, spn Dodo's Shadow Empire nationality, coupled with her pointing at a certain someone and calling him "Daddy," had already convinced the women of the harem that Lilith was Chen Rui's "first woman." Yet Miss Dodo's two subsequent cries of "Mommy" instantly overturned their previous assumptions—or rather, overturned the understanding of all their relatives and friends.
That "woman from the Shadow Empire" was not Lilith, but... the Shadow Emperor, Catherine?
Whether it was the endlessly resourceful Isabella, the scatterbrained Lola, the cold and composed Shea, or anyone else... without exception, they were all stunned. Even Medilu, Catherine's cousin and mistress, was dumbfounded.
The only one still somewhat bewildered was the little girl. She wanted to join Lola in the excitement and ask, "What?" but the bizarre atmosphere frightened the words back down her throat.
Chen Rui had no idea that the little Phoenix he had longed for day and night had not perished, but had been reborn in the form of his true daughter. Nor did he know that Miss Dodo's cries of "Daddy" and "Mommy" had triggered the greatest earthquake in his harem. His gaze was fixed on Catherine, who had appeared opposite him.
Strangely, the Shadow Cloak, one of the Seven Divine Artifacts, was nowhere to be seen behind Catherine. Her magnificent blue-and-white ceremonial gown made her look as though she were attending some grand ceremony rather than a duel. The white veil covering her face was also much thinner than usual, faintly revealing her exquisitely perfect features.
Catherine spoke first. "You came."
Right from the start, she seemed to be turning the tables and taking the initiative. That, too, was in keeping with Catherine's style.
"Yes." Chen Rui answered, then immediately realized that their voices seemed to have been amplified by some kind of device and carried