Ningguang paced slowly in her elegant chambers, the soft glow of lanterns casting long shadows across the polished jade floors. Her mind was far from the usual negotiations and delicate power plays; instead, it churned with a very particular kind of worry. She had just learned that Beidou—her fearless, wild-hearted partner—had taken their three-year-old daughter out to the seaside. Not just for a leisurely stroll or a quiet day by the waves, but right into the thick of a battle with a sea monster that had been terrorizing the harbor. The thought alone sent a chill through her meticulously composed demeanor.

“How could she think it wise to bring a toddler to such danger?”

Ningguang muttered, folding her arms as her gaze flicked to the delicate jade figurine of a dragon on her desk. She could appreciate Beidou’s bravery and fierce protective instincts, but this felt reckless. Their daughter, with her bright eyes and tiny hands, was far too precious for any stormy adventure.

Still, as Ningguang’s thoughts grew sharper, a reluctant smile tugged at her lips. She knew Beidou’s heart—wild and untamable—but full of love.

“Next time,” she said softly when Beidou returned, “perhaps the monster stays at sea, and our daughter stays far from harm’s way.”

Her voice carried the calm authority of a ruler, but underneath, it held a promise: no matter the storm, their little one would always be shielded by the strongest walls—both of jade and sea.