In the early morning, as dawn broke, faint sunlight streamed into the room.

Iris slowly woke up, freshened up, changed her clothes, tied her hair into a ponytail, and began her training for the day.

Two hours later, her clothes were soaked with sweat, clinging to her skin, showcasing her beautiful figure.

She wiped the sweat off her forehead, sat down in a chair, and grabbed the cup on the table, gulping down a few big mouthfuls of water.

After a ten-minute break, Iris picked up her Silver Wing spear and started swirling it around, with swift movements and elegant postures. By the end of her display of spear techniques, her body was covered in sweat, trickling down her smooth skin and dripping onto the floor with a pitter-patter.

As always, Lilia hid in Iris's blind spot, watching her train. More accurately, she was training alongside Iris, but Lilia thought Iris didn't know.

Ever since that incident with a mischievous little snowball, which led to Lilia being caught by Iris, the snowball had been locked away in a cage, not allowed to roam freely. Only after Lilia finished watching Iris's training would she release the little snowball.

As time passed, Iris's training came to an end. The towel around her neck was soaked, her cheeks were flushed, sweat poured down her forehead, and her body was hot.

She approached the place where Lilia was hiding, and Lilia shrunk into the bushes, clearly not wanting to be found by Iris.

"I must not be found, or Iri will be angry," Lilia thought to herself, trying hard to maintain a calm demeanor and holding her breath.

Iris's footsteps grew nearer, and eventually, she stopped next to the tree where Lilia was hiding.

"Lilia, come out. I know you're here," Iris's voice rang out.

To have Iris call her "Ma'am," she just couldn't bring herself to do it, especially since she had cut off all mother-daughter ties with Lilia. Naturally, she wouldn't address her as "Ma'am." If she did, it would render everything she had done meaningless. Calling Lilia by her name seemed to be the best choice.

Iris needed Lilia to help her control her emotions and learn how to regulate her state of mind, not to let it affect her tasks or disrupt her judgment.

Training was not just about improving one's strength; it also meant mastering emotional control.

With gritted teeth and courage, Lilia emerged from the bushes, timidly standing beside Iris, and softly called out, "Iri... I didn't peek, I just passed by. Please don't be angry. I won't come next time..."

Lilia had used this excuse before, promising she wouldn't come again, but she definitely would next time.

"Do you have a towel?" Iris abruptly asked.

"Ah, yes, I do." Lilia nodded quickly, nervously reaching into her pocket and pulling out a towel to hand to Iris.

Lilia couldn't quite believe it. This was something she had only imagined, but Iris had actually brought it up.

Iris took the towel and wiped the sweat off her face, indifferently saying, "Thank you."

"And, it's not your fault. Don't bring any more dolls next time."

"Okay, okay." Lilia obediently nodded.

Lilia appeared exceedingly humble, even making Iris feel a moment of unfamiliarity. In her impression, Lilia was always the dominant one. Even in her most vulnerable moments, Lilia remained proud.

But now, Lilia seemed like a child who had made a mistake, fearing Iris, not daring to resist, and actively trying to please her. It was completely different from the Lilia that Iris had known before.

Finally, Lilia gathered her courage and looked up at Iris, her eyes sparkling, and asked in a soft voice, "Iri, can we have breakfast together?"

It was the first time that the amnesiac Lilia had made a request to Iris, her tone filled with nervous anticipation.

"Sure," Iris nodded, agreeing.

"Really?" Lilia's eyes widened in disbelief, her body stiffened, and her thoughts momentarily paused.

She hadn't expected Iris to agree. She had thought she would be warned or scolded by Iris for being found out, but instead, Iris agreed and even lent her a towel, which meant that their relationship could take a small step forward. Although this small step was equivalent to nothing, it was still better than nothing.

Lilia couldn't believe that Iris actually agreed to have breakfast with her. This surprise caught her off guard.

"Before that, I need to go take a shower. Is that okay with you, Lilia?" Iris asked.

"Of course, it is," Lilia nodded eagerly. She was willing to wait for Iris even if it meant waiting for a whole day.

Lilia followed behind Iris like a little tail, staying close to her.

When Iris entered their dorm room, Lilia, on the other hand, stood at the doorway, not intending to step inside. She held onto the door frame with both hands and stared at Iris with wide, shiny eyes, as if she wanted to engrave this scene in the depths of her soul.

Iris didn't pay any attention to Lilia and went towards the direction of the bathroom.

She undressed, turned on the showerhead, and rinsed her body.

The water was cold, which helped Iris keep her mind calm. Whenever she saw Lilia, fragments of memories would flood her mind, including scenes of whipping, needling, severed arms, and being submerged in saltwater punishments.

Just thinking about it, Iris's anger rose rapidly. She clenched her fists, the anger making her blood boil and her whole body restless, and her throat felt dry.

"Control your emotions, you must control your emotions... This is discipline, don't let it go to waste..." Iris muttered to herself, trying to suppress her emotions as much as possible.

She closed her eyes, attempting to forget those images.

Why don't I hate Ling, who has the same face as Lilia?

Because Ling is the one I watched grow up, she hasn't done anything to harm me.

Why should I treat Ling so well?

Because she is my sister, she is a member of the royal family.

Iris repeatedly used words to comfort herself. She knew she had a stubborn personality that could easily lead to extreme actions. She had to overcome this personality flaw, otherwise, unifying the two continents would just be empty slogans.

Iris didn't want to shout slogans, she wanted to make tangible progress!

Lilia was no longer the arrogant and domineering Lilia from before. Now, she was just a pitiable creature with royal blood running through her veins.

Iris, as the Empress, shouldn't it be natural for you to care about her and the other members of the royal family? Why do you worry so much?

Iris continued to question herself inwardly and answer from her heart until the anger in her subsided gradually, and then she reopened her eyes.

She wrapped herself in a clean towel and looked at herself in the mirror, seeing a faint smile on her face.

A sense of success in controlling her emotions spread within Iris, and she felt much lighter. She had a clear-headedness that felt like an awakening.

Lilia stood at the doorway, looking at the belongings in Iris's room, none of which were gifts from her. She encouraged herself, "Lilia, you just have to try a little harder. Someday, Iri will forgive herself."

Accidentally, she noticed a cat pillow on Iri's bedside, and her eyes couldn't help but well up with tears.

It was placed there by Lilia yesterday, not expecting Iri to keep it. It all felt like a dream.

Lilia wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, but she couldn't stop herself from wanting to cry.

"Lilia, Iri doesn't like it when you cry. We will have breakfast together later, so no crying, okay?" Lilia kept reminding herself, sniffing her nose.

After a moment, Iris finished bathing and changed into clean clothes. She pushed the door and walked out of the room, her steps light and her spirit high, as if a burden had been lifted.

Iris looked at Lilia crouching at the door wiping her tears. "Let's go, have breakfast." "Okay." Lilia used her sleeve to hastily wipe away the tear stains on her face and stood up.

The two of them left the dormitory and walked towards the dining hall.

At that moment, Baixi was eating something in the corner, looking relaxed and content.

She saw Lilia and Iris walking into the dining hall together, and couldn't believe her eyes.

She rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't mistaken.

Mother and grandmother have reconciled? This is really good news!

Lilia and Iris found a seat near the window and sat down. Neither of them spoke and they ate their breakfast in silence.

This silent atmosphere made Baixi feel awkward in the corner, so she decided to find a topic. She swallowed the chicken leg in her hand and approached Iris and Lilia's table.

"Your Majesty, Lady Grandmother, good morning~" Baixi said cheerfully.

Iris looked up at Baixi and said, "Do you have something to say?"

"Uh..." Baixi choked, and she laughed awkwardly, saying, "No... nothing."

"If there's nothing, then go practice. Don't be lazy," Iris said.

"Your Majesty, I have not been lazy. I have been diligently practicing all along. If you don't believe me, you can ask Baiying." Baixi hurriedly explained, not wanting to be looked down upon by her mother.

"Very well," Iris nodded lightly.

"Your Majesty, you are too proud..." Baixi's words were cut off as Iris gave her a meaningful look.

"Proud of what? Make it clear, let me listen carefully," Iris said, with a serious and attentive expression, but a smile curved on her lips, clearly teasing her.

"Proud... dignified. Your daughter should learn from your demeanor," Baixi quickly changed her words, otherwise she might end up in seclusion again.

Realizing she had said too much, Baixi immediately saluted Lilia and Iris, "Your Majesty, Lady Grandmother, please enjoy your meal. This is a good time for practice, so I will go and practice for now." Baixi said and ran off.

Lilia and Iris ate their breakfast quietly, neither of them initiating a conversation.

Lilia was actually quite happy in her heart that Iri could have breakfast with her. She felt really content.

Her appetite was particularly good, eating two baskets of blood buns and two bowls of blood plasma, whereas she normally only ate one basket of blood buns and one bowl of blood plasma. Perhaps because she wanted to spend more time with Iri, that's why she ate a bit more than usual.

Iris was also in a good mood, mainly because she was able to control her emotions and not be reminded of unpleasant memories whenever she saw Lilia.

All in all, it was a win-win situation.

The breakfast time quickly passed. Iris continued to practice while Lilia happily roamed around the palace.

During this time, she ran into Lili Lanzu, who was still wearing a white robe with a red tassel around her waist and holding an ice spear. She looked heroic and dignified.

When Lili Lanzu saw Lilia, a smile appeared on her face. She waved at Lilia and said, "Good morning, sister. You seem to be in a good mood. Did something wonderful happen?"

"It's not just something wonderful, it's something really wonderful, like a dream," replied Lilia, her voice filled with joy and delight. She walked towards Lili Lanzu and linked her arm with hers.

Lili Lanzu looked at her lively sister and couldn't help but feel happy for her. It was a rare sight to see her sister smile like this since she lost her memory, and Lili Lanzu hoped to see that happy expression every time.

"What's the wonderful thing? Oh, I mean the really wonderful thing. What could it be that feels like a dream?" Lili Lanzu asked curiously, wanting to know what made her sister so happy.

"Guess," Lilia playfully teased, refusing to tell Lili Lanzu.

Lili Lanzu shook her head, saying, "I can't guess."

"During breakfast this morning, I tried to secretly watch Iris practicing, just like I used to do. But this time, she caught me," Lilia explained.

Lili Lanzu was slightly confused upon hearing this. "Isn't it a bad thing to be caught? Shouldn't it make you unhappy?"

Usually when Lilia was caught by Iris, she would come to Lili Lanzu to complain and ask for advice on how to make Iris forgive her.

"But this time, Iris didn't send me away. Instead, she asked me for a towel to wipe off her sweat. And instead of telling me to stop giving her dolls, she thanked me and said I don't have to give her any more," Lilia continued.

"It means that my relationship with Iris has taken a small step forward. It may be a small step, but it's a good sign," Lilia's words and gestures clearly expressed her joy.

"Is there more to the story?" Lili Lanzu asked eagerly, looking forward to hearing what happened next.

"Then I made a ridiculous request, and Iris actually agreed," Lilia revealed.

"A ridiculous request? How ridiculous?" Lili Lanzu raised an eyebrow, curious.

"I asked Iris to have breakfast with me, and she didn't refuse," Lilia said, raising her chin proudly. Her cheeks had a pinkish hue, making her look adorable.

"That's really good news," Lili Lanzu said with a smile.

"Lanzu, after you finish practicing, can you accompany me to buy some gifts for Iris?" Lilia blinked her eyes and asked. Her sparkling eyes were as radiant as stars.

"No problem," Lili Lanzu readily agreed. Her gaze swept into the distance, thinking to herself: as long as her sister is happy, nothing else matters.