Hunan cuisine without the spice.

The man’s brow furrowed slightly when he heard this. "Ruan Jiao, what are you talking about?"

Ruan Jiao felt a pang of guilty panic. "I just meant... why is Your Highness looking at another female?"

The man withdrew his gaze, lost in thought. "I wasn't. You saw wrong."

"Would Your Highness like to dine at this restaurant? Xianglanlan is famous on every planet; the food is excellent." Concerned that the Prince might have heard her earlier comment and formed a negative impression of her, Ruan Jiao forced a beautiful smile to ease the tension.

"Mm, that will do," the man nodded with aristocratic reserve.

Ruan Jiao was overjoyed, though she allowed only a thoughtful smile to grace her face.

Upon entering, the waiter spotted the insignia of the Imperial Royal Family on the man’s clothing and immediately became deferential.

"We would like a private room with a nice atmosphere, and please bring out a few signature dishes. No spice; His Highness cannot eat spicy food," Ruan Jiao instructed.

"No need for a private room. We’ll sit in the main hall," the man said, his eyes scanning for a familiar figure by the glass window.

The waiter looked slightly troubled, as the restaurant was famous specifically for its spicy cuisine. However, since both customers were clearly people of status, he maintained a professional smile and led them to an empty table.

"I see there are still open seats by the window, aren't there?"

"If Your Highness wishes to sit there, that is perfectly fine."

Ruan Jiao noticed the Prince’s gaze remained fixed on the window. She grew nervous. "Your Highness, why the sudden urge to sit in the main hall? It’s crowded and noisy; I fear it might cause unnecessary trouble."

"Sometimes, blending into the crowd is a meaningful experience," the man said, using hot water to scald the tableware before him.

The non-spicy signature dishes were served quickly. After taking a single bite to taste, Vizeramo set his chopsticks down, his expression cold.

Ruan Li finished a piece of pastry at a leisurely pace, then sat quietly, lost in thought. She was completely unaware of the several gazes resting upon her.

Zhe Ye noticed her vacant state and handed her a few candies. "Orange-flavored. Would you like to try one?"

Ruan Li took the candy, tore off the wrapper, and popped it into her mouth.

A crackling, tingling sensation danced across her taste buds, and her eyes focused. "Is this Pop Rocks?"

"You could call it that. Well? Is the 'Thunderbolt Candy' good?"

Ruan Li nodded. She was full and wanted to take a walk to digest her meal and catch some fresh air; otherwise, she felt she might fall asleep.

Zhe Ye ate quickly. While Ruan Li had been daydreaming, he had already cleared the rest of the dishes.

"Would you like to go for a walk, or stay here and rest a while longer?" Zhe Ye asked.

"Let's go for a walk. I'm so full." Ruan Li rubbed her stomach, then suddenly remembered something. Her eyes brightened as she looked at him. "Can I take a cup of iced bayberry juice with me when we leave?"

"Room temperature. And maybe another one with ice, but I’m afraid you’ll end up with a stomachache tonight," Zhe Ye suggested reasonably.

Ruan Li huffed, pouting. "Fine, room temperature it is."

Seeing her act temperamental, a trace of a smile appeared in Zhe Ye’s smoke-grey eyes. "Wait for me here. I’ll go buy it."

Ruan Li nodded. As she watched Zhe Ye’s silhouette disappear, she propped her chin on her hand and scanned the room. Suddenly, her eyes met a pair of dark, obsidian-like orbs. His pure black hair stood out like a refreshing breeze amidst the colorful hair of the other patrons.

Vizer noticed Ruan Li looking at him and offered a friendly smile.

Ruan Jiao, sitting across from him, had been persistently trying to keep the conversation going. Seeing that the Prince hadn't responded to her for quite some time, she finally realized his attention had been snatched away by that other woman.

Ruan Jiao’s composure cracked for a split second, but she quickly adjusted her expression, feigning curiosity. "What is Your Highness looking at?"

Vizer’s smile faded, his voice turning colder. "Nothing. Don't trouble yourself, Miss Ruan." He added with polite detachment, "Today’s date was very pleasant, but I have matters to attend to, so I’m afraid I cannot escort you home."

Ruan Jiao’s smile nearly faltered. "Oh? If Your Highness is busy, I can certainly find my own way home. But may I be so bold as to ask what business you have? Is there a meeting at Parliament? Do you need me to drop you off?"

"No. Miss Ruan, please excuse me." Vizer wiped his mouth with a napkin. He maintained perfect table manners while bluntly rejecting the female’s invitation.

After all, he was the Empire’s only Prince and the likely successor to the throne. Countless females were obsessed with him.

Vizer felt he had bid Ruan Jiao a clear farewell, and he left without hesitation, walking straight toward the other female.

Ruan Li noticed the stranger walking toward her.

Since she was sitting in a corner, did this man know her? Ruan Li frantically searched the memories of "Ruan Li" in her mind. But even as her brain felt like it was overheating, she couldn't recall ever seeing this man before.

On the contrary... the woman behind him, with her fierce, gritted-teeth glare, looked very familiar.

Ruan Li had an epiphany: wasn't that the woman she had seen on the Star Network this morning, the one hailed as the "Ruan family's second daughter, most likely to possess Level 9 healing abilities"?

Wasn't she her younger sister?

*Tsk.* "Ruan Li" had been kicked out of the house at ten. She had been raised by foster families until adulthood, moved out for university at eighteen, and hadn't been back home since being assigned a male beastman by the Star Network at twenty.

Her life had been quite tragic, and no one seemed to care for her.

"Beautiful lady, greetings. My name is Vizeramo Afala, though you may call me Vizer. It is a pleasure to meet you." Vizer stood before Ruan Li with a warm smile. He bowed slightly and extended a hand—a standard greeting.

"Hello?" Ruan Li asked, dazed. She felt a bit confused, finding the man’s behavior rather strange.

The man before her had black hair and dark eyes, his presence exceptionally noble and elegant. Even in casual wear, he carried an air of nobility, his pure white jacket embroidered with golden roses. He was handsome and refined.

"My lady, I apologize for interrupting your meal, but may I be so bold as to ask if you would be willing to exchange contact information on your smart-brain?" Vizer was straightforward, wasting no time. After all, he had just seen a man sitting across from her—perhaps her beast-husband? Or a suitor?

Such a beautiful, young female surely couldn't be married yet, could she?

As a member of the Royal Family, even though he was a male beastman, he had the right to ensure a female had him as her only beast-husband.

Ruan Li blinked. Was she being asked for her contact information?

But she already had five husbands.

Still, in this world, having a few more husbands didn't seem to matter.

"Sir, she is my female master," a cold, intimidating voice rang out.

Zhe Ye strode over in two steps, planting himself firmly between the two of them.