In secret, Daiya harbored an almost obsessive fan-like adoration for Zi Li.

Naturally, Zila was her granddaughter—and her charm had even bewitched the Belanite guards right under Zi Li’s nose. No doubt Zila was more exceptional… and therefore, even more adorable!

“Mm, Auntie! I’ll bring our lovely cousin back safe and sound—promise! You can relax completely!” Daiya finally lifted her head, gazing into Zi Li’s eyes with a happy smile.

Seeing that confident grin, Zi Li smiled faintly. “To have someone like you in the Nokath Clan… truly a blessing.”

Hearing Daiya had been granted permission to retrieve Zila abroad, one heavily convicted prisoner’s eyes lit up—he’d spotted an opening.

“Spare us, Your Imperial Majesty! Grant us a chance to atone!” He straightened his back, knelt, and clasped his hands pleadingly.

Zi Li’s gaze, once fixed on Daiya, briefly closed before shifting coldly to the death-sentenced prisoners behind her.

“Atonement?” she scoffed, voice icy.

“Yes! Your Imperial Majesty—what if Lady Daiya travels alone? Danger could strike! How could she handle it?”

“Exactly!” another prisoner chimed in eagerly. “Let us accompany Lady Daiya to find Her Highness the Princess! A chance to redeem ourselves!”

“Do you think I’d send convicts who tried to assault my granddaughter?” Zi Li’s tone sharpened.

Clearly, after just one encounter with Zila, these men had been utterly bewitched—not only turning against Zi Li but nearly violating Zila herself. No one would risk sending potential threats near their own granddaughter.

Daiya glanced back at the prisoners, then turned to Zi Li with an unexpectedly bright smile. “Auntie, their words hold reason. I cannot journey alone from the Ziling Kingdom. Please let them accompany me.”

“Oh? Xiao Ya… do you truly believe I’d trust these criminals with my granddaughter’s safety?” A faint curve touched Zi Li’s lips.

“Auntie, mistakes don’t define forever. Errors can be mended. Give them a chance!” Daiya insisted. “If they dare disrespect our cousin—I’ll execute them on the spot without mercy!”

“Xiao Ya… since when did you grow so compassionate?” Zi Li closed her eyes, smiling softly. “Very well. Since you’ve spoken… I’ll make an exception.”

The prisoners kowtowed instantly. “Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty! Thank you, Lady Daiya! We’ll bring Princess Zila home safe!”

“Rise,” Zi Li said coolly. “Succeed, and you’ll be richly rewarded. Fail—or she returns with even a single hair missing—and death awaits you.” Her gaze pierced them, sharp as blades.

“Auntie… if I bring her back… is there… a reward for me too?” A faint blush tinged Daiya’s cheeks; her posture turned shy.

“Of course! Ask for anything, Xiao Ya. If I can grant it—I will.” Zi Li rummaged in her pocket, placed a small purple pouch into Daiya’s palm. “I trust your strength… but I worry. This will guide you to her—and protect you when needed.”

Daiya tucked the pouch away—*thud!* A book tumbled from her pocket onto the floor.

Zi Li’s eyes flicked toward it. “What’s this?”

“Ah! N-nothing, Auntie! Just… a novel!” Daiya stammered, flustered. Her usual grace vanished; movements turned frantic.

“No time to lose! Bye, Auntie!” Clutching the book behind her back, Daiya stumbled out of the Ziling Palace with the prisoners.

Zi Li settled onto her throne with a relieved sigh. “Daiya… you’ve truly grown.”

She saw through it—Daiya had shielded them intentionally: earning loyalty, strengthening ties with the Belanite Clan.

“Your Imperial Majesty,” the maid murmured while offering tea, “Princess Daiya is remarkably thoughtful. She’ll be a great asset.”

“Wait.” Zi Li’s voice stilled her. “Do you know a book titled *The Symbiotic Roots of Roses and Lilies*? The one Daiya dropped…”

“Th-that book… I’ve heard… it depicts a romantic bond between cousins… commonly called… yuri…”

Zi Li’s smile tightened. “Hehe… that girl. Her grandmother must’ve filled her head with odd tales. I’ll speak with her later.”

Resting her chin on slender fingers, she gazed toward the horizon. “May my dear granddaughter return safely. I’ve lost her once… I won’t lose her again.”

Inside the carriage, the Belanite guards thanked Daiya profusely—but she ignored them, curled in a corner, devouring the book.

“Ah! I have a cousin too! I want to meet her, play with her, hold her, sleep with her, kiss her—!”

Noticing their stunned stares, she wiped drool from her lip. “What’re you gawking at?! Without me, you’d be headless! Leak a word—and you’ll regret it!”

“Yes, Lady Daiya!” they chorused.

“Where is she…?” Daiya murmured, voice feverish. She opened the pouch. A faint crimson glow spilled out. From it, she drew a purple jade pendant: a lotus wrapped in crimson vine-like tendrils, pulsing with mysterious allure. Within the glow, a purple emblem swirled.

Squinting her amethyst eyes, she whispered, “Four interwoven weapons…?”

“Sword, cross, staff, bow?” an attendant offered.

“Yes! How did you—?”

“That emblem represents Gaelkani’s four anti-demon professions: swordsman, mage, cleric, archer.”

*Gaelkani?* Daiya’s heart sank. *Why would Zila run to a human nation… as a young demon? Isn’t that suicide?*