Volume 4 Chapter 31

Volume 4 + Chapter 31: Xia Lulu In Silence

“I’m going to lose my mind!”

“I’m going to lose my mind!”

“I’m really going to lose my mind!!!”

Xia Yi clutched her head, her face twisted into a perfect mask of agony.

It had already been three days since her mind-demon’s last suicidal stunt—challenging Xia Lulu to a fight and getting utterly demolished.

Three days. A full, torturous three days!

Xia Yi had been suffering miserably.

Every single day she was forced to drink bitter-melon juice and eat broccoli—her most, most, most hated foods on this earth.

And during this period, her hatred for bitter-melon juice and broccoli didn’t lessen even a tiny bit—if anything, it multiplied endlessly.

She swore that if she ever became the ruler of the dragon race, she would use her power to ruthlessly suppress bitter melon and broccoli… No—she would make sure these demon-like foods disappeared from the world forever.

During these days, Xia Yi hadn’t been allowed to read any manga. All her allowance had been cleaned out, and even if she managed to sneak out of the Dragon Palace again, she wouldn’t be able to buy anything because she was utterly broke.

On top of that, after getting caught sneaking out last time and then having her backside soundly spanked, she didn’t dare try anything reckless anymore.

She lived in terror that the “bitter-melon punishment decree” would be extended from one month to an entire year.

But of course, the most terrifying part of all was…

Her afternoon sweets had been completely canceled.

To Xia Yi, that was the heaviest blow.

From childhood to now, when has she ever suffered like this?

“I—I can’t take it anymore…!”

Xia Yi finally hit her limit. She originally thought she could endure it, but who could have guessed that this would become pure psychological torture?

So, she resolved to risk everything—

And raid the kitchen!!

Xia Yi dashed straight toward the kitchen, nearly going feral.

Right now she just wanted to storm in and wipe out every sweet treat in sight.

She had just reached the doorway, hadn’t even opened the door yet, when a figure suddenly jumped in front of her.

“Haaaah!!”

A trainee maid blocked her path.

“Your Highness! This is as far as you go!!”

“Elly!?” Xia Yi stared in shock.

“I’m very sorry, Your Highness! My current mission is to guard the kitchen, and absolutely no unauthorized persons are allowed to approach.”

Elly took a stance, serious and determined.

“Your Highness, you’re still under the bitter-melon decree. You are strictly forbidden from approaching sweets! So please, return to your room! This is for your own good!”

“Elly, you…!”

Xia Yi was furious—she even wanted to tackle the little green-dragon maid and knock her out of the way.

But she couldn’t do something like that right now. Even if she managed to succeed for a moment, the trouble afterward would be endless, and in the worst-case scenario… she might even be put in confinement.

In the end, she drooped her head in defeat and walked away.

As she walked, she remembered all the sweets she used to have. Her heart grew heavy and wronged.

“Osmanthus cake… mousse cake… ginger cookies… crepes… Swiss rolls… baked pancakes…”

Xia Yi recited her beloved afternoon-tea menu under her breath. Her nose tingled, her eyes reddened, and she began to sniffle—until finally, all her pent-up grievance burst out.

“Uuuhhh—! I want my afternoon tea! Uwaaaahhh!!”

Meanwhile—

From the second floor, hidden in the corner of a window, the Silver Dragon Queen watched in silence as the little silver-dragon loli downstairs cried her eyes out, reciting sweet names one after another.

Xia Lulu said nothing.

A moment later, after Xia Yi finally left her line of sight, Serra—leader of the royal maid squad—walked up and bowed respectfully.

“Your Majesty, I’m here. You summoned me—may I ask what you require?”

……

“Good afternoon, Your Highness.”

When Xia Yi arrived at the dining room, Serra was already waiting for her.

Seeing her personal maid, Xia Yi quickly turned away and wiped her tear stains with her sleeve. She did not want anyone to see her like this—her prestige would crumble.

“Mm… afternoon!”

Xia Yi tried her best to act normal as she walked in.

“Your Highness, it is time for afternoon tea.”

“A-Afternoon tea…?” Xia Yi trembled, instantly frightened.

Because her afternoon tea had long been abolished—no sweets, only… bitter-melon juice.

But she still had to come here every day, as if reporting in for daily punishment.

Suddenly, Serra grew strangely secretive. She checked around carefully, making sure no one was nearby, then quietly closed the door.

Then she pulled down the window curtains as well, preventing anyone from looking in.

Xia Yi’s heart began to race. Was this the start of some top-tier torture session!?

She was seriously thinking about running.

“Your Highness, please don’t make any loud noise. This is your afternoon tea for today.”

Serra mysteriously took out the prepared items.

Xia Yi, who had been full of dread, suddenly froze—and her expression changed instantly into shock and disbelief.

Because what Serra had brought was—

Serra’s handmade milk tea!

And Xia Yi’s most, most, most beloved osmanthus cake!

“I’m not dreaming, right!!?” Xia Yi cried.

“Shhh, quieter, Your Highness.”

“O-Okay!”

Xia Yi clapped both hands over her mouth and nodded vigorously.

“Is this really for me?”

“I’ve already drunk the bitter-melon juice on your behalf,” Serra explained gently. “These sweets—I prepared them secretly for you. Please enjoy them.”

“Serra…!!”

Xia Yi was overcome with emotion.

She ran forward and threw herself into Serra’s arms, bursting into tears.

Disobeying the Silver Dragon Queen’s orders was a major offense—nobody in the entire dragon race dared defy Xia Lulu.

But Serra had done all this just to help her.

It was… truly too touching.

“Thank you, Serra! You really risked so much just for me!!”

“Your Highness, actually this is all…”

Serra hesitated, as if wanting to say more, but swallowed the words.

“It’s nothing. Your Highness, please eat quickly before anyone discovers us.”

“Okay!”

Xia Yi released her, sat down, picked up her fork and knife, and began savoring the long-missed sweets.

This osmanthus cake… tasted oddly familiar…

“Serra, did you make this yourself? It’s amazing!”

“Yes… I made it myself,” Serra replied vaguely.

“It’s sooo good~!”

The little princess basked in the refreshing fragrance and sweetness blooming on her tongue, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

“Your Highness, please keep this a secret. I’ll find a way to bring you sweets every day from now on,” Serra said softly.

Xia Yi lit up with surprise and joy. “As expected, Serra, you’re the most capable!”

Serra smiled, but remembering the queen’s earlier orders, she kept her silence.

As expected… Her Majesty was far too softhearted when it came to the princess.