Chapter 68

*Underwater Kiss*
Clothes hung quietly on ivory rack by the pool. Soft silk flowed like frozen moonlight, mingling with steam into a hazy barrier.
Outside Yzelia’s roar came faintly, mixed with the knight’s hurried soothe: “Please calm down. Her Highness cannot have gone far.”
Zhu Yu listened—if she showed now that enraged tiger would tear her apart.
She steadied herself, gathered floating silver hair, leaned sleeping Bai Shuzhou against the edge, crouched thief-like for a towel nearby.
Water dripped from skin. Fingertip touched soft fluff—footsteps at the entrance rushed close.
Zhu Yu stiffened—prayed the first in was not that tiger. Naked, combat power halved, hard to run—she did not want to meet a rival like this.
But she wanted even less for others to see Bai Shuzhou. She threw wide warm towel over herself, hardened to play door god—mini fish stone trying to ward evil.
Then a hand warm with steam lightly covered her fingertip.
Zhu Yu looked down surprised into pale blue eyes. Deep inside—a trace of almost mischievous smile.
*Splash.*
Without warning clever force pulled her in. Soaked towel weighed heavy.
*You’re awake?* Zhu Yu opened mouth—relief. She tasted power at Bai Shuzhou’s side; one word from her and outsiders dared not act.
She gripped back, small-fish confidence on breath: “Tell them to leave—”
Facing her expectant gaze Bai Shuzhou smiled cool and proper—not speaking—instead tightened on Zhu Yu’s wrist and pulled her deeper.
Warm water wrapped at once, cutting outside noise. World only them. Water distorted light and outline—only this hand’s pull clear.
Zhu Yu lifted face. Through gaps in floating petals she glimpsed several pairs of high boots at the pool edge—close.
“Zhu Yu!” Violent voice. Boots stomped a circle.
“Your Highness—Lady Zhu Yu?” The knight’s voice softer, probing, echoing in empty bath.
Zhu Yu did not know why hide so deep—but heart raced under water pressure and near threat—secret thrill like forbidden fruit.
Palm sweated thin, fingers tangled tight underwater.
“You searched the whole room—you stood at the door knowing nothing?!” Yzelia raged.
“Think Emperor away and you can do anything—gross negligence! Can’t even watch one immobile Omega.”
“I can’t believe what you’re all doing. If you were serious Emperor wouldn’t work so hard.”
“Why so calm—check monitors, catch people—is that so hard? You’ve grown soft in peace…”
Where Bai Shuzhou was concerned Yzelia spun in anxiety. Days of frustration exploded—blame on the knight—elegant frame looked wrong everywhere.
Even through soft water Zhu Yu felt her towering fury.
*Good thing Yzelia isn’t fire-type…* Zhu Yu pictured enraged tiger spraying fire at the spring to flush them out.
*Warm water cooking the rival.*
Yzelia paced anxious. Light brushed her sometimes—gold medal reflection on water broke into shaking golden spots on Bai Shuzhou’s near cheek, softening her usual cold profile into dream.
*Every time—like first meeting. Heart skips.* Zhu Yu pressed lips in tension but could not stop corner lifting.
Light swayed. Silver hair like seaweed brushed. Bai Shuzhou’s face neared slowly—water resistance, slow-motion magnification.
Slender fingertip lightly passed Zhu Yu’s lip. Bai Shuzhou watched satisfied as ear tips reddened, sapphire deeper.
*So cute.* She cupped her cheeks, ignored tiny panic, kissed lip corner.
Underwater everything missed aim.
Zhu Yu held breath—watched her near, tilt head—soft touch accidentally hit her nose bridge.
*Pfft…*
Seemed Bai Shuzhou’s first miss—pale blue eyes flashed embarrassment, vividly alive.
She solemnly straightened face, pinched Zhu Yu’s nose—half scold, half coquetry.
Zhu Yu could not help smiling, hands up surrender.
Bai Shuzhou looped her neck like finding anchor in endless sea—bit back in revenge.
“…!”
Their motion stirred a small vortex to the surface. Boots on shore stopped sharp. Yzelia alert: “In the water—”
“This spring is natural live water from the rear mountain, kept optimal temperature all day for Her Highness’s use.” The knight blocked smoothly, mild introduction.
“Oh.” Yzelia fooled by confident tone—then angrier. “Why tell me now?! Still not searching?!”
Only when footsteps fully faded did Zhu Yu hug Bai Shuzhou and burst up.
“Cough… cough…” Zhu Yu clung pool edge, gasping. Cheeks red from lack of air and earlier kiss.
Bai Shuzhou’s wet long hair clung pale neck. Chest rose slightly—not disheveled. Pale blue eyes seemed merged with water—clearer, colder, flashing secret pleasure.
“Close call—almost found!” Zhu Yu patted chest, still scared.
Bai Shuzhou shrugged carelessly. “So what if found?”
She relaxed fully. Born tight order sense collapsed with dripping water—through broken gaps a brighter, wilder light.
Zhu Yu stared without blink. Special magic now—not unchanged cold nobility—rare mischief made this face more dazzling.
Such Bai Shuzhou felt strange—lazy, free—yet oddly reassuring, as if sky fell she would patch it casually.
Her lover was a beautiful kaleidoscope—never enough. Each time she thought she knew every facet, one turn—new color, lush and bright.
Zhu Yu embarrassed to keep wiping her. Self-proclaimed upright person—found she failed the test badly now.
She fetched a small towel for Bai Shuzhou and gently dried wet long hair herself.
“I’ll dress you and tell them outside.”
“No rush.” Zhu Yu’s touch was gentle. Bai Shuzhou narrowed eyes pleased, voice lazy. “Yzelia’s temper needs grinding.”
“Ah—bad for the snow leopard knight? More trouble for her…” That tiger sounded ready to eat someone; the knight still answered elegant. Zhu Yu felt respect.
“Fine.”
“Yzelia’s anger isn’t all because of you. She’s roughly…” Bai Shuzhou paused. “Long-held grudge.”
“Few new gifted lately. Hard on her recently.”
“Both noble birth—but different systems. Yzelia’s family earned battle merit outside. Snow leopard knights inherit selection.”
“Front-line generals resent knights getting highest honor they risk death for.”
“One unavoidable contradiction in the Empire’s system.”
“I see.” Zhu Yu nodded, then without thinking: “But noble promotion’s always faster than civilian. Top levels monopolized by great houses—hard for ordinary people to rise.”
Only after speaking she remembered—royalty was greatest nobility. Saying this to the Princess face…
Bai Shuzhou did not mind. Chin lifted slightly, face up at Zhu Yu. Soft: “Yes.”
“So your existence is very special.”
Zhu Yu looked down into beautiful eyes—fine spark of appreciation and tenderness.
Bai Shuzhou wound fingertip in Zhu Yu’s hanging black hair. Words reached lips—swallowed. Small roll in throat.
Expectation too heavy. She only wanted her happy—free within what she could still guarantee.
Was that not also a cage?
Bai Shuzhou smiled self-mockery at lip corner.
Zhu Yu sensitive—touched her slight frown. Bai Shuzhou looped her waist, face buried in warm belly.
“Let’s go out,” Zhu Yu low. “Careful catch cold.”
“Wait…” Bai Shuzhou muffled. Long lashes brushed skin faintly.
Zhu Yu held pose. Older Bai Shuzhou rarely showed such dependence—heart turned soft. “You like it here?”
Bai Shuzhou silent—warm breath fine on skin, buried deeper, rubbing rose scent over all of Zhu Yu.
Night’s passion and recent adventure seemed to drain Bai Shuzhou. Zhu Yu’s thought moved. “I know another place—very quiet. Sunset and stars. Want to go with me?”
Bai Shuzhou hesitated, shook head.
“Why?”
No answer. Zhu Yu spread both hands: “Don’t want—or can’t?”
*Can’t.* Bai Shuzhou pinched her nose.
Pity flashed in Zhu Yu’s eyes. Half-crouch. “Inside Academy—Anhe rooftop. Researchers told me—they slack there sometimes. Sneak go.”
Anhe—highest security lab—and people slack there? Pale blue eyes flashed surprise—but she let Zhu Yu princess-carry her, change clothes.
Zhu Yu produced two white coats from somewhere—wearing them they merged with cold environment.
Director access saw much. Zhu Yu planned route carefully, dodging patrol and cameras—slender form agile.
Anhe rooftop vast—as if crawling out of some giant body to feel its size.
View stunned. Blue sky like huge canvas. Zhu Yu stripped coat to pad beneath them.
Sunset gold, stars flickering in turn—best sky observatory.
Breeze brushed stray hair. Everything perfect.
They chatted idly. Meteor streaked—Zhu Yu hurried palms together, nervous wish.
*Hope Bai Shuzhou healthy.*
*Year after year—long long life!*
Speaking of which Zhu Yu slapped forehead. “Bad—from last night you didn’t take medicine?”
Not only skipped medicine—they had been absurd all night.
Fortunately Bai Shuzhou’s color was okay—not sick pale. Cheeks had rare full blood. Otherwise Zhu Yu would be deeply guilty.
At reminder Bai Shuzhou paused. Long lashes lowered, hiding dark thought.
Zhu Yu felt like dragging honor student to skip class. Hugging Bai Shuzhou to return—wrist caught.
Bai Shuzhou soft: “What do you think these stars look like?”
Zhu Yu looked up at slow-turning river of stars—crossed eons, blinking with regular rhythm.
“Like eyes,” Zhu Yu smiled.
Smile froze long on lips. Strange discomfort rose in chest.
*Eyes… star flicker—so regular?*
Every scene matched researcher description exactly.
Cold climbed spine. Zhu Yu opened terminal—director login, system scan.
Discovery: densely packed countless never-seen signal devices.
Same prefix numbering—together forming ancient message: **Curtain**.
Stars everywhere. Eyes everywhere. Silent. Wrapping them tight.
*When you look up at the stars—we are watching you too.*
Creeping horror turned Zhu Yu’s stomach. Warmth on back of hand.
Bai Shuzhou held her gently, calm beyond words. Low: “Afraid?”
“Not afraid. Just a little…” Zhu Yu searched words. “Sick.”
Zhu Yu gripped back, solemn: “It’s okay. I’ll protect you!”
“I swear—you will leave this place someday. No one will block your will!”
*Whatever the cost—*