Shadow Over the Heavenly Throne

The morning in the royal gardens was quiet, almost surreal. The sun rose lazily over the horizon, its pale light dancing across the leaves, casting warm reflections on the marble pathways. The air carried the subtle scent of damp earth and blooming roses. It was peaceful—too peaceful.

Veynessa sat at a stone table, sipping tea from a delicate porcelain cup. Her slender, trained hands rested lightly on the table, and her deep blue eyes gazed into the distance. Beside her, a plate of fruit lay untouched—a few grapes, slices of melon, and citrus. This was meant to be a brief moment of tranquility before the day truly began.

Nearby, standing in the shade of the trees, was Selene, her personal maid. Her presence was nearly imperceptible, as if she were part of the surroundings, yet she remained ever ready to respond to the queen’s slightest command. Dressed in a classic maid’s uniform, with a flawlessly pressed apron and a well-fitted work dress, she stood with her hands clasped in front of her, waiting silently.

The stillness remained unbroken until a familiar, melodic voice spoke from behind her.

"Of course, I find you here."

Veynessa slowly lifted her gaze, and for once, her lips, rarely graced by a smile, curved in genuine delight. She was here. After years of seclusion, after years of absence… she was truly here.

The amber eyes of the woman standing before her sparkled warmly, though they could not mask her penetrating nature. Her chestnut hair, with a soft copper sheen, was woven into an elegant braid, with a few loose strands cascading over her shoulders. A black gown, fitted to her slender figure, was adorned with lace patterns and jeweled embellishments, shimmering in the morning light. Mysterious, graceful, and commanding—that was how Veynessa remembered her.

"You should still be cultivating, Calista," Veynessa remarked, raising a brow. "You were on the verge of a breakthrough."

"I finished yesterday," Calista replied with a slight smile. "And right after that, before I could take even a single breath in peace…"

"My husband appeared," the queen finished for her, narrowing her eyes.

"Begging me like a dog with its tail tucked between its legs to stop you from going on this expedition," the new arrival scoffed, seating herself across from Veynessa and casually plucking a grape from the plate. "He claimed I was the only one who could talk sense into you."

Veynessa rolled her eyes, as if she had heard this argument a hundred times before. And indeed—she had.

"I still don’t understand how you could marry him," her friend mused, chewing on the fruit. "Neither his character nor his cultivation talent hold a candle to yours. You’re wasting your potential staying by his side."

"If even the King is unworthy of me, then tell me—what man in this world should I have married?" Veynessa asked dryly, tilting her head slightly.

"Perhaps a king," her friend sighed theatrically, gazing at the sky, "but unfortunately, from a crumbling dynasty."

Veynessa shook her head, reaching for her tea.

"It’s not that bad. We still have the Elders, and that monster in human skin who keeps our house from falling to ruin."

Her friend remained silent for a moment, as if pondering her words. Finally, she let out a sigh tinged with melancholy.

"I wonder what the future holds for our family."

For a while, neither of them spoke. Birds chirped in the distance, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves above them.

"You didn’t come here to stop me, did you?" Veynessa finally asked, breaking the silence.

"No." A shadow of a smile touched her friend’s lips. "I know you too well. It would be a waste of energy to fight the impossible."

The queen returned the smile.

"Then…?"

"Then I’m going with you."

Veynessa studied her for a moment before leaning back in her chair, clearly pleased.

"In that case, you’d better prepare your combat outfit. We leave in the afternoon. But first, I need to visit Pharos."

Her friend raised a brow and chuckled softly.

"That old man is still breathing?"

"Honestly, I don’t know if he’s still cultivating purely out of willpower at this point."

"That would be just like him." She sighed, resting her chin on her hand. "He once said that until he witnessed the world’s complete downfall, he wouldn’t allow himself to die."

"Typical of him." Veynessa plucked another grape from the plate. "He was one of the best in his time, and now he watches us all from the shadows."

"And apparently, that pitiful husband of yours is truly worried if he’s sending Pharos along with you." Her friend’s eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Or perhaps he just doesn’t want to return to an empty throne." The queen smirked.

A laugh burst from Calista’s lips, her amber eyes sparkling with mirth. "Well then, since I’ve decided to join you, I should get ready. But I warn you…"

"Warn me?" Veynessa arched a brow.

"After years of cultivation, I have no intention of watching your back if you’ve gone rusty."

The queen chuckled softly, then leaned slightly forward, plucking a grape and tossing her friend a challenging glance.

"Still holding onto the memory of when you lost to me in a spar five years ago?" she asked innocently.

"That was under completely different circumstances!" the woman huffed, dramatically crossing her arms. "Besides, if I recall correctly, we both fell."

"Perhaps we did… but I was the one who got up first."

Her friend rolled her eyes, but in her gaze, something warm and unspoken flickered.

"Fine, have it your way. But if you defeat me again, I'll pretend it's because of my exhaustion from cultivation."

"And if I lose, I'll say I let you win out of courtesy." Veynessa arched a brow.

"Of course." Her friend plucked another grape from the plate. "So, we both have our excuses ready."

Suddenly, the tranquility of the garden was disrupted as Sylphia came running in. Her silver hair shimmered under the morning light, her breath slightly labored as if she had hurried. She ran straight to the queen, barely acknowledging her company.

"Mom!" she called, blue eyes gleaming with determination. "I need your help."

Veynessa raised a brow, setting her teacup down, but before Sylphia could explain, the queen pulled her onto her lap with a firm yet effortless motion. The young girl instantly squirmed, struggling against her mother’s hold, but Veynessa remained unbothered. After a moment, Sylphia gave up with a huff, resting her arms on the table in feigned irritation.

"Sylphia, meet my best friend, Calista." Veynessa smiled slightly, ignoring her daughter's sulky expression.

Calista stared at the girl in open surprise. Her amber eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face. She looked at the queen, then back at Sylphia, as if trying to process what she had just heard.

"Wait… you have a daughter?" Her voice carried an almost accusatory tone. "How could you not tell me? How did you hide this from me for so many years?!"

Veynessa arched a brow, clearly amused by her friend's reaction.

"Selene, record this moment. For the first time, I have seen Calista completely at a loss for words." The queen chuckled lightly before glancing at her daughter. "Calista, calm down. I didn’t hide her. You’ve just been locked away cultivating all these years."

Calista narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Sylphia with newfound curiosity.

"How old is she?" she asked suspiciously.

"Three," Veynessa answered without hesitation.

Calista nearly fell back in her chair as if she had just heard the most absurd statement in history.

"Lies." She glanced at the girl again. "She looks at least six."

"Yes, I know." The queen sighed theatrically. "And yet, she is three. She was born while you were busy playing the reclusive cultivator behind closed doors."

Sylphia, finally taking a good look at Calista, let her curiosity show. Her blue eyes sparkled as she examined the woman—from her elegant braid and flawless porcelain complexion to the intricate lace details of her black gown.

"You're beautiful!" she blurted out, instinctively.

Calista raised a brow, then, after a brief pause, a smirk spread across her lips.

"You have good eyes, little one." Her tone was warm yet laced with quiet confidence. Without warning, she lifted Sylphia off Veynessa’s lap and placed her onto her own. The girl instantly began squirming, trying to break free.

"I’m not a child!" she grumbled, twisting in Calista’s hold. But to her shock, the woman's grip was firm, far stronger than she had anticipated.

"What the—" Calista first looked at Sylphia in surprise, then turned her gaze to the queen. "Veynessa, isn't it a bit insane to force a three-year-old—who barely just got out of diapers—into absorbing Qi?"

Veynessa rested her cheek against her hand, a small, proud smile playing on her lips.

"That child has been absorbing Qi since infancy."

Calista examined Sylphia again, now with newfound intrigue, as if she were looking at something that shouldn’t exist.

"Well, well…" she murmured. "This just keeps getting more interesting."

Before Sylphia could protest, Calista tightened her hold slightly and began rocking her, as if cradling an unruly toddler.

"Alright, little one, if you’re so strong, maybe it’s time for a nap?" she teased with a smug smile.

"Stop that!" Sylphia growled, still trying to wriggle free. "I am not a child!"

"Of course, of course," Calista said in the condescending tone adults often use on stubborn children. "You’re all grown up, aren’t you?" She patted Sylphia’s head, making the girl bristle with frustration.

"Mother!" Sylphia shot a desperate look at Veynessa, who watched the scene unfold with undisguised amusement, making no move to intervene.

"Oh, don’t look at me like that," the queen mused, arching a brow. "You got yourself into this."

"Besides," Calista added, shaking her head, "not wanting to be treated like a child doesn’t mean you aren’t one."

"I’ll prove to you that I’m not!" Sylphia snapped, her eyes narrowing.

"Oh?" Calista’s expression was laced with amusement. "Then show me just how big and independent you are, little princess." Her smirk was a challenge.

Sylphia pressed her lips together, clearly contemplating a response, but before she could speak, Calista chuckled and shook her head.

"Alright, alright, I’ll let you go. But know this—we’re not done here." She winked playfully before setting the girl gently back on her feet.

"Just wait!" Sylphia grumbled, straightening her clothes as Calista watched her with a bemused smile.

After a moment, the young girl sighed and turned to her mother, her eyes filled with determination.

"Mom, I have a request." Her voice was serious, each word carefully measured.