Chapter 82: Return to Acacia

The moment she uttered those words, a jolt like a thunderbolt struck her, a shiver of embarrassment spiraling out from every strand of her hair, making her whole body tremble.

So close together, Lance easily sensed her reaction. He turned his head with some concern and looked at her, asking, "What's wrong?"

She shrank back a little. "Struck by lightning," she murmured.

Lance clearly understood what she was trembling about, and, clever as he was, suddenly realized that the king’s previous hostility toward him had only been jealousy — a misunderstanding. With his heart eased, he glanced half-jokingly, half-seriously at his own hands and said, "When did I start leaking electricity?"

She stared at Lance, who was acting like a mischievous child, utterly speechless.

Lance wore a radiant, healing smile. "Looks like I’m just too charged. Can’t help it."

The corners of her mouth twitched. "Then I must trouble you to keep your voltage below 24 volts — for safety’s sake."

Watching the two openly flirting before him, Bradley showed no sign of jealousy. For the first time in over a decade, he heard a confession from the object of his secret affection — albeit delivered through another’s mouth — and he felt deeply satisfied.

After all, he had once believed that this love would forever be buried. Huanluo was too reserved, too steadfast. Her cold demeanor and extraordinary martial prowess made her seem unbreakable. But Bradley knew it was only a habitual mask; beneath the icy exterior was a warm soul untouched by worldly matters. She was trusting, never seeking trouble, fiercely responsible, with no trace of a spoiled temperament, always caring for those around her and protecting them as best she could.

The closer one drew, the more irresistible the charm of this female general became. (If you like someone, just admit it, right?!)

Yet the burdens they carried were too heavy. Huanluo could never abandon her duty as a descendant of the Li family for the sake of a fleeting passion. She excelled at fighting and leading soldiers, but gentle smiles and soft words were not her strengths. Understanding clearly that she and the king could never have a future, Huanluo herself requested to go to distant Acacia.

Firstly, to calm her own heart. Secondly, to avoid the growing rift between her father and the king. Thirdly, to serve the White Tower Kingdom.

Bradley understood what Huanluo was thinking. He gazed helplessly at her respectful half-curtsey and determined eyes, finally sighing and waving her away. He knew the kind of queen he needed: she had to be from a noble family, with proper looks and manners, quiet and courteous, able to endure loneliness, patient, capable of managing the palace — a typical virtuous wife.

But none of these qualities matched Huanluo.

Both of them fell in love almost simultaneously, and simultaneously compromised with reality, making what they believed to be the best choice.

He had thought he would never have the chance to express his feelings to Huanluo — but unexpectedly, the crisis facing the White Tower Kingdom forced out the tender emotions she had hidden deep within her heart.

Indeed, in times of danger, what could inspire more trust than words of love? Who would ever imagine that between the stoic king and the cold-faced general, such pink-hued feelings would blossom? This declaration of love, in such unusual circumstances, became the safest secret code, sent all the way from distant Acacia.

She rubbed her aching waist, sore from the prolonged "love-showing" state, and whispered to Lance, "Should we remind the king? He’s been dazed for quite a while..."

"Interrupting someone’s romantic mood is asking to get struck by lightning," Lance replied, smiling quietly.

"...But I can’t stand watching him daydream like this. If he keeps it up, will he turn into a lovesick girl? If he transforms before my eyes, I’d rather be struck by lightning!" She shuddered at the mental image of the stoic king morphing into a cute, lovestruck figure. "I really can't imagine how he and Huanluo caught each other's eye. Is it some kind of ice attracting ice? Did their silences somehow align?"

Lance pondered a moment, then answered solemnly, "Maybe they both dislike chatterboxes?"

She rolled her eyes skyward. "Then why not fall for a mute?"

"There are chatterboxes among mutes who sign all day long," Lance continued with her usual logic.

She was left speechless, having been robbed of her comeback.

Noticing the movement of the two in front of him, the king finally emerged from his reverie. Though he maintained a stoic expression, it couldn’t hide the fact that he had utterly fallen for Huanluo.

Charisma, after all, is a nebulous thing — if it moves someone, it exists; if not, it doesn't.

Having seen through the king’s hidden, slightly flamboyant feelings, she relaxed. Stretching her aching waist — sore from leaning against Lance but never daring to rest fully — she had been supporting her upper body solely with her waist, struggling to keep a polite distance from him without making it obvious. Combined with the tight corset, it was quite the ordeal for someone who disliked exercise. When she finally stood up straight, she felt as if her body had been split in two.

"What are your plans next?" Knowing her tendency to overstep, the king decided to speak first, blocking any words she might have intended to say.

"Plans?" She didn’t understand his question.

"Li Yi has already led the army to Acacia. A battle there seems inevitable. Though you came from Acacia, you are not subjects of the White Tower. You have no obligation to participate in this war. If you wish, I can arrange a comfortable place for you in the royal city, with all expenses covered. You may live here peacefully; consider it thanks for saving me," Bradley suggested.

"I'm going to Acacia," she replied without hesitation, rejecting his offer. "I came to the capital for Huanluo, and now that she needs me, of course I must go help her!" She looked at Lance for his opinion; Lance merely nodded indifferently.

With Lance’s approval, her resolve only strengthened.

If she stayed in the capital, food and drink would be no concern, but what about Huanluo and Liang Yin? What about her plans to return home? She would still have to keep up the pretense of being Lance’s lover, and eventually her own shamelessness would kill her with embarrassment. Just thinking about the enormous double bed she was forced to share every night made her vision go black.