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"Empress Liu! Empress Liu!"
Liu Qingge scowls at the address. Even after three years of holding the position, being called 'empress' still feels like a slight. He doesn't get why being an omega meant he should have feminine terms forced on him, but whenever he says that everyone is quick to remind him how lucky he is to be able to rule at all, considering he does not have an emperor.
He hates it.
He turns toward the noble, not bothering to rid his face of the scowl. "What."
As expected, the noble quails. "U-um! General Shen asked for your presence in the throne room," he manages to squeak out before immediately turning tail and running from the room.
Liu Qingge's mood took an even sharper downward turn. Begrudgingly, he began to move towards the throne room, knowing Shen Jiu would have no qualms about dragging him to the meeting by his ear if that was what it took.
By the time he arrives, the meeting is already well underway. Shen Jiu's sharp eyes immediately find him when he enters the room, and he gestures to the open spot beside him in front of the map.
"As I was saying, many towns on the border with the Demon Realm have been reporting higher influxes of demonic residents. This in and of itself is not cause for alarm, as it could simply be due to internal strife or something similar, but we should still be keeping a closer eye on the border than usual to ensure nothing untoward happens to our citizens." Shen Jiu continues to talk, but Liu Qingge has already checked out. He can see that most everyone else in the room is paying attention, so he figures he can get an overview on it from someone else later on.
Unforunately, Shen Jiu is used to his habits, and steps on his foot pointedly when he catches him zoning out. Liu Qingge scowls at him, but straightens and tries to focus regardless.
Thankfully, the meeting does not last much longer, and everyone filters out rather quickly. Liu Qingge attempts to follow with the crowd, but Shen Jiu snags the neck of his robes before he can get far.
"You're not going anywhere yet." He says flatly, tightening his grip when Liu Qingge tries to break it. "You missed the first half of the meeting."
"People will tell me what I need to know." Liu Qingge tries, twisting to look at Shen Jiu, who gives him an unimpressed look.
"People will withhold information in the hopes of watching you fail, so that they can either dethrone you or insist on you taking an emperor."
Liu Qingge scowls, but doesn't argue further. "…What did I miss."
Shen Jiu nods, satisfied, and lets go of his robes. The two of them end up staying in the throne room until dark; even then, Shen Jiu only lets up because Liu Qingge has begun to fall asleep on his shoulder.
Liu Qingge stirs as Shen Jiu cleans up, allowing himself to be led to his rooms on account of his half-asleep state. And if Shen Jiu leaves him at his doors with a kiss on his forehead, no one else needs to know.