“Yutian, why does Sista look kind of off tonight?”
Su Ling yawned as she thought this to herself while walking into the lively kitchen.
Although the kitchen floor was underground, due to ventilation considerations, the actual ceiling height was roughly that of the second floor. At this moment, a few rays of sunlight filtered through the small ventilated windows, and amid the rising steam, the aroma of food quietly filled the air.
Su Ling’s steps were slightly heavy, her eyes still carrying traces of fatigue.
To reward them for their hard work recently, today’s breakfast was a bit more sumptuous than usual.
After serving herself a bowl of oatmeal porridge, she lazily pulled out a chair and sat down.
The table was already surrounded by others, some chatting, some smiling softly, while she quietly kept to herself.
“Good morning, Su Ling.” A kind-faced maid greeted her with a smile as she approached, her voice full of genuine care. But Su Ling only nodded lightly, responding with an almost inaudible “Good morning.”
She picked up a piece of bread and tore it apart mechanically, her eyes so tired they nearly closed.
No matter how many times she experienced the castle servants’ schedule, Su Ling still found it difficult to adapt.
“I really want to go back to sleep…” she mumbled to herself. “Why can’t this world have a standard forty-hour workweek…”
“Su Ling, what’s wrong? You don’t look too well,” a concerned voice beside her asked—it was Tii.
Su Ling forced a faint smile, shook her head, and whispered, “Nothing, just didn’t sleep well last night.”
“You didn’t sleep well? That’s not good,” Tii said seriously, looking at her. “Little Su Ling, don’t overwork yourself. If you need any help with work, you can come to me anytime.”
“Tii…”
Looking at the earnest red-haired girl before her, Su Ling felt a bit touched.
They still maintained their friendship as before, and as for the previous eavesdropping incident, both had tacitly agreed not to bring it up again.
“Alright, stop spacing out and eat your breakfast,” Tii said, picking up a piece of bread smeared with cream and offering it to Su Ling, “Here ahh.”
Before Su Ling could react, she found herself accepting the bread.
She chewed the bread in her mouth, then suddenly spat it out.
“Oh, Su Ling, so cute,” Tii’s face immediately lit up with a delighted expression, hands cupping her cheeks, “You even have cream on your face.”
Cream?
Su Ling was stunned, hastily reaching to wipe it off, but Tii beat her to it.
She extended a finger and gently wiped the cream from the corner of Su Ling’s mouth.
Then, Tii popped the cream into her own mouth.
Su Ling was instantly dumbfounded.
Is this what friendship between girls looks like? No, this seems a bit too intimate it’s almost like an indirect kiss.
Why can Tii do this kind of thing openly in broad daylight!?
“Huh? What’s wrong?” Tii looked at Su Ling with a puzzled expression. “You seem a bit strange.”
“Nothing,” Su Ling said awkwardly, grateful no one around seemed to be paying attention.
After finishing the servants’ breakfast, as usual, she went to deliver breakfast to Sista.
The cooking had already been taken care of by Amane and two other errand girls. Today’s menu was cocoa rolls, golden salted eggs, and black tea.
Su Ling carefully carried the tray and walked toward Sista’s room.
Morning light filtered through the thin curtains, casting a dappled glow in the quiet room.
She lightly touched the door with her fingertips, the faint sound unusually clear in the silence, then slowly pushed it open.
A faint lingering coolness from the night wafted out.
So quiet… Strange.
Could it be that she already went out? Su Ling took a few more steps forward and finally saw Sista still sleeping on the bed.
This was rare, she actually slept in this late.
Sista was always very disciplined; normally, she would have been up well before Su Ling arrived.
Could it be that she was too tired from studying last night? Or perhaps the milk’s sleep-inducing effect was just too strong? Su Ling couldn’t quite understand.
“Hey, time to get up.” Su Ling tiptoed into the room, softly calling Sista.
She quietly approached the bedside, her footsteps light enough to make no sound.
Suddenly, a pale, slender hand stretched out from beneath the covers and firmly grasped her wrist.
Su Ling’s heart jolted.
“Don’t go,” Sista’s voice was hoarse, as if whispering from a dream.
“All right,” Su Ling replied instinctively.
She gently tried to pull free, but the hand gripped her wrist like iron, unmoving.
“Stand right here beside my bed. That’s an order.” Sista’s tone was arrogant, and even with her eyes closed, the pride of a Blood Clan princess was unmistakable.
Su Ling, hearing this, could only obediently stand by the bedside.
“But then the breakfast will get cold.” She tentatively reminded her, hoping Sista might change her mind.
However, Sista only closed her eyes and said, “Then let it be cold.”
Su Ling mentally grumbled—this princess really was headstrong.
Just as Su Ling’s mind wandered, Sista suddenly spoke: “I… am a Blood Clan princess. You’re just a human. The only reason I’m keeping you here is on a whim. Don’t get any ideas…”
Why suddenly emphasize this now? Is she asleep or awake? It feels like she’s talking in her sleep.
Su Ling pondered quietly, recalling Sista’s strange behavior last night, only making her more perplexed.
Well, might as well keep her company for a while.
Su Ling decided to stay by the bedside.
It was the first time she had looked so closely at Sista while she was asleep.
She lay quietly, her long hair as black as ink cascading over her shoulders, scattered over her snow-white skin.
Her eyelashes lightly covered her eyelids, casting a soft shadow, and her breathing was gentle and steady.
Unlike usual, Sista now looked just like an ordinary, unremarkable young girl.
In the air, there seemed to be a faint, elusive fragrance, something Su Ling had smelled before.
What was that scent?
She leaned in closer, wanting to smell more carefully.
It was somewhat like the scent of Osier flowers.
“Too close…”
Suddenly, she heard a sharp sound and saw a pair of crimson eyes staring at her.
“Ahh, coffee, ahh!”
So you weren’t asleep at all! Su Ling was so startled she quickly withdrew her hand and stepped aside.
“Sorry, Your Highness!”
Sista looked helpless as she sat up, her waist-length hair falling over her chest.
She gently brushed it aside.
“What were you trying to do just now? You were almost kissing me.”
“No, no!” Su Ling shook her head vigorously, “I really didn’t mean that! I just thought your scent was really nice.”
Sista tilted her head, looking at Su Ling, twirling a soft lock of hair between her fingers and sniffing near her nose.
“That’s the scent of Higanbana.”
“Yes, yes! I just thought Your Highness’s perfume smelled really good, so I couldn’t help it…”
“You like that scent?” Sista loosened her fingers, and some strands of hair fell again. “I see.”
See what? Su Ling looked at her nervously, wondering what that conversation meant.
“I’m getting up now. No need for breakfast. Come help me braid my hair.”
Sista didn’t continue the topic, standing up and brushing past Su Ling, heading toward the dressing table.
“Wear the formal outfit and accessories today. We’re meeting with His Majesty the King and the elder princess.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Su Ling obediently responded as usual.