Chapter 60 — ILK Chapter 60

Her Excellency, Sayin

The abalone, meticulously scored into flower patterns, was saturated with savory sauce that burst forth with every bite. Paired with the tender chicken, it reached a peak of umami. Sayin enjoyed eating it with the porridge to balance the saltiness.

The steamed sea bass was so delicate that except for the large belly meat, the rest was difficult to pick up with chopsticks; it had to be scooped with a spoon, melting instantly on the tongue before the flavor could even be fully processed. The bed of greens beneath it had soaked up the fish juices, making every mouthful a delight.

Little Alicia liked to eat her seafood porridge "in order": first the greens, then the scallops, followed by the shrimp and mushrooms. Since the salted duck egg was crushed and mixed in, she simply ate it with the rice. After one bowl, her eyes locked onto a bowl of clam meat that Matthews had just shucked for Sayin.

Sayin adored children and hated to refuse her, but noticing Matthews’ slight pout, she pulled the bowl back with lightning speed. "Shuck them yourself, dear. This bowl is for Mommy, from Daddy."

Alicia pouted too, but being a well-behaved child, she didn't throw a tantrum. She turned to grab the remaining clams, only to find her older sister Lilibet had pulled the entire plate to her own side!

A "war" broke out at the table. Unlike the tragic rift of the Snow Mountain family, the Tide Sea dynamic felt more like a fairy tale.

…

When Sayin crashed on Black Tower centuries ago with the old Royals, she was barely eighteen—too young, low-ranked, and defenseless. Her escape pod had ejected her into the turbulent Tide Sea. Matthews had appeared, calming the raging waters and saving her. Later, when the tribes demanded marriage alliances, Sayin chose Matthews. He had a good temper, was handsome, and would spread his butterfly-like fins just to make her laugh.

At the time, it was a move of survival—picking someone she liked to hibernate with. But over time, it blossomed into love and family. Sayin trained her mental power against sea beasts, growing rapidly under pressure.

When the Empire arrived, the Royals saw a chance to leave. Sayin didn't tell Matthews. It concerned her sisters' future; she wouldn't leak it regardless of her love. On the day of departure, Matthews walked her to the shore. As she walked toward the palace without looking back, he suddenly asked: "If you have the chance, will you come back to see us?"

Sayin didn't know when she had slipped up. Perhaps years of living together meant every nuance was noticed. She hadn't betrayed her sisters, and Matthews had betrayed his tribe. Sayin never used a mental mark on him; everything from signing the treaty to maintaining silence during the Royals' flight was Matthews’ own will. Sayin wanted him to do it, so he did.

"I thought you would hate me," Sayin had said after a long silence.

"I never will," Matthews replied.

"Then you and Lilibet wait for me. Wait until I’ve established myself, until I can come and go freely, until I can protect you."

Sayin kept her promise. She didn't build a massive family based on blood like Wu Jinyue, nor did she join the frontline military. She entered the Imperial Academy, rising from a low-level student to a Dean. During the Erge galaxy expedition, she used her connection with Marshal Wu Jinyue to enter wartime intelligence, eventually becoming the eyes and ears of Empress Lin Shuangxu.

Now, as the Imperial Secretary-General and the Empress's most trusted confidante, Sayin could travel between the Capital and Black Tower freely. Empress Lin Shuangxu even promised that once the Capital’s ocean terraforming was complete, Sayin would be given administrative rights over the sea to unite her family.

Sayin understood the tragedies of the Snow Mountain. She had actually held Minur and Brian when they were children. But her sadness vanished the moment her merman husband approached. The children returned to the underwater palace—Alicia loved sleeping among the corals—leaving the island house to the long-separated couple.

Sayin’s frame was petite even for a Guide. In the past, rivals called her "frail" to undermine her. Wu Jinyue firmly believed early childbirth had stunted her growth, though Sayin was twenty-two when she had Lilibet. Still, her daughters were tall and strong, so her genes were clearly fine. Sayin leaned against the merman’s chest, patting it with satisfaction, watching Matthews’ face turn red.

"Why are you still so shy?" Sayin teased. "We're an old married couple."

…

Wu Huansheng’s mental stability had remained at D-rank for three months, showing signs of hitting C-rank. While writing Sang Ye’s sentence reduction application, Asu Ment had sent word to wait a few days to aggregate the results with the hospital reports.

During dessert, Wu Huansheng reminded Sang Ye: "The reduction for us is a small matter. What do you plan to do about the Prince?"

Sang Ye sighed. It was a headache. Before, she could at least coax him. Now, he was gone.

"If my stability hits B-rank, my family will recall me," Wu Huansheng analyzed, the sea breeze ruffling their skirts. "General Asu Ment clearly has other plans; she won't stay on Black Tower forever. You must secure your future while we are still here. A new Executive Officer will come, and you can't predict their temperament."

"The Prince is different. He is Royalty. He owns Black Tower. He is the only one who can truly decide your fate. To become an Executive Officer, the minimum rank is Major General—and all General ranks are bestowed by the Empress personally."

Wu Huansheng’s intent was clear: Sentinels need military merit to rise, but Guides don't. Sang Ye’s breakthrough lay neither with Wu nor Asu.

"I'm just telling you this. There's no shame in using influence. Her Excellency Sayin built her career on the Empress's influence." Wu Huansheng leaned back. "Your path is yours, but I know you won't let yourself live poorly."

…

Lin Changli didn't expect a message from Sang Ye. It was concise: If you're coming back, come to this address. I'm in the Tide Sea, staying on Amoli Island.Lin Changli stared at the words. Wow. Who does she think I am? Why should I listen to her? And what did "If you're coming back" mean? Black Tower wasn't his home—he was in his home right now!

After thirty minutes of silence from her end, he got angrier. He wanted to reply with something harsh but deleted it. He looked for emojis, only to find he only saved sarcastic ones. He messaged Lin Tengyuan: Send me some cute emojis.

Lin Tengyuan: Bro, have you finally lost it?

He tried another chat window: Send me some cute emojis.

The person on the other end sent a flood of soft, fluffy emojis: Brother, what do you want these for? I only use these to act cute with Mom.

Lin Changli: Mind your business.

He saved them but felt they made him look like he was acting cute. Frustrated, he threw his terminal aside and lay on his daybed. The palace gardens were lush, and a bio-engineered puppy circled his ankles.

"Just tell her 'We're coming back now,'" the Phoenix urged. "What are you hesitating for?"

"Quiet. I have a plan," Lin Changli muttered.

"I am you," the Phoenix exposed him ruthlessly.

"This woman is truly something," Lin Changli whispered to himself. "Fine, I'll give her some face."

He picked up the terminal: Got it. Arriving tomorrow.…

"The Prince replied so quickly?" Wu Huansheng asked, surprised. "What did you say?"

Sang Ye scratched her head. "Nothing much. I just told him to come here."

Wu Huansheng looked at Sang Ye with a look that said everything.