Volume 6 Chapter 19
by Golden DragonVolume 6 + Chapter 19: The Tears Start Falling
“Princess, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave…”
“No, there is something!”
The silver-haired dragon girl planted her hands on her hips and blocked Lucia from leaving.
“This isn’t over, you’re not allowed to leave today!”
“Um…”
Lucia looked troubled.
Earlier, she had been suddenly stopped by Xia Yi in the Dragon Palace. She thought the princess needed something important.
But Xia Yi said nothing, she simply dragged Lucia along and brought her into a small room, even shutting the door.
“Lucia, sit back down!!”
Xia Yi pressed her shoulders, forcing the red dragon maid back into her seat.
“Princess, I’m still on duty. Please don’t make trouble,” Lucia said.
“This isn’t trouble. Lucia, tell me, what is your duty as a member of the royal maid corps?”
With her hands behind her back, Xia Yi paced like an interrogating warden.
“My duty… is to serve the Dragon Royal Family.”
“Exactly! Then now is the time to serve me!” Xia Yi pointed at her. “Right now, I need you!”
“You could ask Serra, she’s your personal maid and understands your needs better…”
“No! Not Serra, it has to be you!”
“…Alright.”
Lucia sighed.
It was her first time seeing Xia Yi this persistent.
A few days ago, Xia Yi had gone with Xia Lulu to the outskirts, apparently for another battle.
That part wasn’t unusual.
But what followed was different.
After returning, Xia Yi deliberately avoided Xia Lulu, clearly sulking.
“Lucia, I have something important to ask. No one else knows, only you can answer,” Xia Yi said.
“Go ahead.”
“Tell me, what has Xia Lulu been doing recently?”
“The Queen?”
“Yes, before I returned from Fox Hill.”
“If that’s the case, you could ask Her Majesty, ”
“I don’t want to ask her!!”
Xia Yi reacted sharply, almost angrily.
Lucia found it odd but said nothing.
Realizing her reaction, Xia Yi calmed herself.
“Lucia, you’re always by her side. You can answer this.”
“…Alright.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Lucia spoke.
“Recently, Her Majesty left the Dragon Palace in secret. The governor of Loran Province, Raymond, rebelled, Her Majesty personally suppressed the rebellion.”
“And after that?”
“After dealing with Raymond, she returned. Then you came back.”
“…”
Xia Yi fell silent, glancing at the calendar on the wall.
That day was getting closer.
Her birthday.
To outsiders, Xia Lulu seemed like a tyrant, but in truth, she was diligent with state affairs.
She rarely delegated important matters, handling them personally.
Which meant she was always busy.
Most of the time, it was Serra who stayed by Xia Yi’s side.
Xia Yi understood, it was all for the Dragon Clan.
But…
In a few days, it would be her birthday.
Last year and the year before, Xia Lulu had been away.
And most importantly, last year, she had promised to stay this time.
“Lucia… when I said ‘after that,’ I meant, will she stay this time?” Xia Yi pressed.
“…Her Majesty plans to leave again.”
“What?”
“Because of the rebellion, the realm is unstable. She must inspect all provinces before the year ends to prevent further uprisings.”
“…”
Xia Yi froze.
It felt like a heavy blow had struck her.
Her eyes gradually reddened.
“Princess?” Lucia blinked.
“Waaahhh!!”
Xia Yi completely dropped her composure and burst into tears, running off.
Lucia stood there, unsure what to do.
Comforting others wasn’t her strength, she could only hope Serra would take care of the princess later.
She left the room.
……
……
“Your Majesty, my apologies for being late,” Lucia said, bowing.
“That’s unusual, Lucia. You’re late?” Xia Lulu looked at her curiously. “What happened?”
“It was the princess.”
“Xia Yi?”
“She asked me some questions.”
“…I see.”
After a pause, Xia Lulu asked.
“How are the inspection arrangements?”
“Everything is prepared. The governors have been notified, you may depart at any time.”
“Good.”
“…”
Lucia lowered her head.
She knew it wasn’t her place to speak, but she remembered Xia Yi’s tearful face.
“Your Majesty… the princess seemed very upset.”
“…Sigh. She still hasn’t grown up.”
Xia Lulu sighed helplessly.
She understood why Xia Yi was upset.
“Lucia, postpone the inspection for now.”
“Your Majesty?!”
“This time… I’ll stay in the Dragon Palace and celebrate her birthday with her.”
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