Although Blass found Xing Yuan’s attitude strange, he still replied respectfully, "Your Highness, rest assured, the information will be before you tomorrow morning."
Xing Yuan nodded indifferently. After Blass left, she happily took a day off from class and secretly concealed her aura as she walked in the direction Yuan Wen Yue had gone.
Due to her cold disposition and infrequent presence at the Imperial Academy, Yuan Wen Yue had few close friends. Her favorite pastime was eating lunch alone in the academy's park.
As it was lunchtime, the park was very quiet, with only the sound of Yuan Wen Yue's elegant eating and Xing Yuan's stealthy gaze.
That looks delicious! Xing Yuan eyed the food in Yuan Wen Yue's hand wistfully. It’s a shame I can’t eat it! Should I go back and eat first, then come back?
Xing Yuan’s stomach suddenly rumbled. Before Xing Yuan could run away, she heard a voice,
"Who's there?" Yuan Wen Yue stood up alertly, scanning her surroundings.
Xing Yuan instinctively stepped out. Realizing what she had done, she couldn't help but cover her face. She was so foolish! Since her sister didn't recognize her anyway, she could have just run away. Now, she couldn't escape even if she wanted to.
"Big sister, I was just passing by!" Xing Yuan blinked her eyes, putting on an innocent and pitiful expression.
Yuan Wen Yue saw that the person before her was a delicate-looking little girl and slightly relaxed her guard. Even if the vampires sent someone to the Empire, it wouldn't be a child.
Yuan Wen Yue seemed to realize that her previous behavior had startled the girl. However, having no experience with children, she tried to speak gently, "Little sister, it's lunchtime. What are you doing here?"
Xing Yuan's eyes instantly welled up with tears. Pitifully, with a hint of childishness, she said, "Uncle Wang promised to let me go home for lunch, but he went back on his word. I'm not talking to him anymore!"
Seeing Xing Yuan acting like a child sulking with her parents, Yuan Wen Yue was reminded of her own foolish actions in her youth. Her gaze towards Xing Yuan softened further. She gently walked to the little girl, stroking her head, and said, "You shouldn't wander here alone. It's dangerous, and your Uncle Wang will worry."
"Hmph, he shouldn't have broken his promise. I want him to remember not to lie to me anymore." Xing Yuan clenched her fists, her face a picture of anger.
"Alright! Then, sister will take little sister home now, okay?" Yuan Wen Yue coaxed.
"No!" Xing Yuan replied firmly, while quickly contacting the butler at her residence in the vampire's unique way, telling him to come to the academy to find her, and to absolutely not reveal her identity!
Yuan Wen Yue rubbed her temples with a hint of frustration. She genuinely didn't know how to coax a sulking little girl.
At that moment, Xing Yuan's stomach rumbled again, much to her embarrassment. Xing Yuan lowered her head, her face flushing. If only she hadn't been so picky about the food this morning and had eaten. She had been so excited to see her sister that she had forgotten she was hungry. Otherwise, she wouldn't be in this situation now.
Seeing this, Yuan Wen Yue actually smiled. Fearing the little girl was shy, she deliberately covered her mouth. Xing Yuan stared blankly at Yuan Wen Yue, who looked exceptionally gentle when she smiled. After a long moment, she snapped back to reality and turned her head away haughtily.
"Sister has food here. Little sister, do you want to help sister finish it!" Yuan Wen Yue pushed the untouched food box towards Xing Yuan.
Xing Yuan hesitated between starving and having a stomachache. She politely accepted the lunchbox and thanked her, "Thank you, sister."
And so, they ended up sitting side-by-side, a big one and a small one, eating together. The scene was exceptionally heartwarming. Due to being a vampire, Xing Yuan had a poor appetite for anything other than specially prepared food. After a few bites, she couldn't eat anymore and turned to look at Yuan Wen Yue wistfully.
After finishing her meal, Yuan Wen Yue looked up and glanced at Xing Yuan's barely touched lunchbox. She paused and said, "Aren't you hungry? Don't you like this food?"
"No, I have a small appetite. I'm already full." Xing Yuan patted her stomach, trying hard to make her words believable.
Having no children at home, Yuan Wen Yue didn't understand the eating habits of normal children and believed her. She threw the lunchbox into the trash, stood up, carefully wiped each finger with a handkerchief, and then took Xing Yuan's hand, saying, "Let's go! I'll take you back!"
Xing Yuan felt that the butler should have arrived by now, so she relaxed and enjoyed the peaceful time. Before long, they arrived at their destination.
Butler Wang Yi was already waiting quietly at the academy entrance. Every vampire who stayed in the human empire for an extended period would adopt a human name.
Seeing his Queen being led out by a potential blood meal who seemed to exude a fragrant aura, Wang Yi was only surprised for a moment before dutifully playing his role as a butler.
"Miss, are you alright!" Wang Yi adopted a solicitous butler persona.
"Hmph, will you dare to lie to me again next time?" Xing Yuan preemptively asked to avoid any risk of her identity being exposed.
Although Wang Yi didn't know why she suddenly said this, he played along with her words. He replied respectfully, "I won't next time! Please forgive me this once!"
"Alright!" Xing Yuan said in a feigned manner.
Yuan Wen Yue, standing beside them, saw the two reconciled and patted Xing Yuan's head with relief, "See, wasn't that better? Don't run off alone next time!"
Xing Yuan nodded obediently.
Wang Yi also understood the cause and effect from their conversation and said politely, "Thank you, Miss! I hope my young lady didn't cause you any trouble!"
Yuan Wen Yue regained her usual cool demeanor and shook her head, "The little sister is very well-behaved." She couldn't help but instruct Wang Yi, "The Empire is not very peaceful lately. Please take good care of your young lady and don't let her wander around!"
"Thank you for the reminder!" Wang Yi bowed slightly.
"Sister, my name is Xing Yuan. I also study here. Will you come and play with me when you have time?" Xing Yuan gently tugged on Yuan Wen Yue's arm.
Yuan Wen Yue lowered her head. Her originally icy expression melted. "My name is Yuan Wen Yue. I also study here. If anyone bullies you, just say my name or find me. I'll protect you!"
"Thank you, sister!" Xing Yuan happily kissed Yuan Wen Yue on the cheek and then turned and ran towards Wang Yi, as if shy.
Yuan Wen Yue, who hadn't had time to react, looked at the adorable little girl, and the corners of her mouth curved uncontrollably. Goodbye, Xing Yuan!