I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl

Chapter 486 - 483 – The Crown Prince’s Invitation

The next day, the morning sunlight gently slipped through the gaps in the thick silk curtains of the suite room at The Dragon Inn. The golden light softly split the darkness of the room, illuminating tiny dust particles dancing in the air. Sylvia woke up earlier than usual, even though her undead body still felt heavy and stiff from the long and exhausting battle against Mušmaḫḫū. Her supernatural regeneration had worked all night, but the remaining mana exhaustion still clung to her mind like a thick blanket that was difficult to remove completely.She sat up slowly on the edge of the large, soft bed, her long black hair messy and cascading down her pale back. The air in the room was still cool and fresh, mixed with the faint aroma of herbal tea they had drunk the night before to recover their stamina, and the lingering scent of healing ointment on their clothes and bedsheets. Alicia and Stacia were still sound asleep beside her. Their breathing was steady and peaceful. Their beautiful faces looked tired yet calm. Alicia’s lips were slightly parted, while Stacia curled closer to her older sister, her hand holding Sylvia’s arm even in sleep. Sol curled up adorably at the foot of the bed with his bushy tail covering his nose, while Qilin slept peacefully in Alicia’s lap, his usually glowing holy horn now barely emitting any light.

Sylvia didn’t wake them. They deserved to rest longer after all the sacrifices and grief they had endured. With quiet movements, she got up, put on a simple loose robe, and went downstairs to the dining hall alone. The wooden stairs creaked softly under her light steps.

The morning dining hall was still quite empty. Only a few servants were busy preparing breakfast for the guests who would soon wake up. Tempting aromas immediately greeted her: warm toasted bread with melted butter, thick meat soup fragrant with the Empire’s signature spices, aromatic scrambled eggs with fresh vegetables, and dew-covered slices of fresh fruit. Sylvia ordered a simple portion of meat soup, toasted bread, and a cup of warm herbal tea, then sat at a corner table near the large window overlooking the capital’s main street.

Through the window glass, she watched the streets begin to bustle. Merchants opened their stalls, city guards patrolled with firm steps, and ordinary citizens went about carrying shopping baskets. Sylvia’s thoughts drifted far away. She recalled Mušmaḫḫū’s corpse, which had now become an ancient zombie fully under her control. This new power gave her great confidence, but it also brought political risks and new threats that needed to be handled very carefully. The aura of Tiamat’s darkness now fused with her power could become a double-edged sword.

She had just taken a sip of the warm, soothing herbal tea when a neatly dressed head servant approached her table. The middle-aged man with neat sideburns and a respectful demeanor bowed deeply. His voice was low, polite, yet firm.

"Your Excellency Sylvia of Party Unhuman, His Highness the Crown Prince requests the honor of meeting with you this morning. He is waiting at his residence within the palace complex. This is an official invitation."

Sylvia slowly placed her teacup on the polished wooden table. Her face remained flat and unreadable, but inwardly she felt irritated. The Crown Prince was one of the princes who had stared at her with greedy eyes full of calculation and ambition yesterday. She could sense the hidden intentions behind the invitation. She could refuse outright, but directly rejecting the imperial family in the capital could create unwanted complications. They were currently in the heart of the Helios Empire’s power; their freedom of movement could be disrupted if the palace became suspicious or placed them under strict surveillance.

"Very well," Sylvia replied in a flat but clear voice. "Wait a moment. I will freshen up after finishing breakfast."

The head servant bowed again respectfully and stepped back a few paces, waiting near the dining hall entrance. Sylvia continued her breakfast calmly, though her mind was already spinning rapidly like the gears of a war chariot. She disliked the palace’s political games full of intrigue, but she knew how to handle them. As the Zombie Queen, she had learned that power was not only about muscle and magic, but also about reading the opponent’s intentions and maintaining balance.

After finishing, she returned to the suite room. Alicia and Stacia were still sound asleep. Sylvia smiled faintly at them, then opened her system storage. She chose an elegant black dress simple yet high-class, with a loose cut, fine silver lace details on the sleeves and neckline, ankle-length, and a thin belt that accentuated her slender waist. The dress fit her body perfectly, giving off a mysterious, graceful, and slightly intimidating impression. She neatly combed her long black hair with a silver comb, deliberately letting a few strands fall beside her face to create a deceptively soft impression. She finished with matching black high-heeled shoes that added height and a firmer, more authoritative posture.

Sylvia looked at her reflection in the large, beautifully framed mirror. This appearance was sufficient to face the Crown Prince without seeming too flashy or weak. She looked like a mysterious noblewoman, not an ordinary adventurer. Once satisfied, she went downstairs alone and gave a small nod to the head servant who had been waiting faithfully.

"Let’s go," she said coldly.

"Thank you for your willingness, My Lady. The carriage has been prepared in front," the head servant replied while bowing deeply.

In front of the inn, a luxurious horse carriage was already waiting. Very different from Sylvia’s simple carriage pulled by zombie horses, this one was adorned with intricate gold carvings, thick red silk curtains, and perfectly polished wheels. The horses were purebred, high-quality animals with glossy jet-black coats and small ornaments on their reins. The head servant himself acted as the coachman, opening the door with respectful movements.

Sylvia boarded without a word. The carriage interior was extremely comfortable seats upholstered in dark blue velvet, silk pillows, and a faint fragrance of roses and sandalwood. The carriage moved slowly along the main street toward the imperial palace. The journey wasn’t too long, but it gave Sylvia enough time to think of a strategy. She knew this meeting was not merely a courtesy. The princes had clearly shown interest yesterday especially in her as the powerful figure capable of defeating an ancient monster.

Upon arriving at the magnificent palace gates, security was extremely tight. Dozens of knights in shining armor stood alert with spears and swords. However, upon seeing the official carriage of the Crown Prince, the guards immediately opened a wide path. The carriage continued into the vast palace complex, passing beautiful gardens with rare blooming flowers, marble fountains spraying clear water, statues of ancestral heroes, and grand buildings adorned with gold and jewels.

Finally, the carriage stopped in front of the Crown Prince’s residence a smaller yet elegant palace with magnificent architecture, tall pillars, and balconies overlooking a private garden. The head servant opened the door and bowed. "Please, My Lady. I will escort you to the reception room."

Sylvia followed the man through the cool, gleaming marble corridors. Their footsteps echoed softly. Paintings of royal ancestors hung on the walls in gold frames, statues of gods and heroes stood tall, and thick red carpets covered the floors. The air inside the palace felt heavier, filled with the scent of expensive incense and power.

They finally arrived at a spacious and luxurious reception room. Morning sunlight entered through tall windows fitted with thin curtains. The Crown Prince was sitting casually in the main chair near the window, enjoying a cup of tea while reading an important scroll. The man was handsome, around 28 years old, with neatly styled dark brown hair, a firm jaw, and sharp green eyes full of calculation and intelligence.

As soon as Sylvia entered, the Crown Prince immediately put down the scroll and stood up with a practiced friendly smile. "Ah, Lady Sylvia. Thank you for accepting this sudden invitation. Please, have a seat. I hope the journey wasn’t too tiring."

Sylvia sat in the indicated chair with graceful and controlled movements. The head servant quickly served a cup of hot, fragrant tea made from the finest imported leaves, then respectfully withdrew to the back of the room, leaving the two of them alone.

The room fell silent for a moment. Only the sound of gentle wind from the open window and the faint clink of the tea spoon could be heard. The two of them looked at each other in silence, assessing one another like two predators measuring their opponent’s strength. The Crown Prince’s eyes swept over Sylvia’s appearance from head to toe with clear interest not only as a captivating beautiful woman, but as a dangerous and mysterious power. There was admiration, ambition, and a hint of caution in his gaze.

Sylvia returned the gaze with cold calmness. Her red eyes glowed faintly and sharply, as if reading the hidden intentions behind the Crown Prince’s friendly smile. The air between them felt tense, filled with unspoken political intrigue.

"What brings Your Highness the Crown Prince to wish to meet me this morning?" Sylvia asked directly, her voice smooth yet cautious. She didn’t like beating around the bush for too long.

The Crown Prince smiled faintly and set down his teacup. "Straight to the point, I see? I like that. First of all, allow me to congratulate Party Unhuman on your extraordinary victory over Mušmaḫḫū. The Empire owes you a great debt. However... there are a few things I would like to discuss privately."

The meeting had just begun, and Sylvia could already feel the threads of political intrigue starting to weave around her.