Volume 4 Chapter 12

Volume 4 + Chapter 12: Very Worth It

Sunlight streamed in through the window of Xia Lulu’s bedroom, falling gently upon the silver-haired little loli.

“Hehehe~”

Xia Yi vaguely sensed that morning had arrived, yet she still didn’t wake, instead sinking deeper into the comforting bliss of sleeping in.

It felt like it had been a long time since she last allowed herself such freedom—waking up whenever she pleased.

Hugging the small dragon-shaped pillow, she rolled around on Xia Lulu’s bed.

At the same time, a strange feeling surfaced in her heart.

Why did Xia Lulu’s big bed feel so empty today? Why couldn’t she feel Xia Lulu beside her?

She opened her eyes and discovered that Xia Lulu was already gone. The entire room held only her, all alone.

“Xia Lulu?!”

Xia Yi snapped awake instantly and called out sharply.

But there was no response. She was startled, quickly jumping off the bed.

“Mm… wait, what am I panicking for? This is the Dragon Palace. Xia Lulu obviously went to handle official duties.”

She must’ve been too groggy just a moment ago to think straight.

She had really scared herself for nothing.

Xia Lulu was the Silver Dragon Queen, after all—she had countless matters of state to attend to. Of course she would get up and head straight to her office.

“No need to be so tense. It’s not like anything would happen to Xia Lulu.”

Xia Yi lay back down on the bed again, hugging the small dragon pillow.

She recalled the events of last night, and couldn’t stop a silly smile from spreading across her face.

“Ehehe… Xia Lulu’s reward…”

Mm!

Suddenly, Xia Yi felt a stinging sensation in her hand.

She immediately realized—it was her holy sword.

And so, she instantly changed her expression, putting on an extremely furious look.

“Unforgivable!! The Silver Dragon Queen actually tried to use this kind of method to assimilate me into the dragon clan?!”

“Fortunately my will is unshakable! I discovered her scheme early and turned her plan against her!”

“Hmph hmph hmph! The Silver Dragon Queen must be completely convinced that my heart and body have already fallen! She will never expect that everything last night was nothing but me playing along! I wasn’t invested at all!”

Xia Yi laughed, confidently piling up excuses that sounded incredibly convincing—at least to herself.

Then she raised her hand.

“Gram, don’t misunderstand! You’ve fought at my side for so many years—you understand me, right? Even though I was defeated by the Silver Dragon Queen back then, I never forgot it. I have always kept it in my heart!”

She summoned the holy sword, gazing at it with righteous determination.

“Gram, I will surpass my former failure! Bear witness to the noble and unyielding soul of your Sword Saint!”

Gram glowed—four flashes in total.

If she had to translate that into words, Xia Yi believed it could only mean: “You’re amazing!”

The holy sword’s trust and recognition moved her deeply—after all, she was its Holy Sword bearer.

“Thank you, my old friend.”

……

“Ugh… now what do I do?”

Xia Yi stood in Xia Lulu’s bedroom, suddenly troubled.

Right now, she was wearing nothing but pajamas.

There was absolutely no way she could step outside like this. If anyone saw her walking out of the Silver Dragon Queen’s bedroom dressed like this…

A Silver Dragon Princess, in pajamas, emerging from the Queen’s room early in the morning—anyone who saw that would instantly know what to think.

“The Princess went to the Queen’s room again last night? Just like the old days.”

“Indeed! The first day back home and she already couldn’t resist!”

“Ahh, Her Highness is still such a child… just like my clingy daughter—so cute…”

Thinking about it, Xia Yi felt her resolve beginning to crumble.

“No! Absolutely not!! My dignity!!”

If anyone witnessed her current appearance, the authoritative image she had worked so hard to build would collapse instantly.

She would never allow such a thing to happen.

So what now?

Daytime was different from night—at night she could sneak around in the dark, but broad daylight meant everyone would see her clearly.

“Could it be… I sneakily wear Xia Lulu’s clothes?”

Xia Yi frowned.

But Xia Lulu’s clothes were way too tight in the chest…

“Your Highness, are you inside?”

A familiar voice sounded outside the door.

It was Serra!!

Xia Yi rushed to the door, cracked it open, and peeked out. Sure enough, Serra stood outside, carrying a set of clothes.

Serra, my savior!!

“Serra, get in here!!”

Xia Yi yanked the door open and pulled Serra inside.

“How did you know I was here?”

“This morning I noticed Your Highness was not in your room,” Serra explained. “Given your personality, unless the world was ending, you would never wake up early. So I deduced that you must have gone to see Her Majesty. I then estimated the time you would likely wake up and bring your clothes over.”

“Serra, you really know me well!”

Xia Yi let out a long breath of relief.

But then something felt off.

Did Serra… just roast her a little without meaning to?

“Ahem. Serra, I went to see Xia Lulu last night because we had important matters to discuss!” Xia Yi said solemnly. “It was a confidential report on my mission to the human world. Naturally, I cannot tell anyone the details!”

Serra lifted her head, took one look at the small dragon pillow on the bed, and instantly understood everything.

“I see. Your Highness, I understand completely.”

“Mm-hmm. Good, Serra, good.”

Xia Yi nodded in satisfaction.

Then her exclusive maid began helping her change clothes.

During the process, Xia Yi casually asked, “By the way, Serra—did Xia Lulu go to her office early this morning to resume work?”

“Work?” Serra paused. “No, Your Highness. Her Majesty left the Dragon Palace early this morning.”

……

Purple-Iris Valley.

Dorothea was dismantling her body.

Strictly speaking, she was dismantling one of her doll bodies—she had several, and regular inspections were necessary.

She then heard sounds from the flower patch. Turning her head, she saw a silver-haired dragon-loli standing ahead.

The dragon-loli raised her hand, waving in greeting.

“Good morning, Dorothea~”

“Xia Lulu, you came to find me again?”

Dorothea set down the doll she had been working on.

“The sleep method—did it work for you?”

“Yes.”

Xia Lulu walked over and nodded.

“I came to tell you that both the sleep and awakening phases went smoothly. There’s nothing wrong with the method—it’s usable.”

Dorothea fell silent for a moment, her expression turning serious.

“Xia Lulu, I’ll warn you one last time. So far it’s only been a trial. You can still stop. But if you’re determined to maintain the Dragon King’s Heart, then I will lock it permanently into your body to ensure you can control its power. However… Once I do that, there will be no turning back. You’ll accelerate the backlash. Even if you regret it later and ask me to replace your heart, it will be impossible.”

“I understand.”

“So—what is your choice?”

“Dorothea, didn’t you ask me a question earlier?” Xia Lulu said softly. “Now… I think I can finally give you the answer.”

Thinking of her daughter, Xia Lulu’s lips curved gently.

“If it’s for Xia Yi… then everything is worth it.”