Ilanka held the bag containing the pineapple buns and walked over to Zhu Xiaxia.
By now, Zhu Qiu had been coaxed into a better mood.
She was nestled in Zhu Xiaxia’s arms, a lollipop in her mouth, looking sweet and content.
“It was delicious!”
Ilanka let out a sigh of relief as she watched the Princess’s happy expression.
At least she hadn’t ended up a dragon-slayer.
Giving her the pineapple buns while she was already in a good mood would surely make her even happier.
This would also completely erase the bad impression she had made on Her Majesty the Queen.
“Your Majesty, I apologize for my behavior earlier. These are pineapple buns I made myself at Soderland’s House. I brought them specifically for the Princess to try. I hope she enjoys them.”
“Oh? Pineapple buns?”
Zhu Qiu’s gaze didn’t shift away from her lollipop, but Zhu Xiaxia’s tone became noticeably excited at the mention of the treat.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please, let the Princess have a taste. I’m sure she’ll love them.”
‘Hehehe… The Little Princess will surely surrender to my pineapple buns!’
Zhu Xiaxia took the bag from Ilanka’s hand and smiled with satisfaction.
“Thank you for the pineapple buns, Ilanka. If you have any problems here at the Dragon Race Imperial Palace, feel free to come to me.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After Ilanka expressed her gratitude, Zhu Xiaxia carried Zhu Qiu up to the second floor.
“I’m going to give my daughter a bath. Ilanka, remember to be prepared. Lessons start tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Once Zhu Xiaxia reached the second floor, she set Zhu Qiu down at the door to her room.
She then ducked into her own room and pulled out the black bag.
As soon as she opened it, the scent of pineapple buns wafted out, and Zhu Xiaxia couldn’t help but take a few deep breaths.
‘What delicious pineapple buns~’
Zhu Xiaxia counted them; there were four in total.
“This was good.”
Although Ilanka said they were for her daughter, they were likely actually intended for her.
She was probably just too embarrassed to say so.
After all, she was the only one who truly loved pineapple buns.
Zhu Xiaxia gave Ilanka a major thumbs-up in her heart for this gesture.
“Time to eat!”
As for her daughter, Zhu Qiu… she would leave two for her.
—
After finishing her candy, Zhu Qiu went to take a bath.
She pulled another pair of little dragon pajamas out of the closet.
She had no idea when Zhu Xiaxia had bought them.
Her mother always seemed to buy random clothes for no reason, but so far, they seemed quite practical.
Regardless, Zhu Qiu liked them.
After her bath, Zhu Qiu lay down on her bed.
“Mmm~ My bed, my blanket, my pillow, my warm little nest. I missed you all so much. I’m sure you missed me too.”
Zhu Qiu couldn’t help but act cute toward her pillow, rubbing her face against it.
It was a strange feeling.
Even though she had only been gone for one day, it felt like a long-awaited reunion.
She needed to spend some quality time with her blankets.
Soon after, Zhu Qiu fell asleep and stayed that way until the next morning.
At 8:00 AM, contrary to her usual messy sleeping style, Zhu Qiu was curled up tight under the covers.
She looked like a child who had a nightmare and was searching for a sense of security.
“Princess, it’s time to get up.”
Ilanka arrived promptly at Zhu Qiu’s door at 8:00 AM.
She pushed the door open to provide a wake-up service.
“Mm… sleepy.”
The Little Princess burrowed deeper into the covers, sealing the opening tight.
This wouldn’t do.
If she couldn’t even handle the Princess’s wake-up routine on the first day, there would be no reason for Zhu Xiaxia to keep her around.
“Princess, I’m not as gentle as the Queen. When I say it’s time to wake up at 8:00 AM, I mean it.”
Ilanka marched inside.
Just as she was about to pull back the blankets, a hand grabbed her firmly from behind.
“Ilanka, who gave you permission to come to the second floor?”
Xiaguang had arrived just in time, staring at Ilanka with an incredibly terrifying and threatening gaze.
“Xi-Xiaguang?”
Ilanka stammered, startled.
“I’m just here to wake up the Princess. Is there a problem?”
“Of course there is.”
Xiaguang gripped Ilanka’s hand and shoved her aside.
Ilanka stumbled, nearly falling over.
“It is enough for me to wake the Princess. Furthermore, I warned you before. Her Majesty the Queen said that no one is allowed on the second floor. You have already violated her rules. This is a massive taboo for the Dragon Kingdom!”
Xiaguang spoke with total seriousness, not looking like she was joking at all.
Helpless, Ilanka’s wake-up plan failed.
She could only let Xiaguang lead her out.
However, the more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
She had become the Princess’s teacher at such a young age, yet she was being lectured by a maid.
“Where was her dignity?”
“No, she had to win this round.”
Ilanka’s eyes darted around…
‘Got it!’
“Didn’t you say no one is allowed up here? Why are you here then? I remember you telling me that you weren’t allowed up here either. So? Doesn’t that mean you’ve also violated a massive taboo of the Dragon Kingdom?”
Xiaguang had anticipated this question and was well-prepared.
“Naturally, you’re right. However… what I said back then applied to the old me, not the current me. Her Majesty the Queen has already given me tacit permission to come to the second floor. Otherwise, why do you think I’m the one waking up the Princess?”
“Huh?”
“There’s nothing to ‘huh’ about. If you don’t believe me, go back and read Chapter 49 yourself. I need to start my duties now.”
Xiaguang maintained her professional demeanor.
“Please feel free to call me whenever you need me, Miss Ilanka.”
Xiaguang never forgot her role.
She was firm when necessary and relaxed when appropriate.
Every sentence she spoke ended politely, maintaining the basic moral standards and professional etiquette of a maid, leaving no room for anyone to find fault with her.
Ilanka returned to her room, fuming with resentment.
Seriously, she had only been at the Dragon Race Imperial Palace for two days.
She had been snubbed by the Queen, and now she had been snubbed by the Queen’s maid.
‘I better not get snubbed by the Princess later.’
But thinking carefully… that probably wouldn’t happen.
She was there to be a teacher.
Surely the Princess understood the concept of respecting one’s mentor.
—
Zhu Xiaxia was exhausted from her travels and slept in late.
Xiaguang had also gone off to slack off, though she seemed to have forgotten something.
It was already noon.
Ilanka had been sitting in her room for four hours, nearly growing spiderwebs.
She had left her door open, yet she hadn’t seen the Princess come by to greet her once.
“When was the Princess coming?”
“Was this lesson ever going to happen?”
Upstairs, in Zhu Qiu’s room.
A small head poked out from the mound of blankets, looking very refreshed.
She had clearly gotten enough sleep.
“This time… it should be noon, right? Time to eat.”
Zhu Qiu got out of bed, washed up, and headed downstairs.
“Zhu Xiaxia, I’m hungry. When is lunch?”
It never occurred to her that Zhu Xiaxia was still asleep in her room and wasn’t even on the first floor.
As Zhu Qiu passed Ilanka’s door, she glanced at the lifeless-looking woman inside.
“Princess! You’re finally here!”
Finally, she could start teaching.
She hadn’t expected being a teacher to be this difficult.
Just then, Xiaguang’s voice called out from outside.
“Princess, lunch is ready.”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.