"Your Imperial Majesty, Princess Zila has a slightly unusual personality—please don’t blame her. She’s truly hardworking. During the time I cared for her, she never once slacked.

Still… I did overhear her occasionally grumble about you. She says you’re always buried in state affairs and don’t understand her feelings. She seems to dislike acting like a perfect little girl in front of you… but deep down, Princess Zila really just wishes for more of your company~"

The carriage driver’s words, the one who brought Zila back, remained deeply etched in Zi Li’s heart.

Another dawn arrived. In the vast, opulent bedroom, two Succubus Curses—strikingly similar in features yet vastly different in age and stature—lay embraced.

Zi Li leaned against the headboard of the double bed, cradling her granddaughter.

Sometimes she gently smoothed Zila’s bangs; sometimes she tapped the girl’s cheek with a slender finger; sometimes she smiled at Zila’s sleepy murmurs.

Their legs tangled together. Zila slept curled like a napping kitten, chin resting on Zi Li’s chest.

Tiny hands, fists curled like a kitten’s paws, rested softly on Zi Li’s bosom. Their purple, heart-shaped tails intertwined gently.

"My dear Zila," Zi Li whispered, fingers tracing Zila’s long side locks, "you act mischievous before me… yet behind the scenes, you’re so diligent and sweet."

She chuckled softly. "You refuse to seem obedient in front of me? Such a strange little personality… tsundere, perhaps?"

She offered no conclusion—just a light hum—then glanced toward the window.

Sunlight glinted over the mountain peaks. Dawn had faded; morning was near.

"I understand," Zi Li murmured with a smile, carefully shifting Zila closer until their cheeks touched. "You want more of my time."

"My precious granddaughter… so soft, so fragrant~" She inhaled Zila’s sweet scent, cupped the girl’s head gently, and pressed a featherlight kiss to her forehead.

"Be good today, my love. I’ll finish my duties quickly and come back to you~"

After the hushed words, Zi Li settled Zila tenderly and slipped quietly from the room.

At the doorway, a pink-haired maid approached.

She bowed deeply before Zi Li. "Your Imperial Majesty, good morning~"

"Rise," Zi Li said warmly. Recognizing the pink-haired Succubus Curse as she stood, Zi Li smiled. "You’re… Xiao He?"

Xiao He was youthful, with an innocent, cheerful charm. Her soft pink Roman-curled twin tails framed a face where rosy eyes sparkled with upbeat energy.

Hand pressed to her chest, she replied, "Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. I oversee cleaning in the palace’s northern sector."

"Where’s Xiao Ye? She usually wakes me."

"I’m substituting for Senior Xiao Ye today—she’s unwell. Forgive the change." Xiao He bowed apologetically.

"Then care for my granddaughter," Zi Li said gently, smile unwavering. "If she’s unhappy… well, don’t blame me~"

She trusted Xiao He completely—her diligence was well known.

"Wait—Senior Xiao Ye’s duty was caring for Princess Zila?!" Xiao He’s eyes lit up with starry excitement. She stifled a deep bow. "Rest assured, Your Imperial Majesty! I’ll cherish Princess Zila!"

"Mm~ Off I go!"

"Your Imperial Majesty, travel safely~" Xiao He bowed again as Zi Li departed.

Once Zi Li vanished down the hall, Xiao He clasped her hands before Zila’s door, face flushed with a lovesick grin.

"Eep~ So Senior Xiao Ye had *this* blessing?! To care for the most adorable girl in the entire Violet Spirit Domain!" She pulled a wallet from her waist—clearly printed with Zila’s chibi portrait.

"Wow~ Princess Zila… today I finally get to be with you, care for you~ Hehe~" She giggled, nuzzling the wallet.

No time to waste! Heart pounding, hands trembling, she reached for the doorknob.

*Click.*

Inside, a captivating floral-skin fragrance washed over her. Xiao He’s eyes widened in delighted awe.

"Whoa… this scent is heavenly~ So warm, so happy~"

She’d smelled Her Imperial Majesty’s legendary fragrance before—perfectly blended, never cloying. Zi Li was famed across the Violet Spirit Domain as peerless beauty incarnate.

But Zila’s scent? Dozens of times stronger. Hypnotic.

Clasping her hands to her chest, Xiao He crept closer. The aroma deepened with every step.

She crouched by the bed. Zila hugged the quilt, cherry-pink lips nibbling its edge, tail swishing playfully.

"Mmm~ So tasty~" Zila mumbled in her sleep.

"Ooh~"

That single sleepy whisper made heart-shaped stars bloom in Xiao He’s eyes.