novelraw Chapter 170 : Eternity
Chapter 170 : Eternity
In early June, the Empress embarked on a state visit to Ksenrode, accompanied by her entourage.
The delegation included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Foreign Affairs Working Committee, along with a substantial number of translators and logistical staff.
Of course, the Empress's personal guard detail was also close at hand.
However, given that this was a visit to a foreign country, the number of guards was limited to 12, divided into two teams.
Team 1, led by Shen Han, included Ning Xi, Ma Haoyu, and Jiang Xinyue, who had returned from leave.
The passing of her grandmother had left her despondent for a time, but she had now recovered.
After all, the departed had gone, and the living must continue on.
Though Jiang Xinyue's combat skills ranked lowest among the guards, her presence was crucial.
During the Empress's visit, leaders from other nations were also staying at the Ksenrode palace.
Security measures could not be relaxed in the slightest.
Upon arrival at the airport, a senior protocol officer escorted the Empress and her party directly to the palace.
The elderly king, scepter in hand, personally received them in the palace square.
Prince Joris and a host of dukes stood in attendance.
Honor guards from the army, navy, and air force stood in formation, and a 21-gun salute was fired in succession, affording the Federal Empress the highest ceremonial honors.
A year ago, such treatment would have been unthinkable for the Free Federation.
But times had changed. The young Empress had proven her mettle to the world through her outstanding political acumen and strategic wisdom.
In the past two years, she had regained power after falling to rock bottom.
She had rooted out corruption and rebuilt her team.
Recently, the long-standing problem of financial oligarchs within the Free Federation had seen remarkable improvement.
These impressive political achievements drew admiration even from the seasoned King Hols.
To demonstrate their regard, the Ksenrode government had assigned their renowned Soul Shadow Strike Team to guard the Empress's delegation.
The Strike Team captain was a tall, female Alpha.
While escorting Gu Junwan on a tour of the palace, her gaze rarely left the Empress.
This greatly displeased Shen Han, who was also providing protection nearby.
As a fellow Alpha, she could clearly sense that the Strike Team captain's gaze toward Gu Junwan was not purely professional.
It wasn't the look of a bodyguard watching their charge, but rather the gaze of an Alpha deeply attracted to an Omega!
In truth, there were countless admirers of Gu Junwan.
But most domestic admirers were more discreet.
Even when stealing glances at the Empress, they wouldn't stare so openly with such heated gazes.
The Strike Team captain, however, was different.
Her scrutiny was bordering on disrespect.
Shen Han couldn't directly confront her about this intrusive gaze.
After all, the captain's other words and actions were faultless.
More importantly, the visual transgression was relatively subtle.
If Shen Han weren't particularly sensitive to matters concerning Gu Junwan, she might not have even noticed the captain's small gestures.
The Alpha's task was close protection, so constantly watching the Empress had a reasonable and legitimate justification.
If an issue were raised, the Free Federation's side might not have much ground to stand on.
Adjusting her composure slightly, Shen Han turned her head and glanced at the tall Strike Team captain.
The assertiveness of an S-class Alpha and the ruthlessness ingrained in her bones were fully displayed in that moment.
Though it lasted only an instant, the sharp intent it contained made the Strike Team captain shudder.
In that split second, Lauren Cole felt as if she had been targeted by a fierce beast.
The hair on her arms stood on end involuntarily, and cold sweat seeped through her back, soaking her undershirt and clinging tightly to the outermost bulletproof tactical vest.
'Why does that Alpha harbor such hostility toward me? What I just felt seemed like killing intent.'
'Is it because of the Empress? Her personal guard certainly has some skills.'
Thinking this, Lauren Cole shifted her gaze slightly, no longer daring to observe Gu Junwan as she had before.
Nor did she challenge Shen Han with a confrontational stare.
She sensed that the other's attribute level was higher than her own.
Moreover, the killing intent emanating from the other could only have been accumulated through trials of blood and fire.
In terms of combat ability alone, she was likely no match.
This invisible clash between Shen Han and the Soul Shadow Strike Team captain, though it took long to describe, actually occurred in the blink of an eye.
No one around them knew of this small interlude, except for Gu Junwan.
In fact, before Shen Han noticed the Strike Team captain's offending gaze, Gu Junwan had already felt uncomfortable.
How could she not be keenly aware of others' gazes upon her?
The reason she hadn't shown any anomaly was due to her own composure and the current circumstances.
Gu Junwan inevitably encountered such situations when visiting other countries.
Based on her past experience, she would typically ignore it and then seek an opportunity to suggest to the host leader that the offending person be reassigned after the current proceedings concluded.
Today's events were somewhat unexpected for Gu Junwan; her Alpha had detected this hidden transgression and discreetly resolved the issue for her.
The killing intent Shen Han had earlier directed at Lauren Cole was aimed solely at her; Gu Junwan hadn't sensed it.
What she had sensed was the change in her Alpha's emotions.
In her peripheral vision, Shen Han had been wearing a cold expression earlier.
But after that unsettling gaze disappeared, not only did her expression soften, there was even a hint of smugness.
In Gu Junwan's perception, her Alpha now looked like a golden retriever that had just defeated a monster.
The dog held its head high, just short of proudly showing off to its owner.
Gu Junwan immediately felt delighted, and a charming curve appeared at the corner of her lips.
The previous discomfort in her heart had now dissipated.
She raised her head to look at the magnificent palace complex of Ksenrode, her heart full of anticipation for her future with Shen Han.
The problems she used to face alone, now her knight could directly clear the path for her!
...
The Empress's state visit garnered intense international attention, with various media outlets vying to report on it.
Of course, the vast majority of media were from within Ksenrode.
On the Free Federation's side, there was only the Second Television Station.
They had performed well in their coverage of the Empress's visit to the disaster area, so they won the bid for the accompanying press corps with an absolute advantage.
The reporting team was largely the same as before, though only four people were granted permits to enter and film in the palace.
At this moment, the two staff members responsible for following and filming the Empress were both internally excited.
In the footage they had just captured, the palace appeared grand and magnificent.
The vaulted ceilings, stone pillars, porticos, and wall carvings of the castle all exuded a solemn beauty.
The midsummer sunlight poured down like stage lights at full blast, illuminating the palace complex before them in dazzling splendor.
Against such a backdrop, the Empress in her white gown appeared like a holy maiden descended from heaven!
Gu Junwan wore a formal gown today, with Ksenrode's lucky flower embroidered in gold thread on her left shoulder.
Her overall image was gentle and dignified, while also conveying a friendly attitude toward the host country.
The Empress's luxuriant black hair was tied up at the back of her head, revealing a stretch of swan-like, elegant white neck.
Her golden eyes were majestic, her features flawless, fully displaying the classical charm of an Eastern beauty.
This scene, as if from a painting, was not only captured by the Second Television Station's photojournalist, but also captivated the surrounding media and many accompanying personnel.
In an instant, all cameras and gazes focused on Gu Junwan.
In the sunlight, the ancient castle and the beauty complemented each other, mysterious and solemn.
At this moment, the jubilant Gu Junwan suddenly turned her head to look at her Alpha.
Sensing her Omega's gaze upon her, Shen Han immediately raised her eyes, unerringly meeting the other's gaze.
Shen Han wore a black military uniform today, her figure tall and her back straight.
The stiff military cap covered her silk-like black hair, accentuating the contours of her jaw.
Beneath the cap brim, her clear black and white eyes were particularly limpid, even giving an impression of harmlessness.
But only those who had personally experienced the coldness that could flash in those eyes would understand what terrifying sharpness lay beneath that seemingly gentle gaze!
Shen Han's expression was solemn, but from an angle unnoticed by others, she secretly winked at her Omega.
The amazement and adoration in that look made Gu Junwan unconsciously curl her red lips.
Not far away, Ksenrode's protocol officer was enthusiastically introducing the palace's history.
The chiefs of staff from both sides were engaged in friendly conversation with the help of interpreters.
The sound of continuous camera shutters persisted all around.
That single glance between Gu Junwan and Shen Han before the ancient castle became eternal in many hearts.
The Second Television Station reporter quietly asked her cameraman colleague, "Can we broadcast that shot we just got?"
She continued, "Last time during the disaster area report, I was in charge of the live broadcast, right? The netizens were so bold, they actually started shipping the Empress and Captain Shen. I got criticized by the director several times because of that."
The cameraman gave her a bland look, "But as I recall, because those live broadcasts had such a great response, you got promoted, didn't you? Oh, and the director gave you a bonus too."
Exposed by her colleague, the reporter who had spoken earlier felt somewhat embarrassed, "Oh come on, I'm just asking if we can broadcast this. It would be such a shame to cut that shot."
The cameraman thought for a moment, then spoke pensively, "Don't rush. Let the leaders worry about this. Look at those foreign reporters, they'd stick their cameras in the Empress and Captain Shen's faces if they could."
"They don't have our concerns. I bet many of them have already posted videos on their social media platforms!"
Enlightened by her colleague's words, the reporter who had been lamenting suddenly brightened, "If the Ksenrode media promotes it heavily, won't videos and pictures flood the foreign internet?"
"Rather than letting netizens access biased information by circumventing the firewall, wouldn't it be better for our Second Television Station to release the truth and properly guide public opinion?"
The senior cameraman gave her a thumbs up, "Smart thinking!"