The Rise of the Imperial Female Supporting Character (GL) - Chapter 5

As Siling reached back to fasten her bra, she noticed the scent of chocolate ice cream thickening in the air.

The aroma was so alluring that her movements faltered for a second. It was right then that she felt a pair of cool, steady hands settle against the bare skin of her back.

Siling gave an involuntary shiver. Since Helian was the only other person in the room, she simply assumed the guard was being helpful. “Oh, thanks,” she said brightly. “Could you get the hooks for me?”

Helian Yunxi’s eyes were currently a dark, stormy red, and her fingers trembled slightly as they moved against the Princess’s skin. Her slender, pale fingers traced a slow path across Siling’s spine before she suddenly spoke, her voice low and tight. “Your Highness… how old are you this year?”

Siling blinked. She wasn’t sure why her bodyguard was interested in her age, but she answered truthfully. “I’m seventeen.”

Seventeen.

Not yet of age, which meant she wasn’t yet eligible for marriage. Her scent was clean—pure and untouched by any other Alpha’s mark.

Most importantly, this Omega was clearly infatuated with her, and their pheromones were a perfect match.

A dark, almost predatory smile tugged at the corners of Helian’s lips. She deftly fastened the hooks of the bra, but as she withdrew her hand, she let her fingers slide downward, grazing the firm curve of Siling’s hip through the thin fabric of her clothes.

If that’s the case, Helian thought, then sooner or later, you will be mine.

Siling felt a fleeting sensation, as if someone had just copped a feel of her backside.

Wait… did she just…? Siling paused. Nah, her hand probably just slipped. We’re both women, after all. Back at school, we’d slap each other’s butts or mess around in the locker rooms all the time.

Ignoring the strange sensation with her characteristic bluntness, Siling began dressing at triple speed.

It was a small-animal instinct; even if her conscious mind hadn’t registered the danger, her Omega biology was reacting to the aggressive, territorial pressure the Alpha was emitting. Her body sensed a crisis even if her brain didn’t.

Once she was dressed, Siling stood before the full-length mirror to inspect her new self.

Her first impression was that this body looked remarkably like her old one. She had the same soft, oval face, slender willow-leaf brows, and round, expressive almond eyes. With her straight nose and thin, delicate lips, she looked quite youthful—childish, even. She lacked that “femme fatale” maturity.

However, unlike her previous “flat-as-a-board” physique, this Princess—despite being neglected—had been raised on the finest imperial nutrition. She was surprisingly well-endowed in all the right places.

Siling stared at the “scenery” in the mirror for a moment before quickly buttoning her shirt all the way to the collar.

She turned around, feeling a sudden surge of vitality. Perhaps it was the bath, but she felt more alert than she had all day. Where she had previously been unable to even sit up, she could now move with ease.

She didn’t realize there were two reasons for this: first, the physical damage from the psionic blast was finally receding; second, her “foreign” soul had spent the last few hours properly integrating with its new vessel. She was finally becoming “one” with the body of Rong Siling.

Oblivious to the metaphysics, Siling slipped into a pair of flat leather shoes and marched over to Helian Yunxi.

When she’d been lying in bed, she hadn’t noticed the scale of things, but standing close like this, she realized her guard was tall. Helian had to be at least 5’9″—nearly half a head taller than Siling. Siling actually had to tilt her head back to meet her eyes.

Maybe I’m just standing too close, Siling thought, feeling a bit dwarfed. She took a few steps back to regain some personal space and tried to decide how to pitch her plan.

In Helian’s eyes, however, this looked like the shy, adorable retreat of a smitten girl.

She’s so hesitant, Helian noted. Is she about to drop the act and finally confess her feelings?

Helian felt a surge of anticipation. Finally, Siling squared her shoulders, lifted her dainty chin, and said with as much royal authority as she could muster: “I want you to take me to the escape pods. Right now. And I want to go to…”

Siling’s eyes darted around as she thought.

Helian’s heart skipped a beat. Whatever you want, Princess. Escape pod play? It’s a bit cramped, but if that’s what you’re into…

While Helian was busy mentally cataloging the “logistics” of an escape pod encounter, Siling continued: “Basically, I want to scope things out. I also want to see your mecha. Take me there.”

Helian nearly bit her tongue. Thank god she hadn’t spoken her thoughts out loud.

She nodded, a flicker of disappointment crossing her usually expressionless face—an emotion Siling completely missed.

Seeing her agree, Siling added, “Wait a second, let me pack a few things first… Oh! And one more thing: is there food in the escape pods or your mecha? I need a lot of it. Like, a lot. Let’s play a game—call it ‘Great Adventure.’ We’ll pretend there’s a huge emergency coming up and we have to prepare for the worst.”

She arched a brow and gave Helian a playful, challenging look. “You’re a professional, right? Show me how it’s done.”

Helian felt her professional pride being nudged. She looked at Siling with a faint, knowing smile—the kind of look honed by years of actual combat and life-or-death stakes. The sheer intensity of it made Siling instinctively shrink back, suddenly very well-behaved.

“Rest assured, Your Highness,” Helian said, her tone smooth and effortless. “I would sooner die than fail to see you safely back to the Imperial Home Planet.”

Hearing those powerful, confident words delivered with such absolute seriousness, Siling felt a literal jolt in her chest. Her heart began to flutter like a trapped bird.

Holy crap, she thought, my bodyguard is freaking cool!

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