“Greetings, you who sit across from me.” She rose slowly. “I am Helen, the current head of the Black Epiphyllum family.”
“Hello, I am Li Yue.”
Helen stepped forward to shake hands. Li Yue was shocked to find that she actually had to look up at this lady; though her figure was slender, she stood nearly two meters tall. Li Yue was a full head shorter than her, appearing quite small in comparison.
“There is no need to treat yourself as a guest. Think of this as your own family. After all, we are all equals at the gathering.” She took Li Yue’s hand and led her to a seat.
Though the attendants were immensely shocked, they did not dare let it show on their faces. They respectfully pulled out chairs for the two ladies. They cleared away the previous tea and cups, replacing them with two fresh servings of black tea.
A plate of freshly baked cookies and a warm cake were brought out, making the scene feel like a leisurely afternoon tea. Outside the room, musicians began to play, and melodious notes drifted through the air.
The attendants used a piece of red silk to gently cover Li Yue’s exposed nape, and a brown blanket was placed over her lap in advance.
Helen clapped her hands, signaling for everyone to withdraw. The attendants bowed respectfully and, without a word, quietly closed the door behind them.
“It has been a long time since I enjoyed afternoon tea. I wonder if you will like such a childish setting, Miss Li Yue,” Helen said with a smile. “Where were we?”
“Lady... Helen, I don’t quite remember either.” Though she was weighed down by many accessories, Li Yue felt quite comfortable. However, this comfort made her feel ill at ease, and her tone carried a hint of restraint.
“Just call me Helen; it’s such a lovely name.” Helen smiled. “I was wondering if you would find the name strange. After all, my countenance could hardly be said to be the one that ‘launched a thousand ships.’”
“After all, your face is even more beautiful.” Her finger gently hooked under Li Yue’s chin, forcing Li Yue to look up slightly. Helen admired her for a moment with a smile.
“It is a pity the mist obscures your features. Otherwise, I might have been able to appreciate this beautiful face sooner.”
“Miss Helen... perhaps we should discuss more serious matters.”
“Serious matters? There are so many; I wonder where to begin.” Helen withdrew her finger, resting her cheek on one hand. She picked up a cookie, took a small bite, and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. “Let us start with your killing of Caesar.”
The atmosphere gradually turned subtle.
“I thought you would want me to start from when I first met him,” Li Yue said, her gaze drifting to the side, though her body and head remained still.
“No need. If he is dead, he is dead. You have already fulfilled his duties in his stead.” Helen’s smile remained as she glanced at the blood crystal on Li Yue’s chest.
Her heart rate hasn’t even accelerated. I wanted to hear the sound of His heart beating. What a cold-hearted young lady. Or have I truly grown old? Even if my appearance remains young, is there nothing I can do? Truly.
“We were all quite surprised. We did not expect a Favored One of His to truly appear in this world.” Helen took a sip of tea. “It has been centuries. He has not handed down a divine oracle in all that time. The radicals in the Royal Court all believed He was dead.”
“You are like a miracle.” Helen handed Li Yue a small piece of cake. Li Yue took it and took a small bite; the aroma of baking filled her mouth.
“A Favored One? Why am I one?”
“A God's legacy is within your body. Would you not say that is a sign of His favor?” Helen leaned back in her chair, her upper body sinking into the soft upholstery while her long legs stretched out in a straight line.
This gave Li Yue the illusion that she wasn't even as long as the woman's legs. Although Li Yue’s own proportions were closer to the golden ratio, she had never realized it herself.
“This heart... what exactly is it?”
“It is His heart. Since you are His Favored One, did you see His true form when you accepted the heart?” Helen’s expression became slightly more serious—but only slightly. The smile remained, though it turned gentler, as if she were facing a younger sister from next door.
Li Yue was likely the only person in the world to ever receive such treatment.
“I saw... myself...” Li Yue recalled the scene. The woman standing across from her looked extremely similar to her, only slightly older and with a different temperament.
“That is strange indeed.” Helen chuckled. “Perhaps He also thought you were beautiful, so He took your form.”
“And what of the other serious matters?” Li Yue tried to steer the conversation back to a formal track.
“There are too many. Let us first handle the task at hand. The family gathering cannot be neglected,” Helen said with a smile. “You must stay by my side and attend tonight. As for the other children of the Black Epiphyllum family, let them enjoy this ‘social mixer.’”
“A social mixer?”
“They are too young to join the small gathering of the family heads. They can only meet and get to know one another. Who knows? Perhaps someone will fall in love at first sight and change their destiny forever.”
Helen laughed, and Li Yue offered a polite smile. For some reason, she felt that when Helen spoke of falling in love at first sight, she was looking directly at her.
Li Yue placed her left hand over her right, a gesture Helen immediately caught, though her smile only widened.
“Let us return to what you said. I will stay by your side,” Li Yue said with a helpless sigh.
“Your identity is the successor of the Black Epiphyllum family. That is all. Let those big shots see you.” Helen’s smile faded. “If you wish, after this is over, the family can be yours to keep or squander as you please.”
“These things are all just accessories created for that piece of God's remains. This family’s predecessor was merely an orphanage.” Helen smiled, and this time it seemed genuine, as if she were recalling fond memories.
“I wonder if those old fossils will mistake you for my illegitimate daughter. Wouldn’t that make me seem very, very old?”
Helen shifted her weight. Though her figure was slender, she was ample in all the right places. Li Yue looked down at herself and couldn't help but sigh inwardly; they really were quite large.
Where is this sudden sense of inferiority coming from... enough already...
“This way, your power in the Inner Ring will rise like a meteor.” Helen’s dark red eyes suddenly locked onto Li Yue’s bright red ones. “As for everything you did in the Outer Ring... even if it is exposed, you will be considered innocent.”
Li Yue narrowed her eyes.
“That is quite the amount of power. And then?”
“Once the gathering is over, you will understand everything.”
Helen clapped her hands, and the attendants swarmed back in.
“Prepare well for tonight’s magnificence.” Helen rose slowly, resting her hand on the arm offered by an attendant. “Remember to apply light makeup for this beautiful lady.”
She turned back with a slight smile, watching Li Yue being fussed over by the attendants.
“By the way, your dress is very beautiful. But do not wear it tonight. Save it for when you eventually go to the Royal Court.”
Night was fast approaching.
Rate on N.U.
