Under the radiant moon of deep night, its silvery light streamed through the window into the pitch-black room, finally settling on the young girl.

She had stunning heterochromatic eyes—one amethyst, one gold—and smooth lavender hair cascading down her back like a waterfall.

Clad in an elegant lavender-and-white gown, delicate lace trim accentuated her graceful curves.

Her eyes brimmed with sorrow and grief. Crystal-clear tears traced silent paths down her cheeks, dripping onto the photograph in her hands.

Her slightly red-rimmed gaze lingered on the two figures in the image: an adult and a child, strikingly similar in appearance.

A cherished memory—herself and her granddaughter, Zi Li and Zila, smiling beside a flowerbed in the imperial palace’s rear garden.

Zi Li wept softly, her tiny fingers gently tracing Zila’s face in the photo. Voice trembling with tears, she whispered, “Sweet granddaughter… I’m sorry. Grandma shouldn’t have blamed you. Where are you?”

Regret coiled tightly in her chest as she recalled their recent clash.

More than ten days ago—just before the entrance exams for Zijing Academy, the Ziling Kingdom’s premier institution—Zi Li, worried Zila hadn’t reviewed a single page, set aside her duties to check on her.

Returning to the palace, she found Zila freshly home, fast asleep on her bed.

Hands on hips, lips pursed, Zi Li shook her head with a sigh.

“Jue Mo, where has Zila been?” she asked telepathically toward the necklace resting on Zila’s chest.

“Reporting to my former master,” Jue Mo’s voice echoed in her mind, “the young princess just returned from her cousin’s house. She played until tired and came back to rest.”

“All she does is play,” Zi Li muttered. “She always promises this Empress she’ll study hard!”

She remembered her daily farewell: *“Sweet granddaughter, don’t be late for school. Study well.”*

And Zila’s casual reply: *“Hmph, I know, I know! Go do your work, silly Grandma~”*

Anxiety flared. Zi Li yanked the quilt Zila clutched tightly. “Wake up, granddaughter! The exam is tomorrow—review now!”

Zila’s eyes stayed shut, but her body twisted toward the quilt like sticky candy—parted, then clinging back instantly.

Drool at the corner of her mouth, she murmured, “No… so sleepy… wanna sleep… Zzz…”

“Tsk~” Zi Li clicked her tongue, grabbing Zila’s arm. “Get up! Grandma will teach you anything you don’t know!”

“No… no… sleep… sleep…” Zila protested, voice thick with drowsiness.

No matter how hard Zi Li pulled, the quilt resisted—fabric straining with faint tearing sounds.

Frustrated, she tossed it back. The “lazy little worm” snuggled deeper, curling into a ball.

Steam practically rose from Zi Li’s head. Her fingers twitched.

“Zila! If you don’t get up this instant, don’t blame Grandma!”

“Zzz… Zzz…”

“Damn it!” Eyes flashing red, Zi Li seized Zila’s heart-shaped tail dangling off the bed and pinched firmly.

“Eep! It hurts! Let go!” Zila shot upright, spine ramrod straight.

Tears welling, she pleaded, “Waaah~ Grandma, I’ll go! I’ll go right now! Please let go!”

Obediently, Zila shuffled to the desk. Zi Li began explaining noble etiquette…

…until soft snores interrupted her.

Zila had dozed off, forehead pressed to the desk, book draped over her face.

Zi Li sucked in a sharp breath, tossed the book aside, and gently pinched Zila’s cheek. “Wake up! As heir to this Empress, poor grades tarnish the Belanite Clan’s honor!”

Noticing the red mark she’d left, Zi Li moved to release her—

—but Zila slapped her hand away. Face darkening, tears streamed down both cheeks.

“You… you!” Zila erupted. “Jerk Grandma! Trash Empress! Pinching my tail, my cheek—over *this*?! And you won’t even let me sleep!”

“Waaah! I hate you the most!” She shoved Zi Li, jumped from the chair, and fled the room.

“Hmph. Improper conduct,” Zi Li muttered, arms crossed. “Cursing elders at her age… only thinking of play.”

Soon after, the butler entered. “Your Imperial Majesty, the young princess ran out crying. Shall I bring her back?”

He read the tension in her expression.

“No. A child’s tantrum. She’ll return when hungry,” Zi Li said, turning away.

“Your Imperial Majesty… the princess is young. Patience is key. As Empress, you mustn’t lose temper over a child.”

“Hmph! I *was* patient. She’s the one who never studies!”

Days passed. Zila didn’t return.

Zi Li barely slept or ate. She ordered troops to search every corner of the kingdom—no trace.

Until Zila’s cousin arrived, breathless.

“Aunt, you misunderstood her! She came to *study* with me! Stayed nights, reviewed until dawn—worked harder than I did!”

The words should’ve warmed her heart. Instead, guilt pierced deep.

*She was trying so hard… and I pinched her tail… her cheek…*

“Your Imperial Majesty, are you alright?” the butler asked gently at dawn.

“It’s 10 a.m. You haven’t slept in two nights. Please rest.”

In the photo’s glass reflection, Zi Li saw dark circles shadowing her eyes.

“Today… this hour… Zila should be at the academy meeting… for her results… but… it’s all this Empress’s fault…” Her voice was frail.

Suddenly, a female Succubus Curse guard rushed in. “Reporting to Your Imperial Majesty! The princess has returned!”

Zi Li seized the guard’s shoulders. “Really?! Where?! Take this Empress—now!”

At the palace gates, a carriage halted. An elderly coachman opened the door.

Inside, a Succubus Curse girl slumbered, a half-eaten steamed bun near her lips.

Zi Li’s lips trembled. Tears welled in her dry eyes.

“Your Imperial Majesty, I brought the princess back,” the coachman said with a bow.

Forgetting all decorum, Zi Li rushed in, gathered Zila tightly, and carried her down.

“Thank goodness, Zila…” She noticed the glass trophy clutched in Zila’s arms.

Golden letters gleamed: *“Top of the Entire Grade, Zijing Academy”* beside the official seal.

Fresh tears streamed down Zi Li’s face. “Zila… I’m sorry. You worked so hard all along… Grandma was wrong.”

“Your Imperial Majesty,” the coachman bowed. “Over ten days ago, the princess ran away. I sheltered her. She forbade me from revealing her whereabouts and took the exam incognito. My deepest apologies for your worry.”

Grandmother and granddaughter held each other close—a tender, healing embrace that warmed every heart watching.