After a thorough search and check, a few boys followed behind Ruan Shu, utterly baffled.
Who were they? Where were they? Oh, heavens, they were really on the ninth floor!!!
And it was all because of that little girl, the one who had stood quietly by Zhao Kuo’s side, seeming like she was just a pretty face with no real skills.
Seeing those knights treat that little girl with such reverence—it honestly felt like they were dreaming.
One of Zhao Kuo’s rivals shot him a look, raising his eyebrows but staying silent.
“What’s going on, brother? That girl—oh, wait, I mean, that Little Ancestor—who exactly is she?”
Zhao Kuo replied, “Now you know to call me brother? And who’s your Little Ancestor? That’s my Little Ancestor!”
From this moment on, Ruan Shu was someone Zhao Kuo held in higher respect than even his own grandfather!
“Let’s be serious. Who exactly is that Little Ancestor? The knights treat her with so much respect; it’s unreal!”
Zhao Kuo responded, “Do you think it’s normal for us to even be on the ninth floor?”
As the two of them exchanged glances, an even grander scene unfolded across the corridor. The boys looked up, and good heavens, it was the Emperor himself coming out!
Almer’s face lit up with a smile as he noticed a certain little dumpling walking toward him.
“Little Mascot, come here.”
With his long legs striding elegantly forward, Almer spread his arms wide, his deep voice filled with warmth as he called out to his little mascot.
When Ruan Shu saw him, her short legs picked up the pace in excitement.
“Almer,” she called his name in her soft, gentle voice. The boys behind her felt their jaws practically hit the floor.
Did they just hear that? The Little Ancestor dared to call the Emperor by his name!
Just as she reached Almer, he scooped her up in full view of everyone.
“I thought you wouldn’t come. I was just about to go down and pick you up.”
Holding her with one arm, he gave her little nose a gentle pinch, his tone undeniably affectionate.
Ruan Shu didn’t find anything odd about it; instead, she pouted and whined without thinking, “I didn’t want to come initially. I don’t dare to wander around by myself.”
Almer’s gaze shifted to the few boys who had followed Ruan Shu here. Their mouths hung open, utterly shocked, eyes practically popping out.
They were clearly dumbstruck.
“You came with them?”
Standing tall and graceful, Almer looked at the boys and gave a slight nod, his smile carrying a hint of kindness. His noble elegance and princely demeanor were striking, giving off an aura of authority and elegance fitting for an Emperor.
“G-Greetings, Your Majesty!”
The boys instinctively bowed, their voices a little shaky but loud and clear.
Their eyes shone as they looked at the Emperor, then at the little girl in his arms. Right then and there, they made a decision just like Zhao Kuo’s. From now on, that little girl was also their Little Ancestor, someone they would hold dearer than even their own grandfathers!
Almer instructed the knights to arrange a nearby room for the boys to rest while he carried Ruan Shu to the presidential suite.
The boys, still in a daze, were led to a spacious room not far from the presidential suite. It took them a good while to recover from the shock, though the knights seemed unfazed—clearly, they were used to such reactions.
Once they gathered their senses, the first thing they did was surround Zhao Kuo, demanding to know who that Little Ancestor was. After all, anyone with eyes could see that her relationship with the Emperor was anything but ordinary!
Zhao Kuo: “I’m telling you, I honestly have no idea!”
One of his rivals slung an arm around Zhao Kuo’s neck. “Come on, don’t hold back on us. After everything we’ve been through together, you still won’t spill?”
Zhao Kuo shouted, “Haven’t we been rivals for ages?!”
“Not anymore, starting right now.”
His rival gave Zhao Kuo an intense look. “From this moment on, you’re my brother—from another mother.”
Zhao Kuo: Damn it, when it comes to shamelessness, you’re unmatched!
Meanwhile…
Ruan Shu clung to Almer’s neck, nestled against his shoulder, recounting what happened with the boys in the elevator, her soft laughter bubbling up as she spoke. Her eyes curved into little crescent moons, sweet and endearing.
“Almer, bringing them along didn’t cause you any trouble, did it?”
Almer twirled a strand of her fine, silky hair around his finger, the soft strands slipping free each time.
“Not at all. Their backgrounds are clean, so there’s no issue.”
Ruan Shu felt relieved and soon found herself being carried into an extravagantly luxurious room. She hadn’t expected others to be inside, and the moment she entered, several sets of eyes turned directly to her.
Ruan Shu: “…”
Ruan Shu: “!!!”
Why… why are there so many people here?! If I’d known, I wouldn’t have come!
She tightened her grip on Almer’s shirt and buried her face against his neck, feeling both flustered and irritated. Her cheeks puffed out in frustration, and to make matters worse, she heard Almer’s soft laughter, which only made her more annoyed.
In a sudden burst of indignation, she bit him on the neck without thinking. As soon as she realized what she’d done, Ruan Shu’s face burned with embarrassment—she wanted to find a hole to hide in.
Almer was a bit surprised as well. She actually bit him! Clearly, she was really upset.
With a light pinch to the soft skin on her neck, he turned his attention to the group seated in the room.
“Why are you still here?”
Ruan Shu’s face was still flushed, but at his words, her ears perked up. Wait… did she misunderstand Almer?
One of the people in the room chuckled. “We came to see just what kind of beauty has captured the heart of the dignified Emperor of the Star Beast Empire, who’s so eager to kick us out.”
Ruan Shu thought: That voice sounds so familiar!
She stole a glance and then looked up in surprise.
“Brother Yu Sheng!”
At this moment, Yu Sheng sat elegantly in noble attire, his eyes lifted in a captivating smile. No wonder he was known as the most alluring siren; even sitting casually, he exuded a charm that made it impossible to look away.
“Little Cutie, long time no see.”
His voice was like the most beautiful music; each word he spoke sounded like the sweetest melody, making Ruan Shu’s ears practically tingle.
Almer narrowed his eyes slightly, giving her neck another gentle squeeze and guiding her little head back toward him.
This little one sure has a lot of admirers!
Ruan Shu blinked her jewel-like eyes at him, looking innocent. What’s wrong? Can’t she even greet an old friend?
“It seems you truly are an enchanting little beauty.”
Yu Sheng’s teasing voice came again, making Ruan Shu’s cheeks flush anew. What kind of nonsense was he spouting? She wasn’t some “little beauty”!
“Brother Yu Sheng, don’t say things like that.”
She mumbled softly, already feeling much less nervous.
At this point, she also noticed the other two people in the room.