One of them was dressed in red, a striking color that suited him perfectly, exuding an audacious allure that seemed to dare others with his beauty.
The other man had a rugged appearance, looking taller and stronger than anyone else present, his build resembling a mountain and radiating an imposing aura.
Almer held her as they sat down, settling her on his lap.
Ruan Shu sat obediently, her whole demeanor exuding an impression of honesty and innocence.
She dared not let her gaze fall on the other two and could only stare pitifully at Yu Sheng.
Almer introduced them to her. “The Crown Prince of the Sea Clan. You already know him, so no need for further introductions.”
Ruan Shu’s eyes widened slightly. The Sea Clan? The Sea Clan’s Crown Prince?!
She had no idea! She’d always thought her brother’s friend, Brother Yu Sheng, was just an ordinary sea demon.
But now, he’d suddenly turned out to be the Sea Clan’s Crown Prince? Was that even possible?
“This is Fuyao, Crown Prince of the Feather Clan, and Kongtong, the young chief of the Giant Clan.”
After the two of them greeted Ruan Shu, she returned their greetings softly and shyly. She felt that they all held such lofty positions, and she was just… there. No, she didn’t even measure up enough to be there!
Moreover…
Curiously, she asked in a small voice, “Almer, why does your name sound so out of place?”
It felt like everyone else’s names had a distinctly Chinese style, while his name was the odd one out.
And, while they were all either crown princes or young chiefs, he alone had the title of “Your Majesty.”
Almer pinched her delicate little nose at this and replied, “I have a second name. Want to know it?”
Ruan Shu perked up, listening intently.
“Shen Nanfeng. I took my mother’s surname. You can call me Nanfeng if you’d like.”
Ruan Shu hesitated. “I-I’d better stick with Almer. I’m used to it.”
“When did you start raising a little one?” Fuyao raised his brows, his tone relaxed and lazy as he set down his wine cup, his long, phoenix-like eyes falling on Ruan Shu.
“You have good taste, though.”
The Feather Clan loved beauty, and everything about Fuyao’s appearance, from his clothing to his hair, was meticulously groomed. His accessories were as elegant as Almer’s.
However, while Almer adorned himself with various gemstones, Fuyao wore an array of beautiful feathers. Particularly in his hair—his long, golden-red hair was styled into several intricate braids, decorated with lightweight feather ornaments. His earrings were also made of feathers, and he wore bracelets with bells on his wrists and ankles that produced a pleasant, tinkling sound when he moved.
Almer’s lips curved upward. “Of course.”
This was, in effect, an admission of his good taste.
“Shushu, it’s been so long since you came to see me. Your brother Yu Huan misses you.”
Yu Sheng, sitting beside her, held out a fruit the size of a dragon’s eye to her, and Ruan Shu instinctively opened her mouth to eat it.
“Thank you, Brother Yu Sheng. I’ve been in touch with Brother Yu Huan.”
The young girl softly thanked him, her chubby little cheeks promptly pinched and turned to the side. Almer, holding a peeled grape between his fingers, brought it to her lips.
Ruan Shu tilted her head to look up, only to find that while he was smiling, there was something slightly unnerving about his expression.
She opened her mouth to eat the grape, and as soon as she did, he asked slowly, “Which is tastier, the grape or the white fruit?”
The “white fruit” referred to the one Yu Sheng had just fed her.
For a moment, even the other three directed their gaze her way, their expressions plainly filled with undisguised disdain.
With her cheeks puffed up from the round grape, his finger pressing on her now-rounded cheek, Ruan Shu felt a vague hint of danger in his tone.
She blinked and, with her mouth full, mumbled, “Grape.”
Hearing her answer, Almer finally released her cheek with satisfaction.
Ruan Shu thought to herself, Bullying a kid, so shameless!
Yu Sheng looked at him speechlessly. “I know dragons are possessive, but if I’m not mistaken, Shushu is the daughter of Marshal Ruan, right?”
So, where exactly did this inexplicable possessiveness come from?
Almer replied confidently, “That doesn’t stop me from raising her. One more person, that’s all, isn’t it, little mascot?”
Ruan Shu shifted slightly in her seat, thinking, Don’t ask me; I know nothing.
“The time has come.”
Almer suddenly announced, and the sound of explosions could be heard outside. With her mouth still full, Ruan Shu looked over to see a huge, radiant display blooming in their direction.
Even in broad daylight, the vibrant smoke was vividly visible. Instead of dissipating, it fell like a galaxy of stars in a cascading waterfall, dreamlike in its beauty.
Ruan Shu’s eyes widened in awe.
Almer, holding her, stood up and brought her to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window.
It was only then that Ruan Shu noticed the continuous display of colorful explosions outside. Below, the square was filled with neatly arranged soldiers, various war vehicles, and starships in perfect formation—an impressively grand sight.
She even spotted her father.
It was easy to spot him because he had transformed into his star beast form, a massive white qilin tiger standing at the front of the Third Legion.
“Shushu,” Almer’s voice reached her ears as she gazed at her father, eyes sparkling.
“Hmm?”
“I’m heading out.”
Ruan Shu: “???”
He scratched her chin lightly with his finger and, seeing her confused expression, said, “When I go out from here, there will be plenty of cameras on me. Are you afraid?”
Ruan Shu: “!!!”
“I want to go down!”
She felt she had been tricked by Almer… QAQ
“It’s too late.”
As Almer’s words fell, the knights opened the doors and marched in orderly.
“Your Majesty, the aircraft is ready, you…”
Before the knight could finish his sentence, he and everyone else watched as the little girl in the emperor’s arms suddenly transformed into a beautiful, snow-white ragdoll cat.
Yu Sheng and the other two: Staring intensely
So small, so cute!
Ruan Shu had been so startled by Almer that she instinctively shifted into her star beast form, terrified that she really would end up on a global broadcast. The little cat, fur puffed up in anxiety, found Almer’s coat pocket and, with practiced skill, clawed her way inside.
Almer was such a menace!
The emperor only hesitated briefly before his smile deepened as he looked at the tiny, curled-up cat in his pocket. Amused, he reminded her, “Your tail is still sticking out.”
Ruan Shu’s little paw reached out to bat it down, tucking her tail snugly into the pocket until she was hidden completely.
Fortunately, as the emperor, Almer wore an elaborate cloak, so Ruan Shu could remain hidden without being noticed.
The knight captain opened his mouth, only to be interrupted by Almer’s raised finger.
The knight captain: “…”
He was actually going to bring her along, wasn’t he?
Almer hadn’t originally planned on taking Ruan Shu with him. His idea was to let the knight captain escort her out. But she reacted so quickly—transforming into a cat and slipping right into his pocket—that he simply couldn’t resist.