Chapter 10
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Volume 2 + Chapter 10: The Night Coast
Inside a seaside inn in Golde’s coastal city…
After extracting crucial information from Gill of the Penguin Gang, Xia Yi and Serra had decided to settle into an inn—somewhere safe to regroup.
Xia Yi waited alone in their room while Serra handled the check-in downstairs.
“Mmm… perfect timing.”
She tiptoed to the window, scanning the view.
Outside, the sea lay calm under the night sky, serene and undisturbed. The streets below were nearly empty, the city hushed.
“Good.”
A mischievous smile curled her lips as she drew the curtains shut.
No witnesses.
She had been suppressing a peculiar urge for hours now—one unbecoming of her royal dignity. But now, finally alone…
Xia Yi snatched up her most treasured possession: a plush dragon pillow.
She hugged it tight, burying her face in its familiar scent. Instantly, the tension melted from her shoulders.
“Ehehe~!”
Clutching the pillow, she launched herself onto the springy bed, rolling back and forth in pure, unbridled bliss.
Serra was right—bringing this was absolutely necessary.
With this, even if the sky fell, she could endure!
Her tail, freed from its hidden state, wagged freely as she indulged in childish abandon—
“Creeeak.”
The door swung open.
Xia Yi froze mid-roll.
Slowly, mechanically, she turned her head.
Serra stood there, eyebrows raised.
“…Uwaaaaaah!!”
Xia Yi sprang up, hurling the pillow aside as her ears burned crimson.
No no no! My image!
Serra had seen everything—her rolling around like an overexcited puppy.
“Why didn’t you KNOCK?!” she shrieked, desperately wishing the bed would swallow her whole.
Serra bowed. “My apologies, Your Highness. I assumed you were resting and didn’t wish to disturb you. I… hadn’t expected this.”
Her tone was contrite, but inwardly, she was thrilled.
This was absolutely intentional.
(Not that Xia Yi needed to know.)
“I-It’s not what it looks like!” Xia Yi flailed, brain scrambling for excuses. “I was just… uh… testing the mattress! For quality control! Don’t overthink it!”
Even she knew how absurd that sounded.
Please drop it, please drop it—
“Of course, Your Highness.” Serra nodded solemnly. “There’s nothing unusual about using a pillow as intended. The fault is entirely mine.”
“R…Right?”
Xia Yi eyed her suspiciously before snatching the pillow back—then paused.
Wait, no!
“A proper adult wouldn’t do something so childish! This was purely a structural assessment!”
She prayed Serra wouldn’t press further. Every second of this conversation eroded her dignity.
Mercifully, Serra changed topics.
“The room is secured for as long as needed. Our next steps remain at your discretion, Your Highness.”
She closed the door behind her.
Ahh, such a thoughtful maid!
Xia Yi exhaled in relief.
“We’ll stay awhile,” she declared, eager to move on. “This city borders the sea—if we’re lucky, we might witness the Black Tide firsthand. Experiencing it could unveil its secrets.”
“A sound plan. Additionally, the Penguin Gang may prove useful during our stay.”
“Oh? Did Gill grow a conscience?”
“Not quite.” Serra smiled. “I simply… encouraged his cooperation.”
That smile sent a chill down Xia Yi’s spine.
Yikes.
She could guess the “encouragement” involved.
“Shall I prepare dinner, Your Highness?”
“Yes, please!”
Earlier, she’d spotted the innkeeper’s mediocre lunch.
Compared to Serra’s cooking? Pathetic.
“Rest well. I’ll tidy up before heading to the kitchen. I’ll summon you when the meal is ready.”
Xia Yi nodded, curling up with her pillow.
The bed’s gentle sway soon pulled her to sleep…
—
Nightfall.
After dinner, Xia Yi and Serra ventured toward the coastal cliffs.
Strangely, locals scrambled out of their path—a stark contrast to the beggars from daytime.
“Why the sudden caution?” Xia Yi muttered.
“Gill’s doing, my lady,” Serra explained. “I instructed him to ensure we wouldn’t be harassed. He may have… overstated our temperament.”
“Ah.”
No matter. Their destination awaited.
The nighttime sea was a different beast—an abyss of ink, its waves whispering threats beneath the moon’s pallid glow.
An instinctual dread prickled Xia Yi’s neck.
Something feels… wrong.
Yet after hours of pacing the shore, they found nothing. No anomalies. No omens.
“The locals claim the night sea is deadly,” Xia Yi mused. “Could it be superstition?”
Serra opened her mouth to reply—then stiffened.
In one fluid motion, she shielded Xia Yi.
A figure emerged from the gloom.
“You two.”
A woman stepped into the moonlight, her gaze sharp as flint.
“Why are you out here at night?”
—Hill’s eyes locked onto the intruders, wary and unyielding.
