“… Mm, alright.”
A soft, brief consent.
It made Ziya freeze in place, as if she couldn’t believe her own ears.
In the next second, she snapped her head up from Bai Li’s chest, her round eyes wide with disbelief and joy.
“Re — Really?! Is it really okay?!”
Ziya’s voice trembled with uncontrollable excitement.
“Mama?!”
“Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama!!”
She acted as if she had received the most precious, unique treasure in the world.
Instantly ecstatic, she clung to Bai Li, acting spoiled and rubbing against her.
Her soft, milky voice called out “Mama” over and over, crisp and sweet.
The smile on her face at this moment was more brilliant than a garden full of blooming flowers, so dazzling that one couldn’t look away.
Rongrong, standing not far away, couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
Her eyes were filled with relief and tenderness, happy that her Queen had finally achieved her wish.
The maids observing from the shadows also began to smile.
The entire garden was enveloped in a sweet, warm atmosphere so beautiful it made the heart race.
Even the wind became gentle.
Bai Li was helpless against Ziya’s persistence and could only let her cling and act spoiled.
Her heart felt a mix of helplessness and amusement, but mostly a warmth that was about to overflow.
She had thought she would always stay by Ziya’s side as a “Father” and watch her grow up.
She never expected that the child’s sincere devotion would forcibly pull her into the role of “Mother.”
“Alright, alright, stop shouting,” Bai Li said, patting her back gently while caught between tears and laughter.
“If you keep going, the whole garden will hear you.”
Ziya didn’t care about that at all.
Instead, she held on tighter, rubbing her small face against Bai Li.
She looked triumphant, tilting her chin up with pride and satisfaction.
“Let them hear! I want everyone to know that I have a mama! The best, best mama in the whole world!”
“Now I have a mama! And I have Rongrong, Xiaomiao, and everyone else with me! I don’t lack anything anymore!”
As she spoke, Ziya’s eyes turned slightly red.
It wasn’t because of sadness, but because she was so happy it was overflowing.
Her heart was full of contentment.
All of this beauty was brought to her by Bai Li — a warmth she once didn’t dare to ask for.
Just then, Rongrong stepped forward lightly, holding an exquisite flower basket filled with fresh morning-picked flowers, still dripping with dew.
Her tone was gentle and proper, her eyes full of respect and blessings.
“Your Majesty, Master Bai… no, I should call you Madam now. The garden fountain has been turned on, the afternoon tea desserts have been refilled, and the petal bath is ready. You may head over at any time.”
Upon hearing this, Ziya immediately jumped out of Bai Li’s arms.
She grabbed her hand and ran toward the depths of the garden.
Her small face was filled with impatient excitement, her footsteps light like a bird’s.
“Mama! Quick! I’ll take you to see the prettiest fountain! And the giant petal bath! It’s filled with the sweetest flowers in the world!”
Bai Li was pulled into a light jog.
Looking at the bouncing, joyful Ziya beside her, the smile on her face never faded, her expression full of indulgence.
A gentle breeze blew, carrying the scent of flowers and the sweetness of desserts.
The warm sun poured down, casting long, warm shadows behind the two of them.
Rongrong followed quietly.
Watching their backs as they leaned on each other with laughter and chatter, the tenderness at the corners of her mouth deepened.
She felt that all her hard work was worth it.
Ziya pointed at the fountain, chirping like a dutiful and happy little guide.
She shared everything she had meticulously prepared with Bai Li without reservation.
“Mama, look! I specifically ordered the craftsmen to build this fountain! It even sparkles at night!”
“And the sea of flowers over there! They were all planted in Mama’s favorite colors!”
“The petals in the bath are picked fresh every morning! You’ll smell sweet for a long time after soaking in it!”
Bai Li listened patiently, nodding with a smile and occasionally rubbing her little head.
Every movement was filled with hidden indulgence.
As Ziya spoke, she suddenly stopped and looked at Bai Li seriously.
Her small face was solemn, her eyes determined.
“Mama, I will definitely be even better and more obedient from now on. I will rule the kingdom with all my heart and never make Mama worry. I’ll also personally make the best desserts in the world for Mama, and I won’t let anyone sneak a bite ever again!”
Thinking of the little maid who had sneaked a pudding before, Ziya couldn’t help but puff out her cheeks.
However, the anger from before was gone, replaced by a bit of embarrassment and relief.
Looking back now, losing her temper at such a young maid had been a bit of an overreaction and lacked composure.
Seeing her adorable yet serious expression, Bai Li couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Her eyes curved into crescents, her expression extremely gentle.
She reached out and pressed another gentle kiss on Ziya’s forehead, soft and solemn.
This time, Ziya didn’t shy away.
Instead, she stood on her tiptoes and tentatively returned a soft kiss on Bai Li’s cheek.
Her movement was clumsy and pious.
“Mama is the best!”
Feeling the soft touch on her cheek, Bai Li was slightly startled, then smiled even more warmly.
The sunlight was pleasant, a beloved child was by her side, loyal servants were behind her, and a warm, stable home was before her.
“Quiet, beautiful years — this was exactly it.”
Bai Li looked up at the sky.
White clouds drifted slowly, and the azure sky was as clear as if it had been washed, without a single speck of dust.
Her state of mind became clear and open as well.
She once thought she would wander for a lifetime, forever trapped in conflict and danger with nowhere to call home.
She never expected that in this Dream Demon Kingdom, which once made her wary, she would find true peace and a sense of belonging.
It turned out that a true home was never a cold fortress or a fixed identity.
It was a place where someone waited for you, loved you, and protected you.
It was a place where a single call would be answered, and a single hug was enough to heal everything.
Ziya held her hand tightly, her small face radiant with happiness.
She skipped toward the path covered in petals, her steps light and her heart full of joy.
“Mama! Quick! Let’s go soak in the petal bath! Then we’ll wait for the starry night party together!”
“Alright, we’ll do whatever our little Ziya says.”
“No! We have to listen to Mama!”
“Alright, alright, we’ll do whatever Mama says.”
Their crisp laughter drifted far away with the breeze, filling the entire Dreamland.
It was as if it softened the long passage of time and healed all past scars and anxieties.
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