Inside the villa in the dream world.
Morning light filtered through the gauzy curtains over the floor-to-ceiling windows, scattering flecks of gold across the spacious bedroom. The sea breeze gently stirred the curtains, carrying the salty scent of the ocean and the distant cries of gulls.
Dai Youheng opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was the Snow Empress's peaceful sleeping face. A few strands of snow-white hair clung to her smooth cheeks, her long lashes cast small shadows beneath her eyes, and the faintest satisfied smile still lingered at the corners of her lips.
Time flowed differently in the dream world. Although it was not as extreme as the Divine Realm, where one day in heaven equaled a year in the mortal world, at least four years had passed here during the two years that elapsed outside.
In this dream domain, which he controlled yet which felt utterly real, they had spent four full years together like the most ordinary married couple.
They rose with the sun and rested at sunset, weaving a daily life that belonged to them alone in this luxurious villa overlooking the sea.
He shifted carefully, afraid of waking her. But the Snow Empress murmured softly and opened her ice-blue eyes anyway. The haze of sleep quickly faded into an intimate tenderness. She nestled closer into his arms, her voice husky from sleep. "Morning..."
"Morning, Xue'er." Dai Youheng lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her smooth forehead.
Who could have imagined that the Snow Empress, who had ruled the Far North for hundreds of thousands of years and commanded the submission of all living things, would be so emotionally pure once she shed her icy shell-so innocent in love that it was almost adorable?
Throughout those long years, no one had