A Morning Awakening and a Difficult Decision

The gentle morning sunlight bathed the small figure on the bed, her golden hair shimmering brilliantly under its rays. Jiu Hua slept soundly on the soft, white bed, her long golden hair fanned out around her. Her delicate, fair skin, exposed beyond the pristine duvet, invited a gentle touch. A faint smile graced her small, adorable face, as if she were lost in a sweet dream, her cherry-red lips parting slightly with each soft breath.

Just then, the room door opened, and Xiao Lü, a young woman with long, dark green hair, entered. She gazed at Jiu Hua, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, and let out a helpless sigh.

Approaching the bed, she couldn’t resist reaching out to gently pinch Jiu Hua’s slightly chubby cheek.

In her sleep, Jiu Hua’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. As if annoyed, she swatted Xiao Lü’s hand away, then rolled over and continued to sleep.

Xiao Lü’s brow twitched as she watched Jiu Hua, her lips curving into a slight, involuntary smile. Yet, her face quickly settled into a perfectly composed expression. She then reached out, covering Jiu Hua’s small mouth and delicate nose.

Soon, Jiu Hua’s breathing grew frantic, and her small body began to struggle. Sensing the moment was right, Xiao Lü released her hand from Jiu Hua’s face. She then adopted an anxious expression, speaking the instant Jiu Hua’s eyes fluttered open.

“What’s wrong? Are you alright?!”

After abruptly opening her eyes, Jiu Hua saw Xiao Lü’s anxious face and a flicker of emotion crossed her gaze. She smiled faintly.

“I’m fine. I think I just had a nightmare.”

Hearing this, Xiao Lü smiled gently, reaching out to wipe away the cold sweat from Jiu Hua’s forehead. She then stroked Jiu Hua’s head, speaking softly.

“It’s alright. You’re safe here in the Palace.”

Feeling the warmth on her head and seeing Xiao Lü’s gentle smile, a wave of warmth spread through Jiu Hua’s heart. She nodded.

“Mm!”

At this, Xiao Lü’s smile softened even further.

“Alright, since you’re fine, hurry and get dressed. Today, you’ll be meeting Lady Jiu Hui and Her Majesty the Queen.”

However, upon hearing Xiao Lü’s words, a hint of tension appeared on Jiu Hua’s face.

Seeing this, Xiao Lü looked puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Jiu Hua looked at Xiao Lü, hesitating for a moment before cautiously asking, “Will Lady Jiu Hui and Her Majesty the Queen accept me?”

Xiao Lü gazed at Jiu Hua’s anxious face, then reached out to pinch her cheek. Despite Jiu Hua’s slight frown of displeasure, Xiao Lü smiled. “It’s alright. Lady Jiu Hui and Her Majesty the Queen are both very gentle and kind people. They will accept you.”

Jiu Hua looked at Xiao Lü, who was smiling so gently, and her heart swelled with gratitude.

‘What wonderful people.’

With a swift movement, Jiu Hua sprang out of bed. Naked, she pulled a black and white maid uniform from the side and dressed herself. Her petite figure showed no awkwardness in the outfit; instead, it made her appear incredibly cute.

While this maid uniform wasn’t the same style Jiu Hui wore, it differed from typical maid attire. Its skirt was notably short, and her legs were adorned with white garter stockings. A black and white headband completed the look. The adorable uniform, paired with Jiu Hua’s tiny frame and sweet face, made her utterly charming.

Xiao Lü’s eyes lit up as she saw Jiu Hua fully dressed, the corners of her lips curving upwards.

‘Not bad.’

“Alright, now that you’re dressed, let’s go meet Lady Jiu Hui.”

“Mm!”

Jiu Hua checked her reflection in the mirror, smiling and nodding, before following behind Xiao Lü.

Xiao Lü subtly turned her head, glancing at Jiu Hua, whose eyes sparkled as she looked at her. A slight curve touched Xiao Lü’s lips.

‘What an amusing little girl. It seems I won’t be bored anymore.’

A flicker of excitement danced in Xiao Lü’s eyes as she thought this.

****

In Lisa Kael’s study, Jiu Hui stood beside her, observing Lisa’s serious expression as she handled documents. Jiu Hui’s mind involuntarily replayed the words Lisa had just spoken to her.

While Lisa spoke of feelings she didn’t understand, Jiu Hui was intimately familiar with them. If what Lisa said was true, then perhaps Jiu Hui held a significant place in that ‘idiot’s’ heart.

As she pondered this, a ripple of emotion stirred in Jiu Hui’s eyes as she looked at Lisa.

Meanwhile, Lisa’s mood was heavy. Her gaze, fixed on the intelligence reports before her, was filled with gravity.

On the Winged Race front, Duke Ma’se’s injured return to battle had temporarily stalled their advance, but the situation remained grim.

The Beast Race could still hold out, yet their eventual defeat was merely a matter of time.

The Dragon Race front, however, was in critical danger. The Dragon Race’s relentless offensive had been unstoppable; border defenses had long been breached, and they were now pushing deep into the territory.

‘I can’t delay any longer. I must get to the battlefield as soon as possible.’

‘But deciding which front to go to first is the problem.’

In terms of urgency, the Dragon Race front was the clear priority. However, a conflict with the Dragon Race would undoubtedly be protracted. During that time, the other two borders, especially the Winged Race front, would be in grave peril.

Yet, if she were to go to the Winged Race front, the Dragon Race would swiftly breach multiple defenses, inflicting immense harm upon the Human Race’s civilians.

Lisa rubbed her temples, a headache beginning to throb as she considered her options.

‘A choice, then?’

A soft knock echoed.

The knocking sound instantly drew the attention of both Jiu Hui and Lisa to the door.

“Enter.”

Lisa spoke calmly, her gaze fixed on the doorway.

Soon, the door opened. Xiao Lü entered with Jiu Hua, then turned to close the door behind them. She walked up to Lisa, bowing respectfully.

“Your Majesty the Queen, Lady Jiu Hui.”

Lisa nodded, then shifted her gaze to the timid Jiu Hua standing beside Xiao Lü.

“Isn’t this that little imp? What brings her here?”

In truth, Lisa had already received news yesterday that Jiu Hua wished to become a maid here. Seeing Jiu Hua in the maid uniform, she naturally understood the purpose of her visit. However, seeing Jiu Hua’s nervous expression, Lisa felt a sudden urge to tease her.

Xiao Lü caught the playful glint in Lisa’s eyes and understood her intentions. Her lips curved slightly as she spoke.

“Your Majesty, this little one wishes to be a maid in the Palace.”

Lisa glanced at Jiu Hua, feigning a troubled expression.

“While I would like to take her in, she’s simply too young, isn’t she? Perhaps it would be better to find a family to adopt her.”

Hearing this, Jiu Hua instantly bristled.

“Hey, hey, what do you mean by that? Don’t look down on me just because I’m small! I’ll have you know, I’m already twenty years old!!!”

Lisa glanced at Jiu Hua, then at Xiao Lü, whose chest was level with Jiu Hua’s head. Lisa’s eyes took on a deadpan expression.

“Twenty? More like twelve, wouldn’t you say?”

“What did you say?!”

Jiu Hua’s face puffed up in indignation, revealing two small canine teeth. Despite her anger, she was inexplicably adorable.

Beside them, Jiu Hui looked at Jiu Hua, her eyes practically forming hearts.

“So cute! You can be my maid.”

She then looked at Lisa. Seeing Jiu Hui’s enthusiastic expression, and then Jiu Hua’s delighted face, Lisa abandoned her teasing. She nodded.

“Alright, then this little imp can be placed with you.”

Hearing this, both Jiu Hui and Jiu Hua beamed with joy.