Frigia Village

"Looks like even in the isolated lands of the north, your reputation precedes you, Shadow Empress," I teased as we exited from the castle.

"I'm going to take that as a compliment," Ling Xin said with a wink. "Though… you didn't complain when I called you my future husband, fufu~"

"I mean, if I complained there, that wouldn't exactly help our case," I replied, then looked at the icy crowns on her head. Axilia had one too. "Those crowns look nice on you two, by the way."

"Really?" Axilia blinked several times, then tilted her head slightly, as if experimenting with how much she could do so before the crown fell. "It feels heavy… unnatural. I want to take it off, darling…"

"Don't," I interjected coldly. "According to the Queen, those crowns are proof we aren't enemies. Villagers who see it will be nice to us, which is never a bad thing."

"Then… why aren't you wearing yours, darling~?"

I stopped. "Uh… that's, well…"