"Is there something on my face?"
Seeing the God of Dreams staring at him, Aether touched his cheek.
*Yes, plenty of words,* Baimeng thought.
*Cute, handsome, gentle, considerate... and hard to win over.*
It was truly distressing.
But what else could be done? It’s not like she could just leave, could she?
In less than a day, Baimeng had realized she was growing increasingly accustomed to Aether’s meticulous care. She dared not imagine how she would get by if he were no longer around.
Since that was the case, she would just have to try even harder.
Baimeng rested her chin in her hand and swallowed the cookie she had been chewing.
"No, I was just looking at you because you’re good-looking."
"Cough, cough, cough! Mmph..."
An Abyss Lector suddenly choked. Before he could cough earth-shatteringly, he was dragged away at light speed by someone beside him.
The golden-haired youth froze for a moment, his face—usually adorned with a composed smile—showing rare surprise. He tilted his head in embarrassment, as if trying to hide his face with the tray in his hand, but quickly realizing that was improper, he forced himself to look back and said softly,
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Watching the youth’s bashful, reddening face and his calm, motionless, snow-silent ears, Baimeng doubted the system for the thousand-and-first time.
*This can’t be acting, can it? If this were fake, someone should hurry up and give him an Oscar!*
Baimeng gave up on her efforts.
Baimeng harvested a zen-like indifference.
"Forget it. Tell me about the current situation. How much time has passed since I died, and what has happened in the meantime?"
True indifference was impossible, and slacking off was out of the question. If she didn't prepare for anything, some old enemy might show up one day and wipe out her lair. To prevent such a thing, Baimeng decided to take precautions starting now.
However, ideals are full, and reality is skeletal. Even with a beautiful young teacher explaining things gently, Baimeng could not resist the sudden wave of sleepiness.
"Hoo... hoo... Hm? Is class over?"
The white-haired girl yawned, for a moment thinking she was back in a warm classroom, with her best friend studying diligently beside her.
The hand she reached out to pat her friend's shoulder fell into empty air. The sudden sensation of weightlessness made her heart ache. Baimeng looked up and met a pair of smiling golden eyes.
"Your Highness, are you awake?"
"...Awake."
"What a pity. I wanted to admire your sleeping face a little longer." Aether smiled and handed her a cup of flower tea.
"That is quite unnecessary."
Baimeng picked up the tea cup. The temperature was just right. She took a sip and used the reflection in the water to surreptitiously observe herself.
*Very good, no drool.* Her dignity was saved.
"Your Highness, though I am self-aware enough to know that I am a dull person and my explanations are naturally dry and tedious, but... sigh, you are simply too tired."
The golden-haired attendant sighed. A small stove had been set up beside him at some point; the tea had been brewed right there.
Looking closer, there were several other cups of herbal tea beside the stove.
If this weren't the Abyss, Baimeng would have expected to wake up and see the sun teleport from east to west.
*Damn it, my dignity didn't survive after all.*
Her conscience pricked. Baimeng guiltily looked at the table, where several history books were laid out, written in a beautiful, graceful hand—all hand-written.
"I will be better prepared next time. Let us rest for today. What would you like to eat?"
The youth bent down to clear the table, his face filled with unconcealable disappointment. Baimeng felt her remaining conscience being stabbed hard.
"...Actually, your explanation was quite good."
Aether gave a bitter, disbelieving smile.
"You don't need to comfort me. It was my lack of preparation."
"I really did listen! It’s just, well... yes! I haven't recovered my strength yet, so I’m a bit drowsy... In short, it’s not your fault!"
Perhaps because her head wasn't quite clear, or perhaps because the disappointment on the youth’s face was too heartbreaking, Baimeng threw her "God" persona to the back of her mind and subconsciously offered comfort.
"Your Highness..."
Just as Baimeng thought Aether was finally touched and had accepted her explanation, the youth curled the corners of his lips upward.
"I am very happy to see you opening up."
*Oi, this is bad.*
Now, forget dignity; not even her pride remained.
Her hand trembling as it clutched the handle of the cup, Baimeng took another sip to steady her nerves before putting on an elegant, god-like smile.
"Is that so?"
Baimeng used all her might to maintain the stiff smile, attempting to brush past what had just happened.
"I still feel you were cuter just a moment ago."
Before Baimeng’s brain could process the meaning of those words, the golden-haired youth took off his gloves and leaned down toward her.
Baimeng held her breath.
The Prince of the Abyss’s face moved closer, and closer... and then he reached a hand toward her lips.
Aether lowered his head, used his fingertip to pick off a petal that had been stuck to the corner of the God’s mouth, then stepped back and nodded to her.
"Pardon my rudeness."
Baimeng’s brain crashed.
It wasn't until the attendant left the room and some unknown amount of time had passed that the crackling of the sparks beside her brought Baimeng back to reality.
The God relaxed her tense shoulders, completely abandoning her composure, and slowly slid onto the table like a melting Slime.
"Why does it feel like he’s about to max out his affection meter for me?"
The crimson Slime covered her face.
"Your Highness... Your Highness? Princess!"
Baimeng jumped, nearly snapping the tableware in her hand. She turned her gaze to the Abyss Mage speaking. Honestly, she couldn't tell these guys apart at all; she could only guess their attributes—Hydro, Cryo, Pyro, or Electro—by their clothing.
But face-blindness wasn't a major issue for a God; after all, she could just smile and say a few words to muddle through, just like now.
"Is there something you need, my dear child?"
Visibly, a flush appeared on the Abyss Mage’s face. He accepted the jealous gazes of the others with delight and said nervously,
"Forgive my presumption, Your Highness, but seeing you looking so thoughtful, I wanted to know if I might share your burden."
The Abyss Mage bowed elegantly.
"What a good child. Thank you."
A radiant smile bloomed on the face of the God of Dreams, more dazzling than the flowers blooming in the Abyss. Baimeng clearly heard the people at the table gasp, and she felt a small thrill of triumph in her heart.
But when her peripheral vision swept over the lightly smiling youth, Baimeng’s face stiffened. For some reason, she felt that this Prince of the Abyss had seen through her true nature, which was why he couldn't help but laugh at her performance.
It was like trying to strike a cool, mysterious pose in front of someone who already knows you too well.
It was so embarrassing!
Baimeng just wished she could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.
But she couldn't lose all her dignity; the act had to go on.
Biting the bullet, Baimeng said with a smile,
"I have indeed been troubled by something lately. I wonder if you all have any good solutions."