Free Web NovelChapter 45: Chapter 45: Lulu is back!
The door slid open. Han Soi stepped into the dimly lit room; the soft scent of Yue Yue filled the room, calming his senses.
On the massive bed, Yue Yue was already asleep.
She had changed into simple, comfortable clothes that made her look even smaller and more delicate against the vastness of the mattress. Her breathing was steady, her dark lashes casting soft shadows against her pale cheeks. She looked peaceful...a stark contrast to the chaos that had nearly erupted in the hall only hours ago.
Han Soi approached the bedside, his boots making no sound on the thick carpet. He stood there for a long time, simply watching the rise and fall of her chest.
His hand reached out, his fingers trembling slightly before he brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face. His touch was feather-light, as if he feared she might shatter if he pressed too hard. He still couldn’t entirely believe it. She was his.
He had wanted a grander ceremony. He had wanted to present her to the world as the most precious treasure in the galaxy, adorned in jewels and celebrated by thousands. But reality had been a slap on his face.
Even as an SSS-rank orc, even with his power and his reputation, he had realized the bitter truth today: he could not yet defy his father, Han Qiaone, without risking everything...including Yue Yue’s life. He had been forced to compromise, to accept a rushed ceremony in this gilded cage of the Winged Serpent estate. frёeωebɳovel.com
He knew that by staying here, by officially bringing her into the Han household, he was stepping into a hellhole. Escape would be nearly impossible now. But as he looked at her sleeping face, a dark, resolute thought took root in his mind.
I would walk into any hell, as long as you are there.
His expression darkened, a hint of ominous red swirling within his deep violet eyes as his thoughts drifted to his younger brother. The memory of that bastard daring to lay claim to Yue Yue made his blood boil.
The thought of those filthy eyes looking at her with desire was enough to make him want to skin him alive. He would have his revenge. Slowly and painfully.
Suddenly, Yue Yue shifted in her sleep. Her small hand reached out, instinctively seeking warmth, and curled around his forearm.
"Mmm..." she mumbled, a soft, incoherent sound of comfort, before burying her face closer to his sleeve and drifting back into deep sleep.
In an instant, the murderous rage in Han Soi’s eyes vanished. His heart felt as though it were melting. All the bitterness of the day’s politics and his father’s cold gaze seemed to evaporate.
He moved carefully, shedding his outer clothes and climbing onto the bed. He pulled her gently into his arms, tucking her head under his chin. He let out a long, shaky breath, finally allowing himself to close his eyes.
***
When Yue Yue woke up the next morning, the room was flooded with soft, filtered sunlight.
She felt incredibly refreshed, her body light and her mind clear. She stretched, her hand brushing against the empty space beside her. She sat up abruptly, her eyes scanning the room.
The bed was empty. Han Soi was gone.
She touched the sheets on the other side of the bed. They were wrinkled and still held a faint, lingering warmth. He had been here. A small, shy smile touched her lips, but it was quickly replaced by a pout. Why did he have to leave so early?
She stood up and headed to the washroom to freshen up. As she splashed cool water on her face, she felt a strange mix of nerves and excitement. She has a beast husband now, and he is none other than Han Soi.
Just as she was drying her face, the door to the suite slid again.
Yue Yue turned, expecting one of the new, clinical robotic attendants. But as the figure entered, Yue Yue froze.
The robot’s movements were different...less stiff and more familiar.
"Young Madam," the robot said. "Please allow me to assist you."
Yue Yue’s breath hitched. "Lulu?"
The robot paused, its head tilting in that quirky, characteristic way. "Young Madam... I am back."
Yue Yue didn’t hesitate. She ran forward and threw her arms around the cold, metal frame, hugging the robot tightly. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. "Lulu! I thought you were gone... I thought they destroyed you!"
Lulu’s arms rose, patting Yue Yue’s back with a rhythmic, comforting thud-thud-thud.
"Young Miss... I cannot die so easily." Lulu’s synthesized voice sounded almost proud. "Master Han Soi fixed me again. He said I was the only one he trusted to watch over you in this place. He brought me back."
Yue Yue pulled back, wiping her eyes, a surge of gratitude toward Han Soi filling her chest. Even when he was busy, he was still thinking of her comfort.
"I’m so glad," Yue Yue whispered, holding Lulu’s hand. "I really missed you." freewēbnoveℓ.com
Lulu’s sensors glowed a soft green. "There is much to do, Young Madam. This estate is not like our house. We must be careful."
Yue Yue nodded, her expression hardening with a newfound resolve.
But suddenly a loud growl echoed through the quiet room.
Yue Yue’s hand flew to her stomach, her face flushing a light pink. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the adrenaline of seeing Lulu had finally faded.
"Young Madam’s energy levels are low," Lulu chirped, her sensors scanning Yue Yue. "I will fetch the premium Grade-A nutritional solution for you immediately. It is strawberry flavored."
"No!" Yue Yue blurted out, a look of pure disgust crossing her face.
She remembered the thick, gelatinous sludge she had been forced to swallow yesterday. It had felt like drinking flavored glue. To the people of this world, it was the pinnacle of efficiency, but to her, it was a nightmare.
"I am not eating that ever again," Yue Yue declared, standing up with a look of determination. "Lulu, we are going to cook."
Lulu’s head tilted a full forty-five degrees.
"Cook? Okk, young madam."
"Then let’s go," Yue Yue said with a confident wink. "Just follow my lead."
She pulled up the digital shopping interface that was projected from the Lulu’s terminal. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head as she scrolled through the prices of raw, "purified" ingredients. A single slab of high-grade beast meat costs more than a small hovercar.
"100 thousand star coins for a side of ribs? Fifty million for a bunch of organic greens?" Yue Yue whispered, her heart bleeding with every click of the ’Add to Cart’ button. By the time she was done, the total had reached several million Star Coins.
She winced, her finger hovering over the checkout button. But then, she remembered Han Soi.
He was an SSS-rank Orc and even a duke. He was the most powerful orc in the clan. And more importantly, he was now her husband.
"What’s mine is mine, and what’s his is definitely mine," she thought, a tiny, mischievous "evil" smile spreading across her lips. She pressed ’Confirm.’
The efficiency of the Han estate was terrifying. In less than two seconds, a delivery drone hissed at the window port, dropping off several temperature-controlled crates.
Lulu stood by, ready to assist. "What are your orders, Young Madam?"
