Time passes day by day, and Iris's injuries gradually heal. She is now able to move freely, but she still cannot engage in intense activities such as practicing martial arts or embarking on long journeys.

Since Lilia left, Baixi has been by Iris's side, occasionally reading ancient books in hopes of gaining insights and becoming stronger. She wants to become strong enough to escape her mother's wrath and avoid punishments such as kneeling, confinement, or confiscation of belongings.

Every afternoon, Lilia would crawl next to the window, observing Iris's progress through the gaps in the curtains. She watched as her daughter's body slowly recovered, feeling relieved but also somewhat saddened. She missed the times when she could be by her daughter's side, touching her little hands, stroking her face, and even embracing her body.

"Sigh..." Lilia sighed deeply, slowly turned away from the window, and left.

...

"Mother, I'm going to practice now. If you need anything, just call me through the Consciousness Space," Baixi said, looking at her mother reflected in the mirror, smiling.

"After the battle with Anzu, you finally realize the importance of hard work," Iris said with a gentle smile, satisfied with Baixi's determination.

"Of course," Baixi replied confidently, patting her chest. "If my daughter becomes strong, you won't get hurt anymore. Moreover, my daughter is the White Dragon of the Winged Kingdom. She mustn't appear weak in front of the winged man. Otherwise, you won't be able to control the whole Winged Kingdom."

"You have become sensible," Iris chuckled. "Go ahead, then."

"Yes, I'll practice first. Take care, Mother."

With that, Baixi saluted Iris and left the room. As she watched Baixi's retreating figure, Iris showed a satisfied expression. "Only through setbacks can one truly mature."

"Chaos, who guarded me while I was in a coma?" Iris suddenly asked.

"Of course, it was me. Who else could possibly guard you besides me? I've been guarding you since I met you," Chaos's voice sounded lazy and indifferent, as if he couldn't be bothered with anything.

"Tch..." Iris pursed her lips. "I won't deny your second half of the sentence, but I don't believe the first half. I truly felt that there was someone by my side all the time, but you don't have a physical body. How could you be by my side?"

"Well..." Chaos deliberately paused for a moment and then said, "It's obviously Black Flame transforming into an elemental body to guard you. That should be enough!"

"Don't joke around. If Black Flame has that ability, I would immediately create an elemental body and place it next to Baixi to see what she does every day," Iris replied with a skeptical expression.

Feeling helpless, Chaos pondered for a moment and finally chose to tell the truth, "During your coma, it was Lilia who guarded you. She helped you wash your body, read books, and tell stories to you every day. Except for going to the bathroom, she sat by your left side every day, and even slept at the edge of the bed, holding your hand."

Upon hearing this, Iris's emotions became complex, and she asked, "How did Lilia know that I was injured?"

At that time, when little Baixi brought you back to the palace, the demon physician was waiting at the entrance with a stretcher. Lilia was anxiously standing by, and I think she smelled your blood.

"How coincidental," Iris muttered in disbelief.

"You can ask Martial Angel about this, she was also there at the time, seemingly with Lilia, or you can ask the two guards at the door."

"After my injuries have healed, I will personally go and inquire," Iris narrowed her eyes, suspicious of the situation. She then asked, "Why did Lilia help me change clothes?"

"Heh, actually, you already know the answer to that," Chaos responded indifferently. He continued, "It absolutely couldn't have been a male demon who helped you change clothes, as Yar would have improper intentions towards your body, and you know Yar's thoughts. Aria, who treated you, is also not suitable, as you are the Demon Emperor. Baixi is mischievous and who knows if she would secretly pinch your chest. All things considered, only Lilia is suitable. She is your mother and not a member of the demon race."

"You can't do this, you can't do that. How did you treat your injuries before?" Iris retorted angrily.

"My black flames have powerful healing abilities. Although they cannot remove curses, how could I, with my skills, be injured by Anzu, an ancient behemoth? Even if she could injure me and knock me unconscious, Qizhou and Sui Liangfeng would take care of me. What is going on in your head? I am male, not a girl like you," Chaos's words left Iris dumbfounded. After a while, she finally said, "Fine..."

"Hmph," Chaos sneered. "Think carefully about how you should face Lilia. She has been taking care of you like this, so you should do something in return, right?"

"What do you want me to do?" Iris asked, puzzled.

"Besides forgiving Lilia, it seems there is no better option for you," Chaos added. His words plunged Iris into silence.

"Also..." Chaos continued, "Lilia said many words of apology to you while you were unconscious."

"It is impossible to reconcile with her, not in this lifetime," Iris said firmly. "I have no feelings for her, and besides, I have already severed my mother-daughter relationship with her. I will never acknowledge her as my mother. As for doing something in return... I will consider it when I am better. I don't like to owe anyone."

"Suit yourself, figure it out on your own," Chaos said and fell silent.

Iris stood up and walked out of the sickroom. The sunlight outside was so bright that it dazzled her eyes. She instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes from the glaring light. Squinting, she looked up at the azure sky and murmured to herself, "Today's weather is nice, perfect for a stroll..."

As she prepared to take a step forward and walk ahead, she noticed a small stool placed below the window. Iris paused for a moment, then squatted down to pick up the stool. She examined it and then gestured, "Could it be that Lilia stood on this and peeked at me through the gap in the curtains?"

Thinking of this possibility, Iris couldn't help but wonder, "Did she really want to see me that badly?"

Iris stopped talking and moved the stool to the side. She then walked slowly, heading towards the outside world.

It was already dusk, and the lingering glow of the setting sun cast a golden hue on her. She moved gracefully, her skirt fluttering, as if she were a celestial being descending to the mortal world.

When Aria saw Iris coming out, she immediately rushed over and supported her. "Your Majesty, your injuries are not healed yet. Why did you come out?"

"It's alright." Iris shook her head, a faint smile on her face. She looked at Aria and asked, "Baiying and Ling, they don't know about my injury, do they?"

"No, Your Majesty. They have no knowledge, not even of your return," Aria replied.

Upon hearing Aria's words, Iris nodded in satisfaction and said to her, "I'm tired. Help me back to the ward to rest."

Aria nodded and helped Iris walk back.

Once they reached the ward, Iris lay on the bed, covered herself with the blanket, and closed her eyes to rest.

In just a few minutes, she fell asleep.