Why Do I Keep Feeling Like the Next Chapter Will Be a Shura Field?

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[This poor author has already posted a second update today]

Early morning mist shrouded Inazuma City, and crystalline dewdrops clung to the eaves of Tenshukaku.

Baichen lay beneath the bedding, nestled in Ei's warm embrace.

Ever since that night, Ei had developed the habit of holding him as she slept, as though afraid he would disappear the moment she let go.

"Mmm..." The boy turned over in a daze, resting his forehead against Ei's chin.

Ei's eyelashes fluttered before she slowly opened her eyes.

Sleep still lingered in her violet eyes, but she had already tightened the arm around his waist without thinking.

She lowered her head and breathed in the scent of Thunder Sakura in Baichen's hair, a little ritual she performed every morning.

[Ei's affection: 100% (stable)]

[System notification: morning intimacy bonus]

Baichen woke rubbing his eyes, only to meet Ei's intent gaze.

Those violet eyes no longer held their usual chill. They shone with tenderness instead.

The realization warmed his heart, and he couldn't resist leaning in to give Ei a quick peck on the lips.

"Good morning..." His voice was still soft and drowsy with sleep.

Ei's fingers came to rest on the back of his neck as she deepened the kiss.

Their morning intimacy was always especially lingering, until a maid's cautious knock came from outside the door:

"The Shogun, there's an urgent military report."

Ei frowned in displeasure, but released the boy from her arms.

She rose and dressed with brisk efficiency, transforming from a tender lover back into the imposing Raiden Shogun in the blink of an eye.

"Sleep a little longer," she said to Baichen over her shoulder as she tied her sash. "I'll be back soon."

Baichen nodded obediently, only to scramble up as soon as Ei left.

His body had grown accustomed to their nightly "activities" and no longer ached as unbearably as it had at first.

He changed into a simple kimono and decided to find something to eat in the kitchen.

In Tenshukaku's kitchen, the maids were preparing breakfast.

When they saw Baichen enter, they all bowed, knowing smiles on their faces. Ever since that night, everyone in Tenshukaku had known about the relationship between their two masters.

"Lord Baichen, this red bean porridge was just made." An older maid brought him a steaming bowl. "It's good for replenishing qi and blood."

The porridge contained red dates and dried longan, making it sweet without being cloying. Baichen sipped it in small mouthfuls, listening to the maids whisper:

"Have you heard? The delegation from Snezhnaya arrived at the harbor this morning..."

"I heard the Tsaritsa sent them herself..."

"Surely they aren't here to propose a marriage?"

The spoon fell into the bowl with a clatter.

Baichen's heart suddenly raced. Bronya sent someone?

At the thought of the Tsaritsa, his fingertips unconsciously brushed his chest, where she had once left an icy mark.

[Bronya's affection: 64% (watching from afar)]

[Warning: Snezhnayan forces are intervening]

After hastily finishing breakfast, Baichen decided to take a look at Tenshukaku's front hall.

He had just reached the corridor when he heard a fierce argument coming from the council chamber.

He softened his footsteps and hid behind a pillar to listen.

"The Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya's invitation is perfectly clear," a woman's voice said. "She hopes Mr. Baichen will visit Snezhnaya for a cultural exchange."

"Impossible." Ei's voice was cold as ice. "He isn't going anywhere."

"The Shogun, this concerns diplomatic relations between our two nations..." Kujou Sara tried to mediate.

"I said no."

The air seemed to freeze.

Baichen cautiously peeked out and saw a tall woman standing in the middle of the council chamber. She wore a Snezhnayan diplomat's attire, with a Fatui insignia pinned to her chest.

"I am the Eighth of the Fatui Harbingers, La Signora."

The woman bowed gracefully, but her tone was provocative. "Lady Bronya specifically instructed me to say that if it is inconvenient for Mr. Baichen to travel, she can come to Inazuma and collect him herself."

Ei's naginata flashed from its sheath, lightning crackling along its blade. "Let her try."

Seeing that a clash was about to erupt, Baichen hurried out. "Wait!"

All eyes turned to him.

A flash of awe crossed La Signora's eyes, followed by a confident smile:

"Ah, this must be Mr. Baichen?" She stepped forward. "Lady Bronya can't stop thinking about you."

Ei pulled Baichen behind her and pointed her naginata straight at La Signora's throat. "Get out."

"The Shogun!" Kujou Sara hurriedly tried to stop her. "She's a diplomatic envoy!"

"It's all right." La Signora stepped back calmly. "I've delivered the invitation."

She gave Baichen a meaningful look. "Lady Bronya said you should still remember that promise."

With that, she turned and left gracefully, leaving the council chamber in dead silence.

Ei gripped her naginata tightly, her knuckles white. Baichen carefully tugged at her sleeve:

"Ei... I'm not going anywhere..."

Ei spun around, scooped him up, and strode toward the inner room.

Kujou Sara tactfully withdrew and waved all the guards away.

The door to the inner room slammed shut. Baichen was placed on the tatami, and Ei followed him down.

"A promise?" She bit Baichen's earlobe. "What promise?"

Baichen gave a soft grunt of pain. "It's just... when I was in Snezhnaya before, she said..."

Before he could finish, Ei's lips had already drawn close to his face.

Her warm lips pressed against him, covering every possible memory.

"You're mine," she declared.

Ei moved faster than usual, yet there was a strange unease to her movements-a vulnerability the Raiden Shogun had never shown before.

"Ei..." He gently stroked her tense back. "I belong only to you..."

His words seemed to flip a switch.

Ei's onslaught suddenly softened, her kisses changing from punishment to comfort.

"Show me," she said hoarsely. "Show me how much you love me..."

(It got banned, waaah)

[End of content]

[Ei's affection: 100% (stable)]

[Status acquired: deeply marked]

Afterward, Ei did not immediately get up, an unusual departure for her. Instead, she kept holding Baichen, running her fingers through his hair now and then.

The boy leaned against her chest in exhaustion, listening as her strong heartbeat gradually settled.

"I won't let anyone take you away," Ei suddenly said, her voice carrying unquestionable resolve. "Bronya or the Fatui... whoever dares touch you, I'll cut them down."

Baichen looked up and kissed her chin. "I know."

That simple gesture miraculously soothed Ei.

She sighed softly and held him even tighter.

Their cozy moment, however, was interrupted by a frantic knock.

Kujou Sara's voice came from outside the door:

"The Shogun, something's wrong! The Fatui are causing trouble at the docks!"

Ei's expression instantly turned cold.

She quickly rose and dressed, dangerous lightning flickering around the naginata in her hand.

"Stay in the room," she ordered. "Don't go anywhere."

Baichen nodded obediently, only to scramble up as soon as Ei left.

An ominous feeling hung over him. The Fatui causing trouble was too much of a coincidence, almost as if... they were luring the tiger away from the mountain.

[System warning!]

[Danger signal detected!]

[Recommendation: hide immediately!]

Just then, the window slid silently open.

A masked Fatui soldier nimbly climbed into the room, holding a familiar ice-blue envelope.

"Mr. Baichen." The soldier bowed respectfully. "A letter in Lady Bronya's own hand."

The Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya's ice-flower emblem was stamped on the envelope, which gave off a faint chill.

Baichen hesitated, then accepted it and opened it. The handwriting on the paper was elegant and sharp:

"My dear kitty:

Did you miss me? Someone should have shown you my invitation by now.

But I imagine she won't let you go easily.

Don't worry, I've made the arrangements.

Wait for me behind the Grand Narukami Shrine at midnight three days from now.

If you don't come... I'll go to Tenshukaku and collect you myself.

Bronya"

The moment he finished reading, the letter turned to ice crystals and scattered.

Baichen's heart sank to rock bottom. This wasn't an invitation; it was an ultimatum.

If I don't go... something very bad will happen, won't it...

But if I do go...

(The picture is in the author's note.)

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If the author wakes up one morning and finds the numbers are a complete mess, I might burst into tears and be too sad to update, qwq.