Buried in his own Fox Tail, Lin Sheng thought about many things.
He even couldn’t help wondering—if he had never accepted this so-called Saint Laia invitation from the very beginning, what would he be like now?
“Gur~”
A sound came from Lin Sheng’s stomach.
Thinking carefully, it seemed that he hadn’t eaten anything since getting off the plane yesterday.
However, he had just quarreled with Serveyia and said he wanted to be alone for a while.
If he went out so soon, wouldn’t that make him seem completely without principles?
But… he was really hungry.
Was there anything in the room he could eat?
“Princess, are you in the room?”
Just as Lin Sheng poked his head out from his Fox Tail cocoon, a strange voice came from outside the door, making him pause.
It was an unfamiliar voice—in other words, a stranger?
Could it be someone coming to call him to a meal?
“I—I’m here.”
After hearing Lin Sheng’s response, the door was pushed open.
The person who entered was a Maid—or more accurately, a Maid who looked like a true professional, not like Serveyia, who had taken up the job halfway.
The Maid’s face was very kind, and she was broad-hearted.
Lin Sheng had no doubt that she was a gentle and magnanimous person.
“Greetings, Princess. I am Lien, Maid to Her Highness Serveyia.”
“Um, why… are you here?”
Although Lin Sheng could understand that it was normal for a royal like Serveyia to have one or two Maids around, he didn’t understand why her Maid would come looking for him.
“It’s nothing. I heard from Her Highness Serveyia that you missed home, Princess. Is that true?”
“Yes…”
Lin Sheng instinctively wanted to curl back into his Fox Tail when Lien touched on his sore spot.
To him, his Fox Tail was undoubtedly a place overflowing with a sense of security.
Lien then sat beside the ball-shaped Lin Sheng, trying to get a little closer.
“Although I’m sorry, considering that tomorrow is the official Appointing Ceremony and the Empire will issue a formal Appointing Document at that time, before that, the Princess’s identity must remain confidential for your safety and the safety of your family. However, please rest assured, Saint Laia will never neglect Compensation for your family.”
“Compensation?”
To be honest, Lin Sheng had heard those two words many times in the past few days, but no one had ever told him what this so-called Compensation actually was.
“That’s right. Simply put, it basically covers a lifetime of affluence for your parents. After tomorrow’s events are over, you’ll be able to contact them to confirm everything, so you can be at ease.”
Lien then meticulously explained the so-called Compensation regulations to me.
Honestly, I was a little moved.
After all, it could allow his parents to live in wealth and comfort for life, and what he had to give up wasn’t much—or perhaps, he had already given it up.
Lin Sheng couldn’t help recalling a meme he’d seen online.
It asked: if you had to choose between a billion in cash and your mother’s smile, which would you pick?
Some said a mother’s smile was incomparable, but others said a billion in cash could make your mother smile out loud.
Lin Sheng felt that, without a doubt, he had chosen the latter.
“But…”
Although Lin Sheng admitted it was a good choice, was a choice made without his own control really what he wanted?
“I can understand your feelings, Your Highness. I also realize this was our mistake in judgment. We were a little too presumptuous and arrogant. I know I can’t apologize to you on behalf of Her Highness Serveyia, but what I can do is provide you with as perfect a life at Saint Laia as possible.”
“Of course, I will make sure Her Highness Serveyia apologizes to you. After all, she has always lived in the Ivory Tower, so for some things, perhaps we need your extra understanding. But I hope you can also understand what the Princess means to Saint Laia and the Empire.”
Even though Lien didn’t finish her words, Lin Sheng understood.
An individual’s will meant little before the Empire.
He had no doubt that, even if he refused, the Empire and Saint Laia would have countless ways to make him join and become the Princess.
Perhaps from the very beginning, the only choice left for someone selected was to accept gracefully.
“Princess, this is for you.”
Lien took a small paper package from her pouch and placed it in front of Lin Sheng.
“This is…?”
Lin Sheng curiously stretched his head, examining the paper package before him.
It was about the size of a Snack.
“When Her Highness Serveyia was young, this was her favorite Snack. Whenever she made a mistake and was punished, or when she was upset, I would make these for her. Now, I thought it would be nice to share it with you, Princess.”
Lin Sheng carefully opened the paper package, and sure enough, a Snack lay inside.
He placed it in his mouth and tasted it cautiously.
“Mm, so sweet!”
“How is it, Princess? Do you like it?”
“I like it!”
Even when Lin Sheng was still in a male body, he loved sweets, and it seemed this body did too.
As proof, the nine Fox Tails that had been curled up behind him now spread out in delight.
“Hehe, is that so? Her Highness Serveyia loved them as a child, but as she grew older, not as much. I didn’t expect you to like them, Your Highness. If there’s a chance, I’ll make more for you.”
“Really? Thank you, Lien!”
As Lin Sheng gave his thanks, a Fox Tail quietly stretched out and wrapped around Lien’s hand.
“Ah! Sorry, sorry. I can’t control them very well.”
Lin Sheng desperately tried to pull back his Fox Tail, but this new organ seemed not to obey him—in fact, the more flustered he got, the tighter it wrapped.
“It’s all right. This is one of the Princess’s cute sides, after all.”
Lien didn’t feel offended.
Lin Sheng’s Fox Tail was so soft that it was hard to let go.
Watching the little fox before her panic and try to retract his tail was quite amusing to Lien.
Thinking this, Lien used her free hand to gently stroke Lin Sheng’s head with practiced skill, making him squint his eyes and whimper softly.
“Princess, we should go out and eat now. There are other activities in the afternoon.”
“Eh? Activities?”
When he felt the warm hand leave his head, Lin Sheng reluctantly opened his eyes and saw that Lien was already standing, her professional demeanor restored.
“Yes. In the afternoon, there’s a Tea Party, and you’ll meet some Student Representatives, Princess. Of course, it’s an informal Tea Party, so there’s no need to be too nervous, Your Highness.”