Since everyone had reacted poorly to the vinegar, Naya remained skeptical about whether Elise had truly finished all the food.

It was also possible Elise had asked Flanna and Bella to help craft that devoted-lover image on purpose.

She set the thermos down and handed it to Bella to wash.

Time for Naya to go coax Eliya into her afternoon nap.

The pink-haired little Dragonkin girl had studied all morning and eaten so many dumplings at lunch. Mental fatigue and a full stomach pulled her gently toward sleep.

Eliya rubbed her eyes and looked at Naya beside her.

"Mom, what Nidia taught me this morning felt way harder. It’s so easy to get sleepy listening."

"Oh? What exactly did she teach you?"

"She went over deeper magic theory. Said I’m almost ready for practical training. Mom… when can I help Mother with her duties? Nidia said Mother faces all kinds of enemies every day—it must be exhausting."

Though Naya couldn’t wield Dragonkin magic herself, years of exposure had given her a solid grasp of its basics.

If forced to compare, Eliya’s current stage resembled the foundational realm in cultivation novels.

Most Dragonkin began practical magic around six—channeling inner mana with theory.

But Eliya was only five.

Still, as a descendant of the Dragon Sovereign, her talent wouldn’t lag. She’d likely progress faster than average.

"Eliya doesn’t need to worry about that yet. Take it slow. No rush."

Everyone kept expectations gentle. Nothing was forced upon her.

Ideally, Eliya would never step onto a battlefield or shoulder Elise’s burdens.

"Eliya, what are your dreams for the future?"

"Dreams?"

The little girl blinked, confused.

"I mean—what do you look forward to? What do you want to be?"

"Be the Dragon Sovereign… and snatch a princess!"

Naya sighed softly, giving Eliya a helpless look.

"I told you not to take stories too seriously. If you really go snatching princesses, I won’t read you any more."

"No, no! I won’t snatch princesses… but I still wanna be Dragon Sovereign!"

"Why?"

"Because the Dragon Sovereign is the strongest—and so cool and majestic! Books say with just a laugh, human cities turn to dust. Wouldn’t that be awesome?"

"Just because it’s cool?"

"Um… Mother *is* the Dragon Sovereign. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if I’m not? Oh—and Mom, if I’m the Dragon Sovereign’s daughter… why do I live here instead of the palace?"

"It’s safer here. The palace has political schemes and power struggles. Dangerous."

"What are political schemes and power struggles?"

*Endless questions.*

Naya gently patted Eliya’s head.

"I’ll explain later. Time to sleep now. Hush."

"Mm… good afternoon, Mom."

Eliya obediently closed her eyes.

Naya held her tiny, soft hand, watching her breathing slow and deepen. Eliya’s peaceful face, faintly smiling, warmed Naya’s heart like morning sun.

*If only she could stay this innocent forever.*

She still couldn’t shake what the System had said.

She wasn’t the only one with a System.

Long ago, by chance, she, Leo, and Lina had confessed to each other: Systems in their minds, missions all the same—eliminate the Dragon Sovereign.

The System claimed more transmigrators existed. Others with Systems, main quest: kill the Dragon Sovereign. Growing stronger, one by one, coming to challenge Elise.

Remembering her old self—the obsession with slaying evil dragons, that reckless adventurer’s heart—Naya now found it absurd.

What had Elise ever done wrong?

Why must transmigrators hunt her?

Maybe they were like her past self: no reason needed. Just wanting a challenge. Seeing Dragonkin as outsiders, enemies by default.

*Should I summon the System and ask about Elise’s fate?*

No.

I won’t believe the System’s nonsense.

Fate lies in our own hands.

Chosen Heroes? Let them come. I’ll make sure none return.

Then… she couldn’t hold Elise back either. She had to persuade the System—to abandon this "kill the Dragon Sovereign" quest.

Evening fell.

Time for Elise to return home.

Naya had prepared a full table of dishes. After lunch’s fiasco, no dumplings this time.

But the ingredients shouldn’t go to waste—so she made smashed cucumber salad.

Everything ready. Guests summoned.

Elise sniffed the air and instantly recognized the vinegar in the salad.

She glanced at Naya, who watched her with a gentle, urging smile: *Go on, eat.*

No matter how reserved Elise acted at home, her love for Naya’s cooking was hard to hide.

Naya knew—Elise never skipped her dishes.

But before Elise could reach for the cucumber, Eliya "tested it for poison." The moment it touched her tongue—*pfft!*—she spat it out.

Her face twisted in disgust.

"Mom! Why’d you use that black vinegar again? It’s gross!"

Unlike dumplings lightly dipped, this salad was marinated straight in vinegar—the sharp tang soaked deep.

Naya gave Eliya a light scold.

"Eliya, don’t waste food!"

"But it’s *really* bad!"

Eliya snatched a chicken leg and swished it hard in her mouth to wash away the sourness.

"But Mother finished all the sauce I made at noon! If she can eat it, why can’t you?"

After two bites, Eliya glanced at Elise.

"Then let Mother have it all."

Outwardly calm, Elise panicked inwardly.

*Good daughter. You’ve got talent for selling out your mom.*

She shot Eliya a cold look.

"Eliya, no picky eating. Don’t waste Mom’s effort."

*How did Naya even discover vinegar—a thing Dragonkin hate? And why so fixated lately? Side effect of regained memories?*

Eliya kept munching, too busy to reply.

"Really that bad?"

Naya picked up a piece, tasted it.

Same as memory—tangy, faintly sweet. Perfect.

During amnesia, her tastes matched Dragonkin. Her cooking suited them.

But after regaining memories, old preferences returned. Foods Dragonkin disliked became enjoyable again.

"Elise, come on—try a bite."

Naya held out another piece.

She watched Elise closely. Fleeting, but she caught it: that split-second hesitation.

Naya’s heart sank.

*So it was all an act? Using affection to control me because she still suspects me?*

*Did she dump the dipping sauce I made at noon?*

Naya pulled the chopsticks back.

But as she watched Elise, Elise watched her too.

And Naya’s undisguised disappointment was far clearer than Elise’s restrained unease.

Elise opened her mouth and took the cucumber right off the chopsticks.

*Anything Naya makes—even bitter melon tastes like watermelon.*

Remembering Naya’s delicate lips had just touched these chopsticks, a faint sweetness bloomed in Elise’s heart.