What Is Meant to Be Will Be

"How should I know?" Ian Zhu shrugged. "Anyway, I didn't do anything to upset him."

"Me neither!"

"Then who did?"

"Who else but Chloe Zhu?" Leon Zane said knowingly. "Only Chloe can make him act so mysteriously."

"Mysteriously?" Ian Zhu looked confused. "What kind of description is that?"

"I mean, sometimes he acts like a ghost, sometimes like a god!"

"Pfft! Leon, if you go around telling people you know me, I'll die of embarrassment."

Leon Zane looked puzzled. "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

"You didn't! I just suddenly remembered, when we were kids and the Grand Tutor was teaching us human script, you always sneaked off to squat under the princess's window!"

"Squat under the princess's window?" Leon shot him a look. "I went to play with the princess, okay? We grew up together, childhood sweethearts—you know nothing!"

Ian Zhu: "Childhood sweethearts? You used the wrong word again!"

"Really? Then what should I say?" Leon Zane looked uncertain.

"A toad lusting after a swan!" Ian Zhu's sharp tongue was legendary in the Drake Abyss.

"Come on! Ian, you jerk! I challenge you to a duel!"

......

Sophie Shang stepped out from the shadows, watching the two with a faint smile.

......

Later, Grace bit the Dragon Scale every single day.

But Evan Xiao never appeared again.

So she wrote a letter and gave it to Shannon, asking her to deliver it to Evan Xiao.

Shannon tried contacting Leon Zane with a communication talisman, but no matter what she did, she couldn't reach him.

So she decided to go to the Drake Abyss herself.

Humans can't just enter the Drake Abyss whenever they want—they need permission.

She pleaded with Emperor Henry and finally got permission to visit the Drake Abyss.

That day, Grace was restless, anxiously waiting for news.

When Shannon returned, she came to see Grace in person.

"Shannon, did you give him the letter? Did he read it?" Grace asked nervously.

Shannon looked troubled. She reached into her sleeve and handed the letter back to Grace.

"He wouldn't read it?" Grace was crushed.

"He and my cousin aren't even in the Drake Abyss. After New Year's, they left for the Blighted Wilds," Shannon said. "There's no spiritual power in the Blighted Wilds, so it's no wonder we can't contact them!"

"I see..." Grace let out a small sigh of relief and asked, "When will they be back?"

"Grace..." Shannon frowned. "It's not about when they'll be back! The High Priest prophesied that Sophie Shang must become Crown Princess to save the Drake Abyss."

"What? The High Priest... isn't that Sophie's father? His prophecy is so pointed—surely the Celestial Emperor and Empress won't believe it so easily?"

Shannon shook her head. "You don't know—the High Priest of the Divine Clan never lies. If he did, the Heavenly Law would punish him instantly!"

Grace fell silent, saying nothing.

"The Imperial Edict for marriage has already been issued. Once His Highness returns, they might be married right away..." Shannon looked at Grace with regret.

"How much longer until His Highness returns to the Drake Abyss?" Grace asked.

"I saw Quentin Chin in the Drake Abyss. He said His Highness mentioned it could be as short as one month, but no longer than three months... then they'll be back."

Grace nodded. "I understand, Shannon. Thank you for helping me again."

"This is all I can do for you now..." Shannon looked at her. "Grace, some things really are destined. If it's meant to be, it will be; if it's not, don't force it. You have to let go."

Grace was silent for a moment, then said, "Don't worry, Shannon. I've already let go."

Shannon sighed.