Before the tomb of the Former Dream Succubus Queen…
“Unknown… Mother?”
Ziya squatted in front of the tombstone, clutching a small bouquet of white flowers in her arms.
Standing a few paces behind her were two Succubus attendants dressed in pale purple robes.
They bowed their heads, not daring to disturb the silence.
Ziya’s fingertips lightly brushed the carvings on the stone.
It was cold and hard, lacking any warmth.
It was nothing like the warmth of her father’s palm, yet there was a strange 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 and crying so loudly.”
She tilted her head, pressing her small hand against her chest.
It felt a bit itchy.
I don’t know why, but every time I come here, this feeling is particularly strong.
It feels as if someone is quietly watching over her, staying by her side.
“Your Majesty,” Rongrong, the attendant beside her, spoke in a voice so low it was almost a whisper.
“The wind is a bit strong. Shall I put a cloak on you?”
Ziya shook her head and turned back to smile at her.
“No need. I’m not cold~”
“And don’t stand so far away. Come over and talk with me. Consider it a greeting to an old friend.”
The two attendants exchanged a look before walking 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 soft sound of the wind whistling through the cracks in the stone.
It rustled like a sigh or a laugh, as if responding to Ziya.
“Mother! I’m doing great!”
She straightened up, her eyes brightening, and her voice grew a bit more excited.
“Father makes me a rich breakfast every morning. It’s so fragrant and delicious~”
“Sister Baining looks fierce, but she secretly saves me the cakes I love. She even helps me braid my hair when it gets messy. I think I heard her say she used to know you~”
“Sister Longjiu is the most reliable. When I was little and afraid of the dark, she would use her Dragon Breath to light the way for me while holding my hand. Sometimes she even roasts sweet potatoes for me. They’re so warm~”
She counted on her fingers, chattering away as if sharing secrets with her closest confidante.
Rongrong stood to the side with a soft smile.
“The fact that the Royal Bloodline remains unbroken and that Your Majesty is happy now is the greatest wish of our people.”
“Since your return and the establishment of the Dream Domain Home, we have already taken in over 300 wandering clanspeople. Everyone is grateful for your kindness.”
“It’s what I should do.”
Ziya puffed out her small chest, a look of slight pride on her face.
“Before, everyone was hiding. They were afraid of humans and the Hero, running everywhere. It was so pitiful.”
“I looked for them based on the warm feeling in my heart. When I reached the depths of the forest, my chest felt burning hot, like someone was showing me the way.”
“Now we’ve built a new home. There are big log cabins, courtyards full of flowers, and so many children. It’s noisy every day.”
Her voice gradually softened as her fingertips gently stroked the surface of the tombstone.
“There’s a little Succubus girl who got separated from her family. She’s just like I was when I was small — shy and 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 told her 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 sniffled.
“Even though I don’t know who you are and have never seen you, my chest feels warm whenever I think of you and my father. I’m not lonely at all.”
She placed the flowers before the tombstone, arranging them carefully, and used her small hands to brush away the fallen leaves and dust.
Ziya’s eyes gradually grew moist.
She didn’t speak, merely pressing her cheek against the cold stone.
“I’m also learning to protect everyone now,” she whispered to the grave.
“I can use Gentle Dream Creation to make sure no one has nightmares anymore.”
“Father doesn’t know about this yet. He still thinks I’m that baby who grew up sucking on his fingers.”
“He only knows I’m an orphan of the Demon Race. He doesn’t know that I’m… your daughter…”
Ziya paused, then turned to caution her attendants.
“You must keep this a secret for me.”
“We can’t let my father worry, and we can’t give the humans any opening to exploit.”
“We understand!” the two attendants responded in unison, their tones firm.
She sat on the grass beside the tombstone, her small feet swinging 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, Father, and our people, I found the courage.”
“I can’t let everyone be bullied anymore.”
The wind blew again, carrying the fresh scent of greenery from the forest.
Ziya felt the warmth in her chest grow stronger, as if a pair of gentle hands were lightly stroking her head.
She tilted her face up and smiled at the sky.
“Are you praising me?”
“I knew it. You must be watching over me.”
The sun slowly dipped toward the west, casting her shadow long across the ground.
Ziya stood up and patted the grass clippings and dust from her dress.
“I have to go home. Father will worry if it’s late.”
‘He’s definitely still waiting for us three sisters to come home.’
“Your Majesty, we shall escort you back,” Rongrong said, taking a step forward.
“No need.”
Ziya waved her hand.
“You stay here and keep watch. I can go back by myself.”
“Next time, I’ll bring Father to see you. It’ll definitely be a huge surprise~”
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.
She turned back to look every few steps until the trees blocked the tombstone from view.
Rongrong and the other attendant 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.
‘Now that I’ve visited Mother, it’s time to head back and eat with Papa and my sisters. Hehe.’
A warm family.
-End-
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