" Your Majesty,"
"This... this is too valuable, I..."
The Queen, seeing her hand almost touching it, said somewhat speechlessly, "Take it."
Since things had come to this point, Bai You naturally couldn't refuse any longer.
She quickly cupped the "Peach Blossom Spring " in both hands.
It feels warm and smooth to the touch, and that vibrant vitality seems to seep into your palm.
So this is what it feels like for the protagonist in a novel to obtain a priceless treasure—it's incredibly exhilarating!!!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" She carefully tucked the treasure into her bosom, raised her head, and said earnestly.
Seeing her barely concealed joy, the Empress's coldness seemed to soften somewhat.
She didn't dwell on the matter, but instead picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and continued speaking.
"There's one more thing."
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"It's about your status as the twelfth seat." The Empress put down her teacup and looked at her.
"I won't use official business to tie you down."
The Queen's voice was calm, yet it granted her the utmost freedom.
"You can choose how you want to be the twelfth seat; it's entirely up to you."
"If you love Snezhnaya and wish to stay here with your friends, then rest assured, there will always be a place for you in the Snezhnaya Palace."
"If you get tired of staying in one place and want to travel, you can go to any of the Seven Nations."
"When I'm willing to lend a hand, I'll assist other Harbinger in calming their Gnosis; when I'm not, I can simply treat it as a leisurely trip to relax and unwind—that's perfectly fine too."
The Empress looked at her suddenly bright eyes, her tone unusually composed.
Traveling to Seven Nations at will, just for tourism if you don't want to work?
Bai You was overjoyed; this treatment was simply divine.
"[See that?]" the system said smugly in her mind.
[This system says you deserve the twelfth seat.]
Bai You pressed down hard on the corners of her mouth, which were about to turn up, trying her best to maintain her composure, and obediently nodded:
"I... I understand, thank you, Your Majesty."
"There's another one, actually," the Queen continued.
"You also belong to the Snezhnaya Palace; you can't be embarrassed on Mora."
"You can go to Pantalone; he'll take care of the amount you need."
Bai You silently made a mental note. "Walking wallet, I'll ask him for money next time."
"Oh, right," the Empress said casually, as if suddenly remembering something.
Rosalyne has already set off for Mondstadt to deal with the Anemo Gnosis.
"If you're interested in Mondstadt, that city of wind and wine, you should definitely take a trip there; it would be good to see it for yourself."
" Mondstadt..." Bai You repeated softly, "That's a city-state of freedom and poetry."
It's so much fun in the game, of course she's interested.
And then there's Ying, who's about to wake up; we'll finally get to see her.
Oh right, and there's Varesa and the others too. Going alone would definitely be boring.
"Can I bring someone with me?"
"It's alright, they said they won't restrict you."
"These are what you deserve."
The Empress then subtly shifted her focus, returning to the initial matter, her cool voice carrying a hint of solemnity.
"As for Dottore offending you—" she looked at Bai You and spoke again.
"I apologize again; it was my fault."
Bai You quickly waved her hand again, about to speak, but was gently stopped by a glance from the Empress.
The Empress spoke first.
"The explanations that need to be given must be given in full. Your friends—"
" Columbina, who has always looked after you, and the two girls who have been by your side, will receive a generous compensation at the Snezhnaya Palace."
The Empress even thought of Varesa, Odette, and Columbina, and offered them compensation.
This thoughtfulness earned her a strange sense of admiration.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." This time, she didn't refuse.
The Empress looked at her, said nothing more, and simply nodded slightly.
Everything that needed to be said has been said.
She slowly rose to her feet, her snow-white robe cascading down her back.
Bai You quickly stood up, much more composed than when she first entered.
The Queen gave her one last look, her icy blue eyes holding a depth of meaning that Bai You couldn't decipher:
"The power within you is more important than you realize."
"There's no need to rush to prove anything before the very end."
"There are some things I'll tell you in detail in the future."
Bai You seemed to understand but not quite, yet she still obediently nodded. "I understand."
The Empress said nothing more and strode towards the door. The door clicked open from the outside.
Danika and Vesna immediately came to greet them, while Odette, Varesa, and Columbina were also waiting outside the door.
Upon seeing the Empress emerge, everyone bowed in unison.
The Queen paused for a fleeting moment before Varesa and Odette.
Her gaze swept over the two girls who were so nervous they didn't dare to breathe.
He simply nodded slightly, which was his way of greeting.
Even such a slight nod made Odette's back straighten instantly, and she bowed her head again, flattered.
"No need to see me off," the Empress said.
Surrounded by Danika, Vesna's attendants, and the elf Winter Pact Army, they walked step by step along the corridor towards the theater's exit.
Bai You and the others followed behind, escorting them all the way to the main entrance steps.
On the square, the army in silver armor parted to both sides like a tide, then regrouped behind the Empress.
She didn't turn around, but just before getting into the car, she raised her hand slightly.
The convoy and the army formation, just as they had arrived, disappeared into the distance in an orderly and silent manner.
Only tire tracks remained on the snow-covered ground, proving that the arrival just now was not a dream.
Only when that expanse of white completely disappeared at the end of the long street did the few people who had been tense at the theater entrance seem to have all their strength drained away at once.
"My God..." Odette leaned against the doorframe and let out a long, slow breath.
" Her Majesty the Tsaritsa... she actually came in person! This is the first time I've seen her so close."
Before she could finish speaking, a shadowy figure darted towards her with a whoosh.
It's Varesa.
She grabbed Bai You and looked her up and down carefully.
Then, a barrage of questions came down like a machine gun, spoken at breakneck speed.
" Little Bai You, how is it?"
" Her Majesty the Tsaritsa didn't give you any trouble, did she?"
Did he yell at you?
Thank you everyone for the gifts! つ♡⊂