CHAPTER 413
The Little Princess
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Xiao Ai's inner palace chamber was called the Holy Martial Hall, while Su Cheng's was the Burning Heart Hall.
A thin mist veiled the moon. The crisp clatter of war boots echoed on the cloudstone pavers as Xiao Ai strode into the inner city, followed by thirteen female warrior goddesses, their presence imposing.
"Who goes there!"
The black-armored guards recognized no faces, only Su Cheng's insignia. Trespassing into the inner city at this hour was a capital offense!
Xiao Ai remained silent. Only He Guang spoke up.
"Open your dog eyes and look clearly! This is Lord Gu Ai! Lord Gu Ai has a token! Do you dare to seize it?"
The young guard had never laid eyes on this so-called Lord Gu Ai—he was merely a gatekeeper.
Besides, any person of standing would never use the gate.
"Lord Gu Ai, I had no idea it was you who graced us with your presence…"
In truth, Xiao Ai hadn't even paused her steps, nor did she ever hold grudges…
The guard could only shout his intimidating "Who goes there?" before watching helplessly as the strawberry-cake-like maiden, accompanied by her Valkyries, swept past him without a moment's delay.
Anger was utterly out of the question. No one would get angry over such a trifle. Lady Gu Ai had every reason to be aloof; she certainly wouldn't lose her temper over a mere guard.
"My lady, with just one word from you, tomorrow the entire world would hail you as sovereign."
"If Xiao Ai wants it, we don't need to wait until tomorrow. We're here to make money~"
Little Ai had to beg and coax for ages before finally "borrowing" money from her stingy master.
She'd coaxed and cajoled, practically rolling on the floor, to pry open the Lord's mouth and uncover the location of his secret stash~
"Earn money? Is there even any money left in the inner city? Isn't all the inner city's money already in Lord Gu Ai's hands?"
"What nonsense! That makes it sound like Xiao Ai embezzled a fortune! Xiao Ai uses the Master's money to serve the Master—what's wrong with that? It's my duty as his personal attendant! Don't make it sound so sordid!"
"Yes, but that sly fox actually stashed away secret funds! Lord Xunye once said men who hide money aren't good men!"
"Xiao Ai agrees, the Lord was very naughty~ But thankfully, the Lord confessed promptly and received leniency. Xiao Ai has decided to forgive the Lord~"
Xiao Ai walked toward the Burning Heart Hall. Having entered the inner city, she planned to stop by the Holy Martial Hall. It had been a while since she'd returned, and she wanted to check on Su Lin and the others' current situation.
Su Lin was currently in the Burning Heart Hall. Hearing Xiao Ai had arrived, she hurriedly changed her clothes.
A girl roughly Xiao Ai's height sprang up from her bed like a carp leaping out of water upon hearing the maid's report!
"Quickly prepare my audience attire! Hurry, hurry, hurry!"
In an instant, the entire Burning Heart Hall hummed like a well-oiled machine as countless maids bustled about!
"Oh dear! Chimei, hurry up! Xiao Ai is coming! Where's my grand robe? Bring it to me now!"
The young princess had waited a long time for Xiao Ai. Everything she knew about her royal brother came from her personal maid, Chimera. She had been longing for this moment, and finally, Lady Gu Ai had arrived!
Before Xiao Ai could even enter, the so-called acting sovereign had already rushed out of the bedchamber. Standing outside the door with her hands clasped, she waited anxiously for Lord Gu Ai.
"Chimei, Chimei! Where is Lord Gu Ai?"
"The maid said Lord Gu Ai has already arrived at the Council Hall and is discussing affairs with Lord Mengdie."
"When will she come? Can I go find her?"
"Your Highness, let us wait a little longer. The current situation is sensitive. You should also be mindful of your demeanor. Times have changed. You are now both a princess and a sovereign."
Both the master and servant were of short stature, though for different reasons.
Like Xiao Ai, Princess Su Lin had accepted her authority at a young age, causing her body to remain that of a child.
But Su Lin preferred being Her Highness Princess over being an adult—this way she could indulge in spoiling her royal brother to her heart's content~
While this made it hard not to suspect Su Cheng was a lolicon, the truth was he wouldn't even dare glance at these young girls, let alone touch them. He avoided them altogether!
This included Su Lin and Xiao Ai. Su Cheng dared not provoke Xiao Ai either—one wrong move and she'd throw a tantrum, refusing to pour him tea!
After a moment, Xiao Ai glided over. No lanterns were needed—a row of golden eyes stood out strikingly in the night.
The entire cast of villains followed, with thirteen Valkyries in tow.
"Gu Ai, we greet Your Highness the Princess."
No need for introductions—just "Your Highness." The Valkyries merely gave a slight bow in greeting.
"Sister Xiao Ai, come in and sit down! Come in, come in! Su Lin has missed his sister terribly!"
Xiao Ai merely smiled. How could Su Lin truly miss her?
He clearly missed her royal brother!
Though Su Lin now held the title of Sovereign, Xiao Ai's king was only one—Su Cheng. While she supported Su Lin's ascension to the throne, as long as Su Cheng lived, she would forever remain Her Royal Highness the Princess.
"Xiao Ai, Xiao Ai, have you seen my brother?"
"Your Highness needn't worry. His Majesty is well."
"Really? Then can I go play with my royal brother? I miss him so much!"
Xiao Ai paused. Truth be told, Su Lin had always played the role of a useless fool. Frankly, within the inner city, whether she was present or not made little difference…
Dream Butterfly ruled the Dawn Palace, while Xiao Ai governed the Mount-Attached Palace. With dual monarchs in power—Dream Butterfly overseeing domestic affairs and Xiao Ai commanding military and state matters—they jointly kept the ambitious ministers of the Council Chamber firmly in check.
Even without Su City, the princes could only scheme cautiously, tail tucked between their legs. They lacked the military might or the funds to make a bold move.
As for rebellion, only the Great Fox possessed the strength to mount one. Yet he too remained inactive, clearly content to watch the tigers fight from the mountainside.
Though the inner city appeared stable now, with citizens living peacefully beyond its walls, the inner city could not exist without Su Lin, nor could the throne remain vacant.
"His Majesty would surely disapprove of such a thing, Princess?"
"We simply needn't let His Majesty know, then."
"Hmm…"
"Little Ai is the best~~ I'll just watch Brother Wang from afar, not disturbing him. How about that?"
"Is that really feasible? Can you truly resist seeking out His Majesty?"
"I promise, I promise to listen to Lady Gu Ai. Please? I won't cause trouble for His Majesty~ Please~"
Xiao Ai's coquettish ways were unbearable to others, and this little princess's flirtatiousness was equally unbearable to Xiao Ai.
Xiao Ai had intended to update the princess on recent events in Su City, but the little princess had other ideas—she wanted to go play with her royal brother!
Truthfully, a little outing wouldn't be so bad. Xiao Ai felt that, for now, these people couldn't stir up much trouble.
But the problem was, this little princess was so used to a carefree life. In the ordinary world, hardly anyone recognized Her Highness.
What if someone dared to be rude? What if there was an accident? Who could bear the responsibility?
When the sovereign flew into a rage, hair standing on end, Xiao Ai feared…
"Xiao Ai Sister, Xiao Ai Sister~" Her Highness the Princess feared only two people in her life. One was Xun Ye, the former commander of the Execution Blades—Su City’s sharpest dagger.
The other was Su City's most cherished figure—the unrivaled Godslayer King, the woman wielding the authority of Sanction, former commander of the Royal Army.
Apart from these two, everyone else treated Su Lin fairly well.
"Are you really being obedient?" Xiao Ai finally relented…
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