Heena looked at System 427 and gave him a sly smile, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, do you know what's the absolute badass thing to do when you encounter a White Lotus?"
System 427 paused mid-float, tilting his head as he considered. "Um... run away from her? Or maybe slap her?"
Heena shook her head, groaning in pain as she walked toward the window with a slight limp. Each step sent sharp jolts through her injured ankle, but she pushed through it. When she reached the window, she gazed out at the palace grounds below, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the manicured gardens.
"Nah," she said softly, still looking outside. "If you run, she'll make it look like you're guilty of something—like you're fleeing because you have something to hide. The narrative becomes 'why would the Empress run unless she's done something wrong?'"
System 427 floated closer, listening intently.
