Volume 3 Chapter 131
by Need_More_SleepVolume 3 + Chapter 131: Apology
Xia Yi took Lia to a secluded spot.
After all, she didn’t want their conversation to be interrupted by others.
She could vaguely sense that Lia’s visit must be for something important.
Lia’s demeanor confirmed this.
Yet upon hearing her sister’s words, Xia Yi still felt surprised.
“I’m sorry, Xia Yi.”
“Huh?”
No way?
Was her little sister actually apologizing to her?
Xia Yi found this truly unbelievable!
In her memories—especially during her time as the Human Sword Saint—Lia had always maintained an aloof attitude toward her, acting like a haughty young lady toward everyone else.
Even after entering Laurel Academy, Lia’s behavior had matched Xia Yi’s original impressions perfectly.
But now she was lowering her stance like this.
Are you feeling alright?
Xia Yi nearly asked this outright, but it seemed impolite, so she held back.
Lia was serious—she must have gathered tremendous courage to approach her like this.
“Did you come just to apologize to me, Lia?” Xia Yi asked.
“Yes.”
Lia nodded.
“Since I’ll be leaving Laurel Academy soon, if I don’t say it now, I’ll never get the chance.”
“Were you punished?”
“Yes. Although the Schubert family reached a private settlement with Laurel Academy, my actions still endangered Laurel City’s safety,” Lia explained. “I’ve been placed on mandatory leave from the academy and must reflect at home for a long time…”
To Xia Yi, this punishment wasn’t unexpected.
If anything, it was somewhat lenient.
Anyone else might have been expelled outright, but Lia only received temporary suspension—there was still room for reconsideration.
Likely due to the Schuberts’ substantial compensation and influence.
That said, she didn’t feel particularly regretful or sympathetic toward Lia.
If anything, her sister had brought this upon herself.
“Xia Yi, I… I’m truly sorry for what I said to you before, and for trying to do such terrible things to you. Yet when danger came, you still protected me without hesitation—you didn’t hold any of it against me. If not for you, I might have already been…”
Lia hung her head, consumed by guilt. Her voice cracked with unshed tears as she struggled to continue.
So that’s it.
Looking at her sister now, Xia Yi understood.
She had indeed stepped in to save her that day.
Not that she’d thought much about it at the time—after all, this was her former little sister. Even if she’d done wrong, Xia Yi couldn’t just stand by and watch her get killed.
“Lia, make sure you properly reflect on your mistakes after going home. No more mischief—no more being a bad girl,” Xia Yi said.
“…Okay.”
Hearing Xia Yi scold her in this tone gave Lia an uncanny sense of déjà vu—as if the person before her was actually her older brother from before.
But when she looked up, she only saw a black-haired loli.
“Xia Yi…”
“Yeah?”
“Why did you save me back then? You should hate me, shouldn’t you?” Lia asked.
“Ah, well…”
Xia Yi couldn’t bring herself to say it—that technically, I used to be your brother, so I couldn’t just let you die, could she?
“It’s because… I-I wanted to be a hero of justice!”
“Huh?”
“A hero of justice, like in those manga.” Xia Yi suddenly recalled the children at Spring Breeze Orphanage who pretended to be the Sword Saint.
“Are you… serious?”
“Uh, okay, that was a joke. Honestly, I didn’t think that deeply about it. I just couldn’t bear to watch you die like that.” Xia Yi voiced her true feelings.
After all, that really was what she’d thought.
“…Thank you, Xia Yi. Just being able to talk to you like this means a lot to me.”
Lia’s nose stung, tears nearly spilling as she suddenly stepped forward and hugged Xia Yi.
This gesture caught Xia Yi off guard.
She had instinctively raised a hand, intending to pat her sister’s head.
But her hand froze midair, hesitating.
Given her current identity, wouldn’t that be too strange?
Besides, Lia had never been close with her—not even back then.
Whenever the Human Sword Saint tried to pat her head before, Lia would always avoid it. As a child, she’d been especially resistant.
…Better not.
Xia Yi lowered her hand, ultimately refraining from the gesture or saying anything more.
“Goodbye, Xia Yi.”
Reluctantly, Lia released her and left after bidding farewell.
……
“Lia’s left Laurel Academy. Rumor has it she won’t be back for a long time.”
“What exactly happened between her and Xia Yi? She was crying when she left—I’ve never seen Lia like that before! She’s the Schubert family’s young lady, after all!”
“Did she get rejected? Seems Xia Yi didn’t choose Lia—she’s more into Teacher Hill. They’re even living together now…”
“Forbidden teacher-student romance—could it be real?!”
Students throughout Laurel Academy buzzed with speculation.
As Xia Yi walked back to her dorm, she could clearly sense the changed gazes directed at her.
As if she were some heartless playgirl who’d toyed with Lia’s feelings.
I was the victim here, okay?!
She braced herself for another magazine headline.
Not wanting to get bombarded with questions, she hurried back to her dorm before rumors could spread further.
“Hey, Carrot Fox, I’m back. What do you want for dinner?”
Kicking off her shoes, Xia Yi called out habitually.
But no one answered.
Only after a long pause did she remember.
Oh right—Carrot Fox left Laurel Academy too.
She’d grown so accustomed to the little fox’s presence that the silence now felt unnaturally empty.
“…Sigh.”
The little princess exhaled softly, changed into slippers, and trudged to the living room, plopping onto the sofa alone.
This loneliness was truly uncomfortable.
Though she’d once traveled solo as the Human Sword Saint, ever since becoming the Dragon Princess, she’d always been surrounded by people. Now she found herself unaccustomed to solitude again.
Thinking of the Dragon King’s palace, Xia Yi’s lips curled into an unconscious smile. Warmth blossomed in her chest, dispelling some of the gloom.
“Enough moping. Once I complete my mission and return to the palace, I’ll be back with Serra and the others—and Xia Lulu too! There’s no way I’ll stay lonely forever!”