Chapter 11: I’ve Already Enjoyed It~

Almost the entire day, Xing Yue was immersed in the stacks of bookshelves in the collection room.

After cramming all sorts of theoretical knowledge, she successfully evolved from a completely ignorant muggle into a Third-order Transcendent mage.

Though still small fry, catching up to Xiao Du in just one day made Xing Yue quite satisfied.

Moreover, the process of learning and mastering magic was utterly fascinating.

Being able to clearly sense power gathering at her fingertips and personally unleashing spells that only existed in movies before her transmigration—that was incredibly fulfilling.

Unfortunately, the novelty of magic couldn't ultimately overcome drowsiness.

"Even though I basically spent the whole day reading today, why does it feel more exhausting than being a pilot constantly taking off…"

Xing Yue rubbed her eyes, returned all the books to their original places, left the collection room, yawned all the way back to her room, flopped onto the bed, and the moment her head touched the pillow, she sank straight into dreamland.

---

Watching the girl on the bed completely settle into steady breathing, Xiao Du closed his eyes from the crystal chandelier. The next instant, he crossed a thousand miles and opened his eyes from a resting paintbrush.

On the bank of the dark, nameless river, Phyllis was holding a palette of mixed colors, ready to apply the brush. Just as the tip touched the canvas, a movement to her side caused her wrist to pause slightly.

But it was only a brief pause, like a light breeze skimming the river's surface—though it stirred a ripple, it wasn't worth her turning her head. Phyllis's gaze and brushstroke never deviated; she continued immersing herself in her painting.

Xiao Du respectfully reported in a low voice: "Demon King, Her Highness the princess has fallen asleep."

"Oh… what did she do today?"

"After taking a brief tour of the Demon King Castle, Her Highness went to the cafeteria and had the Minotaur Butcher brothers prepare bread and juice for her enjoyment. Then she took those provisions to the dungeon to visit the imprisoned Holy Maiden. She did not interrogate or engage in much conversation—after delivering the food, she left. Finally, Her Highness went to the collection room and read books until just now, when she went to sleep."

"Oh?"

Phyllis's brushwork suddenly halted mid-stroke. She turned to look at Xiao Du. "She went to the dungeon? And brought food to that Holy Maiden?"

"Yes, Demon King."

After receiving the exact confirmation from Xiao Du again, the expression on Phyllis's face remained unchanged. She didn't continue the unfinished painting either, but stopped and stretched her delicate body.

Xing Yue's ability to act surprised Phyllis a little. The current development of the script was somewhat different from what she had imagined.

What Phyllis wanted to hear was news of the amnesiac Xing Yue ruthlessly humiliating her former teammate, sparing no means to extract information from that Holy Maiden's mouth, using all sorts of torture.

As to whether any information could actually be tortured out of her, Phyllis didn't really care. The whole excuse was fabricated for amusement—the process itself was what mattered.

However, Xing Yue's trajectory today had already fully demonstrated obedience. There was no need to keep applying pressure.

For now, it seemed that once Xing Yue's momentary kindness passed, she would eventually have to act to fulfill "Mother's" task. Phyllis just needed to wait patiently.

Time was the one thing Phyllis never lacked.

She waved her hand. "Alright, I understand. Go back and keep an eye on Yue Yue. When reporting her daily movements from now on, you don't need to tell me everything she eats. Just focus on the highlights."

"Yes, Demon King."

Xiao Du's eyes vanished from the resting paintbrush. The world here quieted down again, leaving only Phyllis alone.

Phyllis leaned her entire body back into the pitch-black throne. She tilted her head, half her face peeking out from behind the upright easel.

Her gaze first fell upon her own unfinished, vividly colored painting. Then it gently leaped over the edge of the canvas, landing on the jagged skeleton lying on the riverbank.

The "model" she was currently sketching.

"Ah—truly lacking inspiration after all—"

"It would be nice to go outside and see…"

The girl muttered softly to herself, as if sulking. Then she closed her eyes. After who knows how long, she slowly opened them again.

She no longer looked at the skeleton on the riverbank. She raised her brush once more, hovering it over the canvas, letting her imagination guide her as she began to paint strokes continuously.

And so, on the pale skeletal outline, the warmth of skin gradually emerged. Light was dropped into the hollow eye sockets. The withered body filled out and revived inch by inch.

Beneath her brush, death quietly faded away, replaced by someone so real they seemed ready to breathe at any moment.

"Perfect."

---

This sleep was very deep for Xing Yue.

In her dream, it felt like her entire body had sunk into a fluffy cloud, or was gently wrapped by the breeze of an early summer night. When she woke, she felt refreshed all over, almost wanting to sit up and cheer "Woof woof!" in high spirits.

Just then, a sweet voice tinged with teasing came from beside her ear.

"Awake?"

Xing Yue opened her eyes and instinctively turned toward the sound. The owner of the voice was lying at the edge of the bed, propping her cheek on one hand, brows curved as she looked at Xing Yue, her gaze full of amused interest.

"M-Mom?!"

The moment she saw Phyllis, Xing Yue jolted and sat straight up from the bed.

Seeing this reaction, Phyllis found it amusing. She smiled and asked, "Did you sleep well last night?"

After a brief moment of confusion, her brain quickly reorganized. Xing Yue immediately raised a smile toward Phyllis, slipping into the persona of a well-behaved and sensible daughter. "Mm… I slept very well. Thank you for your concern, Mom~"

"I've already had lunch prepared. Go wash up, and you can eat."

"Mm-hmm! And… Mom? Aren't you eating some too?"

Phyllis's gaze fell on Xing Yue's slightly moist lips. She chuckled softly. "I've already enjoyed it~"

Xing Yue let out an "oh," assuming she had simply slept in and Phyllis had already eaten.

After all, Phyllis said lunch was prepared—clearly it was already midday.

Sleeping straight until noon—no wonder it felt so good…

Sure enough, without all kinds of life pressures, people become lazy. Xing Yue felt like she was regressing to her college-era slacker schedule.

But Xing Yue didn't dare laze in bed anymore. She quickly rolled over, got up, said hello to Phyllis, and ran straight to the bathroom.

Splashing a handful of cold water onto her face to completely wash away her drowsiness, Xing Yue looked at the adorable girl in the mirror and still felt a little dazed. She couldn't help but sigh.

"Ah~ this lord is so cute…"

Though a bit small and young, this body was indeed her former ideal type. If someone could make her marry such a beautiful girl, she would be willing to drive luxury cars and live in a villa!

After a bit more self-admiration, she finished washing up and tidying herself, then quickly returned to Phyllis's sight.

While enjoying bread and juice, Xing Yue looked over at Phyllis, who was already sitting on the bed swinging her jade-like feet. She asked curiously, "Mom, don't you need to go out sketching today?"