Yu Lian added, "A pastoral idyll, an unforeseen path, no more interstellar travel, never to venture out again! What a splendid paradise! Hurry up—hurry and blast our way over there!"
Brunhild blinked her big eyes, then finally turned to face Yu Lian head-on. "Can't you just speak normally? Why are you shouting so loudly?"
Was I shouting? The other person's reaction had been so genuine that, for a moment, Yu Lian actually began to doubt his ability to control his expressions. He gave a solemn cupped-hands salute. "Regardless, the fate of the entire galaxy rests in your country's hands—and in the Alliance's, across the way. You'll have to let me get a little worked up!"
"...Getting worked up at me won't help. Didn't I just say the Empire isn't under my command?"
"Your Highness is being modest. If you can't call the shots now, you surely will someday. As I've already said, Your Highness, you have the face of someone destined to become emperor."
Brunhild felt as though the conversation had gone right back to where it started. Tiredness crept over her, and she puffed out her cheeks, glaring at Yu Lian for a long moment before saying crossly, "Yu Lian, if you're planning to flatter me the way your superiors flatter their officials, I find that deeply insulting!"
"Your Highness actually realized I was insulting you?" Yu Lian raised his eyebrows, looking incredulous. "I really did underestimate you. I'm terribly sorry!"
Brunhild gave Yu Lian a long, searching look, but showed no sign of getting angry. "Yu Lian, I have to admit, you really do have a talent for irritating people. Whether at the Far Shore Nebula, in the Sacred Tree Palace, or now... But why are you so intent on irritating me?"
"Perhaps Your Highness is like the