At the former Succubus Queen’s grave…
“Unknown… Mother?”
Ziya crouched before the tombstone, holding a small bouquet of white flowers.
A few steps behind her stood two succubus retainers dressed in light purple robes.
They stood with their heads bowed, not daring to disturb the silence.
Ziya’s fingertips lightly brushed the carvings on the stone.
It was cold and hard, lacking any warmth, unlike the palm of her father’s hand.
Yet, there was a strange sense of similarity.
“I’ve never met you, Mother, but my heart and the blood in my veins led me here to you.”
Ziya’s voice was soft.
“Father says I’m a child he picked up.”
“He said when he found me, I was wrapped in rags, crying so loudly.”
She tilted her head, her small hand pressing against her chest.
It felt a bit tingly.
For some reason, every time she came here, this feeling grew particularly strong.
It felt as if someone was quietly watching her, accompanying her.
“Your Highness,” Rongrong, the retainer nearby, spoke softly.
Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible.
“The wind is getting a bit strong. Should I put a cloak on you?”
Ziya shook her head and turned back to smile at her.
“No need. It’s not cold.”
“You two shouldn’t stand so far away, either. Come and talk with me. Consider it saying hello to an old friend.”
The two retainers exchanged a look and walked gingerly to the side of the tombstone, maintaining a respectful posture.
“Is it really you staying by my side?”
Ziya pressed her ear against the tombstone, trying to hear something.
There was only the light sound of the wind passing through the cracks in the stone — a rustle that sounded like a sigh and a laugh, as if responding to her.
“Mother! My life is super great!”
She straightened up, her eyes brightening and her voice growing more excited.
“Father makes a rich breakfast for me every morning. It smells so good and tastes delicious!”
“Sister Bai Ning looks fierce, but she actually secretly saves me my favorite cakes. She even helps me fix my messy braids. I think I heard her say she knew you before.”
“Sister Long Jiu is the most reliable. When I was little and afraid of the dark, she would use her Dragon Breath to light the way. She’d hold my hand and sometimes roast sweet potatoes for me. They were always so warm.”
She counted them off on her fingers, chirping away like she was sharing secrets with her closest confidante.
Rongrong stood to the side, a soft smile on her face.
“That the royal bloodline remains unbroken and that Your Highness is happy now is the greatest wish of our people.”
“Since your return and the establishment of the Dream Realm home, we have taken in more than 300 wandering tribespeople. Everyone is grateful for your kindness.”
“It’s only what I should do.”
Ziya puffed out her small chest, a look of minor pride on her face.
“In the past, everyone was hiding. They were afraid of humans, afraid of heroes, running everywhere. It was so pitiful.”
“I found them based on a warm feeling in my heart. When I walked deep into the forest, my chest would burn hot, like someone was showing me the way.”
“Now we’ve built a new home. We have large log cabins, courtyards full of flowers, and so many children. It’s noisy every day.”
Her voice gradually softened, and her fingertips gently rubbed the surface of the stone.
“There’s a little succubus girl who got separated from her family. She’s just like I was when I was little — shy, always hiding behind adults.”
“I tell her stories. I tell her how Father takes care of us, and I tell her that you must have been a very gentle person.”
“She asked me what your name was.”
“I said I didn’t know, but that you must have soft purple hair just like mine, eyes that curve when you smile, and a voice as gentle as Father’s.”
Ziya’s nose felt a bit stuffy, and she gave a small sniff.
“Even though I don’t know who you are and I’ve never seen you…”
“Every time I think of you and my father now, my chest feels warm. I’m not lonely at all.”
She placed the flowers before the tombstone, arranging them carefully.
Then, she used her small hands to brush away the fallen leaves and dust.
Ziya’s eyes gradually grew moist.
She didn’t speak, simply resting her cheek gently against the cold stone.
“I’m also learning to protect everyone now,” she whispered to the grave.
“I can create gentle dreams so that everyone stops having nightmares.”
“Father doesn’t know about this yet. He still thinks I’m the baby who grew up sucking on his finger.”
“He only knows I’m a demon orphan. He doesn’t know I’m… your daughter.”
Ziya paused, then turned to instruct the retainers.
“You must continue to keep this a secret for me.”
“I can’t let my father worry, and I can’t give humans an opening to take advantage of.”
“We understand!” the two retainers replied in unison, their tones firm.
She sat on the grass beside the tombstone, her small feet swinging gently and kicking up a few fallen leaves.
“Actually, I get scared too.”
“The first time I encountered human soldiers, my legs went weak. But as soon as I thought of you, thought of Father, and thought of our people, I found my courage.”
“I can’t let everyone be bullied anymore.”
The wind blew again, carrying the fresh scent of the forest greenery.
Ziya felt the warmth in her chest grow stronger, like a pair of gentle hands softly stroking her head.
She looked up and smiled at the sky.
“Are you praising me?”
“I knew it. You must be watching me.”
The sun gradually dipped in the west, stretching her shadow long.
Ziya stood up and brushed the grass clippings and dust off her skirt.
“I’m going home. Father will worry if I’m late.”
‘He’s definitely still waiting for us three sisters to come home.’
“Your Highness, we shall escort you back,” Rongrong said, stepping forward.
“No need,” Ziya said, waving her hand.
“You stay here and guard this place. I’ll go back by myself.”
“Next time, I’ll bring Father to see you. It will definitely be a big surprise for him!”
She waved at the tombstone, her small face full of tenderness.
“Unknown Mother, see you next time.”
“You have to stay with me always.”
Her small leather shoes crunched on the fallen leaves as she walked away from the grave step by step.
She looked back every few paces until the trees blocked the tombstone from view.
Rongrong and the other retainer bowed deeply toward the grave before vanishing into the shadows of the forest, silently guarding this pure land that held the bonds of their bloodline.
In the wind, that strand of warm breath followed Ziya, swirling around the tips of her hair and pressing against her chest like a gentle embrace.
After visiting Mother, I’m going back to eat with Papa and my sisters!
Hee-hee!
What a warm family.
[End]