The little one with glowing eyes fluttered his tiny wings, chasing after him.
Always considering himself exceptionally skilled at hiding, this was the first time Lien felt such a bewildering sense of powerlessness—why couldn’t he shake him off?
This little fellow was only five years old. Compared to adult Crown Clan members, he was actually quite slow.
But every time, he could pinpoint Lien’s direction perfectly, and step by step—drive him into a corner.
Pressed against the wall, Lien felt a bit dazed—no way out!
And around the corner, the “flashlight” beam was already shining his way.
Suddenly, a small hand clutched the wall, and a tiny head poked out bit by bit.
The big eyes shimmered faintly. In this slightly dim corner, it gave off a strange, creepy vibe.
Lien: …
Tell me, how scary is this scene?
But an even scarier scene was yet to come.
The little one’s other hand also grasped the corner, and in his hand—was a golden crown.
Originally resigned and displaying an indifferent attitude, Lien: …?
Wait a second—he’d been too focused on running before, hadn’t noticed, but in the little one’s hand—what was he holding???
His own crown????
Lien’s eyes widened slowly, shrinking even further into the corner.
The little one let out a long breath, and the light in his eyes finally dimmed. Those big amber eyes blinked, meeting Lien’s gaze.
He was, he was an unfamiliar Crown Clan member.
At this moment, both sides standing face to face were quite nervous.
The little one instinctively looked behind himself—seeing Feeney and Hel following leisurely in his wake, he became righteous again: “You, why have you been following Zao Zao?”
The little one blocked the only way out.
The wings on his back also flared open in an attempt to bolster his momentum—
Lien: …
Lien choked, visibly dazed as he stared at the crown in the little one’s hand.
He raised his hand on instinct.
Hel and Feeney stood not far away. Hel, very familiar with the Crown Clan’s curiosity, didn’t come closer, just spoke gently: “Lien, yanking a halo is quite silly.”
Lien: …
Lien’s hand dropped instantly, his face still cool and cold.
“Hel, it’s been a long time since we talked—do you think I’m a fool?”
“If you yank it too hard, you’ll pass out, Uncle Lien.”
Feeney chuckled from the back.
Oh, so you’ll pass out if you yank it… hey, how do you know???
Wait, he hadn’t even thought about yanking the halo yet!
Besides—Lien belatedly realized.
Why was he hiding?
This wasn’t the Dwight family’s private grounds—anyone could come!
Calm down, keep cool, then… leave this place quickly—!
Lien showed no intention of explaining. He just straightened his clothes and headed for the exit.
For Little Chu Zao, most adult Crown Clan members would answer any of his questions. It was rare to meet someone like Lien, who was cold from start to finish, preferred lurking in corners to observe secretly, and wouldn’t talk even if discovered.
Lien walked out, and the little one stepped aside.
The tiny figure, wings outstretched, blocked the middle of the path, still holding his small crown, firmly stopping Lien.
Lien had to stop.
The little one asked him in a milky voice, “Why have you been following Zao Zao?”
“I’ve been following you?”
Lien’s expression didn’t change at all. He just lowered his eyes, glanced at this soft little fellow, and then, noticing the halo in the little one’s hand, looked away abruptly as if burned.
“Why would I follow you all the time? Do you have any proof?”
“Still being stubborn like a dead duck.”
Feeney kept smiling, lightly commenting.
“Exactly the same as before.”
Hel agreed, making a sound of assent. Who knew what he recalled—he smiled again.
Very good, let Zao Zao show him, let him know that once Zao Zao catches you, day or night, no matter how much you deny what you did, you can forget about living well!
Little Chu Zao tilted his little head, eyeing the cold Crown Clan member before him.
Right now, Lien shot a warning glance towards Hel and Feeney, his voice steadier, more fluent, as if the logic in his mind had already formed a closed loop: “This isn’t private grounds. I just happened to be here. I haven’t asked why you were chasing after me.”
But it was odd—Lien still couldn’t figure out how this little one could find him so easily.
As for his fondness for little ones, and their cuteness—
Lien looked down, just in time to see the little one put the crown back on his head. The gold crown wobbled lightly, and the round little face had to tilt up to see him.
Lien looked away again—that was all.
Yet the little one thought about it: “Baba told Zao Zao that you’re Grandpa Lien.”
Lien: “So what? Back in the day, His Majesty Amos had to treat me with the utmost respect.”
Because he was His Majesty Clansis’s close friend, partner, even his royal romance advisor—without him, there would’ve been no Amos!
The little one’s face was innocent: “Baba said Grandpa Lien’s mental strength crown also needs Zao Zao’s help. Grandpa Lien, are you almost done for? Is that why you keep following Zao Zao but are too embarrassed to ask for help?”
Lien: …?
Lien stared down at this cute and obedient little cub, dazed and suspicious.
Who’s almost done for?
“It’s okay, Baba said, Crown Clan members like Grandpa Lien never admit when their ability is lacking. Zao Zao understands. Teacher Hel is always stubborn too, tells Zao Zao he’s not in pain, but Zao Zao can see the cold sweat on Teacher Hel’s face when he takes medicine.”
The little one puffed out his cheeks, thinking hard.
“Although Zao Zao didn’t know you before, Zao Zao can help.”
He was very serious, direct, sincere, and cute. His little wings fluttered behind, looking rather reliable as he stretched out his little hand.
After all, Grandpa had been following Zao Zao for a long time. If it wasn’t because he couldn’t hold on anymore, was too embarrassed to ask, what other reason was there for following Zao Zao?
Lien: …Savoring these words, why did everything feel kind of off.
Exactly where was the problem?
Maybe it was the bluntness in saying he’s stubborn and incompetent?
Hel: …?
“Zao Zao, whatever you say about him has nothing to do with me.”
“You’re the one making a little one worry about your pain, Hel, you’ve regressed too.”
Lien said coldly.
He glanced down at the little one again.
The little guy tilted his head, peeking up and tugging Lien’s fingertip.
“Grandpa Lien, you’re too tall. Can you squat down and let Zao Zao see the halo?”
Zao Zao had followed all this way and was really tired; at this moment, he didn’t want to flap his wings anymore.
The soft little hand gave Lien’s icy fingertip a gentle pull—Lien hadn’t gotten this close to a clan member in a long time. That’s always been his way, reclusive, gloomy, and not talkative.
Then that finger was pulled like this.
Lien: …
Did he think that just tugging at Lien’s hand would make him yield?
No, not before he finished all his arrangements and observations, absolutely not!
Little Chu Zao blinked: “Grandpa Lien, your ears are so red.”
Lien: …!
“Your face is turning red, too.”
The little one gazed at Lien with curiosity.
Lien: !!!
In the next instant, the little hand left his fingertip, and Lien dashed away like the wind.
The little one was a beat slow to react. After a while, he turned back, looking toward the direction Lien had fled. Confused, he looked at his teacher and Feeney.
Feeney was laughing so hard he could barely stand up straight.
“Teacher?”
The little one was at a loss.
“It’s alright.”
Hel smiled too.
“He’s just shy.”
A guy who rarely even had playmates got trapped in a corner by a little one—shy enough to flee.
But—
“Is it really okay?”
The little one was still unsure. He took off his little crown again, inspecting the mental-strength threads twined around it.
He brought the crown to his mouth.
“If anything’s wrong, you have to tell Zao Zao. Don’t be shy.”
In the distance, there came a faint sound as if something had crashed in a flustered tumble.
Lien, struggling to his feet over there, still couldn’t understand—how could this little one talk inside his head!
“I think Uncle Lien must be really depressed.”
Feeney was still laughing.
If he hides, Zao Zao will see his mental energy; if he runs, Zao Zao will grab onto his mental energy and shout at him in his head—for someone who avoids people and talking, this really was a natural nemesis, haha.
Lien only stopped running when he was far away.
He touched his cheek with his hand.
Usually emotionless and barely noticeable, the Crown Clan member slowly frowned.
—It was really hot.
Not far away.
Cheng Xuan just came out of his office nearby, looking at Lien in surprise.
“Your Highness Lien?”
Lien blurted out: “I’m not shy. I have arrangements. It’s just hot.”
Cheng Xuan: ?
“What?”
Lien came to himself.
He pressed his brow in frustration.
“No, it’s nothing.”
“Your Highness Lien.”
Then there was a gentle, soft voice from behind Cheng Xuan.
Lien looked over. It was a woman in a black uniform. Her features weren’t exactly delicate, but she was gentle and dignified. Not smiling, there was a hint of sharpness in her brows and eyes; gentleness was just a surface layer.
This was Xijin, the highest judge of the Northern Free Alliance.
“You seem quite familiar with Chief Judge Xi?”
Lien paused a moment, his expression returned to normal.
“We’ve only met before. This time we had some business to discuss.”
Cheng Xuan smiled a little.
“So we’ve met several times, but nothing especially private.”
“Yes,” Judge Xijin said with a smile, “I still have some things to do. I won’t disturb Your Highness Lien and Chairman Cheng Xuan.”
Lien nodded slightly.
He had no intention of staying here, but before leaving, glanced at Cheng Xuan again.
Cheng Xuan’s expression was still calm as always, his face gradually marked by age but still carrying the sharpness of youth.
When Cheng Xuan was still a teenager, he’d chased after Clansis with wild devotion. To be honest, someone like Lien couldn’t really grasp what went on in the heads of those overthinkers.
“Of course, Your Highness, there’s nothing to hide. These discussions are all on record.”
Cheng Xuan looked at Lien.
“Among them, of course, were discussions about those plans of His Majesty Clansis. Back when His Majesty Clansis made these plans, it was to let Holy Cas survive better.”
“But I think you’ve already strayed off course.”
Recalling the days spent observing the little one, Lien thought of that soft, cute cub grabbing his finger just now. He narrowed his eyes slightly, seeming to make a judgment in that instant. But looking again toward where Xijin had left, he just turned and spoke casually.
“Amos won’t just let you keep going.”
Lien left swiftly.
Cheng Xuan stood in place, bowing as he watched Lien go.
Then Cheng Xuan straightened.
He smiled wryly.
“Never mind His Majesty Amos, even you just showed killing intent.”
That feeling—since taking part in Clansis’s personally drafted plans, those plans had also targeted Amos at times. Cheng Xuan had felt that same energy from Clansis countless times.
That was the uncontrollable—innate instinct of the Crown Clan to protect their young.
If they judged him to be a threat, they wouldn’t hesitate to act.
Saying they don’t care—it was obvious they were utterly obsessed with the little prince!
Cheng Xuan took a look at his own face in the window, helpless. “Am I that unlikable?”
*
“Who has Cheng Xuan been in contact with lately? The Northern Free Alliance?”
Amos and Frey were on their way back to the Dwight palace.
The banquet was still some time away.
Hel had said that the little one took a nap this afternoon and was with him, listening to Holy Cas’s history.
But today, the little one ran into Lien, chased him for a long way, and tired himself out.
The two of them finished things here and still hadn’t made it back to the palace.
“Yes.”
Frey nodded.
“About Father’s old plans, the families and groups involved—the Northern Free Alliance had ties with us, so there are related arrangements.”
After the Crown Clan vanished from Holy Cas, if they wanted Holy Cas to survive, they needed stronger alliances—a flood of talent and new forces—but that still didn’t guarantee survival in these ever-changing interstellar times.
These plans, the Crown Clan understood them but didn’t like them. Most of the time, they couldn’t be bothered with it all. After all, by then, it did look as if the Crown Clan had reached the end of the road.
In all these years running these grand plans, too many people and things got tangled up—countless ambitious types. But under Amos’s pressure, nothing seemed to show. These things were like a snowball, dragging in too many people, too many families, too many interests. There was a sense it could never stop.
And Amos, seeing all this, found it tiresome—he considered just cleaning up everything.
He’d already taken action in secret a few times.
Just not gone all the way yet.
And as for internal issues in Holy Cas, some deliberate provocations were worth investigating.
This was why Amos had allowed some of this to remain.
The Hymn Organization’s reach extended everywhere; no one knew how far they’d gotten.
Amos said nothing, only looked ahead quietly.
“It’s okay. Zao Zao just needs to grow up.”
He would take care of everything else for Zao Zao.
*
Meanwhile, in Dwight Palace.
The little one woke from a brief nap, yawning sleepily.
Hel and Feeney were both there, smiling as they looked at the messy-haired little one.
“Zao Zao, time to wake up.”
Feeney leaned at the door, smiling at the little one on the bed.
The little one turned to look at him, yawned again, and burrowed back into bed.
“Want to do this afternoon’s class?”
Hel stood at the bedside, asking softly.
For a nap, it was growing late.
But there was still time before the banquet, and not long ago, the little one on the bed had grandly promised to study hard.
Feeney thought, rubbing his hands and going to pick up the little one, blanket and all, out of bed.
“Zao Zao wants—to sleep a little longer—”
The little one’s soft voice came out, struggling for a moment, then becoming a white bundle.
Feeney suddenly felt his hands empty. He looked down: the little white bundle, along with the blanket, had slipped right out of his grasp.
Those two furry little ears drooped, little face smacking the soft bed, ears curling up a bit. Wings spread, tiny dragon tail stretched. From above, all you saw was a round little head.
Extremely round little head.
“Awooo—”
He gave a low, milky howl.
Just a moment—just a moment more.
Feeney and Hel froze, exchanged a look, then almost lost composure—who taught you to be this cute?
“Get up. I’ve already cancelled this afternoon’s lesson for you. His Majesty Amos will be home soon.”
Hel spoke again.
“Need to get ready for the banquet.”
The little white bundle finally shook, its ears twitched, and its face lifted from the soft blankets, climbing out of bed.
Little Chu Zao yawned.
He changed back into human form, sleepy-eyed, glanced at Hel and Feeney. Now a bit more awake, he realized he’d overslept past his intended time and felt a little embarrassed.
“It’s all Grandpa Lien’s fault that Zao Zao is so tired.”
The little one squeezed his little fist, blinking at Feeney and Hel.
It’s not Zao Zao’s fault.
The little one was very solemn, trying to express this to Hel and Feeney.
“But why does Grandpa Lien run away when he sees Zao Zao?”
He still didn’t get it.
Fine, but why hide and watch him from the back?
“Some Crown Clan members are just like that.”
Hel tried to explain.
“But even so, I’ve never seen him blush that red before. By the way—his birthday’s almost here. Zao Zao, you should catch him then, and we’ll celebrate his long life. He might explode.”
Lien probably still doesn’t get it, maybe he’s hiding in a dark corner banging his head against the wall.
Well, that’s exaggeration.
But thinking of this, the usually elegant scholar couldn’t help a hint of schadenfreude.
Birthday?
The little one blinked.
“Do you celebrate birthdays?”
The little one climbed out of bed slowly, yawning.
Standing in front of the two, he lifted his head, curiously looking up at Feeney and Hel.
Feeney and Hel paused, both looking at the little fellow.
Oh right—
The little one had never celebrated his birthday.
He didn’t even really know birthdays were something to celebrate.
He’d always fended for himself: no family, no friends, only himself for company day after day.
He’d seen certain things, but as for things like birthday celebrations, he’d never experienced, so couldn’t imagine it.
He had to spend some effort to understand that birthdays were things to be blessed.
The little one blinked, his wings fluttering, softly responding.
“Then Zao Zao will make up for it.”
He really was a very well-behaved little one.
He thought a bit, bright-eyed, then earnestly wished Hel and Feeney a happy birthday.
“Zao Zao will remember from now on.”
He was still counting on his little fingers, figuring he had to tell Baba too.
Feeney, hearing this, couldn’t help but lean in—“Zao Zao, Third Uncle will teach you a great blessing to say.”
The little one looked up, blinking, “What is it?”
A moment later, Hel looked at Feeney—with admiration: “Prince Feeney, every blow you take is well deserved.”
At the same time, the little one heard Amos returning.
He zipped out in a few steps, hopping over the railing, little wings beating, and flew straight into Amos’s arms.
Amos reached out, catching the little one, and lowered his head to meet his gaze.
The little one hugged Amos’s neck, very seriously telling him: “Baba, Zao Zao remembered your birthday.”
Birthday?
Amos, holding his little one, was about to take him to the banquet. His reputation was never great anyway, maybe tonight he’d deal with some things—parliament, or people’s little schemes. He’d been too lazy to bother before, but now he’d spotted little warning signs affecting his cub. He was deep in thought about proper matters, thinking of later staff movements, only giving his little one half his attention—and hadn’t realized what was coming next.
Then he heard the little one, happily going on—
“Zao Zao wishes Baba a belated Happy Birthday! May Baba have fortune as boundless as the East Sea, a life as long as the South Mountain!”
Amos’s movements stalled sharply: …?
What?