Black hair, gray eyes, and clothing that, though tattered, unmistakably spoke of luxury.

The youth Cang Xiaoxi appeared before Lisdel and the others in this state.

Normally, encountering anyone in such ruins was suspicious enough—let alone a child who looked no older than six or seven.

It was only natural for the Imperial soldiers to be on high alert.

But the true reason for their wariness lay in the boy’s grievously wounded body.

Blood seeped from the corners of his mouth, his arms, his back—a volume far too severe for any child.

Who was he? A monster capable of mimicking human form?

Everyone present shared this thought—well, almost everyone.

“No way?! How could he be so badly hurt?!” Lisdel cried out in horror.

Though an Imperial herself—sharp-tongued and utterly unlike the typical noble—she was the type who couldn’t ignore someone in need.

Without hesitation, she snatched a precious potion from Ende and dashed forward.

“Your Highness, wait! This could be a trap. Please don’t act rashly!” Ende and several soldiers moved to stop the impulsive princess.

“A trap?! Are you blind? Look at him—he’s injured!” Lisdel snapped at the soldiers blocking her, her gaze flickering with worry toward Cang Xiaoxi, who had collapsed ahead. “Step aside! If you dare hinder me again, you’ll answer for it later!”

Neither the soldiers’ warnings nor Ende’s pleas swayed her.

Lisdel stubbornly pressed on. All soldiers instinctively parted—except Ende.

“What? Still blocking me?” Lisdel glared at him.

“No, Your Highness. I know your nature too well to stop you,” Ende paused. “But permit me to accompany you—as your guard.”

“Do as you like.”

With a wave, Lisdel jogged to the fallen boy. Ende followed closely.

“Indeed… black hair…”

Ignoring the grime, she lifted him. In this world, only two lineages bore such hair. Curiosity flickered in both their eyes.

As she administered the potion, they exchanged quiet words.

“Ende… this child is surely…”

“Yes. Given the evidence—and his attire is clearly noble.”

Silently, master and servant arrived at the same conclusion: Mosiri Kingdom royalty.

Only that nation’s royal blood carried the otherworldly black hair.

Yet certainty eluded them.

“But does Mosiri have a prince this young? I heard only of a princess; the princes should be near adulthood.”

“You’re correct, Your Highness,” Ende nodded. “But public records hide truths. You, of all people, know that.”

Lisdel fell silent.

State secrets? She knew them well. Her own empire publicly acknowledged thirteen heirs—but her half-siblings numbered far more. The emperor’s… appetites were no secret.

Thus, they felt near-certain: this boy was Mosiri’s hidden prince.

“Mm… Mmm… Where…?”

“Oh! You’re awake! How do you feel?”

Mid-conversation, Cang Xiaoxi stirred with a slightly exaggerated shudder, eyes fluttering open.

*Naturally, the act had to be convincing.*

Every wound was feigned. Not a scratch marred him. Thanks to Jikuhir’s superior medicine—hundreds of times stronger than this potion—he felt better than ever.

*So they’ve already pegged me as Mosiri’s prince.*

He’d heard every word. From the moment he noticed this unusual master-servant pair, he and Jikuhir had been eavesdropping. This entire “injured boy” act was planned.

Even now, as Lisdel cradled and fed him (a sight that made Jikuhir fume silently nearby, teeth clenched, glaring daggers), the little Dragon Sovereign seethed.

“I’m… okay,” Cang Xiaoxi murmured, feigning a glance at his “wounds” before offering an utterly innocent smile. “Did you save me, big sister? Thank you… so much!”

“Big sister! Big sister!”

Faced with that pure, guileless smile (as Lisdel saw it), something inside her snapped.

Delicate features. Possible noble blood… A strange warmth bloomed in her chest.

“Ende.”

“Your Highness?”

“I’m taking this child back to raise as my child bridegroom.”

“As you com— Wait?! Your Highness?!”

Ende blinked, stunned. *Child bridegroom?!* How could a princess suggest something so…

“I said I’m raising him as my child bridegroom! Don’t you see how adorable he is?!”

A smile—never before seen on Lisdel’s face—blossomed. She yanked Cang Xiaoxi into a tight hug, nuzzling his soft cheek.

“Hurry! Prepare to return to the empire! Draft the proposal to Mosiri Kingdom—my husband is decided!”

Still holding him, she stood and barked orders.

Cang Xiaoxi jolted from his *Are you fucking kidding me?!* stupor, straining to break free—but froze at their next exchange.

“Your Highness, marriage isn’t a game! You can’t decide rashly!”

“It’s not rash! I fell in love at first sight—with *him*!”

“That *is* rash! Falling for someone unknown?!”

“How unknown? His name is— Wait! What’s your name?”

“Ah… I’m Cang Xiaoxi. Big sister, please calm—”

“See?! My future husband is *Cang Xiaoxi*! Not ‘unknown’ at all!”

“Your Highness, you… *sigh*.” Ende pinched the bridge of his nose. *Knowing a name doesn’t verify lineage. By that logic, any stray cat could be family.*

“Please, Your Highness—settle down. The mission isn’t complete. How will you report to His Majesty?”

“Guh… Well…” Lisdel faltered.

Ende signaled the halted soldiers to resume work. He glanced at his pouting princess, then at Cang Xiaoxi’s visibly flustered face. *My hairline… it’s receding faster.*

“Fine! I’ll finish the mission!” Lisdel huffed, then hugged the boy even tighter—as if guarding a treasured toy.

Cang Xiaoxi froze, expression unreadable. His entire plan—gain trust through cuteness, then extract Imperial intel—was shattered.

He’d infiltrated here because Fenrir’s magical residue was strongest here. As Jikuhir warned: ancient beings don’t resurrect without interference. Imperial soldiers here? They were involved.

He came to repay Jikuhir with intel. Now? Escaping felt impossible.

*Transmigrated to another world… only to be claimed as a child bridegroom by a princess on first meeting? Is this plot for real?!*

“Oh! Little Xiaoxi,” Lisdel loosened her grip slightly, crouching to stroke his head gently. “Why were you injured here? Separated from your guards?”

“I… it’s because…”

His rehearsed story vanished—scattered by the princess’s antics, rivaling even that scatterbrained Dragon Sovereign’s.

Sweat beaded internally under her sweet smile.

Just then—

“Your Highness! Found it! An ancient relic pulsing with immense magic!”

“Really?!” Lisdel sprang up. “Secure it carefully! Protect it! Phew… Finally, we can report back.”

Relieved, she offered Cang Xiaoxi an apologetic smile and patted his head. “Sorry. Please continue.”

“Ah… I…”

*Why are girls here so complicated? Can’t I catch a break?!*

As Cang Xiaoxi teetered on the edge of despair—a furious, high-pitched voice shattered the moment:

“LET GO! HE’S MINE! DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM AGAIN, YOU BITCH!”