“So, Mother Empress, what did you make?”

Liya sat before the extended dining table Gan Mei had brought over, gazing at the spread of exquisite dishes. They were clearly the sort of things Liya ate every day.

There was no way Mu Nanyan had made them.

“That one.”

Mu Nanyan gave an embarrassed smile and pointed to a plate of tomato and scrambled eggs tucked in the corner. Compared to the other exquisite dishes, it looked terribly plain.

For the first time since her reincarnation, Mu Nanyan felt truly intimidated. The greatest source of pressure all this time hadn’t been the Demon Emperor or the Demon Clan.

It was the mountain of food right in front of her…

“This is so unusual! Was that why you asked me to pick berries? You wanted to use them in a dish?”

“Did you fry this in oil? Is that yellow stuff egg? I never knew berries could be used in a dish like this. I thought you were going to make something sweet with them.”

Liya sounded full of curiosity as she examined the unfamiliar tomato and scrambled eggs.

She’d never imagined that those red berries could be turned into a dish like this. It didn’t look as impressive as the other food, but it was certainly something new.

Liya had long since grown tired of the dishes before her. She ate the same things over and over every day. They looked delicious, but after a while, they were just… the same old food.

At Liya’s age, she was bound to crave novelty and excitement.

Mu Nanyan’s red bean glutinous rice balls had already amazed Liya, so she didn’t hesitate to try a bite of the tomato and scrambled eggs, either.

Mu Nanyan watched Liya anxiously. When Liya said nothing for a long while, she began to give up hope.

She’d worked so hard on that dish, yet it couldn’t hold a candle to the food Liya usually ate. Even though Mu Nanyan had barely eaten anything all day, her appetite was poor from sheer disappointment.

She’d only polished off two bowls of rice and a whole pork knuckle.

But when Mu Nanyan put down her bowl and chopsticks, she was surprised to see that the plate of tomato and scrambled eggs was completely clean. Not even a drop of sauce remained.

By comparison, none of the food in front of Liya had disappeared. Liya had eaten every last bit of what Mu Nanyan made.

“W-Why are you looking at me?”

Liya noticed Mu Nanyan’s gaze and turned away, looking a little embarrassed.

“I-I just ate a little more than usual today. I’m not normally like this.”

Liya explained in a quiet voice. Her pretty face was faintly red, as if she were shy.

“That counts as eating more?”

Mu Nanyan was at a loss for words. So, for a pampered young noblewoman, a plate of tomato and scrambled eggs and half a bowl of rice counted as a big meal?

Then what about me…?

Mu Nanyan glanced at the pork knuckle and rice she’d polished off, and that was with her appetite being poor.

Good thing nobody noticed. Otherwise, she’d have made a complete fool of herself.

“Good evening, Mother Empress. You seem to have quite an appetite.”

Just as Mu Nanyan was smiling awkwardly, Alisha’s voice rang out at the worst possible moment, startling her.

“P-Princess?”

Mu Nanyan blurted out without thinking.

“Please don’t call me that. You’re my mother, so you can call me by my name.”

Alisha had changed into a pretty orange princess dress. With its lively look and a hint of a girl’s natural excitement, it made her seem youthful and spirited.

Her expression was also much gentler than it had been when Mu Nanyan saw her at the palace earlier that day.

“I’m sorry for showing up so suddenly. I’m here to deliver the Demon Emperor’s decree. She said… she hopes you’ll spend the night with her at the palace tonight.”

“Huh?”

Mu Nanyan looked around in confusion. Spend the night with her? Me? Is she talking to me?

“Please get ready. We’ve brought you a formal dress, and when it’s time to turn in tonight, someone will be here to help you change into your nightclothes.”

As Alisha spoke, the attendants behind her immediately brought forward a beautifully crafted silver, backless evening gown.

The gown was as elegant as a swan, and Mu Nanyan couldn’t help drawing in a sharp breath when she saw it.

“This dress… won’t my back freeze?”