The red threads entwined around the grand hall grew slack. They re-converged into the shapes of butterflies and fluttered back to their master, though the glow they emitted was noticeably dimmer.
Freed from their bonds, the monsters opened their eyes and then dropped to their knees in unison, bowing respectfully.
Like myriad birds paying homage to the phoenix, with Baimeng at the center, the monsters lowered their heads, exposing their vulnerable napes, surrendering their loyalty and lives to their new master.
The Prince of the Abyss was no exception, but he merely dropped to one knee, placing his right hand over his heart as his golden braid slipped forward, its tip trailing against the floor.
Lacking the cover of his long hair, the youth's fair, slender nape was exposed to the chilly air.
"Lift your head."
The God of Dreams leaned down, cupping his chin in her hand, and watched with satisfaction as the hostility in those golden eyes was completely washed away. His brows, robbed of their master's control, drooped peacefully, and a natural smile graced the youth's exquisite face, making him look exceptionally gentle.
"What is your name?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, my name is Aether." There was still a hint of bewilderment in the youth's voice, but it lacked its previous icy tone, sounding childish and endearing instead.
Baimeng's inner fangirl was gently struck.
Oh no, he was exactly her type.
It would just be even better if she could change this outfit of his.
Come to think of time, had the Abyss really grown so poor that the prince was forced to wear a crop top? This simply wouldn't do; what if the child caught a cold?
At this thought, Baimeng's mind stirred. A crimson butterfly flew out, landed on the youth's shoulder, and transformed into a custom-tailored black swallow-tailed coat. At the cuffs and collar, butterfly patterns outlined in extremely fine red threads closely resembled those on the God of Dreams' skirt.
"This looks much better." Inspecting her handiwork, Baimeng nodded with satisfaction.
"From today on, you are my attendant."
"Yes," the blonde youth responded respectfully.
"A high ponytail would be even better, though the braid is hard to give up too..." Muttering to herself, Baimeng gestured with her hands. Just as she was joyfully letting her imagination run wild, a wave of dizziness washed over her.
It felt as though a crushing dome had suddenly plummeted down, plunging everything before her into darkness. Baimeng lost consciousness briefly, and when she came to, she found that she had unconsciously clenched the fabric over her chest, gasping for breath with great difficulty.
"This really is..." The moment she opened her mouth, Baimeng realized something was amiss. The voice that slipped past her lips was not her clear female tone, but rather the slurred voice of a child.
In a panic, she looked down at her hands and feet, only to discover that the youth who had previously knelt before her was now slightly taller than her, even while on one knee. Fortunately, however, her clothes had shrunk along with her.
Baimeng suddenly recalled that back when she used to play the game, the system description did indeed mention a specific rule: after exhausting too much Elemental Energy, the player's physical form would shift into an energy-saving mode.
Because items had previously been available to replenish energy and health bars, Baimeng had carelessly overlooked the matter. After all, ever since surviving the initial launch phase of the beginner's period, she had never shrunk down again—at most shifting into the less demanding form of a young maiden, since a larger stature was always more convenient for fighting in everyday life.
"This skill drains the mana bar way too fast." The God of Dreams, now transformed into a little girl, pouted in dissatisfaction, though regrettably there was no system here for her to lodge a complaint with the game developers.
"Never mind, I'm tired. All of you, go back to whatever you were doing. Someone, show me the way—whoa!" Before she could adapt to this overly petite body, Baimeng stepped directly onto her own skirt and, losing her balance, pitched forward.An arm gently wrapped around the girl, smoothing out her dress, and finally, lifting her up as effortlessly as a doll, he cradled her in his arms.
Baimeng looked up and saw that it was Aether who had picked her up.
"Let me take you to get some rest, Your Highness."Seeing the God of Dreams lift her little face to look at him, Aether smiled gently, using his other hand to support the little girl's small back as he stepped forward.
His pace was steady, and Baimeng had no need to worry about falling. Resting against the boy's warm shoulder, she watched the kneeling figures grow smaller and smaller in the distance.Lumine led her to a door deep within the palace and pushed it open.
Baimeng instinctively closed her eyes and held her breath, but the expected clouds of dust never appeared. The room was spotless, filled with cozy furnishings that caught her eye, and a fireplace was even crackling with warmth.
Lumine gently placed Baimeng on the soft bed and carefully removed her uncomfortable high heels."Is this your room?" Baimeng asked, looking around with curiosity. The space was warm and dry, the flames dancing in the fireplace casting a cozy glow that stood in stark contrast to the cold, encroaching darkness just outside the door.
Aether, who had been looking down, remained silent for a moment before lifting his face and answering with a smile.
"It is... Your Highness's room."
It didn't look like it to her. Baimeng patted the mattress beneath her, thinking to herself.
The room was so clean and tidy that it must have been cleaned regularly, yet it lacked the lived-in feel of a space occupied by someone, suggesting it had been prepared specifically for a guest.
At first glance upon entering, Baimeng had assumed it was Aether’s room because the decorations bore a resemblance to his exotic attire. However, a closer look at the intricate carvings, the ornaments, and the furnishings revealed a more refined touch, as if it were a young woman's room. There was even a vase of flowers on the table—she recalled the name of them was..."Because of Teyvat."
The God of Dreams sensed acutely how the boy's body tensed up at the mention of this name, before he forced himself to relax.
"Yes. Do you... also like this flower?"
*Also*—meaning there was someone else besides her. Probably the true master this room was waiting for. Baimeng guessed inwardly, wondering if it was a family member or a lover of this Prince of the Abyss.
Yet with such meticulous preparation made, if the other person had never moved in, something must have gone terribly wrong.
Watching Aether's absent expression, Baimeng let out a quiet sigh.
She hoped nothing had happened to that person.
Though it might bring her a bit of extra trouble, Baimeng still didn't want to see a look of sorrow on the pretty boy's face before her.
If she got the chance to find out, she would do a good deed.
The white-haired girl let out a yawn, and a sudden wave of drowsiness nearly swallowed her whole. Her thinking brain instantly stalled, and she longed nothing more than to fling herself into the soft covers and sleep soundly.
Seeing her state, Aether finally straightened Baimeng's long, snow-white hair that was about to trail onto the floor, then bowed and took his leave.
"Then I shall take my leave. If you need anything, I am right next door; please call for me at any time."
"Mm-mm, good night."
Fighting the heavy lids of her eyes, the girl managed a wave before finally giving up the resistance and diving headfirst into the blankets.
"Good night, little sister."
The door panel gave a soft click as the attendant withdrew from the room.
*Little sister?* Her consciousness, just as it was being dragged away by sleep, paused for a moment. Yet even though her chaotic mind sensed something amiss, it lacked the capacity to keep thinking. Baimeng surrendered and sank into a deep slumber.