Chapter 6: Angelina and the Solar Audience Ceremony
ANGELINA was preparing for her journey to Mt. Jinlong—a holy site of the Heavenly Sovereign Temple. The last event of the Crown Prince Ascension Ceremony would be the Solar Announcement Ceremony. Usually, the crown prince’s mother would visit Mt. Jinlong to report that the ascension ceremony had been conducted without issue. This final event was a means of giving thanks.
While holding Angelina in his arms, Feilong mumbled, “Do you have to go no matter what?”
“Boys aren’t allowed on Mt. Jinlong,” Angelina chided her father. “I’m the only one who can take Mudder’s place, right?”
For the first time, Feilong regretted killing his entire family to usurp the throne. Because of his brutality, there were no women in the royal family apart from Angelina.
Personally, Feilong didn’t want to let Angelina visit one of the temple’s holy sites. Ever since the Golden Dragon had recognized her as the Polaris Princess, the daoshi had made subtle hints about wanting to adopt her as a Vinka. If she were taken to a holy site forbidden to men, Feilong wouldn’t be able to interfere.
“I’m worried about you,” Feilong admitted. “The temple is acting suspiciously.”
If Angelina became a Vinka, she would live on Mt. Jinlong from the ages of five to ten. Afterward, she would have to travel to mausoleums in various lands as a former Vinka. Feilong was still repairing their father-daughter relationship. The idea of letting her go now seemed like a poor joke.
“But I want to do everything I can to help Big Brudder!” Angelina argued.
She’d been the one to convince Feilong to allow the trip. After all, she didn’t want people complaining about Kyril’s ascension ceremony, which had already been chock-full of irregularities. Many old noble families were still antagonistic towards Feilong’s reign. Angelina couldn’t bear the idea of displeasing the temple and sabotaging Kyril’s ascension.
“Don’t worry!” she continued with a smile. “Ryuho will be with me! I’m just giving an offering, right?”
Men couldn’t enter Mt. Jinlong, but of course, they couldn’t be particular about the genders of animals. Thanks to this, Ryuho had been allowed entry as the Polaris Princess’s divine guardian beast.
After heeding Angelina’s words, Feilong reluctantly decided to send her off. His decision to have Jinlong’s strongest military force accompany her might have been a tad overprotective, though.
“Listen closely, Yuen,” Feilong said. “If you sense anything suspicious, protect Angelina without waiting for my orders. Her safety is of the utmost importance. You have my permission to slaughter every daoshi or burn down Mt. Jinlong to protect her.”
Yuen Lang was Feilong’s right-hand man and most trusted confidante. Feilong had assigned Yuen to command the accompanying military force. Yuen was also Tomi’s son and Junshi’s father. During Angelina’s previous lives, he’d conspired with Anda to betray Feilong. In the end, he’d even become the emperor of Jinlong.
In any event, Yuen didn’t raise an eyebrow at Feilong’s words, which could have rocked the entire nation. “Yes, sir!” he responded.
Angelina broke out in a cold sweat, listening to the conversation. Yuen had purple hair and the hulking muscles of a warrior. Despite being a man of few words, he was decisive and capable of firing off precise orders. His subordinates and Feilong trusted him with their lives. Even Angelina regarded him as a man among men.
I don’t want Yuen to betray Feilong in this loop, she thought.
During her fourth life, her father finally recognized her, and she received a name. She wanted to continue living happily and avoid another coup at all costs.
Taking all that into consideration, Angelina looked up at Yuen. Noticing her gaze, Yuen bowed his head to her slightly. She couldn’t sense Junshi or Tomi’s friendliness there. He was simply showing the princess courtesy.
Getting him to like me might be impossible, but at the very least, I don’t want him to hate me…
With that in mind, Angelina showed Yuen a toothy grin. “Th-Thanks for escorting me.”
Yuen responded with a slight smile of his own. “It’s my honor,” he said shortly.
Huh? Yuen looks scary, but he’s surprisingly cute when he smiles! That unexpected discovery caused Angelina’s lips to tug upwards.
“Stop trying to look cool, Yuen!” Ryuho barked.
Due to the magical ribbon around his neck, his complaint didn’t reach the hulking man.