Hathaway couldn't help but exclaim, instinctively wrapping her arms around Leo's neck.

"What are you doing?"

Held securely in Leo's arms, her face turned even redder. Unable to resist, she gently struck his chest, her voice laced with a rare hint of bashfulness.

In this moment, she shed the regal authority of the Empress and appeared instead as an ordinary woman lost in the embrace of her lover.

Seeing the rare delicate expression on the beautiful woman in his arms, Leo's eyes flashed with tenderness.

Just as he was about to move closer, both of them sensed a shift in the atmosphere.

"Your Majesty! What's happening?"

The voice of the head of the guards came urgently from outside the hall. Hathaway's exclamation had clearly caught the attention of the palace guards.

Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps filled the air as the palace guards assembled and stood ready.

Inside the hall, Leo and Hathaway exchanged a helpless glance.

"Darling, handle this situation first."

Leo cleared his throat and lowered his voice.

"Mm... fine."

Hathaway bit her lip, trying to steady her breathing.

Outside, the fully armed palace guards stood in tight formation, their faces tense with concern. The Empress's cry had been highly unusual—there must have been an extremely powerful intruder.

Otherwise, with the Empress's terrifying power, there were very few who could threaten her in the entire Empire, let alone cause her to cry out.

But the thought of a threat powerful enough to overwhelm even the Empress left them in a panic. If even she could not handle it, their own strength was utterly insignificant.

However, their loyalty to the Empress ultimately triumphed over their fear of death.

When no further noise came from inside, the captain of the guards gave a signal to his subordinates to prepare to force their way in.

At that moment, Hathaway's calm voice came from inside the hall.

"I'm fine, return to your posts."

Sensing the immense aura radiating from Hathaway, the guards exchanged looks before responding in unison.

"We obey Your Majesty's command!"

Although the Empress's cry had been strange, her overwhelming presence left no room for doubt. Besides, considering the starfield and its surroundings, who could possibly pose a threat to the Empress's safety?

Once the area outside had calmed down, Leo gently lifted Hathaway again and slowly walked toward the back chambers.

"Your palace seems to lack some necessary protective wards."

As Leo walked, he thoughtfully surveyed the surroundings.

Hathaway, nestled in his arms, spoke with an innate pride in her voice.

"With my strength, do I really need to rely on those wards?"

Leo paused for a moment, then nodded in understanding.

Indeed, Hathaway had every right to say such confident and audacious words. No one in the vast starfield could match her.

And any more formidable forces would simply render defensive wards a waste of resources.

The next moment, Leo waved his hand.

An invisible, powerful barrier instantly enveloped the entire palace, completely isolating the inside from the outside.

He gently placed Hathaway on the bed, gazing at his wife, draped in her magnificent royal robe. His heart was filled with an indescribable feeling.

So, this was the Empress's bedroom!

Leo was momentarily fascinated by the novelty of the situation.

"Ever heard of the temptation of uniforms?"

Hathaway looked at him in surprise.

"What's that?"

But upon seeing Leo's mischievous smile and considering her own identity, she immediately understood his intent.

Unable to resist, she kicked at him, but he quickly caught her ankle.

"My dear."

"Mm?"

"Sometimes, I feel like all of this is too perfect, like a dream."

Hathaway opened her eyes and met Leo's passionate gaze.

In the next moment, she suddenly sat up, swiftly reversing their positions, and heavily pressed Leo down.

"Whether it's a dream, you'll find out for yourself."

Her lips curled into a shy yet seductive smile as she bent down to place a deep kiss on him.

...

Several days later.

As the first rays of sunlight filtered into the chamber, Leo gently rose from the bed.

He looked at Hathaway, still sound asleep beside him.

Her long, disheveled hair spread like a waterfall on the pillow, and her royal robe hung loosely on her shoulders.

He focused his thoughts, and in an instant, his clothes were neatly donned.

Having a wife really was wonderful!

Especially a wife like her, full of charm!

Leo couldn't help but reflect on his past years of solo adventures, a faint sense of nostalgia swelling within him.

If he had known how he would feel today, perhaps he would have brought Lilith to seek Hathaway's protection as soon as he acquired the system!

His wife's strong support made him feel secure—even if they both were weak, they could still rely on her!

Her legs were strong enough to support them both… and so fair that he couldn't resist...

Cough, cough!

Leo quickly collected his thoughts, bending down to kiss Hathaway's forehead, whispering softly.

"I'll go ahead and scout the path ahead for you. We'll meet again in the higher realm."

His figure gradually faded in the morning light.

Just as he disappeared completely, Hathaway's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes, filled with tenderness.

"Silly Leo!"

She whispered, her fingers lightly tracing the bed where his warmth had just been.

...

Elsewhere in the palace.

Lilith hovered in the center of the Frozen Throne, surrounded by a mesmerizing aura and mysterious energy fluctuations.

When she opened her eyes, the entire Zisen Starfield reflected in her gaze.

Her aura, now at the Sanctuary Lord rank, radiated an overwhelming presence that made the palace guards outside kneel in awe.

Everyone was deeply shaken by the sudden appearance of the Empress's daughter.

With top-tier Child of Stars talent and near-infinite resources, Lilith's rank growth had been almost uninterrupted.

Unless she was simply distracted, she would not encounter any bottlenecks.

But having been raised by Leo with little wealth, she had always held a unique interest in magic.

Even with the best talents and resources suddenly available to her, she never felt complacent.

In contrast, as she watched those around her continuously advance, she too felt a surge of competitive spirit.

Leo had rarely allowed her to participate in wars, and the same went for her mother, Hathaway.

In the end, it was simply that her strength was not enough, and going to the battlefield would be too risky.

Although she understood this, she disliked constantly being shielded and protected.

She also wanted to grow quickly, to stand on her own and become someone they could trust and be proud of.

Not forever the little child who needed protection.

"Dad!"

She softly called, her finger tracing the faint Starborn mark on her chest.

Leo's figure slowly appeared from the void, looking at her with a proud expression.

"It seems your Star Bloodline has fully awakened."

Lilith landed lightly, her feet leaving trails of sparkling ice crystals.

"Dad, why did you come so quickly?"

"I missed you all!"

Lilith pouted, not sure why she felt a little embarrassed.

Then, she suddenly realized—had she grown up?

She could actually hear these kinds of embarrassing words!

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