Who understands? The aloof female ruler always flirts without even realizing it.

"My body has basically recovered, and I have no problem with regular training and paperwork. Returning to the front line... will require a period of acclimatization training."

His answer was objective and conservative, without revealing any eagerness.

Seeing the other person's cautious and restrained demeanor, Shen Yan felt a pang of sadness. He softened his voice, adding a touch of reassurance:

"Don't be nervous, I'm not questioning your abilities. Actually, I started thinking about this the first time I met Arthur White..."

Karandal suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on Shen Yan, his icy blue pupils filled with clear shock.

The powerful ruler... had he planned all this for him so long ago? When he himself didn't even dare to hope for it.

"I...I don't know how to repay you..."

The hovercar wasn't very spacious to begin with, and the female insect, with a hint of something subtle and hidden, leaned closer. She lowered her eyes and softly thanked him, her warm breath brushing against Shen Yan's cheek as she spoke.

A fragrant breeze wafted through the air.

Because of the close proximity, Shen Yan could clearly see his trembling, long eyelashes and his flawless, seemingly meticulously sculpted face.

What a nice view……

A young person who has never had any romantic experience in two lifetimes is unlikely to withstand such a test.

He felt his ears burning and his heart pounding like a drum. Almost instinctively, words came out in rapid succession, trying to cover up his momentary panic.

"You were badly injured back then, and your body and mind hadn't fully recovered. How could I let you go back? Although Arthur didn't say much, I could feel that the military needed you, and your subordinates who trusted you were waiting for you."

"Now that your body has mostly recovered and your mental strength has stabilized, it's time to send you back."

Although Karandal was stripped of his general rank, he was initially charged with disobeying the son's wishes. Shen Yan, on the other hand, was far superior to Samuel in both family background and rank.

As the private property of a high-ranking male, the female insect is no longer bound by this crime, and whether she can return to the military depends entirely on the male's will.

Shen Yan not only agreed, but even took the initiative to pave the way for him.

This is neither charity nor a transaction, but rather a proactive and selfless act of support stemming from meticulous observation and profound understanding.

It felt like something was violently hitting my chest, and a surge of scalding heat uncontrollably rushed to my limbs and bones.

Karandal was used to calculating, weighing, and paying the price to get everything, but he had never experienced such...unannounced, pure "giving".

He even forgot to respond immediately, simply staring blankly at Shen Yan. Those usually calm and unwavering eyes now clearly reflected the gentle and sincere face of the powerful ruler, as well as a slight tremor in his gaze that even he himself was unaware of.

Several seconds passed before he found his voice, which was much lower and hoarse than usual.

"Even if I return to military headquarters and am unable to be by your side at all times due to busy official duties, even if I am dispatched to a distant battlefield and we may not be able to meet for a considerable period of time... can you accept that?"

"Of course," Shen Yan replied without hesitation.

He subtly moved to the side, trying to create some distance; being too close to Kalandel always made him start having all sorts of silly thoughts.

Although the atmosphere was pleasant, the topics they were discussing were not suitable for being tainted with anything too romantic.

"That's your place, your battlefield. I don't understand it very well, but I know it's important to you. I didn't bring it up before because the conditions weren't right. Now that you've recovered, there's no reason to keep you confined at home any longer."

Stuck at home...

Karandal's heartstrings were gently plucked by those four words. He found himself hopelessly falling for them.

This feeling of being deeply understood and fully respected was so unfamiliar to him that he felt almost at a loss, yet it also carried an indescribable and fatal attraction.

It seems he has truly fallen in love with the powerful ruler.

She lowered her eyes, trying to hide the complex emotions surging within them. When she looked up again, her face had returned to its usual calm, only her voice trembled slightly more than usual:

"I look forward to returning to the military every moment."

Shen Yan happily agreed, having been waiting for him to say that.

"No problem, leave it to me!"

……

Shen Yan didn't keep the female insect waiting for long; he sent a formal email to the relevant department that very night.

Given his status and rank, the process went exceptionally smoothly. The reply email arrived at his terminal late at night, informing them to go to the military headquarters within three days to complete the formalities and initiate the process of restoring their official rank.

The efficiency was so high that it left the insects speechless, and they once again clearly recognized the intangible power brought about by the male's superior rank.

The next morning, Karandal woke up earlier than usual. When he finished getting ready and came out of the room, he found that Shen Yan was also ready.

The young man was dressed in a well-tailored formal suit, which made him look less casual at home and more refined and sharp. His already exquisite features were made even more dazzling by the formal attire, making the insects dare not look directly at him.

Clearly, he attached great importance to this trip to the military headquarters.

Looking at such a powerful ruler, Karandal's heart pounded uncontrollably, and a mix of gratitude, longing, and indescribable excitement overwhelmed his reason.

He took a step forward uncontrollably, his voice softer than usual, almost breathy: "My Lord."

"What's wrong?" Shen Yan tilted her head and looked at him with a hint of confusion.

He didn't speak, but leaned forward slightly, and before Shen Yan could react, a kiss as soft as a feather, with a slight coolness and a faint fragrance, unexpectedly landed on the other's lips.

A brief encounter leads to separation; restraint and cherishing are essential.

"Thank you," he whispered, like the most devout believer seeking blessing and courage from his god before going into battle.

Shen Yan was completely stunned.

The touch was cool and soft, like snowflakes falling silently on his skin, but suddenly ignited a flame that burned through his ears and cheeks in an instant.

She could even feel the fine hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, and an unprecedented tingling sensation quickly spread from the corner where she was being kissed.

The sound of his blood rushing through his ears pounded in his ears, and he could almost hear his own heart pounding out of control.

Shen Yan's eyes widened, her long eyelashes trembling like startled butterfly wings, her gaze frantically drifting towards the mural in the entryway, but she dared not look at Karandel, who was so close to her.

His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and he tried to cover up his lapse with a light cough, but the voice that came out was slightly hoarse, without him even realizing it: "...Let's go, let's go, don't be late."

However, this light, almost hasty kiss seemed to carry a certain calming power, dispelling the last trace of trepidation in Karandel's heart caused by the fear of returning home.

Although it was only two short months, it felt like a lifetime had passed.

At the same time, it also threw a pebble into Shen Yanxin's heart lake, creating ripples.

The gates of the military region headquarters remain solemn and dignified.

When Shen Yan and Kalandel entered the hall together, they inevitably attracted attention from all around, whether overt or covert. The female insect stood tall and walked with a steady gait, as if she had never left this place. Only when her gaze inadvertently swept over Shen Yan beside her did a faint, almost imperceptible, tenderness flash in her eyes.

That was his powerful lord.

The procedures went exceptionally smoothly; with Shen Yan present, almost every step was expedited.

The officer in charge of receiving us was respectful and extremely efficient. After filling out a series of forms and undergoing initial identity verification, we finally achieved our goal.

Although higher-level authorization and formal appointment documents will take time to complete the final process, Karandal will be reinstated as a general and will have access to the corresponding areas of authority, effective immediately.

When the silver access chip, symbolizing his status as an Imperial General and engraved with a badge of stars and a sword, was handed back to the female soldier, his fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly.

I stretched out both hands, solemnly took it, and held it tightly in my palms. The cold metal was quickly warmed by my body heat.

"Congratulations, General Callandall," the officer in charge said formally, but his eyes clearly showed that he was also happy for the former general.

"Thank you," Karandal replied succinctly and firmly.

Stepping out of the office building and standing once again in the open sunlight, Karandel felt the weight of the chip in his hand. He turned his head to look at Shen Yan, who was quietly keeping him company. A thousand words welled up in his heart, but in the end, they all boiled down to one sentence:

"I'm back."

Yes, he has returned. No longer the sinful woman struggling in despair, surviving only on the mercy of her lord, but an imperial general once again adorned with glory and duty.

Looking at the rekindled light in his eyes, as intense as a flame beneath a glacier, Shen Yan felt a slight melancholy at the possibility of separation replaced by a stronger sense of relief and pride.

He curved his lips into a smile, a smile clearer than the sunlight, more sincere and warmer than ever before:

"Yes, welcome back, General."