Every gaze followed her as she moved slowly through the hall toward the elevated dais where Long Mingze sat, draped in imperial robes and wearing that same easy, infuriating smile.
Whispers broke out the moment she passed.
"Finally, the Empress woke from her coma."
"Thank the heavens—now the Emperor can finally focus on the government again."
"I, for one, am disappointed she didn't die."
"Keep your voice down. The Emperor's madly in love with her. If he hears you, he will kill you..."
"Hey, don't you think that the Empress looks a little different..."
"Yeah... something feels strange about her..."
The murmurs swirled around her like invisible needles, but she ignored them. Her face remained calm, cold, and unreadable. When she reached the dais, she bowed lightly and took her seat beside the Emperor.
