“So… so beautiful…”
Bai Li gazed at the figure in the mirror and couldn’t help but murmur in admiration.
His eyes were wide and filled with a dazed shock.
The girl in the mirror was petite and exquisite.
While the cute contours of his face remained, he was now adorned with elegant accessories that added a touch of seductive allure.
A natural femininity was woven between his brows.
Even at this age, he was already radiant.
Once he grew up, he would surely be a peerless beauty capable of toppling nations.
But… this stunning beauty was actually himself!
Although he didn’t hate this appearance, the sense of shame in his heart was like an overwhelming tide, making his cheeks burn with heat.
Bai Li stood frozen before the mirror, his thoughts racing through a thousand possibilities.
He couldn’t help but let his fingers gently touch the edge of the mirror.
“Well? Don’t you think you’re super pretty, Pops?”
Seeing the silly look on his face, shocked by his own beauty, Bai Ning couldn’t help but giggle with joy.
She leaned in beside him and tilted her head to look in the mirror.
“With the bloodlines of the three most beautiful species of the Demon Race flowing through you, you’ll definitely be even more beautiful than me when you grow up, Pops~”
“Ugh… stop talking, stop talking. I already told you I’ll find a way to change back sooner or later… This is only temporary…”
Bai Li turned his face away, his earlobes turning a red so deep they looked ready to bleed.
He grumbled stubbornly.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Pops~”
Bai Ning dismissed him with a cheerful tone, but her heart was already blooming with joy.
‘Even as one of the three beauties of the Demon Race, I’m inferior to Pops’s current appearance.’
‘To think I could turn the high-and-mighty Pops into someone who will eventually nestle in my arms and act spoiled… Just thinking about it makes my heart race!’
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 the daily duties you must perform as a Princess of the Vampires~”
Bai Ning cleared her throat and put on the serious air of a Queen.
“Does a princess have to work too?”
Bai Li asked, blinking with curiosity.
“I’m not sure about other countries, but here in our Vampire kingdom, the Princess is the Heir to the Throne. They have to be groomed toward that goal from a young age.”
“What? Heir to the Throne? Bai Ning, you’re not serious, are you?”
Bai Li’s eyes widened instantly, his face full of disbelief.
“Half and half. After all, on the surface, you’re my daughter, so you have to play the part. Besides, if we really can’t find a way to change you back, this is a viable backup plan,” Bai Ning said, shrugging with a light tone.
“Sigh, fine. But I’m telling you now, I definitely won’t take it seriously.”
Bai Li’s face fell, and he compromised with a perfunctory expression.
“Listen up, Bai Li. First, a princess must wake up early and dine with her Mother. Then, she must follow her Mother to handle internal affairs, followed by studying under her Mother or a private tutor. Finally, she can only rest when her Mother does~”
Bai Ning listed each point seriously.
“Bai Ning, that’s way too tedious. Why don’t you just say a princess has to follow the Queen around all day long…”
Bai Li rolled his eyes and complained bluntly.
“Oh, right! Most importantly! A princess must, must, MUST listen to her Mother! No talking back!”
Bai Ning wrinkled her nose and emphasized her point with dissatisfaction, then added another line.
“Otherwise, there will be punishments~”
“Wait, what? Bai Ning? You actually dare to punish your old man?”
Bai Li looked incredulous.
He didn’t take her words to heart at all.
“Bai Li, you must remember clearly. Your identity now is my daughter, not the high-and-mighty Pops you used to be. Do you understand?”
Bai Ning’s tone suddenly became serious.
The smile on her face vanished, making it clear she wasn’t joking.
“…… Bai Ning, you little brat. Are you really taking this house-playing game that seriously?”
Bai Li remained indifferent, assuming she was just playing around.
Seeing that Bai Li still wasn’t taking it seriously, Bai Ning knew she had to show him some consequences to make him face reality.
She looked up and gently snapped her fingers with her right hand.
In the next second, the Ruby Necklace around Bai Li’s neck suddenly lit up with a blinding red light.
The chain tightened abruptly, strangling his neck, and a strange magical power spread from the necklace throughout his entire body.
“UGH!!!! What… what is this! It… it hurts!”
A sudden wave of intense pain and discomfort swept through him.
Bai Li felt as if his internal organs were being squeezed tightly.
Even his skin felt tight and itchy, and every inch of his nerves screamed in agony.
In just a few seconds, he was tortured to the point of seeing stars.
His eyes rolled back, and he could barely stand.
His face turned deathly pale.
Seeing this, Bai Ning snapped her fingers again.
The red light of the necklace faded instantly, and the feeling of strangulation disappeared.
“I’m sorry, daughter. I wouldn’t use this move unless it was absolutely necessary…”
Bai Ning stepped forward and gently caught the limp Bai Li.
Her tone carried undeniable heartache, yet she remained firm.
“Bai… Bai Ning… It turns out… you’re also a rebellious… unfilial… daughter…”
Bai Li leaned against her, gasping for breath.
His voice carried a sob, and his eyes gradually grew wet with tears.
At this moment, he truly felt the ruthlessness hidden beneath Bai Ning’s gentleness — that ambitious, predatory drive to get what she wanted.
Bai Ning gently patted his back, soothing him softly.
“No, Bai Li. I truly cherish you as my daughter… That was just a demonstration. As long as you’re obedient, Mother will never touch the necklace on your neck again…”
Although she felt bad for her father’s state, this was a necessary path to make him completely accept his new identity.
Moreover, she held deeper expectations 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 rolled down his cheeks.
With a heart full of resentment and grievance, he finally compromised.
His voice was soft and full of deep distress.
Only one thought remained in his mind.
‘Ziya… please don’t turn out like Bai Ning and Longjiu…’