As the two pushed open the door and went out, Odette's light purple eyes were tense.
The three exchanged a glance, said nothing more, and hurried downstairs.
Bai You was still aching, so Varesa half-supported and half-led her, heading towards the main entrance of the theater.
The closer you get to the door, the stronger that invisible sense of oppression becomes.
The theater doors were wide open, and outside in the square...
Normally, the place would be empty at this hour since there are no performances, but now it is filled with people lined up neatly.
Squads of soldiers stood solemnly, clad in heavy armor, spears in hand, their armor plates covered in morning frost.
Inside them were dozens of elven Winter Pact Army clad in light armor.
The military formation stretched from the steps all the way to the edge of the square, completely silent.
On the steps of the theater's main entrance, surrounded by a crowd, stood a figure.
She wore a snow-white and light blue robe that reached her ankles, with blue ice patterns embroidered on the hem, and her long white hair was delicately curled behind her.
She just stood there quietly, without saying a word, but the air around her seemed to cool down with every breath she took.
A vast, calm, and unfathomable pressure silently enveloped the entire square.
Bai You and the other two stopped in their tracks inside the door.
Bai You tilted her head back and, from a distance, saw the face clearly.
It was an extremely beautiful, yet extremely cold face; most striking were its eyes, icy blue.
Calm and still, yet a single glance from that gaze can create the illusion that one's entire being has been seen through.
Two young the Damselette stood half a step to the Empress's side.
The woman on the left is tall and composed, with her hands folded in front of her; she is Danika.
The woman on the right was petite, with a slender sword at her waist. Her sharp eyes swept over the surroundings discreetly. It was Vesna, and the two of them quietly attended to her.
And directly opposite the Queen, Columbina stood at the bottom of the steps.
Her long, dark red hair swayed gently in the wind, and she seemed to be whispering something to the Empress, who nodded slightly in response.
In the otherwise solemn and almost frozen atmosphere, only she stood there, so calm and composed.
Hearing footsteps inside the door, Columbina turned around, saw Bai You, and gave her a barely perceptible nod, her eyes filled with reassurance.
Bai You, Varesa, Odette, steeling themselves, quickly walked down the steps, approached, and bowed in unison.
"Greetings, Your Her Majesty the Tsaritsa." Odette's voice was tense, yet she maintained her composure.
Bai You followed suit, awkwardly bowing as well, while Varesa quietly helped her up from the side.
The icy blue gaze slowly descended, finally settling on Bai You.
Staring into those eyes, Bai You forced herself to raise her head, meeting their unfathomable gaze.
My mind went blank. After a long pause, I managed to stammer, "Your Majesty..."
The moment the words left her mouth, she wanted to bite her tongue off. What on earth was that all about?
I wasn't that nervous back then, so why am I so nervous now...?
The chill in those icy blue eyes subsided slightly, and he nodded gently.
"It's alright, etiquette isn't that important."
The Queen's gaze lingered for a moment on her still somewhat pale face.
Without saying anything more, he turned to Odette beside him and said calmly, "It's windy outside, let's find a place to talk."
"Yes! Your Majesty, please come in!" Odette quickly stepped aside to lead the way, her palms sweaty.
Varesa led Bai You by the hand and followed behind.
The entourage escorted the Queen into the theater. At a glance from Vesna, the Winter Pact Army silently dispersed, surrounding the entire theater.
Vesna, accompanied by several soldiers, stood guard in the corridor outside the theater.
Odette led them to the most luxurious reception room in the theater, lit the fireplace, and served them the finest black tea.
The Empress sat down in the main chair, her long robes unfurled. She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping indifferently across the room.
"Everyone, step back," she said softly. "I'd like to speak with Bai You alone for a few minutes."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Danika whispered from outside the door. The door was gently closed.
Varesa looked back several times before finally following the others out.
Then Varesa, Odette, and Columbina sat on a bench in the corridor to wait.
In the reception room, only Bai You and the Empress remained in the blink of an eye.
Bai You sat in the chair opposite the Queen, looking somewhat restrained.
The Empress looked at her with a look of utter alarm, and a faint ripple of emotion flickered in her icy blue eyes.
"Move over a bit. I didn't see you this reserved the first time."
"I don't eat people..."
Bai You then awkwardly moved further inside.
The Empress picked up the hot tea but didn't drink it. She simply watched the steam rising from the cup, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke.
Her voice was still cold, but much softer than when she was outside the door.
"Capitano has already given a full account of what happened in the suburbs yesterday."
" Capitano? What's he doing here? Could it be Columbina? Oh well, I'll ask her later, "Bai You thought to herself.
"Dottore attacked you without authorization, using force to kill you." The Empress spoke each word clearly, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Ultimately, it's my fault for failing to manage and supervise you properly, which is why you suffered this undeserved disaster."
She paused here, looked up at Bai You, and clearly said two words.
"I'm sorry."
Bai You was completely stunned.
To everyone's surprise, the first serious thing this high and mighty Tsaritsa said was to apologize to her.
"Huh?" Bai You opened her mouth, then hurriedly waved her hands.
"Your Majesty, please don't say that. I'm fine, really fine. Look at me, I'm perfectly alright!"
The Empress continued:
"The matter with Dottore has already been dealt with. All his other remains, not a single one, have been removed. Now only the one before us remains."
She looked at Bai You and said in a calm tone.
"For a long time to come, he won't, and won't dare, cause you any more trouble."
"I can assure you of that."
Bai You listened intently, then said softly, bowing her head. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"You don't need to thank me," the Empress said calmly. "This is simply the explanation I should give you."
She put down her teacup and changed the subject.
The Empress looked at her:
"I can't let you suffer this injustice for nothing. I've come today not only to apologize, but also to make it up to you."
"Compensation?" Bai You was taken aback, and subconsciously waved her hand, "No need to be so polite, I really..."
"Take it."
The Empress did not allow her to refuse. She raised her hand, her slender fingers lifting slightly.
Danika pushed open the door and entered, carrying a palm-sized white jade box in both hands. She walked slowly to the coffee table, gently placed the box down, and then silently withdrew.
The box lid was open.
Bai You's gaze fell upon it, and she couldn't look away.
Inside the box lay an object, its shape unclear—whether it was jade, a pearl, or something else—its entire surface was lustrous, shimmering with a vibrant emerald glow.
The strangest thing was that the radiance was not static, but flowed slowly inside the object, Bai You just stared at it.
Within that small space, one could vaguely see undulating green hills, winding streams, and vast stretches of grassland and forest.
Inside, it was as if a whole, vibrant little world had been shrunk up.
"This object is called Peach Blossom Spring." The Empress's voice rang out at the right moment. She raised her hand, took the object out of the box, placed it on the tea table between the two of them, and slowly began to explain.
"Inside, there is a small world."
(If Madame Ping can produce the Serenitea Pot, the Empress should be able to produce something similar as well.)
Bai You's eyes widened as she listened.
"That realm," the Empress recounted, her tone calm.
"You can enter and exit with a mere thought; I won't go into details. Try it yourself when you have time."
After she finished speaking, she gently pushed the Peach Blossom Spring- La" symbol towards Bai You.
There will be another chapter later ⊙▽⊙