Strange Illness

By Swan Lake, a little girl wandered along in disappointment. She kept her head lowered, looking rather dejected, and occasionally picked up a small stone from the shore and tossed it into the still lake, sending ripples spreading across the water.

Suddenly, a disturbance came from the bushes by the lake. The little girl's expression tightened as she looked toward them warily.

Although the Royal Hunting Ground was essentially the military camp of the Royal Knights Legion, the word "hunting ground" was not merely for show. There were still plenty of ordinary wild beasts within it. As a pampered Princess, she did not believe she had the ability to kill a wild beast on her own.

"Yo! I suddenly feel like having afternoon tea again. Do you think I can take back what I said earlier?"

Just as she was secretly growing nervous, a handsome youth emerged from the bushes, smiling as he greeted her.

The little Princess opened her mouth and stammered, "Y-you... weren't you..."

Then she saw the maid Guli stepping out behind Zhao Xuan. Her slightly parted lips immediately closed, and as if she had realized something, she stomped her foot in embarrassed irritation. "Guli, you're meddling again!"

Guli smiled faintly but said nothing.

Zhao Xuan looked at the Empire's youngest Princess with interest and said, "Would Your Highness be willing to let me enjoy afternoon tea with you again?"

The little Princess gave a cute snort, turned her head away, and then her childish voice came through. "Since you've put it that way, then come along."

At the instant the little girl turned away, Zhao Xuan noticed the faint smile at the corner of her lips.

After the little Princess turned around, Zhao Xuan nodded to Guli, who made a grateful gesture in return.

Walking along