Chapter 46: Aze?

“Sis, I’m a little thirsty.”

Hearing this, Yiyi immediately put down her chopsticks and reached out to gently touch Yaoyao’s little face.

“Thirsty? Sister will get you a cup of milk, okay?” She raised her hand and called out toward the kitchen.

“Boss, one cup of Dragon Milk, please.”

“Dragon Milk is coming!”

The boss’s shout barely faded when he quickly came out carrying a small white porcelain bowl.

The milk inside shimmered with a faint glow and emitted a subtle, sweet fragrance.

“Yaoyao, drink slowly.” Yiyi whispered softly.

Yaoyao held the white porcelain bowl in her hands, pressing it gently toward Yiyi’s mouth.

A few drops of the milk spilled out, clinging to her soft fingertips.

“Sis, you drink too! It’s sweet!”

Yiyi smiled and leaned over to take a sip.

The clear sweetness of the Dragon Milk, with a hint of herbal freshness, slid down her throat, perfectly cutting through the greasiness of the noodles and chicken leg.

She lifted a hand to wipe Yaoyao’s fingers.

“Hm, it’s pretty sweet. Yaoyao, drink slowly. If it’s not enough, we can ask the boss for more.”

The little one obediently nodded, sipping in small mouthfuls.

Her pink heart-shaped tail curled around Yiyi’s wrist, the tip gently brushing against her skin.

Occasionally, she’d pick up a chopstickful of soft noodles covered in scallions, or bite into the crispy chicken leg, her face full of satisfaction.

Just then, the clatter of urgent horse hooves cut through the bustling street noise.

A prisoner transport vehicle sped past the noodle shop’s window.

Yiyi instinctively looked up.

When her gaze landed on the familiar figure inside the transport, her pupils suddenly contracted, and the chopsticks in her hand clattered onto the table.

It was Aze!

The brother who had betrayed all of humanity, who had betrayed the Holy Spirit Order, and who had betrayed her!

“Aze…” Yiyi’s voice was as light as a breeze, yet trembling uncontrollably.

Her fingertips clenched tightly, the jade token in her palm digging painfully into her skin.

Though the sunlight outside was still warm and comforting, she suddenly felt a chill run through her entire body.

The Holy Spirit Order’s former Grand Knight, who once commanded the battlefield, awakened instinctively.

A sharp, cold glint flashed in her eyes, erasing all softness.

In her ears echoed the sounds of battle and the cries of fallen comrades from the day the Holy Spirit Order was annihilated.

Her heart felt as if gripped by an invisible hand—heavy and aching—and her breath grew hurried and shallow.

“Sis?” Yaoyao, startled by her sudden tense posture, paused mid-sip, her pink heart-shaped tail nervously brushing Yiyi’s arm.

“What’s wrong?”

The prisoner transport quickly disappeared around the corner, the dust it stirred slowly settling.

Yet Yiyi remained frozen in place, her fingers white from gripping, lips pressed into a tight line.

Only when Yaoyao timidly tugged at her sleeve did she snap back to reality, the cold gleam fading from her eyes.

In its place was a complex mixture of pain and confusion.

Her cheeks had unknowingly flushed warm again, but this time it was no longer shyness—just a storm of emotions rising within her.

“Nothing… nothing at all.”

She forced a faint smile and reached out to ruffle Yaoyao’s hair.

Her voice still carried a subtle rasp.

“Maybe I just mistook him for someone else.”

Yaoyao nodded, not fully understanding, but still pushed the bowl of Dragon Milk toward Yiyi’s lips again.

“Sis, have some milk. It’s sweet, then you won’t feel bad.”

“No, you drink it, Yaoyao.”

Yiyi’s voice was strained but calm.

Her fingers still curled inward, the jade token pressing painfully into her palm.

“All right then—I’m full! Your Highness, shall we go?”

Yaoyao set the empty porcelain bowl on the table and patted her round little belly.

Her pink heart-shaped tail swept joyfully across the tabletop, clearly having forgotten the earlier interruption.

Yiyi blinked, looking into the little one’s expectant eyes, and felt the shadow inside her heart lighten a bit.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of emotions, stood up, picked up the jade token on the table, and called toward the boss: “Boss, put it on the tab.”

“Sure thing! Farewell, honored guests of the Dragon Clan!” came the cheerful reply from the kitchen.

Yiyi bent down to pick up Yaoyao, who immediately hugged her neck.

Her pink heart-shaped tail curled tightly around Yiyi’s arm, the warm tip brushing back and forth.

“Sis, are we going to buy osmanthus cakes now? Lots and lots of them!”

“Yeah, let’s go buy some.”

Yiyi replied softly, though her gaze drifted toward the direction where the prisoner transport had vanished.

A flicker of complicated emotion flashed in her eyes.

She carried Yaoyao out of the noodle shop and into a lively street lined with vendors.

The street buzzed with noise—shouts from merchants, children’s laughter—all blending into a vibrant scene full of life.

Yiyi slowed her pace unconsciously, eyes constantly scanning the alleys and corners, as if expecting that prisoner transport to appear again.

“Sis, osmanthus cakes! Over there!”

Yaoyao suddenly pointed ahead, her pink heart-shaped tail excitedly brushing against Yiyi’s arm.

Not far ahead, a bakery displayed a sign reading “Sweet Osmanthus Cakes.”

Golden cakes were neatly arranged in bamboo baskets, the air faintly scented with osmanthus blossoms.

Yiyi snapped back to the present, following the direction of the little one’s finger.

She pushed aside her thoughts and stepped forward.

“All right, we’ll buy lots and lots for Yaoyao.”

The bakery owner was a kindly-looking Elf elder woman.

Seeing Yiyi holding Yaoyao, she immediately smiled and called out: “Little one, want to buy some osmanthus cakes? Just steamed, sweet and glutinous but not greasy—perfect for children.”

“Two pounds, put it on the tab.”

Yiyi took out the jade token and handed it over.

The old lady’s eyes lit up as she took the token, quickly wrapping the cakes in greaseproof paper, muttering: “Guests of the Dragon Clan are always generous. Two pounds should last you several days.”

Yaoyao rested her head on Yiyi’s shoulder, staring at the fragrant osmanthus cakes wrapped inside the paper.

Her little tongue couldn’t help but lick her lips.

Her pink heart-shaped tail wrapped even tighter.

“Sis, can I have a piece now?”

“Wait until we get home—it’s still hot.”

Yiyi gently patted her little head.

“Then let’s hurry home!”

Yaoyao urged at once, clutching Yiyi’s neck tightly.

Her pink heart-shaped tail swept anxiously over her back, full of anticipation for the sweet cake.

Yiyi answered softly, “Okay,” though her steps felt heavier as she turned toward the palace.

“Sis, please walk slower.”

Yaoyao noticed her hurried pace, lightly patting her shoulder.

Her pink heart-shaped tail slowed its sway.

Yiyi paused, looking down at the little one in her arms.

Her panic calmed somewhat.

She slowed her steps and whispered: “Sorry, Yaoyao.”

“It’s okay!”

Yaoyao smiled brightly, her eyes curved like crescent moons, resting her head on Yiyi’s shoulder, her nose nudging the cake package.

“As long as I get to eat osmanthus cake, I’m happy.”

“After we get home, Sister will go ask Mother about something, okay? You can go play with Lilia first.”

Hearing this, Yaoyao lifted her head from the package, blinking her sparkling eyes.

Her pink heart-shaped tail gently swayed.

“Ask Mother something? Then what will Yaoyao play with Sister Lilia?”

“Sister Lilia will play building blocks with you and tell you stories,” Yiyi said softly, stroking her hair.

“After I finish asking, I’ll come back to eat osmanthus cake with you, alright?”

“Yay!”

Yaoyao cheered, her pink heart-shaped tail excitedly sweeping across Yiyi’s arm.