“So… so beautiful…”
Bai Li stared at the figure in the mirror, unconsciously murmuring in admiration.
Her eyes were wide, filled with a daze.
The girl in the mirror was petite and charming.
Her cute features remained unchanged, but the exquisite accessories added a touch of alluring seductiveness.
A natural feminine charm was blended into her brows and eyes.
Even at this age, she was already radiant.
She would surely grow into a peerless beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.
But… this stunning beauty was actually her!
Although she didn’t hate this look, a wave of shame surged from deep within, making her cheeks burn hot.
Bai Li stood dazed before the mirror, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts.
Her fingers couldn’t help but lightly touch the edge of the mirror.
“How is it? Do you think you’re super beautiful, Father?”
Seeing her stunned by her own beauty, Bai Ning couldn’t help but giggle happily.
She leaned over and tilted her head to look in the mirror with her.
“With the bloodlines of the three most beautiful races of the Demon Race mixed together, Father, you’ll definitely be even prettier than me when you grow up~”
“Ugh… stop it, stop it. I told you I’ll find a way to change back sooner or later… This is all temporary…”
Bai Li turned her face away, her ears turning so red they looked ready to drip blood.
She muttered stubbornly.
“Ah, yes, yes, yes. Father is always right~”
Bai Ning humored her cheerfully, but she was already blossoming with joy inside.
Even as one of the three beauties of the Demon Race, she felt inferior to Father’s appearance.
The thought of being able to mold the high-and-mighty Father into a pampered girl nestling in her arms made her heart race with excitement!
However, everything had to be done step by step.
There was no need to rush.
“Ahem, alright, Bai Li. Now it’s time to tell you about your daily duties as a Vampire princess~”
Bai Ning cleared her throat, adopting a serious, queen-like demeanor.
“Does a princess have to work too?”
Bai Li blinked, asking with curiosity.
“I don’t know about other countries, but in our Vampire clan, the princess is the heir to the throne. You have to be groomed for that goal from a young age.”
“What? Heir to the throne? Bai Ning, you can’t be serious, right?”
Bai Li’s eyes widened instantly, her face full of disbelief.
“Half and half. After all, Father, on the surface, you are my daughter. You have to act the part. Besides, if we really can’t find a way to change you back, this is a stopgap measure.”
Bai Ning shrugged with a relaxed tone.
“Sigh, fine. But let’s get one thing straight: I’m definitely not going to take it seriously.”
Bai Li’s face fell, and she compromised dismissively.
“Listen carefully, Bai Li. First, a princess must wake up early and dine with her Mother. Then, follow her Mother to handle internal affairs, study knowledge under her Mother or a private tutor, and finally, rest with her Mother~”
Bai Ning listed the points seriously.
“Bai Ning, that’s too tedious. Can’t you just say a princess spends all day following the Queen around…”
Bai Li rolled her eyes and retorted bluntly.
“Oh, and! Most importantly! A princess must absolutely listen to her Mother. No talking back!”
Bai Ning wrinkled her nose, emphasizing with dissatisfaction, then added at the end, “Otherwise, there will be a punishment~”
“Wait, what? Bai Ning? You actually dare to punish your Father?”
Bai Li looked bewildered, not taking the words to heart at all.
“Bai Li, you must remember now: your identity is my daughter. You’re no longer the high-and-mighty Father from before. Do you understand?”
Bai Ning’s tone suddenly turned serious.
The smile faded from her eyes, making it clear she was earnest.
“…Bai Ning, you little girl, why are you taking this game of house so seriously?”
Bai Li remained nonchalant, treating it as a joke.
Seeing Bai Li still not taking it seriously, Bai Ning knew she had to show her some consequences so she would face reality.
She looked up and snapped her fingers with her right hand.
The next second, the ruby necklace around Bai Li’s neck suddenly flared with a blinding red light.
The chain tightened abruptly, strangling her neck as a strange Mana surged through the necklace into her entire body.
“Ugh!!!! W-what is this! It… it hurts!”
Sudden intense pain and discomfort swept through her body.
Bai Li felt as if her internal organs were being squeezed tightly.
Even her skin felt tight and itchy; every inch of her nerves screamed in agony.
In just a few seconds, she was tortured to the point of seeing stars.
Her eyes rolled back as she struggled to stand, her face turning pale instantly.
Seeing this, Bai Ning snapped her fingers again.
The red light of the necklace faded instantly, and the constricting sensation vanished.
“Sorry, daughter. I wouldn’t use this move unless I absolutely had to…”
Bai Ning stepped forward and gently held the limp Bai Li.
Her voice carried an undeniable heartache, yet she remained firm.
“B-Bai Ning… it turns out… you’re a rebellious daughter too…”
Bai Li leaned against her chest, gasping for breath.
Her voice was tearful, and her eyes gradually grew wet.
In this moment, she truly felt the resolution hidden beneath Bai Ning’s gentleness—that ambitious, predatory desire.
Bai Ning patted her back gently, soothing her softly.
“No, Bai Li. I truly love you as my daughter… That was just a demonstration. As long as you’re obedient, Mother will definitely never touch the necklace on your neck again…”
Even though she felt pained seeing her Father like this, it was a necessary step to make her fully accept the new identity.
Moreover, she held a deeper expectation in her heart; this step had to be taken.
“Ugh… you bunch of unfilial daughters… I can only… be obedient…”
Bai Li sniffled as tears slid down her cheeks.
Filled with resentment and grievance, she finally compromised.
Her voice was soft, leaking a deep sense of wrong.
Only one thought remained in her heart.
‘Ziya… please don’t be like Bai Ning and Long Jiu…’