Kyra finished her part of the chores around te afternoon. She was quite proud of herself, as she was able to have everything done much earlier than usual. The st thing that was left for her to do was to bring fresh water to the kitchen and after that, she could have the rest of the day to herself.

  Opportunities like this didn’t happen often, so she was eager to finish as soon as possible and enjoy some time off.

  One of the wonders of the Golden Pace was the source flowing from between the rocks upon which it was built. Thanks to that, access to fresh water was never an issue, and the residents could even enjoy an invigorating bath whenever they wished for it.

  Kyra grabbed a big wooden bucket, and swiftly filled it to the brim before rushing back.

  She was halfway to the kitchen, lugging the heavy vessel, when, just as she was turning around the corner, someone appeared and before she could react, they crashed into each other.

  The girl bounced off the stranger and fell to the ground. The bucket she was holding slipped from her hands, and the water spilled all over the hallway.

  She slowly got herself up while rubbing her hip, sore from the fall.

  — I’m so sorry, sir. I didn’t…

  She didn’t have a chance to finish. A hand swung in front of her eyes, and a loud sp echoed throughout the corridor.

  Kyra felt a stinging pain spilling all over her cheek.

  — You idiot! Look at what you have done to my robe! It’s all ruined because of you!

  Right in front of her, with a raging fury in his eyes, stood none other than Lord Scipio.

  Kyra tried to apologize immediately, but the man had no intention of listening. Instead, he started yelling at her even more, calling her names that any respected person would never dare to use in public.

  For Lord Scipio, however, it was as natural as breathing. Seeing the girl shrink before him and apologize encouraged him even more. He had no doubts that she would never dare to stand up to him, so he could deal with her however he pleased.

  What he didn’t know, was that Lin Xuen had just finished her meeting as well, and was currently heading to her room.

  — What are you doing?! — she shouted.

  She was still at the further end of the hallway, when she noticed a maid being yelled at by some noble. Realizing that the maid was actually Kyra, Lin Xuen could barely stay calm.

  She hurried to the girl’s side and enveloped her in a protective hug. Seeing a big red mark on her delicate cheek, her heart ached.

  — What, in the Heavens, is the meaning of this? — Xuen repeated, trying to contain her anger.

  — W-well, I was just… correcting this insolent maid, My Lady. — Lord Scipio was completely dumbfounded. He felt like he should know who the woman protecting the maid was, but he just couldn’t remember. Figuring that she at least belonged to aristocracy, he decided to show her at least some respect. — As you can see, she spilled this filth on my clothes and destroyed them. They were completely new!

  Lin Xuen narrowed her eyes.

  — Your Imperial Highness.

  — I beg your pardon?

  — You will address me properly, lordling. “Your Imperial Highness” not “My Lady”.

  At this moment Lord Scipio had a revetion and realized why the woman seemed familiar.

  A cold sweat appeared on his forehead as he started grasping the weight of the blunder he had just committed.

  — Your Imperial Highness, I am so terribly sorry. I-I didn’t realize who I was speaking with.

  This was his first time meeting the famed Dragon Princess in person. Before that, everything he knew about her was hearsay. To think that when he finally got the opportunity to confront the rumors, it would be in such unfortunate circumstances…

  — I want you to apologize to this girl. — Lin Xuen’s voice was cold as ice. She had no intention of letting the man off the hook just yet.

  Lord Scipio blinked confused.

  — I beg your pardon?

  It must be a mistake. I probably heard it wrong, he thought.

  Equally shocked was Kyra, who for the first time, raised her head to look at Lin Xuen.

  — I said that I want you to apologize for raising your hand and voice at this maid.

  The nobleman couldn’t hide the indignation he was feeling hearing the request.

  — But, Your Imperial Highness, she’s just some maid! And what about my clothes?!

  — Your Imperial Highness, please, there’s no need… It was my fault. I wasn’t careful enough. — Kyra pleaded. Xuen’s gesture warmed her heart, and she would remember this moment for many years to come, but at the same time, she didn’t want to escate the situation any further.

  The Dragon Princess’ eyes jumped from Lord Scipio to Kyra. The blizzard within them immediately cleared upon nding on the girl she was hugging. In its pce, was a gentle worried gaze.

  — No matter what you did, nobody has any right to treat you this way. Besides, I told you to be less formal with me. I will have to punish you ter. — A beautiful smile rose on Xuen’s face as she said the st part.

  Kyra’s heart skipped a beat hearing her words. She fought the urge to run away and hide in her room, so that nobody could see how flustered she got. Instead, she gathered all her courage and looked her deeply in the eyes, hoping to get the message across.

  Please, just let it go. It’s not worth it.

  Charmed by what she could only describe as “puppy eyes”, Lin Xuen admitted her defeat.

  She sent the man away, warning him that next time, he might not be as fortunate.

  Lord Scipio didn’t protest anymore either. All the way to the main exit, he was recovering from the shock that he had just experienced.

  But it’s just a maid. Why is she acting so familiar with a maid? I’m a lord, though. Why did she tell me to address her properly, when I’m a lord. A Lord is better than a maid?

  The complexity of the situation proved to be too much for someone like Lord Scipio to handle. The intense contemption of the problem he faced caused a severe migraine that would probably st for a full week.