Chapter 18: Zhu Qiu Gets Outsmarted by Zhu Xiaxia Again

“Nothing much. Since you’re all dressed up, it’s time to wander around~ My daughter, I plan to take you on a tour of the entire Dragon Kingdom today. I want you to see your mother’s great land and, by the way, let everyone get to know you, Zhu Qiu Gracia.”

‘Wait, no.’

Zhu Qiu was hit with a wave of dread.

‘I have to meet people?’

While Zhu Qiu sometimes felt bored and wanted to find some new friends, meeting people in the form of a little girl was a huge blow to her psyche.

If she really became known, and one day she was walking down the street only to be suddenly greeted by an acquaintance, it would be absolutely mortifying.

“Mo — Zhu Xiaxia, I don’t want to go out. Can I please stay in? I…”

After being toyed with by Zhu Xiaxia’s tail earlier, Zhu Qiu had developed a bit of a psychological shadow.

If she were actually seen in public while Zhu Xiaxia intentionally entangled her with that tail, she would probably die of shame.

Therefore, weighing the pros and cons, Zhu Qiu adopted a slightly pleading tone to stop Zhu Xiaxia from taking her out.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been cooped up in your room for more than a day. You’ll get bored if you don’t get some fresh air. It’s good to go out and see the world.”

“But, but…”

“But what?”

“But…”

“Oh, I see. You must be hungry, aren’t you, daughter?”

‘Huh?’

“Ah, right, right! I’m hungry.”

Zhu Xiaxia handed the bottle that Xiaguang had delivered to Zhu Qiu, letting her hold it.

To make it easier for Zhu Qiu to drink, she took off that childish yellow kindergarten hat.

“Here, eat up.”

‘Jerk…’

‘Can’t we have something else? Do I have to drink milk? I’m not a child.’

‘Forget it. If I ask, Zhu Xiaxia will definitely say there is no other food. Besides, I’ve already tasted this milk, and it’s quite good. Since it’s come to this, I’ll eat. It’s better than nothing.’

As Zhu Xiaxia watched the cute expression on her daughter’s face while she drank, a strange thought popped into her head.

‘If I snatched her bottle away, would she burst into tears and beg me to give it back?’

As she thought about it, Zhu Xiaxia acted, snatching the bottle from Zhu Qiu’s hands.?

“What are you doing now? Give it back!”

“Daughter, cry for me once.”

‘Cry?’

‘Why would I cry for no reason?’

‘Psycho.’

“I’m not crying.”

“Fine then, how boring.”

Zhu Xiaxia returned the bottle to Zhu Qiu, who didn’t care about anything else and continued tucking in.

Without realizing it, Zhu Xiaxia had already carried Zhu Qiu to the main gates of the Imperial Palace.

They walked down the stairs, crossed the open grounds, and finally traversed the wide, empty road ahead that led to the cities of the Dragon Kingdom.

The Dragon Race was different from other races.

In other civilizations, city planning involved placing the Palace right in the center of the city.

That way, even if foreigners invaded, they could rely on the city’s defensive forces to prevent the Palace from being exposed to enemy fire.

But because the Dragon Kingdom was a Sky City, they were rarely disturbed by other races.

Thus, they placed the Imperial Palace directly outside the city, connected by a single road to better demonstrate the Palace’s absolute status.

Furthermore, because the airspace was vast, the Dragon Race didn’t have just one urban district; they had several, some large and some small.

Zhu Qiu finished her meal and hugged the empty bottle, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.

‘This tastes so good. It would be great if I could drink such delicious milk every day from now on.’

A breeze was blowing outside the Imperial Palace, tickling Zhu Qiu’s small face.

‘Wait?’

‘Why is there wind in the room? I remember the windows were closed.’

‘Could it be…’

Zhu Qiu looked up, and what met her eyes was a vast blue sky and white clouds.

This wasn’t inside a room; they were outside.

‘Wait! How did Zhu Xiaxia bring me out here?’

“Wah wah wah! Let me go back! Take me back!”

Zhu Xiaxia, who was still walking slowly, was startled by the commotion in her arms.

She stopped and looked down at Zhu Qiu.

“What’s wrong, daughter? Isn’t it nice to get some fresh air?”

“That’s…”

Zhu Qiu’s small brain worked at high speed.

She should have thought of a reason before asking Zhu Xiaxia to take her back.

“Hmm? What did you say, daughter?”

“…”

‘I’ve got it!’

“I feel a bit cold. Let’s go back.”

“Fine then, let’s go back.”

Zhu Xiaxia turned around and headed back.

‘Huh?’

‘I actually tricked Zhu Xiaxia into going back. This dragon is really too stupid; she couldn’t even see through such an obvious lie.’

‘This is good. If she tries to force me to do something I don’t like, I can just deceive her.’

Once they reached the Imperial Palace, Zhu Xiaxia placed Zhu Qiu at the door of a room on the first floor and instructed her.

“Daughter, Mother has some matters to handle upstairs now. You play down here by yourself for a bit. There are all sorts of toys in this room; you’ll like them.”

“If you find the toys boring, you can also look for Auntie Xiaguang in that room,” Zhu Xiaxia pointed to another door. “I wish you two a pleasant time.”

Zhu Xiaxia went upstairs, leaving Zhu Qiu alone on the first floor.

‘Doesn’t this mean I’m free?’

Since she was free, the first thing she had to do was definitely take off these shameful clothes.

However…

Zhu Qiu’s hand was halfway up when she hesitated.

‘If I take this off, what will I wear? Zhu Xiaxia said there are no other clothes.’

‘It seems I have no choice.’

‘Whatever, forget it. Out of sight, out of mind.’

Zhu Qiu sat on the floor helplessly and sighed softly.

‘I should think about what to do next. Becoming a Dragon Race little girl and not being able to go back or change back—that’s the top priority.’

Upstairs, the working Zhu Xiaxia seemed to sense Zhu Qiu’s emotional fluctuations.

She activated a Magic Communication to speak with Xiaguang.

“Xiaguang, go and play with my daughter for a while. She should be at the door of the toy room.”

“Understood, Her Majesty the Queen.”

Xiaguang, who had just finished her work and laid down on her bed to rest, stood back up.

‘What a pain. I thought I could have a good rest like usual. Now that the Queen has a daughter, my slacking-off time is going to decrease.’

As soon as Xiaguang opened the door, she saw the little girl sitting on the floor and walked toward her.

“Sigh, what am I going to do? What am I going to do?”

Zhu Qiu couldn’t think of a solution and was rubbing her head in frustration.

“This is so annoying.”

“Does the Princess have something on her mind? Xiaguang can provide answers for you.”?

‘Xiaguang? Who is Xiaguang?’

Zhu Qiu turned around and looked up, but all she could see were two large mounds of evil, boing—boing, blocking the view of the woman’s face.

‘Uh…’

‘I feel like she’s provoking me, but I have no proof.’

Out of politeness, Zhu Qiu responded.

“Hello, Xiaguang. I’m fine right now. You can go.”

“Princess, let me introduce myself. My name is Xiaguang, and I am Her Majesty the Queen’s maid, responsible for all daily cleaning within the Dragon Race Imperial Palace.”

‘Oh, so she’s just Zhu Xiaxia’s maid. That’s fine then. As long as she doesn’t prank me like Zhu Xiaxia does, I don’t care about her.’

“Alright, alright. You should leave now. Don’t just stand here; I’m thinking.”

But Xiaguang had no intention of leaving.

If she left just like that, Zhu Xiaxia would definitely say she was neglecting her duties.

She had to at least put on an act.

“Why haven’t you left yet?”

“Because the Queen told me to play with you.”

‘Huh?’

“Do I look like a child who needs someone to play with?”

“Yes.”