Ark Simulator, don't I have no physical form?

Ash didn't need to look to know he was smiling—a mischievous smile, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, but with deeper emotions hidden in his eyes. She knew it all too well.

The candlelight on both sides of the corridor cast their shadows onto the stone wall, sometimes overlapping, sometimes separating. Ash could feel Suri's breath brushing against the back of her neck, warm and gentle, like some silent urging.

"Why did Talulah choose a place like this to meet?" Suri suddenly asked.

Ash's steps did not stop: "Because she knows you don't like the palace."

Suri chuckled softly, her fingers finally loosening their grip on the hem of her dress, instead placing her hand on her shoulder: "You really understand me."

His palms were warm, the temperature radiating through the fabric. Ash didn't flinch, but merely turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of his profile illuminated by the candlelight—the shadow cast by his eyelashes obscured the expression in his eyes, but the curve of his lips still carried that usual nonchalant air.

"Don't say anything carelessly later," Ash whispered a reminder.

Suri tapped her shoulder lightly with her fingertips: "Yes, sir."

The banquet hall was smaller than I had imagined.

Only three sets of silver cutlery were set on the long table, and candlelight flickered in the dark red wine glasses, casting the shadows of the three people onto the ancient stone wall. Talulah was already seated in the main seat, her fingertips lightly tapping the table in a slow, rhythmic motion.

"You're two minutes late." She looked up at the two of them, her voice devoid of emotion.

Suri smiled and pulled out a chair: "The snow is too heavy; we can't walk fast."

Ash sat down beside him, his gaze sweeping over the dishes on the table—delicate venison, warm soup, fresh bread, and even a small dish of honey-preserved berries, Suri's favorite dessert.

Talulah noticed her gaze: "Not to your liking?"

"It's very plentiful," Ash replied calmly.

Suri had already picked up her fork and poked the berry: "Was it poisoned?"

Ash's foot ground hard against the tip of his boot under the table.

Talulah laughed: "You can try."

Suri tilted her head to look at her, then suddenly put the berry in her mouth, her tongue lightly licking the sugar residue on her fingertip: "Sweet."

Ash's breath hitched slightly.

Talulah's gaze swept between the two, finally settling on Ash's face: "You two get along very well."

This is not a question.

Ash didn't answer, but simply picked up his glass and took a sip. The liquor slid down his throat, leaving a slight burning sensation.

Suri's fingertips quietly touched her knee under the table.

"So," Talulah cut off a small piece of venison, "what have you all been busy with lately?"

Suri rested her chin on her hand and looked at her: "Sleeping, eating, and occasionally taking on a mission."

"Occasionally?" Talulah raised an eyebrow.

Ash put down his glass: "Let's get straight to the point."

Talulah tapped her fingertips lightly on the gilded armrest, her gaze fixed on Suri, who was intently savoring a honey cake. The way the boy's tongue swept across the cream on the fork reminded her of the boy in Chernobog whose eyes lit up when he received the candy she offered him years ago.

"Eat slowly." She subtly pushed her own dessert over as well. "No one's going to take it from you."

When Suri looked up, his lips still smeared with icing sugar, he grinned like a cat that had just stolen some cream: "Talulah, is there brandy in this?" He twirled his silver fork deftly. "I can taste the aroma of the liquor."

Ash's boot tip touched his ankle warningly under the table.

Talulah suddenly chuckled softly. This smile was more genuine than any before, fine lines appearing at the corners of her eyes: "You're still so perceptive." She rested her chin on her hand, watching Suri wolf down his food, the glow of the gilded candlestick shimmering in her eyes. "You were just like that back then."

As the servants cleared away the plates, Talulah casually remarked, "I heard you went to the North to see the Northern Lights?"

"Just passing by," Ash replied cautiously.

"Isn't the frozen lake beautiful under the aurora?" Talulah poured Suri a cup of fruit and herbal tea, the rising steam blurring her meaningful expression. "When I was little, I often sneaked off there to ice skate."

Suri suddenly choked, coughing until his eyes reddened. Ash instinctively patted his back, but froze when he touched his tense shoulder blades—this was a place they had just visited last month, and the trip hadn't been reported at all.

Talulah handed her a handkerchief embroidered with the royal crest: "Be careful." She looked at Suri's wrist as she wiped her mouth.

"Talulah," Ash suddenly interrupted, "you summoned us today not just to catch up, were you?"

A brief silence fell over the banquet hall. A candle flame crackled and popped, casting a warm glow on half of Talulah's face, while the other half remained hidden in shadow.

"There's really nothing important," she finally spoke, her fingertips tracing the rim of her teacup. "I just heard you're traveling in Ursus..." The gilded armor scraped against the enamel, making a soft sound. "I'd like to ask you to see this country for me through the eyes of a tourist."

As Suri set down her teacup, the bottom of the cup made a crisp clinking sound against the saucer. "When did Talulah become so concerned about the suffering of ordinary people?"

"It all started when I discovered that the royal kitchen's honey was three times more expensive than the fever reducer at the slum clinic," Talulah answered calmly, her gaze sweeping over Suri's instantly tense jawline. "Of course, if you encounter..."

"We'll take over," Ash suddenly said.

Talulah raised an eyebrow at her.

"Since this is an incognito visit," Ash added without changing his expression, "the imperial guards don't need to follow."

"No," Talulah refused firmly, then softened her tone, "At least let 'Snow Eagle' come along; she's skilled in disguise." Seeing that Ash was still objecting, the Queen suddenly curled the corners of her lips, "After all, Suri is my 'Queen' now, isn't she?"

Ash's pupils dilated slightly. She suddenly realized that every detail of this seemingly casual banquet was meticulously designed—from the desserts that Suri liked to the deliberately mentioned aurora trip, and even the fragrant fireplace at this moment was his favorite incense from when he stayed at the palace.

As the palace gates closed behind them, Su Rui suddenly grabbed Ash's cloak: "You knew it all along?"

"What did you guess?"

"She didn't have any tasks to assign," Suri kicked a clump of snow, watching it shatter on the palace wall. "She just wanted to see how I was doing..."

Ash reached out and brushed the snowflakes from his hair, a gesture that startled both of them—it was so similar to Talulah's actions at the banquet.

"She knew you would refuse a formal audience," Ash said, fastening his cloak, "that's why she did it this way."

Suri suddenly grabbed her wrist with surprising force: "Then why did you agree?"

Volume 10, Chapter 614: Although I hit the bullseye every time, my aim isn't good.

In the moonlight, Ash saw the shimmering light in his eyes, like a turbulent undercurrent beneath the ice. She was silent for a moment, then suddenly grabbed his collar, forcing him to lower his head, and placed a kiss on the top of his head where Talulah had once stroked him.

"Because I also want to know," her breath brushed against the boy's flushed earlobes, "what color were the fireworks you saw when you climbed the clock tower after Talulah became queen."

Suri's sobs were swallowed by the wind and snow. He clutched Ash's clothes tightly, like a drowning man clinging to a piece of driftwood, and Ash let him hold on until the last lamp in the palace went out in the snowy night.

The wind was cold on the snowfield, but the sun was shining brightly.

Suri, wrapped in a thick fur-trimmed cloak, crunched his boots on the snow. He walked slowly, stopping every now and then to bend down, grab a handful of snow, shape it into a ball, and then suddenly throw it at Ash. Ash dodged to the side, the snowball hitting a pine tree behind him and sending a cloud of snowflakes falling.

"His accuracy has declined," Ash commented.

Su Rui, still not satisfied, made another one, this time deliberately slowing down, as if waiting for her reaction. Ash didn't move, letting the snowball hit her shoulder, the broken snowflakes getting into her collar, making her frown slightly from the cold.

"Intentional?" she asked.

Suri smiled, her eyes crinkling: "Guess."

Ash bent down and scooped up a handful of snow. Suri immediately turned and ran, his cloak sweeping a trail across the snow. He hadn't gone far when Ash caught up with him, and suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck—Ash had stuffed snow into his collar. Suri jumped up, shivering, and turned to retaliate, but slipped and fell into a snowdrift.

Ash stood by, watching him struggle, a slight smirk playing on his lips: "Idiot."

Suri crawled out of the snow, her hair covered in snowflakes, looking like a furry snow monster. He shook his cloak, then suddenly leaned close to Ashes and pressed his icy hands against her face: "Warm yourself up."

Ash didn't dodge, but simply reached out and brushed the snow off his hair: "Stop fooling around, let's get going."

Su Rui pouted, but still obediently followed behind her.

The villages in Ursus were quieter than I had imagined.

They stayed at a small tavern. The owner, a one-eyed veteran, narrowed his eyes when he saw Su Rui's attire but didn't ask any questions. Ash asked for a room with two beds. As soon as Su Rui entered, he rushed to the bed by the window and sank into the blankets.

"It's a bit more reassuring than the bed in the palace; it's too quiet there," he remarked.

Ash put his luggage away and walked to the window. From here, he could see the whole village—wooden houses scattered about, wisps of smoke rising from chimneys, fields covered in snow in the distance, and occasionally a farmer leading a pack animal by.

"Things are different now," Suri suddenly said.

Ash looked at him: "What's different?"

Suri rolled over, lying on his back. "These villages used to be teeming with patrolling soldiers and police, but there are fewer now." He gestured with his hand. "And look over there—"

Ash looked in the direction he was pointing and saw a newly painted notice board at the village entrance with several pieces of paper pasted on it. The most eye-catching one read "Winter Relief Grain Distribution Center".

"Talulah's doing?" Ash asked.

Suri shrugged: "Who knows? Anyway, it's better than before."

The tavern was lively at night.

The villagers gathered together, drinking and talking about this year's harvest and amusing stories from the neighboring village. Ash sat in a corner, while Su Rui mingled with the crowd, quickly becoming friends with several young men. He drank heartily, one glass after another, his cheeks soon flushing red.

"Your friend?" A burly young man gestured with his chin toward the ashes.

Suri glanced back and saw Ash quietly eating the stew on his plate, oblivious to the noise around him.

"Yes, it's mine," he said with a smile.

The young man's expression suddenly dawned on him: "Oh—I understand!"

Ash didn't look up, but the tips of its ears twitched slightly.

When Suri was on his third drink, Ash came over and grabbed his wrist: "That's enough."

Suri blinked: "It's only just begun."

Ash didn't speak, just looked at him. Suri pouted, but still put down her glass and waved to her new friends, "My family's strict, I'm leaving now."

The crowd burst into laughter, and someone whistled.

On the way back to his room, Suri's steps were a little unsteady, and he kept leaning against Ash. Ash didn't push him away, but just reached out to support his waist to prevent him from bumping into the wall.

"I'm not drunk," Suri declared.

"Um."

"real."

"Know."

Suri suddenly stopped and grabbed Ash's sleeve: "Then why won't you look at me?"

Ash turned his head and met his eyes. Suri's eyelashes were long, casting a shadow in the dim light of the tavern, and her eyes reflected tiny glimmers of light, like stars in the snow.

"I saw it," she said.

Suri laughed, then suddenly leaned closer, her breath carrying a faint scent of alcohol: "Is it pretty?"

Ash didn't answer, but simply reached out and pulled him back onto the right path: "Look ahead as you walk."

The next day, they went to the nearby market.

The market in Ursus was bustling with activity, stalls displaying all sorts of handicrafts, furs, cured meats, and steaming bread. Suri stopped at a stall selling honey candies, bought a small bag, and popped one into Ash's mouth.

"Is it sweet?" he asked.

Ash, with sugar in its mouth, nodded.

Suri ate one herself, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction: "It tastes better than the ones in the palace."

Ash looked at his puffed-out cheeks and reached out to wipe the sugar crumbs from the corner of his mouth: "You got some."

Suri licked her lips, then suddenly pointed to a stall not far away: "Want to try that?"

It was a shooting game stall where you shot targets with wooden guns, and the winner could choose a prize. Ash glanced at him: "Are you sure?"

Suri had already pulled her over there.

The stall owner was an old man with a wrinkled face. When he saw them coming, he smiled and handed them a wooden gun: "If you hit all three shots, you can choose the biggest one." He pointed to the doll hanging at the highest point—a furry snow wolf.

Suri took the gun, weighed it in her hand, and then handed it to Ash: "You take it."

Ash didn't answer: "You play by yourself."

Suri pouted: "My aim is terrible."

Ash glanced at him, took the gun, and fired three shots in quick succession. All three hit the bullseye.

The old man's eyes widened, while Su Rui cheered and pointed at the snow wolf: "We want that one!"

When Ash handed the plush toy to Suri, he hugged it, nuzzled against it, and smiled like a child: "It's for you."

Ash raised an eyebrow: "Give it to me?"

"Yes," Suri said matter-of-factly, "you hit it, so of course it's yours."

Ash didn't say anything, but simply reached out and ruffled the doll's head before shoving it back into Suri's arms: "You can hold it."