She Is Finally Happy

"You think of him as your mentor, but he might not see you as his apprentice," Evan Xiao teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Oh, come on! If he doesn't treat me as his apprentice, what am I to him then?"

"Should I really say it out loud?"

"Honestly, you're just impossible... Your mind is always in the gutter! I'm done talking to you! Suit yourself, Crown Prince Evan Xiao."

She dodged him, ready to storm off.

But Evan Xiao yanked her back, his arm locking around her waist, pulling her firmly into his embrace.

"Let go of me! Aren't you supposed to be off to your nuptials? If you don't hurry, you'll miss the lucky hour!"

Evan Xiao bristled at her words, pinching her cheek with mock severity. "Say 'nuptials' one more time, and I'll go dig you a grave right now!"

"Ouch!"

"Still daring enough to say it again?"

"No way! Just don't go to your marriage rites! Leave Sophie Shang standing there all alone—let her bawl her eyes out!"

Evan Xiao released her cheek but kept his arm tightly around her waist.

"Let me go!" Grace protested. "I haven't had any Fairy Fruit since yesterday and I'm starving. I need to go pick one before I faint!"

With a casual wave, Evan Xiao summoned a Fairy Fruit from the far side of the mountain. It sailed through the air and landed right beside them, plump and perfect.

And as if by magic, a splash of water appeared from nowhere, washing the fruit sparkling clean.

It was like a stage trick—honestly, kind of hilarious.

Grace gleefully snatched it up and took a big bite.

Seeing her finally smile, Evan Xiao's lips curved in satisfaction.

"Crown Prince Evan Xiao." Suddenly, a voice cut through the moment—low, and just a little menacing.

A shadowy figure coalesced in midair—it was Sophie Shang, looking none too pleased.

Grace met her eyes, expression cool and unruffled.

"Crown Prince Evan Xiao, the lucky hour is upon us," Sophie Shang intoned.

"Did I ever say I was going to participate?" Evan Xiao shot back, eyebrow raised.

"As the heir of Drake Abyss, it's your duty," Sophie Shang replied. "And for Miss Grace's sake, you especially ought to be there."

"And just what is that supposed to mean?"

"You didn't say no yesterday, so I figured you agreed! Today, I've invited my father, the Celestial Empress, and the others—they're all waiting for you at the Sacrificial Hall!"

She shot Grace a glance. "I've already spoken to the Celestial Empress about Miss Grace, and requested she be formally recognized. You can relax, Crown Prince Evan Xiao."

"What exactly did you say to my mother?" Evan Xiao's tone went ice-cold. "Does she know who Grace really is?"

"She doesn't know," Sophie Shang assured. "You know I wouldn't be so careless. If anyone should tell her, it's you."

Evan Xiao drew a deep breath, then seized Grace's hand and strode toward the Sacrificial Hall.

Grace would rather be anywhere but there.

But resisting was pointless—he dragged her along, no matter how she struggled.

The Celestial Empress stood there in her everyday robes, face unreadable.

Vivian Xiao stood beside her, watching Evan Xiao and Grace approach, her brow furrowed in obvious worry.

"Mother," Evan Xiao greeted, bowing respectfully.

"What took you so long?" the Celestial Empress demanded. "The auspicious hour is slipping away—get on with the marriage rites and wed Sophie Shang, now!"

"Mother, as long as the crisis in Drake Abyss isn't resolved, I refuse to marry her," Evan Xiao declared.

"Crown Prince Evan Xiao, what exactly do you mean by that?" asked Priestess Sun Drake, her eyes narrowing.

"Priestess Sun Drake, the fate of Drake Abyss is too important to take lightly. Unless a new prophecy says I should wed Sophie Shang, we shouldn't rush into anything."

Priestess Sun Drake huffed, "The Celestial Emperor himself granted this marriage—of course you must wed! What other meaning could there be?"

"What exactly did you ask about in your divination?"

"The fate of Drake Abyss, of course!" Priestess Sun Drake replied, puffing up with pride.

"If your divination had been about when my son would be born, then my father's imperial marriage grant and the wedding would make perfect sense," Evan Xiao argued.