Mark didn't deny it. "I want to build a kingdom in the Ice and Fire Plane, strong, unified, independent. And you… You are the most capable person I know to run it. If you aren't deeply attached to every region and clan in this world, I thought maybe you could handle the administration there instead, while this world becomes one of your vassal states."
The room fell silent.
Song Yue watched Shen Ling with concern. Lan Jingyi leaned forward. Even the two children sensed the seriousness and clung more tightly to Mark's sides.
Shen Ling lowered her gaze for a moment, thinking. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm and measured. "Three years," she said. "Give me three years, husband. I have goals here, unfinished reforms, promises I made, structures I must stabilize. I cannot abandon this throne yet. But if you give me that time… I will hand over the world to a government that can run without me. After that, I can leave with a clear conscience."
