Volume 4 Chapter 25

Volume 4 + Chapter 25: Not Knowing What’s Good For You

Set before Xia Yi was the drink her heart-demon adored more than anything in existence—her absolute favorite milk tea.

When it came to milk tea, Heart Demon Xia Yi had zero resistance. None at all.

Back in the human world, when Xia Yi was ambushed by the Templar Knights and her soul was bound by the Ring of Clarity, that was when her heart demon first appeared—to help her escape.

So Xia Yi had always wanted to find an opportunity to properly thank her heart demon, since she had definitely saved her.

But Heart Demon Xia Yi had no interest in most things.

Which meant the best way to thank her… was milk tea!

“What a headache. Why does there have to be a taro-paste bubble milk tea here? I clearly prefer juice. Now what am I supposed to do? I don’t even like this kind of drink…” Xia Yi said, pretending to be torn and troubled.

This was pure bait.

She glanced toward the glass pane beside her.

Sure enough—Heart Demon Xia Yi appeared.

She sat directly across from Xia Yi, staring at the taro milk tea with a look that screamed I really want it… but she refused to lose face, hovering awkwardly instead of speaking up.

“Ahem. Heart Demon, why are you here?” Xia Yi asked, knowingly playing innocent.

Heart Demon Xia Yi straightened her back, feigning total disinterest in the milk tea.

“N-nothing. I just came out to… get some fresh air!”

“Fresh air? Reaaally~~?”

Xia Yi covered her mouth and giggled, letting her gaze slide deliberately toward the drink.

“You never come out for fresh air. And yet you suddenly show up now? Could it be—”

“W-what’s with that look?! Who would be interested in such a childish, ridiculous drink!” Heart Demon Xia Yi quickly denied. “And look at you! You’ve deteriorated into… into this! Surrounded by sweets like some overgrown child! You’re so pathetic right now, I don’t even feel like killing you and taking your body anymore. It’s honestly disappointing!”

“Oh, so you’re not interested? How unfortunate. It’d be a waste to leave it, so I guess I’ll just drink it myself.”

Xia Yi lifted the taro bubble milk tea, pushed in the straw, and slowly brought it toward her lips.

She deliberately moved in slow motion—just so her heart-demon could see every second of it.

Heart Demon Xia Yi’s expression was basically shouting I want milk tea!! Yet she refused to admit it. The contrast was delightful.

“Y-you… stop!!” Heart Demon Xia Yi finally snapped, face flushing as she shouted.

Xia Yi blinked and smiled, then ceded control of her body to her heart demon.

“Milk tea…!”

Heart Demon Xia Yi looked down at the drink in her hands, and a genuinely adorable smile spread across her face.

She lifted it and took a sip.

That taste… she didn’t just like it—she loved it more than anything.

Heart Demon Xia Yi genuinely felt that nothing in the world could compare to milk tea.

Since she was only interested in milk tea and didn’t care for desserts, she ignored the beautifully crafted pastries made by the patissiers. Instead, she focused solely on savoring the drink.

For her, this was practically a sacred ritual.

Thud!

At that moment, the dessert shop door burst open, and a dragon rushed inside.

Even though the shop had been fully reserved, the dragon shoved past all attempts to stop her and ran straight toward Heart Demon Xia Yi.

It was the little green dragon maid.

“Princess! I finally found you! Just as Her Majesty said—you really would be at the dessert shop!!” Elly cried excitedly. “Please, you must return to the Dragon Palace with me at once!”

Heart Demon Xia Yi didn’t even acknowledge her—she simply held her milk tea and chewed the bouncy pearls.

Seeing this, Elly grew anxious. But remembering she needed to redeem herself—and that Her Majesty was angry—she couldn’t afford to stay soft…

She gritted her teeth, stomped her foot—

—and snatched the milk tea right out of Heart Demon Xia Yi’s hands.

“Princess, please stop drinking!! Everything you did has been exposed. Her Majesty knows everything. You must come back now, or the consequences will be very serious!!”

“……”

As the milk tea was stolen from her hands, Heart Demon Xia Yi’s expression turned cold, killing intent flooding her eyes in an instant.

She lifted her gaze, voice icy:

“Give it back.”

“Eek… uuuh…”

Elly flinched. The princess’s aura now was far more terrifying than her usual self.

“O-okay! Y-You can finish it… but after that, please come back with me!”

She caved.

Elly returned the milk tea and retreated obediently to a corner.

“You just saved your miserable little life, you small fish,” Heart Demon Xia Yi snorted, resuming her milk tea enjoyment.

Elly waited nervously on the side. Why did the princess seem like a completely different person? Was this some kind of… mental episode?

Heart Demon Xia Yi finished the drink, and her expression visibly softened.

Seeing the moment, Elly stepped forward. “Princess, now that you’ve finished your milk tea, shouldn’t you return with me?”

“And why, exactly, should I go back with you?”

Heart Demon Xia Yi frowned, clearly annoyed.

“You pick a fight with me, I spare your life, and you dare try to order me around?”

“But… th-that’s Her Majesty’s command!!”

“You think I’m afraid?”

A cold smile spread across Heart Demon Xia Yi’s face.

“Go back and tell that woman she’s nothing to me. If she dares come bother me and ruin my mood, I’ll deal with her—and anyone else who gets in my way.”

“P-Princess!! You—you can’t say that…!!”

Elly was terrified.

No one in the entire Dragon Kingdom dared speak of the Queen that way. It was practically suicidal.

Wasn’t she afraid her backside would bloom under punishment?

“Princess, please… Please come back with me!” Elly begged.

“No! Even if the Heavenly Kings themselves show up, I’m not going back!” Heart Demon Xia Yi snapped. “I’ll go wherever I want. No one tells me otherwise!”

Elly lowered her head.

She had come to redeem herself—she couldn’t just fail like this. If she returned empty-handed, her entire clan really would be wiped out.

She had no choice but to use her final measure…

Heart Demon Xia Yi sensed a sudden blur of motion rushing toward her. Instinctively, she raised her arm to block.

Thud!

Heart Demon Xia Yi was forced back by Elly’s surprising strength.

Elly had attacked.

“Princess, I’m sorry! I have no choice—I must use force and take you back!”

“How amusing…”

Heart Demon Xia Yi flexed her wrist. Conveniently, she’d been itching for a little exercise.

“Since you don’t know what’s good for you… I’ll just have to teach you a proper lesson!”