Reincarnated as a Sickly Princess, She was Kidnapped by the Evil Dragon Lady - Chapter 37

But then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Illycia’s eyes snapped open. She bolted upright and looked toward the edge of her bed.

There, she met Aria’s gaze.

Illycia could sense a hint of confusion in Aria’s eyes, as if she couldn’t quite understand Illycia’s strange behavior from the moment she woke up.

“G-good morning…” Illycia stammered, offering an awkward smile.

“Hmm.”

Hearing Aria’s usual response and seeing her still there, Illycia couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

To be honest, Illycia had no idea why she’d fallen asleep so abruptly after answering Aria’s question the night before. When she woke up, she’d panicked, fearing Aria had already left.

After all, she’d acted rather presumptuously last night, trying to persuade Aria to stay. What if Aria thought she’d gone too far and decided to ignore her completely?

Fortunately, judging by Aria’s current expression, she didn’t seem to resent Illycia at all. In fact, it was as if nothing had happened the previous night.

Thinking this, Illycia became even more convinced that Aria was indeed the type with a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

The reason Illycia had suddenly become so handsy with Aria the night before was precisely because she believed Aria was this type of person. She had wanted to test Aria’s boundaries.

But now it seemed Aria’s boundaries were lower than she had expected. Perhaps next time she could get even closer?

At this thought, Illycia couldn’t help but smile.

“What are you grinning about like an idiot?”

At that moment, a smile had unconsciously crept onto Illycia’s lips, completely unnoticed by herself, until Aria’s voice startled her out of her reverie.

“N-nothing,” Illycia stammered, quickly composing her expression and clearing her throat awkwardly.

“Have you told your parents about leaving with me in a few days?”

“No.”

Faced with Aria’s sudden question, Illycia answered truthfully.

Aria’s question reminded Illycia that she would soon be leaving with Aria to save the Dragon Race.

It couldn’t be helped. So much had happened since returning yesterday that Illycia had temporarily forgotten this crucial matter.

“Then let’s not talk about it for now,” Aria said.

“Okay… wait, what?” Illycia replied, confused.

Instead of explaining, Aria slowly stood up and yawned.

Watching Aria stretch and yawn, Illycia was surprised. She had never seen Aria display such human-like behavior before. Yawning and stretching seemed completely out of character for her.

Yet this unexpected display softened Aria’s usually expressionless face, giving her a relaxed, approachable air.

“Get up and wash up first. I’ll go talk to your father.”

Before Illycia could even ask Aria what she was going to talk to her father about, Aria had already left the room, leaving Illycia sitting on the bed, still dazed.

Illycia didn’t know what Aria was thinking, but she knew that if she didn’t get up now, she would miss their conversation.

Just as Illycia was about to get up, two maids entered the room.

“Princess, please get dressed and freshen up before going out.”

Without waiting for a response, they pulled Illycia toward the washroom.

Illycia, already weak, had no strength to resist the maids’ forceful tugging. She could only let herself be dragged along and reluctantly began washing up.

By the time Illycia finally finished washing up, changed into a dress, and went to find Aria, she discovered that Aria had already returned to her own room.

This immediately made Illycia realize she had definitely missed Aria’s conversation with her father.

“Um… what did you… talk to my dad about?”

“Nothing much, just discussing what happened last night.”

Aria’s tone didn’t sound like she was lying, so Illycia, though still suspicious, decided not to press further.

It’s clear Aria doesn’t want to tell me. Asking directly would just make me seem rude.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and a familiar figure entered.

“Breakfast is ready, Princess. And you, Princess’s friend, please join us as well. His Majesty specifically instructed me to bring you both.”

As the familiar voice spoke, Illycia turned to see the speaker: the young maid who had previously attended to her.

“Wow! Xiaobai, it’s you!”

Illycia rushed forward to examine Xiaobai closely. Having not seen her former maid in so long, this reunion brought back fond memories.

“Xiaobai, how have you been since I left? Has anyone been bullying you?”

“To answer Your Highness… no, everything’s been fine… it’s just…”

The young maid paused, glancing at Illycia before pursing her lips.

“It’s just that I hadn’t seen you in so long, Princess. I was worried something had happened to you…”

As she spoke, the maid’s eyes began to redden.

This scene made Illycia realize that Xiaobai was genuinely concerned for her well-being, not just because of her duties.

“Aiya, but I’m perfectly fine!” Illycia grinned, placing her hands on Xiaobai’s shoulders. “Don’t worry! I’m not so easily harmed. Aria’s protecting me now.”

She gestured toward Aria, who stood behind her.

However, pointing at Aria only made Illycia notice that Aria had been staring intently at Xiaobai, her eyes narrowed as if scrutinizing her with great seriousness.

“Aria?” Illycia called out tentatively.

“Hmm?” Aria responded, finally shifting her gaze away from Xiaobai.

“Let’s go eat first.”