhizhi gently lifted the hem of her long gown with both hands and performed an elegant curtsy.

On a sofa in the tea room, the middle-aged King was dressed casually, having finished with the morning’s court affairs. He rolled a string of sandalwood beads in his hand as he continued their earlier conversation. "You must guarantee her personal safety. Cha Li, I’m leaving this matter to you."

The young physician replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Zhi Zhi is here?" His Majesty the King spotted the young lady’s figure and quickly sat up straighter, beckoning to her. "Come, sit down, let me have a good look at you—"

He had heard a great deal about this female from the Rabbit Clan.

This was the first time he had seen her.

The Duke, seated across from the King, looked up. His gaze fell upon the young woman, who was dressed to the nines. Her milky-white skin appeared all the more delicate and stunning against the fabric of her gown. Her dark eyes shone with an innocent light, and a faint, sweet fragrance filled the entire tea room.

’To think she’s going to see that wolf dressed like this...’

The Duke averted his gaze and shifted slightly to one side.

Yu Zhizhi slowly approached. "Your Majesty, Duke."

After a slight curtsy, she sat down beside the Duke.

A kind, amiable smile spread across the face of the Valoran Empire’s King as he saw the Rabbit Clan female. "Have you been settling in well at the Duke Mansion?"

Yu Zhizhi nodded gently. "Yes, I have."

’The study isn’t crowded, and Teacher Dai Li is usually there to keep me company. Plus, I get to see Little Amon every day. And now there’s a Little Octopus, too.’

The King then made some more small talk with her.

Off to the side, the young physician looked at the Rabbit Clan female’s back, thinking about what they had just been discussing—

’This fragile young female is actually going to see the Empire’s War Weapon?’

’After all, Lord Locke is in a berserk state. This month alone, a total of six people have been injured just by getting too close to him.’

’Five of them were critically injured and left clinging to life.’

’And one died on the spot.’

The young physician felt a wave of inexplicable irritation at the thought of the gruesome scene that might soon unfold.

He knew.

’This Rabbit Clan Lady is on good terms with Lord Locke.’

’But that’s no reason for her to come and make a mess of things.’

As they chatted, His Majesty the King abruptly changed the subject. Just as Teacher Dai Li had predicted, he asked her about who she had in mind for her First Beast Husband.

Yu Zhizhi thought for a moment before saying softly, "I... I haven’t made up my mind yet."

His Majesty the King’s tone was gentle. "That’s alright, Zhi Zhi. You can take your time to think about it. If it’s truly troubling you, you can also leave the matter for Bolun to handle."

A candidate for First Beast Husband must, first and foremost, possess an extraordinary status and position.

Secondly, his Physique, talent, and spiritual power must all be one in ten thousand.

It would be even better if his family held significant power within the Valoran Empire.

’The young physician was simply confused. While the Empire valued every S-Class female, the Rabbit Clan Lady was the first to receive this much of His Majesty’s attention.’

’Besides, she was only S-Class.’

’Not SS Level.’

’It was probably because she was connected to both the Duke and Lord Locke. That must be why His Majesty the King valued her so highly.’

The Duke said nothing the entire time.

It was about time.

His Majesty the King had the young physician take Yu Zhizhi to the place where Tang Luo Ke was being treated.

Yu Zhizhi rose from the sofa and gave them a farewell curtsy.

The Duke turned his head slightly to watch her leave.

The King laughed. "Can’t bear to see her go? Just wait until the day she suddenly announces she wants Tang Luo Ke as her First Beast Husband. We’ll see what you do then."

The image of such a scene flashed through his mind, and the Duke’s heart suddenly clenched.

’...No.’

His golden, vertical pupils darkened.

’The little rabbit has to stay with the Snake Clan.’

’She has to stay by my side.’

Yu Zhizhi followed behind the young physician and asked about Tang Luo Ke. The physician’s response was cold. "His condition has been terrible ever since he returned from the Moon Rising Empire. His physical injuries have healed, but—"