novelraw Chapter 189 : Waiting for Sunrise
Chapter 189 : Waiting for Sunrise
5 AM.
The night mist was just beginning to dissipate. Outside Fry Castle, sea and sky merged into one, like a world yet to emerge from chaos.
Shen Han carried a sleepy-eyed Gu Junwan to the observation deck atop the guest quarters.
This was an activity they had planned before bed - to wait for the sunrise here.
Built on a peninsula, Fry Castle was surrounded by sea on three sides.
Shen Han and Gu Junwan were now at the best vantage point, on a jutting cliff.
The protruding rock resembled a giant eagle's beak.
Standing upon it gave one a sense of vast sky and boundless sea.
Shen Han laid out a moisture-proof mat on the cold, hard stone platform before sitting down beside Gu Junwan.
"Wife, are we staying at Fry Castle all day today?"
"I remember in the itinerary, you still have a meeting with the old king at the palace this afternoon."
As Shen Han spoke, she unfolded a soft, skin-friendly thin blanket and draped it over both their shoulders.
The sea breeze was cool, but under the blanket, the two were as warm as spring.
Gu Junwan rested her head on her companion's shoulder, comfortably closing her beautiful eyes.
Her voice lacked its usual crispness, instead carrying a hint of huskiness and languor: "The meeting certainly can't be skipped, but holding it tomorrow will be more effective."
Under the blanket, she caressed Shen Han's palm, interlocking their fingers.
"Previously, we needed to make major concessions to satisfy King Hols' appetite."
"Now, it's time to turn the tables."
Just then, a light suddenly appeared in the distance.
They looked up to see a ball of flame slowly rising from the other end of the horizon.
The crimson light tore through the gray mist, streaming through cracks in the sky.
At first, the radiance was scattered, but quickly, as if rallying troops, it joined forces.
Brilliant rays burned across the firmament, as if the entire world had been gilded with a layer of magnificent golden gauze.
Shen Han was awestruck by the grandeur of this moment, moisture glistening in her eyes.
Her heart pounded. Though only a brief moment in time, it gave her a feeling of having walked through long years hand-in-hand with Gu Junwan.
Gu Junwan's eyes also rippled with clear waves.
The sea light and mountain colors reflected in her golden eyes, symbolizing authority, were more dazzling than the stars.
She released her fingers entwined with Shen Han's, cupped her beloved's chin, and placed a kiss on the corner of her lips.
Neither spoke.
The brilliant sun, though silent, surpassed a thousand words.
......
Led by Ning Xi, the guard team members had originally thought the Empress's mention of touring the peninsula last night was just casual talk.
Unexpectedly, they truly had nothing to do today and could only wander around the island.
Since the Empress hadn't gone out, and the entire VIP residential area was under strict guard, outsiders couldn't even enter the building.
The guards didn't need to stand watch at the suite door, so they took turns going to the seaside to take souvenir photos.
Gu Junwan had expended a lot of energy yesterday, and had gone out to watch the sunrise before dawn this morning. She was now deep in slumber.
She didn't even notice when Shen Han left the bedroom.
After washing up, Shen Han changed into her guard captain's uniform and went to an open-air garden in the main castle.
As soon as he saw her, Fry Lott immediately ran over: "You're here! I was worried you wouldn't find this place."
Shen Han indeed liked the little bean sprout before her. She bent down to pick him up, then continued walking towards Grand Duke Fry's location.
"You described it so clearly and even specially instructed the servants. I'd find it hard to get lost even if I wanted to."
Being suddenly lifted off the ground by the tall, long-legged Shen Han gave Fry Lott the joy of being hoisted high.
But thinking that others in the garden had seen this scene made him feel a bit embarrassed.
The little boy's cheeks were flushed red.
Not daring to move around on Shen Han, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Grandfather prepared a gift for you. It's very mysterious, even I don't know what it is."
Shen Han didn't ask further. When she approached Grand Duke Fry, she first greeted him.
Seeing a maid come forward, she naturally handed Fry Lott over.
Catherine's eyelids twitched, but she didn't reach out to take him.
She had indeed come to take the young master elsewhere, so Grand Duke Fry could talk properly with the guest.
However, since the accident three years ago, the young master had been relatively averse to physical contact with people.
Catherine hadn't seen Little Lott sitting so obediently in someone else's arms for a long time.
Fry Lott didn't want to be carried by his attendant.
He struggled to jump to the ground, then grabbed a small bag of fish food from a nearby table and ran to the corner of the garden to feed the goldfish.
After Catherine also left, Grand Duke Fry finally gestured for Shen Han to sit down.
"Are you comfortable staying here? If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
"I hear the Free Federation values 'cause and effect' and 'destiny'. You and Little Lott are destined to meet, and you helped open his heart. The Fry family will be your friend forever."
Grand Duke Fry's words surprised Shen Han somewhat.
Earlier, when she heard Little Lott say he had prepared a gift for her, she thought he had invited her here to offer monetary compensation or thanks.
But now, the old man's words and attitude conveyed a sincere care and love of an elder for a junior.
Shen Han always responded with even greater kindness to those who showed her goodwill.
After chatting for a while, they quickly went from complete strangers to friends who could try to trust each other.
At this point, Grand Duke Fry changed the subject, smiling as he asked, "Have you and the Empress set a date for your wedding?"
Hearing the word 'wedding', Shen Han's heart immediately grew hot.
But her face didn't show any visible joy. She just scratched her face and replied, "Not yet. You know the current situation in the Free Federation. We don't plan to expose our relationship to the public for now."
Grand Duke Fry nodded, not discussing this issue further.
He took out a palm-sized jewelry box from the storage box on the table, handed it to Shen Han, and said, "The Empress's wedding naturally can't be rushed. Reserving more time allows for better preparation."
"Please don't refuse what's inside. I already have one foot in the grave. Using this long-collected item to witness your extraordinary romance is both its honor and my blessing."
With that, Grand Duke Fry opened the jewelry box lid.
Two small golden-green gems lay quietly between the velvet, precious and mysterious.
In the sunlight, a bright band of light played across the gems' rounded surfaces, like the elongated pupils in a spirit cat's eyes.
These were cat's eye stones, exceptionally rare across the entire planet.
Although Shen Han wasn't very knowledgeable about gems, she could judge from the size, color, and cut of these two that they were priceless!
"This gift is too valuable. I can't accept it."
Shen Han carefully closed the jewelry box lid and returned it to Grand Duke Fry.
To be honest, she truly liked the pair of cat's eye stones, but she really couldn't accept such a gift from him.
Grand Duke Fry wasn't at all surprised by the young woman's refusal.
The Federation Empress had excellent judgment. Her Alpha naturally wouldn't be someone vulgar.
"How about this: if you feel you can't accept a gift without merit, then I'll sell them to you at the price I bought them for."
"Take them with you first. As for the payment, you can pay in installments."
At this point, Grand Duke Fry chuckled and continued, "The Empress lacks nothing, so if you want to give her something, remember it must be either the most thoughtful or the best."
Shen Han could accept the form of a transaction, and she was indeed anxious about wedding rings, so she agreed to Grand Duke Fry's proposal.
While harmony reigned in Fry Castle, King Hols in the royal palace was growing restless.
He had originally planned to put more pressure on Gu Junwan in this afternoon's meeting, forcing her to make more concessions so that the cooperation partners he represented could maximize their benefits.
Unexpectedly, when he woke up in the morning, he received news that Grand Duke Fry and the Federation Empress had been in lengthy private talks.
Not only did the Empress's party show no intention of leaving Fry Castle, but early in the morning, the Federation's Ministry of Commerce team staying at the palace hotel had also been picked up and taken there.
After careful consideration, Hols was so angry he smashed the water glass in his hand.
All signs indicated that those two clearly intended to cooperate.
If the Federation Empress really hit it off with Grand Duke Fry, what would be left for him?
Thinking about how that old fox Grand Duke Fry wanted to quietly snatch the fruit midway, Hols felt a toothache coming on.
If any other noble dared to do this, he could directly use royal power to teach them a lesson!
But now the one suddenly jumping out to cause trouble was Grand Duke Fry. Even he, the old king, couldn't quite suppress him.
Carrying an anxious heart through lunch, Hols, with a black face, ordered, "Prepare. The team related to the Federation energy project will accompany me to Fry Castle immediately!"
......
3 PM.
Fry Lott found Shen Han with a worried look, telling her that his grandfather and King Hols were arguing in the small reception hall for foreign guests.
The argument was very fierce. If not for the attendants holding them back, the two would have rushed forward to pull each other's beards!
Shen Han blinked her eyes curiously and asked, "Why did those two go to the foreign guest area?"
"Oh, wait! Aren't they worried about causing a bad impression, making such a scene?"
Little Lott shook his head, then looked up and said, "Why don't you ask your girlfriend to go to the small hall and take a look?"
After thinking for a moment, he added with certainty, "I think the Empress can handle such a situation."
Hearing this, Shen Han's ears twitched, and she felt a little smug inside.
But on the surface, she spoke with a troubled expression, "I can't tell her what to do when it comes to work. Don't you remember? She's my commanding officer."
Although Shen Han wasn't clear on which side her wife preferred to cooperate with, she knew that in negotiations, the more anxious the opponent becomes, the more one should remain calm and composed.
She certainly wouldn't disturb her wife's rest and preparation at this time!
Fry Lott asked skeptically, "Really? Why do I feel like the Empress would definitely not refuse anything you say?"
Shen Han stroked his head, "Then I especially can't take advantage of her favor."
"Think about it. If you really liked a chandelier in the palace's state banquet hall, would you ask Grand Duke Fry to arrange for a construction team to bring it back?"
Fry Lott imagined that somewhat strange scene in his mind, then shook his head very seriously, "Well, I wouldn't do that."