The Library of Archives was filled with the scent of old books.
It was quiet, save for the rustling sound of Bai Li flipping through pages.
Row after row of tall bookshelves lined the room.
She was crouched between them, surrounded by several thick ancient texts, focused intensely.
The hair on her forehead was slightly damp with sweat.
Her eyes ached, and her fingers had grown stiff from turning pages, yet she had no intention of stopping.
‘Search.’
She carefully flipped through every page, desperate to find a way to return to her original self.
Although Baining treated her well and life here was stable, she felt she could only truly find peace if she changed back.
Even if the hope was slim, she didn’t want to give up.
She searched book after book, losing track of time.
After a while, she rubbed her aching eyes and paused briefly before picking up the next book to continue her stubborn search.
The surroundings were silent.
She was so buried in the books that she didn’t notice someone approaching.
The footsteps were light.
It wasn’t until a shadow fell across the page that Bai Li snapped back to reality.
Looking up, she saw Baining.
Baining had walked slowly to avoid disturbing her, her voice soft and full of concern.
“How long have you been here without saying a word? Isn’t it tiring to stay crouched like this?”
She knelt down and tucked a stray lock of hair behind Bai Li’s ear.
Seeing her exhausted face, Baining felt a pang of heartache.
“Your eyes must be exhausted after looking at these for so long. I brought some Blood Drink. Why don’t you take a break? You don’t have to push yourself so hard; we can search slowly.”
“Okay.”
Bai Li nodded gently, looking obedient, yet her eyes couldn’t help but stray back to the book.
She was still thinking about the unread contents.
Baining saw this but didn’t rush her.
She simply stayed by her side, her voice tender.
“Then keep reading. I’ll stay here with you. Just tell me when you’re tired. I’m always here.”
Moonlight spilled into the Library of Archives, casting their shadows together.
While Bai Li obsessively searched for a way to return to her original form, Baining waited quietly by her side, guarding her in silence.
After an unknown amount of time, Bai Li sighed softly and turned to the person beside her.
Her voice was tinged with fatigue and uncertainty.
“Sigh… Baining, why don’t you help me look? Is there really no way at all…?”
As she spoke, she flipped another page.
However, after waiting a moment, there was no response.
‘Hm?’
Bai Li paused.
Only after finishing the page did she realize something was wrong.
She turned her head in confusion.
Baining was leaning against the bookshelf behind her, eyes closed.
Her breathing was steady and soft; she had unknowingly fallen asleep.
Bai Li suddenly realized that it was already late into the night, long past the time to rest.
‘This silly girl…’
She had actually stayed with her so quietly until she couldn’t stay awake any longer.
‘Honestly… She didn’t offer to help search, didn’t say anything when she was sleepy, and didn’t even remind me to rest. I really can’t do anything with her.’
Bai Li grumbled inwardly, yet there wasn’t a hint of impatience in her eyes.
Instead, her heart softened completely.
She stood up carefully and gently picked up the sleeping Baining in a bridal carry.
Her steps were extremely slow and light as she walked toward the bedroom.
The person in her arms was light and warm, her shallow breath brushing against Bai Li’s neck.
In that instant, familiar memories flooded back.
It felt as if she had returned to a long time ago, back when she was Lü Erlu.
She had held the small, sleeping child in her arms just like this, walking silently back to the room step by step.
Even though she was now in a strange land, trapped in this petite girl’s body, and their identities had completely reversed, the warmth in this embrace was just as familiar.
It was a warmth she couldn’t bear to let go of.
Bai Li looked down at the peaceful sleeping face in her arms.
Her chest felt warm, and the obsession that had been so unshakable suddenly wavered for a mysterious reason.
She sighed softly, tightening her arms to hold the girl more securely, and walked toward the bedroom with light steps.
The corridor was silent, and moonlight carpeted the floor.
She only wanted to protect this rare, rediscovered warmth and never let go.
—
Deep in the shadows of the Library of Archives’ vaulted ceiling, a pair of black bat wings hung silently, concealing all sound.
Fei Yi was hidden in the darkness, watching everything from beginning to end.
She didn’t disturb them or reveal herself, acting only as a silent witness.
Watching that petite yet still reliable figure carry the sleeping Queen away until they disappeared at the end of the long corridor, she sighed silently in her heart.
Having accompanied her for seventy years, she had seen Baining’s isolation as Royalty, her ruthlessness on the road to restoring her kingdom, and her majesty while wielding power.
Yet she had never seen anyone who could make the Queen sleep so defenselessly and peacefully, like a child who didn’t need to act strong.
‘Your Majesty…’
‘Perhaps you never needed to scheme, and I didn’t need to trouble myself with any hidden plays.’
‘Maybe bonds are never planned; they are destined. With genuine companionship, everything follows naturally.’