A New Dress and Awkward Apologies

“Miss Ailin, what is the meaning of this?” Ziyao’s mind reeled as she gazed at the white dress laid out before her.

I must be awake, right?

Gently, Ziyao pinched her forearm, confirming she wasn’t dreaming. So why was Miss Ailin here? And what in the world was this outfit she’d brought?

“Miss Ziyao, you did agree yesterday, you know.” Ailin picked up the white dress, holding it up for Ziyao to see. “Your figure is quite similar to Her Highness’s, so I simply took one from her wardrobe.”

Wait, this is Aiya’s dress?

“Rest assured, the dress has already been cleaned, and Her Highness has consented.”

No, no, no, that’s not what I’m worried about.

Despite her reluctance, Ziyao eventually changed into the outfit. Even if she had truly refused, Ailin wouldn’t have forced her.

“I feel so exposed.” Ziyao spun around in front of the mirror, forced to admit that she truly looked adorable. Moreover, this dress surpassed her own clothes in comfort by a mile. It was indeed fitting for a princess.

“Miss Ziyao, would you like to wear stockings?” Ailin produced a pair of long white stockings.

No, no, no, let’s just skip that.

Firmly refusing Miss Ailin’s suggestion, Ziyao accompanied her to Aiya’s door.

“Her Highness has been awake for a while now,” Ailin announced, knocking gently. “I’m going to ask Her Highness to come downstairs for breakfast. Miss Ziyao, would you like to come in with us?”

“No, I’d rather not risk a repeat of yesterday’s situation.” Ziyao quickly shook her head. “I’ll wait for you both downstairs.”

With that, Ziyao hurried away.

“Such efficiency,” Ziyao remarked, marveling at the staircase that had already been covered with a carpet.

Upon reaching the dining room, Raphael was already seated, enjoying her meal. Her breakfast was light, devoid of even a speck of meat.

“The dress is beautiful.” Hearing the sound from the doorway, Raphael turned her head. “Miss Ailin has excellent taste.”

“Where’s Elena? Is she not joining us today?” Ziyao settled beside Raphael, adjusting her dress. “This outfit is a bit too elaborate.”

With its myriad patterns and ties, it had taken Ziyao nearly ten minutes to put on, even with Miss Ailin’s assistance. It was comfortable, certainly, but far too troublesome. For Ziyao, who valued time above all else, wearing this dress felt like a waste.

“You’ll get used to it. My own dress also takes ten minutes to put on.” Raphael pointed to the buttons on her attire. “Though, it does feel a bit tight.”

That’s because you’re too well-developed!

“Oh, right, where’s my breakfast?”

“Yours is the same as Aiya’s, but with a larger portion.” Raphael gestured towards the kitchen. “If you want to eat, just go get it.”

“I’ll wait a bit longer. I’m not hungry yet anyway.”

“As you wish.”

Seated in her chair, Ziyao’s gaze drifted, her mind recalling the thoughts Raphael had interrupted yesterday.

The Icebloom has a strong cold property, but its effect is excellent. If I were to use Frostgrass instead, the efficacy of the medicine couldn’t be guaranteed…

Soon, a blank piece of paper was filled with her notes.

“Miss Ziyao, your meal is ready,” Miss Ailin’s voice chimed from beside her.

Ziyao looked up to find a delicate breakfast spread before her. Miss Ailin stood beside Aiya, smiling at her.

“There’s plenty of time, Miss Ziyao, no need to rush.”

“That’s easy for you to say.” Ziyao stuffed a piece of bread into her mouth, her reply muffled. “But the sooner, the better.”

“Swallow before you speak; it’s impolite,” Raphael admonished, sipping her red tea in small, elegant mouthfuls.

“A pharmacist’s habits are different; time is everything.” Ziyao shot Raphael a glare. “However, I will change.”

After all, she was a guest here, and it was best to adapt to their customs.

Miss Ailin’s breakfast was incredibly delicious. From the soft, fluffy bread to the runny-yolk fried egg, Ziyao couldn’t stop her fork.

“A wonderful breakfast, Miss Ailin.”

“Thank you for your compliment.”

Subsequently, Ziyao’s gaze shifted to Aiya. Although Aiya had started eating earlier than Ziyao, there was still a significant amount of food left on her plate even after Ziyao had finished.

“Does Aiya have a poor appetite?” Ziyao whispered, questioning Raphael.

“Yes, but if left to her own devices, the nutrition she consumes daily would be insufficient to sustain her life.”

“No wonder. Do you need the nutritional supplements I developed?” There were times when Ziyao had no time to eat, so she had prepared many nutritional supplements. One dose was enough for a whole day. “I can refine them.”

“You can prepare some, but regardless, natural eating is always better.”

“That’s true.”

Amidst the girls’ hushed whispers, the little golden-haired princess finally finished her breakfast. Normally, Aiya would be heading to the garden for her studies at this time, but today, she seemed to have other matters.

“Um, Miss Ziyao…”

“Hm? Is something wrong, Aiya?” Ziyao turned her head, a flicker of awkwardness in her red eyes. She hadn’t forgotten yesterday’s incident.

“Yesterday… I’m truly sorry.” Aiya lowered her head, her ears turning crimson.

No, why did you have to bring it up? Ziyao thought. Wouldn’t it have been better if neither of us mentioned it and pretended it never happened? Once your illness is cured, I’ll disappear, and you can just pretend I never existed, can’t you? This is too awkward!

“It’s fine, no one could have predicted such a thing,” Ziyao finally sighed in reply. “I’ll be more careful in the future.”

As for Aiya, Ziyao simply didn’t believe she could control herself.

“Um… and, you look very beautiful in that dress.”

“Ah, thank you for the compliment, Aiya. You’re very cute too.”

After the incredibly awkward conversation concluded, a strange silence settled between them. Fortunately, there were others present.

“Your Highness, it’s time for your studies.”

“Mm.” Aiya’s voice was still so faint it was almost inaudible.

Watching Ailin carry Aiya out of the dining room, Ziyao finally let out a breath of relief. The atmosphere had been far too strange.

“What does Aiya study?” A flicker of curiosity about Aiya’s lessons sparked within Ziyao.

“Magic theory, continental history, many things.” Raphael drained her cup of red tea. “Those teachers are quite good.”

“They’re not… your people?”

“Regarding the prophecy, they are not qualified to know.” Raphael shook her head. “The fewer people who know about this, the better. Those who were driven from the continent have never given up on returning.”