The Peony looked at the Konig. He is neither of age when many would thought should be full of wisdom, and being her junior, The Peony was certainly impressed at her counterpart.

She looked at him in melancholy, and looked back at the tea that floats in her cup. A leaf that floats in the pool of warm and comfortable water, reflecting the moonlight. There will be times when she could not sit comfortably as tensions rise, and every decision will always have naysayers. The Peony must prepare for an upcoming future, and decisions she knew she might regret.

But her decision must take account one thing, the good of her people and their principles. It would be difficult being accountable, but The Peony of Huawan must be ready.

She looks at Gianluca, and smiled. A nice and hearty smile to someone she can trust, at least, for now.

"谢谢." As she nodded with respect. She poured another cup of tea to him, and talked about many other things, interesitng but not noteworthy.

---

The Peony looked outside the palace, with bags in tow. Scheduled to fly back to Lian, impressed with the city and its people. She wonders when could be the next time she could visit again, it will be soon, especially with both countries sharing responsibility of the next championships.

She sat on the windowsill and enjoyed the cold breeze, waiting for her security detail to finally complete the arrangements. She enjoyed the voices of birds and sirens wailing away from the far reaches of the palace. A knock on the door broke her focus.

"Enter."

The door opened, it was Sebastian Lister, her close security detail under Rin, and someone that tried to court her. Sebastian looked at his employer sitting in melancholy on the windowsill, and his heart skipped a beat. The Peony did not recognize him at first, but when her elation broke, she recognized his presence.



"Good morning, mister Lister."

"My Peony, preparations are complete, we are ready to leave."

".....Yes, we shall. Do you have the documents I requested?"

"Yes, they are available for you in the car." Answered Sebastian Lister, trying to hide his blush, "on your orders, my Nuwang."

"Attend me." Said The Peony, as she got down from the windowsill. She then went in front of Sebastian and took his hand to uncover his already red face.

"You must not cover your face when you speak to a person, mister Lister." Said The Nuwang, as she tilted her head and smiled, "let us go home."

Sebastian prepared to escort as The Peony looked at the box placed on her table, its contents, a yellow silk scarf and a Mei Li jade muslim prayer beads, exactly 33 beads. A small gift compared to Gianluca's hospitality.

She walked towards the door, to the other side, and closed it.