A Bedtime Confession

By the time Ziyao had finished the plate of Moonfruit, Aiya had already completed her after-school assignments.

“Does Aiya retire so early every day?” Ziyao asked, handing the empty plate to Ailin, who was waiting nearby. “It’s barely past eight, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. Her Highness’s stamina cannot rival that of us high-ranking professionals,” Ailin replied, accepting the plate and lowering her voice. “Moreover, she is merely a thirteen-year-old girl.”

“In that case, I shall take my leave. Should anything arise, simply utter my name, and I will appear instantly.”

Watching Ailin depart the room, Ziyao’s gaze shifted to the little girl who had already burrowed into the blankets. “Aiya, shall I turn off the light?”

“Mm.” The small, golden head peeking from within the covers nodded.

Click.

The room plunged into darkness, leaving only the soft, shallow breaths of the two girls. Slipping off her shoes, Ziyao carefully climbed into the bed.

This was the first time in both her lives that she had slept beside another girl. To be honest, she felt incredibly nervous. Fortunately, the strange phenomenon from a few days prior did not resurface; otherwise, Ziyao truly wouldn’t have known what to do.

Just as Ziyao cleared her mind, preparing to drift off to sleep, a warm presence pressed against her arm.

Eh?

Ziyao stiffened. She turned her head to find Aiya, who had originally been dozens of centimeters away, now nestled right beside her. From the girl’s skin, a comforting scent of sunshine wafted—it was utterly pleasant.

“Aiya?” Ziyao whispered softly.

“Miss Ziyao, could we chat for a bit?” Aiya’s voice was exceptionally faint.

It seemed there were no immediate issues with their proximity.

“Of course, we can.”

“Thank you…”

“There’s no need, Aiya,” Ziyao said with a smile, gently stroking Aiya’s small head. The sensation was quite nice.

“Miss Ziyao, you must… you know about that Prophecy, don’t you?”

So, this was what she wanted to ask.

“Certainly. Raphael and the others never intended to keep it from me.”

“Then, Miss Ziyao, do you truly believe I possess that potential?”

“Aiya… do you wish to hear the truth, or a falsehood?”

“As expected, you don’t actually believe that Prophecy, do you?” Aiya was no fool; she understood the implication of Ziyao’s question.

Ziyao had never believed in prophecies. To discern future events by gazing at stars—it couldn’t possibly be that simple.

“Prophecies… if you believe, they exist; if you don’t, they don’t. However, as things stand, I see no possibility whatsoever.” If a young girl like Aiya could unite the continent, then all the monarchs of the past millennium would truly weep.

“Haha, Miss Ziyao is truly… outspoken,” Aiya chuckled awkwardly. Ziyao’s words were practically a direct declaration that Aiya could not possibly unite the continent.

“Actually, Raphael, Ailin, and even His Majesty—none of them truly believe this Prophecy.”

“Eh? Then why…”

“We don’t believe it, but there will always be fools who do.” Ziyao turned onto her side, her red eyes fixed on Aiya in the dark. “You are a thorn in their side, an eyesore. As long as you live, they will never know peace. As long as you breathe, they will endure immense pressure.”

“And pressure can make people lose their minds. They won’t care who you are, or whether you truly pose a threat to them. Their objective is singular: to make you vanish from this world.”

Upon hearing Ziyao’s words, Aiya fell silent. She had not realized her situation was so dire.

“Isn’t it cruel?” Ziyao knew exactly what she was saying. “But alas, the world is precisely that cruel. If you weren’t a princess, your fate…”

Ziyao did not finish, leaving the dark implications unsaid.

“You are the first person to tell me these things,” Aiya’s voice grew even softer.

“You are fortunate, Aiya.” Ziyao drew Aiya into her embrace, knowing the girl needed some comfort at this moment. “While what I just said is true, sometimes, truth doesn’t encompass everything.”

“Mm.” Cradled in Ziyao’s arms, inhaling her faint, flowing scent, Aiya felt herself calm down.

“Everyone around you cares deeply for you: Raphael, Ailin, Elena, and His Majesty. Though they each harbor various intentions, on one point, they are united. That is, they do not wish to see you harmed in any way. However, in my opinion, it’s verging on overprotection.”

They didn’t want to speak of these matters, but Aiya would have to learn someday. This girl would eventually stand on the world stage, and at that time, her enemies would exhaust every means to destroy her.

To destroy a person, the best method is to shatter their spirit. And Aiya, this young girl, inexperienced in the ways of the world, was far too vulnerable in that regard.

Those individuals could no longer contain themselves. This year’s Festival of Flowers was precisely the moment when undercurrents would converge. It wasn’t necessary for Aiya to believe the Prophecy; the enemies merely needed to plant a seed of self-doubt within her. One day, that seed would take root and sprout, ultimately demolishing Aiya’s spiritual fortress.

And now, it seemed that such a seed had already begun to grow within Aiya’s heart.

“I believe His Majesty is also aware of this. His objective this time is to sweep away all enemy forces within the Imperial Capital in one fell swoop. Thus, an assassination attempt on the Princess—what a perfect pretext.”

“He can blind those who covet you, even if it proves incredibly difficult.”

These matters were originally not meant for Aiya’s ears. Raphael and her companions, in Ziyao’s view, were simply too indecisive. Speaking such things directly wouldn’t cause any harm. If Aiya could accept it, all the better; if not, it wouldn’t truly matter. After all, the power to make decisions did not rest in their hands.

“However, the depth of their affection for you is undeniable. So, Aiya, you are truly fortunate. From birth, you have been surrounded by goodwill. Yet, this has also rendered you incredibly fragile. As you grow older, there will inevitably come a day when the shield protecting you from the storms will no longer suffice. At that time, you will have no one to rely on but yourself.”

“Then, Miss Ziyao, what about you?” Aiya’s head gently rubbed against Ziyao’s flat chest. “You didn’t mention yourself just now, did you?”

“Me? Unlike Raphael and the others, I don’t have a specific goal I must achieve. I am here for one reason only: Elena entrusted me with healing your body. Until then, I will protect you, just like everyone else. And once my task is complete… I might leave this place.”

“You can’t stay?” Aiya’s voice was very soft.

“Stay? If there were something truly worth staying for in the Imperial Capital, then of course I would.” Ziyao let out a soft chuckle. “But for now, Aiya, it’s time for you to rest.”

If… if there truly were something worth her staying for.