The Green Tea is Always Targeting The Wrong Person (GREENTEA)
"Salu, I have a task I'd like to assign to you."
Yue Chu toyed with a miniature golden scepter in his hand.
The smooth, polished gold gleamed brightly with four base supports resembling flower calyxes holding up an exquisite small crown at the top.
The crown's base was inlaid with two circles of gemstones, primarily in red and black, with a hollowed-out design in the center. The arched curves were also adorned with gemstones.
This was one of the items Lafa had gifted him, casually mentioning it was just a small trinket and that he could play with it as he pleased, as there were many more in the treasury. The crown for his coronation was already being crafted, and it was said that the gemstones on it had been personally selected by the King, each one priceless.
Not only that, but his residence had also been moved from a remote corner to a place right next to the King's. Upon opening the window, he could see the towering palace that no one dared approach.
Compared to the coldness of the throne, his side could be described as red-hot. If it weren't for the Blood Shadows sent by the King to guard him, the high threshold of his residence would have been worn down by the constant stream of visitors.
The interior decorations had also undergone a sudden transformation, becoming luxurious and refined, with all gifts from the major nobles who had caught wind of his rising status. Yue Chu had initially hesitated to accept them, but Lafa had waved his hand and taken care of it all, unceremoniously refurbishing his residence.
A smile played on Yue Chu's lips as his snow-white fingertips traced the delicate scepter. This was the taste of power—one moment in hell, the next in heaven.
Salu bowed her head respectfully with her snow-white neck peeking out from her black maid uniform.
This intelligent young woman had also been growing continuously, maturing from innocence to shrewdness, from naivety to tactfulness, all to protect her beloved lord. Even as their statuses underwent drastic changes, she had firmly maintained her position, proving her worth with loyalty and wisdom.
She waited silently for the command while trembling with joy at her lord's trust. Her slender nails gripped her skirt tightly, determined to offer her most fervent loyalty to her master.
Yue Chu rested his chin on his hand while his gaze lingering on the scepter. The smile on his lips was like a gentle breeze blowing through a tree full of pear blossoms, fresh and subtly fragrant.
Yue Chu: "Find a way to get close to Anna then keep a close eye on her every move, and report back to me at all times."
Salu elegantly lifted her skirt and curtsied, committing Yue Chu's command to heart and determined not to betray her lord's trust.
After Salu left, the Little Bear immediately popped out, unwilling to be left out.
A huge question mark appeared above its head as it leaned in close to Yue Chu, incessantly asking why.
The Little Bear was like someone who had missed key episodes of a TV drama, feeling as though the plot had inexplicably jumped to a place it couldn't understand.
Yue Chu grabbed it and gave its soft fur a good rub before finally letting it go.
Yue Chu: "Could it be that something was missing in your programming when you were created? How can you be this clueless?"
The Little Bear's eyes widened with its soft little belly puffing up in anger!
If it weren't for Yue Chu's intimidating presence, it would have loved to punch him.
Damn it, it wasn't clueless at all!
Yue Chu hadn't initially paid much attention to this female protagonist.
She seemed like just a prop that was meant to elevate Xino and become the catalyst for the world's destruction. But once Xino started interacting with her, things became much more interesting.
An ordinary village girl, even if she was beautiful, would find it extremely difficult to attract the attention of the Blood Clan Prince. Moreover, Xino had seen all kinds of beauties within the Blood Clan, so mere looks were far from enough to make him fall in love. Yet, inexplicably, Xino seemed to have lost his mind, diving headfirst into it that he even neglected his duties within the Blood Clan.
It was truly baffling.
Secondly, and what made Yue Chu most suspicious, was the timing of Xino's disappearances.
It was too coincidental, as if someone had deliberately set a trap to push Xino to make mistakes and sink deeper into his predicament.
This Anna was probably not as simple as she seemed.
"Huh?" The Little Bear hesitated as it scratched its furry head. "Is... is that so?"
Yue Chu flicked its forehead. "Forget it, discussing this with the system is a waste of time. I'd better think about the coronation ceremony in a few days."
Xino was severely injured, and only now did he truly understand how painful those ten lashes were.
His back was almost completely torn apart and revealing the white bones beneath. If it weren't for the Blood Clan's powerful healing abilities, he would have been dead by now.
However, even though he wasn't dead, the silver embedded in the Blood Cluster Whip had entered his wounds that burned his skin like fire and caused him excruciating pain that was almost unbearable.
Xino, who had always lived a life of luxury, had never suffered such injuries before.
The pain in his back made him extremely irritable, and he couldn't help but want to vent his anger. But now, there wasn't even a single person around him to direct his anger at.
The once bustling scene had turned eerily quiet, and those who used to flatter him had all disappeared, even the servants had mostly scattered.
"Damn those opportunists! Once I recover, I won't let them off easily!"
Xino gritted his teeth, not only from suffering physically but also mentally.
He had always been proud and arrogant, and he couldn't stand such cold treatment and humiliation.
He noted everything down in his heart, ready to settle the score later.
Anna entered with a basin of water, and seeing the gloom in Xino's brow, she gently took his hand.
The warm fragrance of the girl finally calmed Xino down a bit. Looking at Anna's beautiful face, he felt that everything he had done was worth it.
Anna whispered soothing words to him until Xino closed his eyes, and then she quietly slipped away.
Once outside, she looked around to make sure no one was there and then released a small flying insect.
After confirming that the insect had left, she silently returned to the room while being calm and composed from start to finish, as if she wasn't in a dangerous situation but strolling in her own backyard.
At this moment, she no longer had the naive and romantic demeanor she showed in front of Xino. Her calm and efficient demeanor revealed her extraordinary nature.
...............
Coronation Ceremony
This was probably the most lively day in the Blood Clan Royal City in many years. All the gates of the city were opened, and all the nobles gathered here to give Yue Chu the grandest ceremony.
A dark red carpet, embroidered with golden roses, stretched from one end of the square to the front of the throne.
Ordinary nobles knelt outside, while the great nobles gathered inside the hall, respectfully awaiting the arrival of the new Prince.
Yue Chu was dressed in a newly tailored ceremonial robe. The black fabric impeccably pressed with gold and red trim adorning the collar and cuffs. The buttons, all made of rubies, sparkled with a fiery glow under the moonlight. The broad red cloak that was embroidered with subtle rose patterns, shimmered with a luxurious and elegant brilliance as he moved.
Whoosh!
White doves flew across the sky, and the maids scattered rose petals that fell like rain, carpeting the ground in a tender and vibrant hue.
Yue Chu walked slowly along the long red carpet with a gentle smile on his face.
The silver moonlight bathed his hair, adding a luminous sheen to his raven-black locks. His pale, porcelain-like skin made his crimson lips appear even more vivid.
The corners of his eyes curved softly while radiating a clear and serene smile, like the gentle twinkle of stars. His eyes, bright and translucent, resembled crimson agate, tender and captivating that were drawing one in.
Yue Chu knelt before Lafa with his mesmerizing eyes gazing up at him with boundless affection, as if he had a thousand words to say, yet all condensed into a soft smile within his pupils.
Lafa had been watching him intently with his sharp, cold eyes devoid of any warmth and his thin lips pressed into a tight line, exuding an air of arrogance and iciness that even startled Rotz, who thought that His Majesty might have changed his mind.
Yet, only Lafa himself knew why he was displeased.
When he placed this crown on Yue Chu's head, it signified that their relationship would forever remain one of kinship. But his restless heart stirred fiercely and kept him awake night after night while being tangled in these inexplicable emotions.
However, as Yue Chu approached, the earlier chill in Lafa's demeanor involuntarily melted away.
How could he bear not to place this radiant child on the throne?
Lafa picked up the crown beside him, a luxurious piece adorned with dazzling gemstones, with each one crystal clear, full, and exquisitely beautiful.
He gently placed the crown on Yue Chu's bowed head and declared in a clear voice, "From this day forward, Yue Chu shall be my son, bearing the thousand-year mission of the Blood Clan and safeguarding the peaceful lives of our people. To see him is to see me; to honor him is to honor me. He shall represent my will and lead our entire clan."
Yue Chu was momentarily stunned.
Was this...?
But he paid it no mind and instead gracefully bowed to accept His Majesty's favor. He looked up with his smile as radiant as a pearl, his lips parting to utter words that sent shivers through the heart.
Yue Chu: "Thank you, Father. I shall follow your will and lead the Blood Clan to glory."
Then, in a softer voice, he added, "Father, you will always stay by my side, won't you?"
Lafa's eyes trembled slightly.
How could he refuse such a request?
He nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, Yue Chu leaned in to plant a cold kiss on the back of Lafa's hand.
The soft touch sent a shiver through him, as if it had imprinted itself deep within his heart.
Yue Chu looked up and beamed at him with his smile tinged with a hint of shyness, yet his bright eyes gazed at him boldly and openly, fervent and captivating.
A white feather drifted down into the lake of Lafa's heart, landing at its center and sending ripples across the surface.
The calm was utterly shattered as the small waves expanded into a towering surge.
The lake of his heart breaking apart and flooding everything in its path.
He... regretted it.
Lafa cupped Yue Chu's face and planted a kiss on his smooth forehead, filled with tenderness, helplessness, and restraint.
'I will restrain my emotions and keep them within the familial affection you expect, and from now on, I will protect and care for you without any ulterior motives.'
He held Yue Chu's hand to help him stand up, and they stood side by side as they faced all the members of the Blood Clan.
Lafa's sword-like brows were stern as he spoke in a deep voice, "The Hunter Association will launch a large-scale sweep of the border. To protect our clan and intimidate humans, my two Prince's will lead the young Blood Clan members in a counterattack."
Yue Chu stepped forward, intending to kneel and accept the order but Lafa grabbed him and firmly kept him by his side.
Lafa gazed deeply at his beloved child.
He would pave the way for Yue Chu and ensure his smooth rise to a high position.
If Yue Chu knew what he was thinking, he would probably shake his head in helplessness, wondering why this habit of taking everything upon himself still hadn't changed.
But...
He was truly looking forward to seeing how Xino and Anna would perform in a direct confrontation with humans.
..........
Author's note:
Lafa: Regretting in a second and about to eat his words.