Chapter 46

*Favoritism*
“Not me—she’s divorcing.”
“…Uh! Who’s divorcing!”
Both spoke—Yzelia gold flying like bloodied blade—Zhu Yu’s throat hurt from shout—round eyes—finger swiped terminal to project.
Flash “click” rain.
Screen—Zhu Yu selfie—black uniform—sharp shoulders—last frame no face—pale neck—
Serious below soft line testing joy: Sister, how’s this outfit?
Director blinded—wave reporters off—heart drum.
Yzelia glanced cold. “Same uniform—what’s to show? Want body—flaunt it—whining at an Omega—disgrace to military Alphas!”
“Coax” weighted—like shame.
Cheeks hot—Zhu Yu ignored—notes full screen bold:
【Not divorce—here to cancel. Thanks.】
Yzelia back from void—no news—snapped: “Divorce! Nobody told you?”
【No divorce.】
“Yes!”
“Keep clinging—I beat you till you agree.” Fists creak—shoulder poke—Zhu Yu staggered.
Step back—no direct clash—blood and smoke tide—nausea.
Zhu Yu never took blood smell.
Fish killed by others—else blade splash—dying in palm—phantom cut—skin ill.
Screen still typing soft stubborn:
【Princess likes me—we won’t divorce.】
【Our business—not yours.】
Director sweated—“Please inside…tea from my cabinet!”
Yzelia sneered—three ships overhead—waiting order—threat clear.
“You don’t deserve Her Highness.”
“Nod now—I spare you. Don’t know how you fooled the life tree—federation experts coming—second test—you can’t hide.”
Shoved director—sat master seat—legs crossed—chin on hand—appraising Zhu Yu.
Emperor had Melnor draw blood—private retest—
Disappointing—still D-rank—years only height weight up—
After princess bond—some values even dropped—baffling.
“Waste!”
Academy best instruments—cannot be wrong—
But from the start Zhu Yu’s blood sample was tampered.
Common researchers meek—ran most baseline tests.
Not total cover—but sparks spread.
Before Bai Shuzhou entered Academy she had arranged—too rushed—Zhu Yu template old.
People grow.
Zhu Yu seemed not.
Director poured tea—ran out call—can we sign today?
Staff hot water towel—please wash—blood uniform horror—peace-era shock.
Yzelia buried face in towel—wild—gold wet—smirk at silent proper Zhu Yu.
“Waiting for princess rescue again?”
“Disgusting weak—” others fled—Yzelia gritted—hate iron not steel.
Alpha gets resources—bears duty—protect weak, family, empire—fail and die—army needs no vase.
Once Zhu Yu best prospect—poor, low gift—but eyes hungry beast in corner—
Now?
Sharper: “Left army—orbit princess—soft rice? Where’s your edge?”
Honor and rank from battle—
How dare throw away—
No value—nothing!
Yzelia dug her from ranks—should be sharpening blade—now dull.
Fight back—maybe respect.
“Talk—mute?” Toe kick.
Creased black pants—small blood print—sticky.
Typed: 【Did His Majesty send you to stop us?】
“So what?” Brow up. “Only strong fit princess. Guard her and empire? No—scram—I save you a desk.”
【You serve His Majesty—I serve Bai Shuzhou.】
Face changed—flicked wet hair—“Same thing—stop word games.”
【Emperor’s will isn’t princess’s will.】
Big typing like compromise like claim: 【You can be her knight too—I don’t mind—we protect together.】
【Like snow leopards—tiger knight?】
What main-wife aura is this?
“Who wants knight nonsense!” Brow slam. “I beat you every way—60% match—can breed heir! Empire needs successor—you can’t even mark her—don’t block destiny!”
Want kids with princess?! I didn’t dare—Zhu Yu straightened—screen fast serious:
【Princess hates being marked!!!!】
“Omega lies!”
Tail smacked table like whip. “Weak Alphas believe that! Marking nourishes—win-win—what’s not to like? Dragon line duty—at their age His Majesty could fly—”
Excited—missed Zhu Yu’s cold eyes.
Love and breeding mixed—Bai Shuzhou’s will as “duty”—never asked her want.
Thought tiger more reliable than fox.
Now—dead before letting her near Bai Shuzhou!!
【His Majesty wants her heir—you’re backup stud—why so happy.】
Stud?
“You filth—lying!” Chair bounce—face red.
Omega equals womb until it’s you—then rage.
Slow type: 【Emperor in prime—you chant heirs with princess—I dare not think what you want…】
“Sick—no media—who’s your audience?”
Room clear—no cameras—exploded—grabbed collar—“Sign today—sign!”
Strength choked breath—gland hurt.
Pulled wrist—blood thicker—
Disgusting—
Death smell familiar.
Too close—button gore—hairy shred—
Human skin? Finger?
Stomach heaved—dry retch—
No breakfast for possible kiss—only drink—nothing out—
Throat fire—organs burn—whimper—
Like about to spit fireballs.
Screen flashed red:
【Let her go.】
【Yzelia.】
Head up—Zhu Yu? Terminal?
【Open holo. Volume up.】
【I am Bai Shuzhou.】
Pupils shrink—released—Zhu Yu “typing” had opened remote call?
Girl braced table—grinned at her.
Right—Yzelia reminded her—she could rely on princess.
Holo lit.
Bai Shuzhou between them—silver hair—blue eyes knit—half-transparent—pressure—Yzelia swallowed straight:
“Sorry—His Majesty’s will—you should not with Zhu Yu—”
Cold cut: “Let her speak to me herself.”
Pause—narrow eyes deep—“Where is Imperial Sister?”
When ill, Bai Qianze had stayed.
Lately gone—Academy stank wrong.
Old experiment joint—federation back in royal Academy.
Bai Qianze ignored opinion—ants at door—
Why cooperate again—severe trouble—she heard nothing—
Related…to me? Brow knit—ice thorns—silver hair stirred.
Yzelia argued—met ice command:
“Bring Zhu Yu. Come to me. Now.”
Not empty gaze—sky pressed down—heart hammered—
Killing intent—thin voice iron—roses in hair like red crown.
Real Bai Shuzhou—ambition edged.
Old crush stronger than ballet glance under lights—
Then she was glass art—applause for perfect dance—
Cheer yes—but pale like protection.
She had seen grander light—
Memory—childhood night—Bai Shuzhou could fly—
Confined—played guards—highest tower—blue eyes stars—wind in hair—lazy wild laugh.
“I will change the world,” small voice, hand out—“Come with me?”
Careless except cosmos—yet when eyes on you—you were her starfield—
Lucky sometimes saw under the mask—
Then hand withdrawn—arms spread—back to moon—leap from sky—
Silver wings metal in moon—only wind beside—
Long in childhood dreams—
Special invite—not even Bai Qianze—
Grown—no world-saving fantasy—
Cannot fly—but strong—Bai Shuzhou on land—
We fit best—no?
“Your Highness! Border purge—two jumps back—for—”
Urgent proof—loyalty—stronger than Zhu Yu—
Cut off without looking up—eyes past to coughing off-screen Zhu Yu.
“Zhu Yu—what’s wrong with your throat?”