Volume 4 Chapter 39

Volume 4 + Chapter 39: Does It Look Like It?

“This time, things are different from before, my daughter. I want you to go alone, as the sole representative of the Dragon Royal Family, to attend the coronation ceremony of the new Vampire Queen.”

Xia Lulu stated her request plainly.

After hearing this, Xia Yi found her words a little strange.

Alone?

Because in all previous events requiring the presence of the Dragon Royal Family—whether domestic or abroad—Xia Lulu would always bring Xia Yi along.

Though there were a few occasions Xia Lulu went by herself, there had never been a case where Xia Yi attended a formal event on her own.

“Xia Lulu, did you misspeak?” Xia Yi asked. “Only me? You’re not going?”

But Xia Lulu nodded.

“That’s right, I’m not going. This time, the trip to the Crimson Empire will be entrusted entirely to you. My daughter, you shall represent our royal house and the entire Dragon Realm~”

Xia Yi was stunned. “You… why aren’t you going?”

She couldn’t figure it out.

This was an important diplomatic mission—why give it to her?

Especially since Xia Lulu always took these events seriously.

For a moment, countless reasons flashed through Xia Yi’s mind.

For example, a massive rebellion about to erupt in the Dragon Realm that required Xia Lulu to remain in the country…

Or perhaps Xia Lulu had received intelligence about anti-royal forces waiting to assassinate her the moment she left the realm…

Or maybe Xia Lulu seemed fine outwardly, but was secretly suffering from a severe illness and needed rest…

All sorts of dramatic possibilities.

Yet the actual reason Xia Lulu gave left Xia Yi speechless.

“I feel like slacking off. I don’t want to go.”

“Hah?”

Xia Yi’s cheek twitched.

Slacking off?

No way.

She had never once associated that word with Xia Lulu.

The Silver Dragon Queen was not someone who liked goofing around.

“Yes indeed, daughter. I just don’t feel like going. I’m tired of such things lately… Besides, you’re all grown up now. You can go in my place.” Xia Lulu explained lightly.

Xia Yi hesitated. “But… this represents the honor of the Dragon Royal Family! Is it really okay for me to attend alone?”

“Could it be that you think you’ll mess up, embarrass yourself, lose your dignity, so you’re afraid to go?” Xia Lulu laughed. “Xia Yi, you really are still a little baby. Can’t do it without me, huh?”

“What did you say!!”

Xia Yi exploded.

Hearing herself being belittled like that, she couldn’t tolerate it and burst into a fiery protest.

“I’ve grown up already! How could I possibly mess this up? Don’t forget, I’ve attended plenty of similar events—every evaluation from outsiders has always been ‘the perfect Dragon Princess’!”

“Oh? Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

“What do you mean ‘you can’t do it without me’? Hmph, don’t underestimate me! I’m alrea—no, wait! Whatever, grown-up or not, if you count everything together I’m over thirty years old! Don’t look at me like I’m a child!”

The silver-haired loli emphasized with all her might.

“Is that so? In that case, I’ll leave it to you—”

“Wait!”

Xia Yi quickly cut her off, suddenly realizing something.

“Xia Lulu, you’re awful! You tried to use reverse psychology on me just so I’d run errands for you while you stay home relaxing. I’m not falling for that!”

Xia Lulu seemed to have foreseen this. Tilting her head, she said, “Daughter, I can offer you something you absolutely cannot refuse.”

“Impossible!” Xia Yi declared firmly. “We are mortal enemies! I, a noble and unyielding Sword Saint, would never casually help you—”

“If you handle this matter well, I will no longer pursue your secret dessert-eating, nor your evasion of the Bitter Gourd Act. I will also cancel the Bitter Gourd Act entirely and restore your afternoon tea.”

“…!!”

Xia Yi jolted from head to toe.

She could say goodbye to all bitter gourd?

“E-even if you say that…”

“I will also restore your normal allowance. As for the compensation owed for the damages to the royal capital’s dessert shop—I’ll cover it for you.”

“Allowance!!”

At the word allowance, Xia Yi’s eyes lit up like laser beams.

With allowance, she could ask Serra to buy snacks, manga, novels…

Allowance meant power! Allowance meant freedom!

“I’LL GO!”

Xia Yi rushed to Xia Lulu’s side.

“Let me go! I’ll handle it! Xia Lulu, I’ll take care of attending the coronation of the Crimson Empire’s new Vampire Queen!”

“I think you shouldn’t force yourself… since you were so unwilling.”

“I’m willing! I’m very willing! I’m unbelievably willing! I love running errands for you and doing work for you!!”

Xia Yi shook her head vigorously. Under the dual temptation of no more bitter gourd and renewed allowance, her tail was practically wagging.

It seemed the noble, unyielding Sword Saint’s spirit had been abandoned somewhere in a dusty corner.

“Very well, daughter. Then I shall leave this task to you,” Xia Lulu agreed with a nod.

“Yay!!”

…

Time passed.

Xia Yi had already pre-claimed her rewards, ended the Bitter Gourd Act, and was now openly enjoying sweet, blissful teatimes with zero horrifying beverages.

Her allowance was restored, and her Froggy Wallet was once again puffing up with pride.

The day to depart for the Crimson Empire finally arrived.

“Your Highness, this time… you will be the one traveling to the Crimson Empire alone?”

Serra was helping the little princess comb her long silver hair, preparing her outfit with meticulous care.

“Yes, that’s right. Xia Lulu is slacking this time and dumped the task on me.”

“I see…”

Just as Serra was about to tie Xia Yi’s hair into adorable twin-tails, she suddenly stopped.

“Wait! Serra!”

“What is it, Your Highness?”

“Well… This time, I’m representing the Dragon Royal Family. Since Xia Lulu isn’t coming, I have to shoulder everything alone…”

Xia Yi muttered, thought for a while, then reached a conclusion.

“Change the hairstyle. No twin-tails. And change the outfit too.”

“Understood, Your Highness,” Serra replied.

Then, according to Xia Yi’s request, Serra replaced her clothing.

Her long silver hair was no longer tied into cute twin-tails but allowed to fall like a shimmering waterfall.

Her dress, instead of the usual white, became a black-and-red gown with a front slit revealing her fair legs, perfectly paired with high heels.

Her movements appeared elegant, yet tinged with subtle authority—a complete transformation from the adorable princess she usually was.

Serra froze, almost mistaking the silver-haired loli before her for…

“Well? Serra, don’t I look like the Dragon Queen of the Dragon Kingdom?” Xia Yi asked with a soft, confident smile.