"I have to contact Flender first. He might know where Xiaogang is. As long as there's even the slightest chance, I have to help him!"
Now that there might be a solution in sight, she had to find Xiaogang first, then find a way to communicate with that mysterious powerhouse. No matter the cost, she had to persuade him to help Xiaogang resolve the troubles caused by his martial soul!
Seeing that hope might still remain, the beautiful woman weighed her options. After quickly penning a letter, she stepped out of the small house in the bamboo grove and headed toward the academy.
...
As the sun dipped below the horizon and dusk set in, warm lights flickered inside the Crown Prince's residence, filling the air with the aroma of delectable dishes.
"Mmm~ This diced chicken is pretty good. Traveler, have a bite…"
"Ooh, this steamed egg's not bad either. Open up…"
"Mmm~, the tofu's so soft. Ah—"
"Paimon, I really can't eat anymore—mmph…"
Aether sat slumped at the dining table. On his left was Glutton #2, Yu Keke, who was wolfing down food like a machine.
On his right was Glutton #1—no, the mature and elegant Paimon. But instead of fighting for her title as the supreme foodie, she was delicately sampling each dish on the table, slowly and methodically.
And every time she tasted something she liked, she would gently pick up a bite with her chopsticks and feed it directly to Aether, watching him chew and swallow before moving on to the next dish.
Hic~ "I'm so full…"
Aether leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. His stomach felt like it was about to burst.
Hic~ "Me too…"
Yu Keke mimicked his posture, hands on her round belly, looking utterly content.
"Alright, last bite. Ahh—"
Paimon reached out with one hand to feed him again, holding the plate steady with the other. Her smooth, magnetic voice cooed softly in his ear, coaxing him to open his mouth.
"Paimon, I really can't. You eat it…"
Aether turned his head away, absolutely refusing. Any more and he'd explode.
"Traveler, are you… rejecting me now?"
Seeing that her coaxing wasn't working, Paimon's luscious lips pouted, and her autumn-water eyes began to shimmer with tears.
"…Fine. One last bite!"
Defeated by the emotional pressure, Aether reluctantly turned his head back and accepted the food.
"Hehe, that's more like it~"
Paimon smiled, eyes squinting with satisfaction.
Whether it was due to her physical transformation or something else, her personality had changed drastically.
All she wanted now was to take care of Aether wholeheartedly. Seeing him full and satisfied because of her brought her genuine joy.
"Even though Big Brother says he doesn't want it, he sure looks like he's enjoying Paimon's feeding…"
Yu Keke watched the two from the side, quietly noting every little move of Paimon's in her heart. She figured she'd need to learn this if she wanted to take care of Big Brother the same way in the future.
"Alright then, since everyone's full, let's go to bed."
Paimon gave a nod to both Xue Qinghe and Yu Keke, then reached out to pull Aether up with her.
"Wait!"
Aether hesitated for a long while, then turned to Xue Qinghe and said,
"Your Highness, could we… maybe get a separate room?"
Xue Qinghe glanced at Paimon, who was still holding Aether's arm, and quickly nodded, secretly delighted.
"Of course. There's a guest room right next door. I'll have someone prepare it immediately."
"No need, Qinghe. The Traveler and I always sleep together."
Paimon suddenly interrupted, her gaze drifting meaningfully to Aether. Of course she knew what he was thinking.
Trying to sleep away from me?
Not a chance.
"Paimon, maybe just for tonight…"
"Hm?"
Xue Qinghe tried to speak up, only to meet Paimon's dangerously sharp gaze. He immediately backed down, stunned by her intensity.
Was Paimon always this intimidating? How did I never notice before?
"Brother…"
Xue Qinghe gave Aether a helpless look, silently conveying: I tried, man.
"Traveler, disobedient boys have to be… disciplined~"
Paimon whispered softly in Aether's ear, clinging tighter to his arm.
"…Paimon, don't you think you've been acting a little off lately? How about we take two days to cool off? I'll sleep in the room next door. Just call me if you need anything!"
Before she could answer, Aether bolted like an arrow from a bow and vanished in a flash.
"Pfft—"
Paimon burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking.
This version of the Traveler was just too much fun~
"Paimon… since Brother said that, I'll go have someone tidy up the room next door?"
Xue Qinghe could feel her overwhelming aura now. Even in conversation, he treaded carefully, seeking her approval like a subordinate.
"It's fine. I know the Traveler way too well."
Paimon's eyes swept over Xue Qinghe. Then she stepped close, leaned toward his ear, and whispered:
"Who would've thought Qinghe was so pretty underneath it all? Why hide it? The Traveler would probably like your true self even more…"
With that, Paimon bid good night to Yu Keke and strolled toward the guest rooms.
"Your Highness, I'll go rest too. You should get some sleep."
Yu Keke, seeing that Aether and Paimon had left, quickly excused herself and scurried off.
"…Oh. Right."
Xue Qinghe responded numbly, though his heart was in turmoil.
Paimon's whispered words had shaken him to his core.
She saw through his other identity—saw the real him with her own eyes!
Otherwise, she wouldn't have said what she did…
"Clean this place up."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Xue Qinghe sighed and instructed the nearby attendants to tidy the table, then slowly walked toward his own quarters, thoughts tangled.
He'd alwayss suspected Aether had known the truth, but since no one said it aloud, everyone carried on as usual.
But now Paimon had exposed it directly. Was it because he had immediately supported Aether's request for separate rooms?
In the guest courtyard, Paimon arrived at the room they'd rested in earlier. She reached out and gently pulled open the door.
"Traveler?"
She saw a figure lying on the bed with his back to her and called out.
"Traveler?"
Still no response.
"…Already asleep?"
Paimon stifled her laughter, closed the door behind her, and plopped down on the bed.
"I'm sleepy too. Time to sleep~"
She lifted the blanket and slid under it, snuggling right next to Aether.
He felt a soft warmth press against his back, followed by a pair of delicate arms wrapping around him.
"This bed's nice and warm. Next time, I'll be your heater, okay? Hehehe~"
"..."
"Traveler, I know you're not asleep. Say something?"
"..."
"Tch. You used to hug me in your sleep, even drooled on me! When did you turn into such a coward?"
"Cough—stop pinching me…"
"Hahaha! Still pretending to be asleep?"
"I'm about to die from your pinches, who can sleep like this…"
BOOM—!
A sudden clap of thunder split the sky, shattering the playful mood in the room.
Both Aether and Paimon turned their eyes to the ceiling in unison.
High above, two faint silhouettes loomed within the swirling storm clouds.
_
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