Just at that moment, her Messenger Charm lit up.
Lucia Lu didn’t even check who it was—she just answered.
A call might break this awkward tension...
A gentle, melodious voice came through the Messenger Charm: "Yanyu."
She nearly dropped the Messenger Charm in her hand.
It was—of all people—Qilin Divine Lord Soren Lann.
"Yanyu?" When she didn’t respond, Qilin Divine Lord Soren Lann called out again.
"Ah? Divine Lord..."
"If I’ve got the date right, my flower should have bloomed by now, shouldn’t it?" Soren’s tone was both teasing and affectionate, deep and low.
Lucia Lu swallowed. "Um, Divine Lord, today’s Mia’s birthday, and I... We’re celebrating for her."
"Is that so?" Soren Lann chuckled softly. "Then, please give my blessings to Little Wu Divine Maiden as well!"
"Okay."
"Yanyu, I heard you’re heading to the Southern Maze Array for your assessment tomorrow," Soren said. "You should go to bed early—don’t stay up too late."
"Got it."
"Then I won’t bother you guys any longer. When you have time, let’s chat again... about the Flower Egg."
Lucia Lu: "..."
After she hung up the Messenger Charm, the atmosphere didn’t get any better—in fact, it got even more awkward.
Everyone stared at her with weird looks.
Just as she was about to speak, Sean Shaw abruptly stood up and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Lucia Lu just stood there, a little dazed.
"Um... Mia, Soren Lann is right. Everyone should get some rest tonight. Let’s all head back," Harvey Quinn said, standing up.
The Southern Realm folks all left.
Only Luna Lian, Ryan, and Adrian Drake were left with Lucia Lu.
Adrian Drake asked angrily, "Senior Sister, what’s that supposed to mean?"
Lucia Lu: "What do you mean, what does it mean?"
He took a deep breath. "There’s no one else here, so I’ll be straight with you. Do you know what Little Five said to me?"
Lucia Lu: "...How would I know?"
"He told me he wants to become Crown Prince!" Adrian’s eyes burned with intensity.
Lucia Lu didn’t say anything.
"Because, given his status and situation, his wife would definitely get bullied too!
He doesn’t want her to be bullied!
He doesn’t want his wife to have to wander around with him, either!
He doesn’t want her to suffer even the slightest grievance!
So, that’s the only path he can take.
You know exactly who he’s doing all this for, don’t you?
Lucia Lu frowned but said nothing.
"You must know! In fact, I think you’re already letting him do it, which is why he keeps zoning out and grinning like an idiot, and why he’s been training like he’s on some kind of energy high every single day!"
He pointed at the Flower Egg. "But what’s with that, huh? Lucia Lu, are you seriously playing the two-timing game now?"
Lucia Lu: "..."
"You just want to see if he can make it, right? If he fails, you’ll be the Qilin Divine Empress; if he succeeds, you’ll be Crown Princess? Ha! You really do live up to your title as the Number One Divine Lady of the Lumina Realm! Honestly, impressive!"
"Adrian! Shut up!" Ryan punched him in the shoulder.
"Am I wrong?" Adrian shouted.
"You just met my sister today?" Ryan retorted. "She’d never do that!"
"Then tell me, Senior Sister, do you know how Little Five feels?" Adrian asked Lucia Lu.
Lucia Lu pressed her lips together and didn’t reply.
"See? You do know!" Adrian pressed. "So why are you flirting with Soren Lann and planting Loveblossoms?"
Lucia Lu said, "I didn’t even know that Flower Egg was a Loveblossom!"
Adrian fell silent for a moment, then said, "Senior Sister, Little Five’s been hurt so much since he was a kid. I just don’t want you to hurt him again! Whether you mean to or not, you should tell him clearly."
Lucia Lu took a deep breath. "How am I supposed to make it clear to him?"