“Wait a second, Zhu Xiaxia.”
Zhu Xiaxia, who had just reached the door, turned around.
“What is it, baby girl?”
“It’s just… I’ll miss you.”
Zhu Qiu’s face flushed as she spoke.
‘I know saying this damages my image as the Human Sword Saint, but if I don’t say it, I’ll feel uncomfortable.’
They had been together for almost two months, and parting so suddenly was inevitably a bit bittersweet.
“Mother will miss you too. Be happy every day!”
Zhu Qiu turned her head with a red face and continued packing.
Downstairs, Ilanka didn’t actually have much to pack. Since she planned to return in the future, she simply organized a few sets of beautiful clothes for daily wear.
Today was a holiday, and to deepen her impression on Her Majesty the Queen, she prepared to cook something.
She found Xiaguang, who was slacking off while sweeping, and asked, “Xiaguang, may I use the kitchen?”
“Of course you can, Miss Ilanka.”
Having received a positive answer, Ilanka walked into the kitchen with a bag of ingredients and closed the door.
An ominous premonition inexplicably surfaced in Xiaguang’s heart.
‘She’s being so mysterious…’
‘She wouldn’t make a mess of the kitchen like the Princess did last time, would she?’
‘The Princess is one thing, as she’s still young. But if even you, a dragon over 2,000 years old, expect me to clean up after you, I’ll definitely lodge a fierce complaint.’
There was nothing Xiaguang could do.
Since she had already agreed to let Ilanka use the kitchen, she couldn’t exactly kick her out.
Before long, Ilanka walked out carrying a plate of fragrant pineapple buns.
“Last time, the Princess said she didn’t get to eat any. This time, I must let her taste my skills.”
Xiaguang’s eyes widened. she quickly glanced toward the kitchen and found it as clean and tidy as before.
‘Thank goodness.’
“Xiaguang, come and taste my cooking. These are delicious pineapple buns.”
“Thank you, Miss Ilanka.”
Xiaguang took one to taste, and the flavor was indeed excellent.
At that moment, Zhu Xiaxia was coming down from upstairs and happened to run into Ilanka holding the plate of pineapple buns.
However, her attention wasn’t on Ilanka, but on the pineapple buns on the plate.
“Your Majesty, you’re here. Come and taste the pineapple buns I made.”
Suppressing her inner excitement, Zhu Xiaxia calmly picked up a pineapple bun and took a bite.
‘It’s that familiar taste. It really brings back memories… I remember the last time I ate a pineapple bun, it was… the last time.’
It was a pity that few among the Dragon Race knew how to make them.
Otherwise, she would buy them every day, or simply hire someone who could make pineapple buns to be her exclusive pastry chef.
“Ilanka, are these pineapple buns prepared for me?”
Zhu Xiaxia asked bluntly.
“Of course, Your Majesty. Please take these pineapple buns to share with the Princess. The Princess will definitely love them.”
“Good, then I’ll accept your kindness.”
Zhu Xiaxia reached out and took the plate. Without looking back, she walked upstairs, returned to her room, and closed the door.
With so many pineapple buns, she could enjoy herself again.
“Time to eat!”
“Zhu Xiaxia, I think — “
Just as Zhu Xiaxia took a bite, Zhu Qiu burst into the room.
The two of them stared at each other. The pineapple bun in Zhu Xiaxia’s mouth accidentally fell out, and Zhu Qiu happened to see the pineapple buns on the plate.
“Zhu Xiaxia! You, you, you, you, you’re eating alone!”
The Little Princess was angry. She rushed toward Zhu Xiaxia, trying to snatch the pineapple buns from the plate.
In a panic, Zhu Xiaxia quickly stood up and held the plate over her head. Because of the height difference, Zhu Qiu couldn’t reach it at all.
“Zhu Xiaxia! I want to eat too! You can’t be like this!”
“Mother wasn’t eating alone. I was just about to bring them to you. You just happened to arrive at the right time.”
“Huh?” Zhu Qiu paused. “Is that so?”
“Of course.”
Zhu Xiaxia set the plate down and shared the food with Zhu Qiu. The mother and daughter chatted while they ate.
“Zhu Xiaxia, these pineapple buns are so delicious. Where did you buy them?”
“You can’t buy pineapple buns in the Dragon Kingdom. Your Teacher Ilanka made them, of course.”
“Teacher Ilanka? She actually knows how to make desserts? I thought Xiaguang made them.”
“I was a bit surprised too. By the way, daughter, weren’t you packing? Why did you suddenly come to Mother’s room?”
“It’s normal for me to come to your room. I’ve been here many times. *Nom* — “
Zhu Qiu took a bite of a pineapple bun.
“You should have something to say, right?”
“Of course. I feel like packing or not doesn’t really matter now. It’s better to travel light. Otherwise, if I bring a bunch of stuff and don’t know where to put it, it’ll be a hassle. Besides, my father is over there, so it’s not like I’ll have no one.”
“Then… do you really not need Mother to help you bring your bed, quilt, and pillow back with you?”
“No need. I’m ready to go back now.”
“Now? Are you sure you don’t want to eat lunch? It’s almost mealtime anyway. If you go back to the Human Race like this, you’ll get hungry halfway.”
Zhu Qiu thought about it.
‘True, I should have a good meal before hitting the road.’
“Alright then.”
After lunch, Ilanka was the first to depart for home, while Zhu Qiu was taken to the room by Zhu Xiaxia.
“Zhu Xiaxia, lunch is over, and I’m ready to leave. Isn’t it time to change me back?”
Zhu Xiaxia didn’t answer. Instead, she placed a necklace with a red Communication Gem around Zhu Qiu’s neck.
“Daughter, wear this necklace.”
“Mother, does this mean the same thing as the Silver Bracelet on my hand?”
“Of course not. The Silver Bracelet is an ornament, but this necklace has a real purpose. When you return to the Human Race, you will look like the original human to everyone else. Your identity as one of the Dragon Race won’t be exposed.”
Zhu Qiu was confused.
“Wait, shouldn’t you change me back into a human? Instead of using a prop to make me just look like a human on the outside?”
“Of course not. Mother doesn’t have the ability to turn the Dragon Race into the Human Race.”
“But you could turn me into a dragon before?”
“Becoming a dragon is different from becoming a human. You could become a dragon because there was a Dragon Egg, a vessel. But there is nothing for becoming a human. These things are irreversible. You should face reality, daughter.”
Listening to Zhu Xiaxia’s explanation, everything went black before Zhu Qiu’s eyes. She felt as if the sky had collapsed.
After working so hard and enduring for so long, now that she was finally going home, all she got was a Communication Gem to hide her identity? Who could stand this?
“Zhu Xiaxia! You’re a liar!” Zhu Qiu roared.
“Don’t worry, daughter. As long as you wear the necklace, everyone in the Human Race will treat you as a human. You don’t have to worry about your identity being exposed. Just live your life as if you’ve changed back.”
“I won’t accept this broken Communication Gem! I want to change back! I want to truly return to the Human Race!”
Zhu Qiu wanted to tear the necklace off and smash it on the ground, but as soon as she raised her hand, she hesitated.
“Mother said you could go back to play for two weeks, but I never said anything about changing you back. Besides, I don’t have the ability to do that. If you throw away this gem, Mother won’t have any other way.”
Zhu Qiu was beyond furious, but she was utterly helpless.
“Zhu Xiaxia! I hate you! *Waaaah* — “
The Little Princess rushed out of the door without looking back.