Xiao He clutched her chest, feeling her heart race.

"Wow wow! What is this adorable little creature? So unfairly cute!" she murmured inwardly, barely holding back her emotions.

Captivated not only by the girl’s sweet scent but also by her childish, honeyed voice, Xiao He’s heart crumbled completely under Zila’s "cuteness attack."

Slumping beside the bed, she pressed a hand to her heaving chest, gasping softly. "Wow~ The little princess is *too* cute! I seriously envy Senior Xiao Ye’s job!" she whispered.

Peeking back around the corner, half her face visible, her gaze locked onto the noticeable curve of Zila’s chest beneath her dress.

"Ohhh~ Wow! The little princess’s figure is amazing—even better than Her Imperial Majesty’s! And bigger! So jealous~ No wonder she’s my idol~"

Shaking her head sharply to clear the daze, Xiao He muttered, "Oops~ What am I fangirling about? Focus! Gotta impress the princess!"

---

"La la la~ La la la la~ ♫"

A smooth, mature voice drifted through the air. Drawn by the melody, Zila blinked her eyes open drowsily.

"What a lovely song… Who is it?" She sat up, vision still blurry. A pink-haired Succubus Curse in a maid uniform hummed while tidying the room.

Realizing the singer was her, Zila smiled sleepily. "Sister’s singing is so nice… haa~" She stretched and yawned.

"!" At the sound of her voice, the maid spun around, dropped the feather duster with a clatter, and beamed.

"Little Princess! You’re awake! Wow~ My precious little princess~" Xiao He cupped her cheeks, eyes sparkling.

Zila remained unmoved—she was long used to such adoration.

"Hehe, just like Sister Xiao Ye," she yawned again, rubbing her damp eyes.

"Since Senior Xiao Ye isn’t feeling well, I’m covering for her today. Good morning, Your Highness! I’m maid Xiao He—please be kind to me!" Xiao He bowed eagerly.

"Oh~ Sister Xiao He… Where’s my Grandma? She promised to go boating with me today!" Zila scanned the room for Zi Li.

"I’m sorry, Your Highness. Her Imperial Majesty is occupied with duties. Please understand."

"Hmph! Big liar! Liar Empress! I’m mad~" Zila crossed her arms, turned away, and puffed her cheeks.

"Ah! Even angry, the princess is so cute~"

A lightbulb flickered in Xiao He’s mind. "How about this, Your Highness? Let *me* take you boating today!"

"Really?! But… won’t you be busy?" Zila recalled Xiao Ye’s hectic schedule.

"No worries~ Her Imperial Majesty specifically said I should make sure you have fun today~"

"Promise you won’t trick me?"

"Mm-hmm~!"

…

Thus, maid Xiao He set aside her duties and led Zila to the most scenic river in the Violet Spirit Domain.

After borrowing a wooden boat, they drifted gently along the water.

Zila traced her reflection on the surface—then froze.

"Wow~ Pretty little fish! Sister Xiao He, look~!" She turned back.

Xiao He was focused on her task: a large sack beside her, piles of long green leaves, and grain mixtures wrapped neatly into cone-shaped parcels.

"Are you wrapping food, Sister Xiao He?"

"Yes, Your Highness! Festival foods for the palace—I’m in charge of preparing them…" She worked intently.

"Sister Xiao He… I’m sorry," Zila’s cheerful tone softened. "You’re so busy… yet you came with me."

"No, no~ It’s my honor to spend time with such a lovely princess!" Xiao He smiled warmly. Noticing Zila’s quiet mood, she handed her a small leaf parcel. "Here! Open it and sprinkle the grains in. Fish will come~"

"Really?" Zila brightened, then hesitated. "But… isn’t this for the palace?"

"It’s fine! This one’s too small—supposed to be 3 inches, but clumsy me made it 1.5 inches, haha."

"There’s another mis-sized one too! Yours~"

"Eh? Too many…?" Zila waved her hands.

"Don’t worry! Two 1.5-inch ones equal one 3-inch! Just one less~"

Zila tilted her head. "Sister Xiao He… two 1.5s don’t equal one 3. Even by area… wouldn’t it take *four*?"

"Ah? Haha? Is… is it? Gomen~" Xiao He flushed, muttering, "Multiply? 1.5 times 1.5… less than 3 times 3? Oh! *That’s* it! I’m a genius~"

"Um…" Zila heard every word. Speechless.

*"So… are Succubus Curses really bad at math?"* She half-believed it—after all, *she* was a math-skilled Succubus Curse.

"Never mind that! Here, Your Highness~" Xiao He opened the parcel herself, sprinkled grains onto the water.

Fish swarmed instantly.

"Wow! Fish! Such big fish!" Zila cried, eyes sparkling with stars.