A certain someone wore a gloomy expression, but inside, he felt extremely wronged. He stared fixedly at Yan Luo.
Yan Luo’s brows furrowed even tighter. Suddenly, she closed her eyes and sighed, then opened them again—her gaze had returned to its usual calm. “Since you won’t explain it clearly, then I will.
“After Emperor Father passed away, all the royal children, no matter who they were, fought with everything they had for the throne. Being born into the royal family—if you don’t fight, you’ll end up like some of my siblings today.
—Either dying in the struggle for the throne, or stripped of all power and exiled.
“In such a murky and treacherous pool, it was Royal Uncle who pulled me out. Of course, I’m grateful, but I was also confused. I wasn’t outstanding, and we had barely interacted. Why did you choose me of all people?”
Yan Luo’s gaze was steady and calm. That gaze made Jun Yulin feel a bit uneasy, but he kept his lips tightly shut, hiding his thoughts.
“Until later, when I began reinvestigating the massacre of the Jun clan.
Jun Yulin’s body stiffened slightly.
“You should know what I’m talking about. But no matter what you intend to do, I won’t oppose it. I owe you. My father, my mother—we all owe your Jun family. Whatever you want, just take it.
“After all, the world knows that the Regent holds power above all. This empire can do without me, but it cannot do without you, Jun Yulin.
Jun Yulin looked down at the young girl beneath him. She spoke with a composed, unwavering tone and steady eyes. His hand unconsciously tightened into a fist. He wanted to tell her, that’s not how it is.
But his nature wouldn’t allow him to say it.
“Do whatever you want. Take whatever you please. I won’t interfere—but enough is enough. I have my own temper. I’m not something you can control at will, play with as you like. Now, get out!”
She was truly angry. Even the way she addressed him had changed. Her phoenix eyes were filled with seething rage, without a hint of gentleness, as she drove him away.
Jun Yulin froze slightly. A wave of helplessness surged in his heart. He had underestimated the young emperor’s abilities. Those events… by right, the truth should have long been buried. But judging from Yan Luo’s words, she clearly knew everything.
So… was that why her attitude toward him had changed?
But that’s not how it was—not at all.
He pressed his lips tightly together, his mind in complete chaos.
The man didn’t budge an inch. Yan Luo frowned and began to struggle to get up, but he pushed her down again with one hand.
There was no sign of his blackening value” increasing, but he still pressed her down, hand tightening slightly, his voice hoarse.
His lips parted a few times, his expression taut like he was containing something terrible. Finally, he spoke in a choked voice:
“You clearly promised… you said you’d like me.”
—You broke your word…
His hand stubbornly clutched her wrist, lips pressed into a thin line as he continued to suppress the tide of emotions in his heart.
He wasn’t allowed to show emotions—that would be a weakness. It was what his father had always taught him. After suppressing things for so long, he’d forgotten how to express himself.
Only when he was drunk… maybe because he usually held everything in so tightly, alcohol affected him more than most. He’d get drunk easily—and once drunk, he couldn’t hold back anymore, spilling out everything he’d buried deep.
That was why he rarely drank.
The only reason he had this time—
Was because of her.