Chapter 36: A Strange Encounter in the Palace

“Cough, cough, we’ll talk about it later!”

Bai Yu tried to act serious, coughing twice, but the wild, twisting white hair on her head had already betrayed her thoughts.

“Okay, Owner needs to be a little gentler, okay?”

Lili said sweetly, her petite form exuding innocence. Although Bai Yu had arrived at this unfamiliar place, she felt at ease with Lili.

Such a cute girl couldn’t possibly be bad.

“Hehe, got it.”

Bai Yu wore a lecherous grin, but even so, it couldn’t hide her adorable face.

“Does Owner still want to tour the palace, or maybe have lunch? I’ve already prepared a meal for you.”

“Really? Lili is so thoughtful.”

Bai Yu readily agreed, not dwelling on the strange behavior of those people earlier.

Perhaps it was just her imagination.

Lunchtime was more important.

Lili led Bai Yu to the dining hall, where the Emperor, busy with affairs, rarely came to eat.

So it was just Bai Yu alone again.

“Wow, did Lili make all of this?”

Bai Yu stared at the lavish lunch and desserts on the table, her mouth watering.

Could Lili have lived with her for a long time, or else how would she know her so well?

But she had only been a girl for a short while and had never been to this place before.

Bai Yu’s curiosity grew, so she decided to eat first.

“Mmm, so delicious.”

Bai Yu scooped up a large piece of cake with her spoon and savored it.

She looked at Lili curiously and asked, “Lili, aren’t you eating?”

“I don’t need to, a maid can’t eat with her Owner…”

Lili seemed a bit shy, lowering her head.

“Nonsense, Lili works so hard!”

Bai Yu walked over and pulled Lili close, letting her sit beside her.

“Owner…”

Lili’s face flushed, sitting on Bai Yu’s lap. Although she was petite like Bai Yu, she was slightly taller.

This made her feel strangely uncomfortable.

“Lili, open your mouth, ah～”

Bai Yu scooped a large piece of cake and held it to Lili’s mouth.

“Lili should taste the cake she made, so let me feed you.”

Bai Yu smiled, thinking she had always wanted a cute little sister, even though it was impossible now.

But Lili’s arrival fulfilled her fantasy. Although Bai Yu didn’t know why she suddenly appeared in this strange place, meeting a girl like Lili was wonderful.

Bai Yu placed the cake in Lili’s mouth, feeling her soft body as her hands wandered.

“Owner, it tickles～”

Lili whispered, but Bai Yu didn’t stop.

Besides, there was no one else in the dining hall. Since arriving, Bai Yu hadn’t seen anyone except the maids and Cecelia.

It felt like this world was a game, with everyone except specific individuals as NPCs, speaking only fixed lines.

It was a bit unsettling, but if she had to leave, she would miss this little maid in her arms.

“Lili, if I ever leave here, could you come with me?”

“Where does Owner want to go? This is Owner’s home, and I’ll always be with you.”

As Lili said this, a barely perceptible cold gleam flashed in her eyes.

“Although Lili feels familiar, I truly don’t remember anything about her before.”

Bai Yu scratched her head. Lili had a feeling of intimacy and fascination, but Bai Yu had never seen her before.

“It doesn’t matter, Owner. As long as you stay with me from now on, that’s enough, right?”

Lili turned in Bai Yu’s arms, her small body pressing against her.

A faint blue-pink ripple appeared in Lili’s eyes, the same color as her hair, giving a dreamy feeling that captivated Bai Yu.

“Yes, always… together.”

Bai Yu gazed into Lili’s eyes, her own reflecting the blue-pink ripple, her body pressing closer to Lili’s.

Lili’s lips curved into a smile, her small mouth moving toward Bai Yu’s.

[Wake up, Bai Yu, quickly, wake up!]

Just as Lili was about to kiss Bai Yu, an unknown voice echoed in her mind, vanishing instantly.

“Huh, what just happened?”

Bai Yu’s eyes cleared, looking at Lili who was about to kiss her, feeling a bit curious.

“What’s wrong, Lili? Don’t be afraid.”

Bai Yu patted Lili’s head, thinking Lili was nervous about breaking the maid’s rules.

“Yes, Owner is the best.”

Lili nestled in Bai Yu’s lap, but where Bai Yu couldn’t see, she showed a displeased expression.

“Damn witch, appearing at this time!”

She had almost succeeded, and now the witch had ruined her plans.

“But what can you do in my world?”

“And that female knight, interfering with my dreams, how dare you underestimate me.”

But this barely mattered. Even if someone could influence her dreams, only Bai Yu could retain memories.

Lili flashed a victorious smirk.

But her expression changed instantly, and Lili smiled brightly again.

“Owner, you should eat before it gets cold.”

“Okay, let’s eat together.”

Bai Yu didn’t notice Lili’s strange behavior, only feeling how comfortable it was to hold this little girl.

While feeding Lili, she thought about the palace she had seen today.

Though luxurious, she hadn’t found anything unusual or any clues to leave.

It seemed she needed to leave the palace and explore this place further.

“Lili, want to go out with me tomorrow?”

Bai Yu smiled at Lili, feeling her spirits lift whenever she was with her.

“But, Your Majesty said Owner can’t leave the palace, maybe Owner shouldn’t…”

“What silly rules, we won’t listen to him. Staying here will drive me crazy.”

“But… but…”

“No more ‘buts,’ we’ll decide when he finds us.”

Bai Yu spoke with finality.

“Okay… I guess…”

Lili wore a sullen expression.

“Didn’t expect you to want to leave so soon, wouldn’t Owner stay here with me and do fun things forever?”

But Lili only mumbled this to herself.

Soon, Owner would stay with her forever, never leaving again.

****