All of a sudden, he heard Han Yanyan exhale. He pivoted to see her turning off the screen and immediately stopped exiting to ask, "Did you finish reading?"
Han Yanyan finally turned to look at him. Leo's heart pounded. But she only replied "Mn", then stood up and stretched.
Leo suppressed the disappointment in his heart. "How was it?"
"After the sixth generation, it began going downhill," Han Yanyan commented. "Absolute power and an extravagant life have corroded an excellent family."
"But Ares the First was extremely impressive. The era of chaos and heroes fighting for hegemony was very exciting." Standing under the transparent dome, Han Yanyan sighed as she looked out at the universe outside the bulkhead.
Duke Kline's bodyguards were parked out there peacefully. Under the surface tranquility was a storm that the attendant might not be able to suppress.
If his interests had not been tied up in her, there was a decent chance that upon seeing her in trouble, that right-hand man might have reached out to rescue her, like a hero rescuing a beauty. But unfortunately, the man that he had sworn to advance and retreat together with was now spiritually dead, and she, the architect, was crucial for his resurrection.
So he had placed her back in the hibernation cabin and slammed the hatch without hesitation.
"Ha!" Leo was in a bad mood now, a very bad mood indeed. "You sure are obsessed with the strong1Often used in the context of a relationship, like 'girls look for strong men when looking for spouses'," he said sarcastically. "Didn't Ding Yao teach you a lesson?"
Han Yanyan glanced at him and asked strangely, "Have I offended you?"
Leo froze. Then he explained in a dull tone, "No, I didn't sleep well. I'm just cross."
It's because of you! You! Yes, you!
Han Yanyan was rendered speechless. "How old are you...?" Then she turned back to look at the fleet outside.
When, if ever, would she be able to speak with the aide? Compared to Leo, she thought him a far more interesting person. However, Leo was so guarded against her that it would be difficult for such an opportunity to cross her path.
Dejected and frustrated, Leo glanced at Han Yanyan, who seemed to be in a trance, and asked angrily, "What are you thinking about?"
"Is that the Army in White out there?" Han Yanyan asked. "The legendary private army passed down from generation to generation in the Calande family?"
"'White best frames the beauty of the enemy's blood'," Leo said. "What a stupid motto. A group of rough fellows fighting a war, all dressed head to toe in white. I feel dumber every time I see it."
When he said it like that, it really did sound stupid.
But this was the first sentence of the first chapter of 'The Brilliant Empire'. It had struck Han Yanyan hard when she read it in bed last night.
"Have you read this history of the empire?" she asked.
"Of course. I've got several versions of the Amijin Empire's history in my collection. This one's the best."
"What do you think of Shao Tang?" she discussed.
"The Queen in Scarlet?" Leo said. "War goddess, commander of the Army in Scarlet, helmswoman of the Fire Cloud Fleet, and all-around amazing woman."
Han Yanyan seemed to drift away for a moment, "She was so amazing, yet ended up becoming the queen."
Leo was confused. "It's because she was amazing that she became queen to Ares the Great."
The origin of this legendary founding queen was lost to time. Her background was also a mystery in the book, but what could be confirmed was that her presence had contributed immeasurably to the end of the interracial war between humans and the Insect Clan.
Her personal combat prowess was off the charts, and she was said to be stronger even than Emperor Ares. The Army in Scarlet and the Fire Cloud Fleet answered to her, and although they had originally been an engagement gift given to her by the Emperor, they had grown together with her through the baptism of fire of the interracial war.
Then the interracial war had ended, leaving the universe in chaos. Every force was reshuffling, and galaxies without owners were everywhere. How many people had busied themselves occupying mountains, becoming kings and seizing territory? Yet even then, this woman with a strong army had stood firmly by her man. She had been his right hand, his goddess of war, and finally... his queen.
Han Yanyan looked out at the battleships shining under the light of the stars, her whole heart filled with regret for this woman!
She could have struck out on her own! Even if she couldn't cut it as an Empress, she would have been a Lord!
But instead, she had chosen to be a wife.
What an enormous... pity!
If such a fleet had been hers... Han Yanyan looked out at Duke Kline's personal guards, and possessed by Matriarch Han Yanyan, couldn't help but press her hand to the transparent dome of the bulkhead.
Her eyes were shining so fervently it alarmed Leo.
"Han Yanyan!" he yelled, "What are you thinking about?"
She turned her head to looked at him with a smile. "What do you guess?"
What an annoying smile. Leo snorted angrily. "Don't even think about it. You'll never come into contact with that guy. Why do you think I drove him out?"
"Yessir, Mister Leo, you've got everything in the palm of your hand," Han Yanyan said in an exaggeratedly meek manner. "I'm just a little architect who'll forever be your toy."
Leo's hackles rose. "Don't be so weird."
Han Yanyan exhaled, her expression cold. She dropped her meek act and said, "So, Sir Leo, how long do I have?"
Leo didn't react to the question for a moment. "Huh?"
"How long do I have to enjoy myself out here? When will you lock me back up in the hibernation pod?"
Leo paused before replying in a nasty tone, "That depends on your performance!" So saying, he shook his head. "I'm going to go and do some experiments. Don't bother me for no reason. If you annoy me, I'll throw you back into the hibernation pod."
"Don't worry, I'm finally getting a minute to breathe. If I could, I'd never see you again." Han Yanyan waved her hand without even looking at him. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
Leo looked at her slender back. Her eyes seemed glued to those battleships, unwilling to waste another moment on him. Unable to think of anything else to say to her, he turned and walked out in frustration.
"Leo." Han Yanyan suddenly called.
"Hm?" Leo stopped and looked back listlessly.
"That's a nice haircut," she praised with a smile.
"..." Leo puffed up his chest, tossed his hair back, raised his chin, and said proudly, "It was just annoying because it blocked my eyes."
Yes, I know. You absolutely didn't cut your hair just because of what I said yesterday.
Through the reflection on the glass wall, Han Yanyan watched Leo scurry off with his head held high, a knowing smile on her lips.
It seemed that Leo had no plans to lock her back in immediately. It would be nice if she had a little time, but she wasn't afraid of not having time.
In the mecha world, she had studied him for decades.
Since you're willing to give me time, then it's time to add some ingredients into the mix.
Leo Parker, are you ready?
