Chapter 39: An Unexpected Invitation and a Friend’s Return

“Demonic God, I have an urgent matter to report!”

Xianming burst through the doors with an eager, almost bouncing gait.

As her voice echoed within, Youka’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She immediately shifted her attention from assisting Xiamiya’s ‘conception’ back to the present.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, revealing undeniable displeasure within their silvery depths.

However, protecting Xiamiya’s dignity as the Demonic God took precedence over reprimanding Xianming. This was Youka’s primary concern.

While Youka typically didn’t bother with Xiamiya’s daily antics, she would never allow Xiamiya to lose face before the subordinates of Starfall Palace.

This was a matter of principle.

Thus, before Xianming could even cast her gaze into the hall, Youka swiftly raised a hand. Several imperceptible, slender silver threads wrapped around Xiamiya’s limbs and torso, transforming her into a puppet on strings.

Before the adorable Demonic God could react, Xiamiya was restored to a dignified, elegant posture, sitting serenely on the sofa.

The Doll-like Maiden, who had moments ago been attempting to force Xiamiya’s ‘conception,’ now stood respectfully beside Xiamiya, her hands folded over her abdomen.

In an instant, the intense, coercive atmosphere that had permeated the hall vanished, replaced by tranquility and calm.

Xiamiya thought: ‘Damn it =-=’

****

Having helped Xiamiya maintain the dignified demeanor of a Demonic God, the Doll-like Maiden slowly turned, fixing her gaze upon Xianming. Her usually indifferent eyes now pierced with a sharpness that could almost penetrate one’s soul.

Youka stared coldly at Xianming, her gaze like an icy blade, radiating an inviolable majesty and ruthlessness.

Youka, of course, was well aware of the true reason behind Xianming’s boisterous entry into the hall.

Xianming didn’t actually have an urgent matter to report. Instead, she sought to seize this opportunity to approach her master and bask in the blessings of her master’s power.

To interrupt such an important task for a trivial matter like this…

As this thought crossed her mind, Youka’s eyes grew even more dangerous.

“Xianming, you barged in without permission. You truly are a bold little girl, aren’t you?”

“Huh?!”

With these words, a chilling coldness swept through the air.

Facing Youka’s almost oppressive glare, Xianming felt a shiver run down her spine. Her initial excitement and eagerness, which had propelled her through the doors, instantly cooled under Youka’s frigid gaze.

Not only that, but Xianming instinctively began to tremble uncontrollably.

“Ah, this…”

Seemingly sensing the subtly awkward atmosphere in the hall, Xianming swallowed hard. Seeking a moment of connection with the great Demonic God was indeed Xianming’s main objective, but she certainly dared not provoke the Grand Steward for it.

Otherwise, her future meals might…

Therefore, the Star God swallowed the words she had intended to speak, awkwardly raising a hand to scratch the back of her head.

“Ah, my apologies, I seem to have come at an inconvenient time… My apologies, Demonic God. I was impolite. I, I’ll take my leave now!”

With that, Xianming reached for the door bolt, preparing to discreetly exit the room.

But how could Xiamiya possibly let Xianming leave like that?

If Xianming left, wouldn’t she be subjected to Youka’s ‘conception’ attempts on the sofa once more?

Thus, Xiamiya uncharacteristically shed the aloof queen persona she had maintained for so long before the Starfall Palace residents. A benevolent smile graced her lips as she beckoned to Xianming.

“Hehe, it’s fine, don’t worry about it. This is merely the Snow Lotus Palace hall, not my private chambers, so I don’t mind. Heh, hehe~”

“Ooh? R-really?”

“Yes, so come on in.”

Upon hearing this, Xianming stopped, her excited smile returning. She ignored Youka’s icy glare and trotted eagerly into the hall.

Youka, though displeased, had no intention of openly defying Xiamiya. She could only sigh helplessly before pressing for details.

“So, Xianming. What exactly is this urgent matter you spoke of?”

“Oh, right.”

At this, Xianming hastily pulled an exquisite, ornate letter from her chest and handed it to Youka. Of course, Xianming had dearly wished to personally deliver the letter to her great Demonic God from up close.

However, due to the Demonic God’s command that all Starfall Palace residents, except the Grand Steward, must maintain a distance of at least ten meters, Xianming resigned herself to giving the item to Youka.

After a brief glance at the letter, Youka passed it to Xiamiya.

“It’s an invitation from the Ashir family.”

“The Ashir family?”

Muttering the familiar name, a sense of nostalgia gradually washed over Xiamiya. Along with the nostalgia came a surge of joy and excitement.

‘Could it be her letter?!’

Uncharacteristically, Xiamiya wore a smile brimming with anticipation, oblivious to Xianming’s somewhat puzzled expression. Impatiently, she tore open the letter and began to read its contents carefully.

As the words within the letter registered, Xiamiya’s expression grew increasingly vibrant, her pleasure unmistakably evident.

“…”

Observing Xiamiya, Youka felt a pang of confusion, yet she cooperated fully by kicking Xianming out the window.

The Star God, who landed face-first in the dirt, felt aggrieved. But faced with Youka’s bone-chilling gaze, she ultimately lowered her head, feeling wronged, and left the Snow Lotus Palace.

‘Waaah, I brought the letter, but they won’t tell me what it’s about… Mean Grand Steward…’

****

Meanwhile, after ‘escorting’ Xianming out of the hall, Youka slowly approached Xiamiya.

Watching Xiamiya, who was beaming with a rarely seen joyful expression, Youka thoughtfully chose not to disturb her master.

Instead, she waited patiently for a few minutes. Once Xiamiya’s emotions had somewhat stabilized, Youka calmly inquired:

“Miss Mitis Ashir, then?”

To better assist a Demonic God candidate, one must fully understand them. Therefore, a year before Xiamiya became a candidate, Youka had already dispatched Shadow Soldiers to investigate.

Xiamiya’s past few years had been incredibly bleak, especially after Holy King Superion was gravely injured. The Third Holy Princess had endured almost constant ostracization and bullying.

Xiamiya was not a strong girl; in fact, before meeting Youka, she could even be described as weak. The reason such a fragile soul managed to persevere in the Holy Royal Palace for so long was primarily because of Mitis Ashir.

This young lady of the Ashir family became friends with Xiamiya after meeting her at a court banquet. She never shunned or targeted Xiamiya like others, nor did she despise her identity as a Child of Curses.

It was precisely because of Mitis’s encouragement and care that Xiamiya suppressed her grievances and continued to live in the Holy Royal Palace.

For her master, Mitis was a rare friend… indeed, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her her only friend.

A letter from the Ashir family, capable of making her master smile so brightly, could only have come from Miss Mitis.

As it turned out, Youka’s judgment was spot on.

The Demonic God quickly nodded, confirming Youka’s guess:

“Yes, that’s right, it’s Mitis! She’s invited me to a tea party, hehe~”

Seemingly forgetting her need to maintain appearances before Youka, Xiamiya lay carelessly on the sofa, completely without the image of a Demonic God. She gazed expectantly at the invitation in her hands, faint starlight shimmering in her rainbow-colored eyes.

To this, Youka calmly stated:

“Master, do you intend to attend?”

“Of course! When a good friend invites you, you simply must go. I haven’t seen her in over a year.”

“Is it appropriate to leave the Holy Royal Palace now to see a friend?”

“What’s inappropriate about it? Besides, I don’t really have anything to do in the Holy Royal Palace anyway. It wouldn’t hurt to go, would it?”

“No, you could be resting in the Holy Royal Palace for your pregnancy.”

“Ugh…”

At this, Xiamiya immediately showed a displeased expression, even rebelling with a fierce glare at Youka.

“Don’t mention that again! At least, not until after I’ve returned from playing with Mitis!”

Facing Xiamiya’s serious ‘command,’ Youka sighed, then respectfully nodded.

“Understood, Master.”

As she nodded, the Doll-like Maiden thoughtfully cast her gaze towards the invitation in Xiamiya’s hand.

‘An invitation at this time?’

‘Hmm, perhaps for my master, it’s also a good opportunity.’

As if something clicked, Youka’s lips curved into a slight, chilling smile…