Chapter 254: Three Understanding Little Girls and a Protesting Fiona
“While Athena Hellness is staying at the palace, you must remain in your rooms and not leave.”
As soon as they heard Leon’s words, the four of them were shocked, disbelief evident in their eyes.
“Not allowed to leave the room?” Fiona exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.
Leon nodded slightly, folding his arms across his chest as he gently explained, “Yes, for an important reason that I can’t disclose, the four of you must stay in the room while Athena Hellness is here.”
Fiona’s surprise quickly turned into a pout. She crossed her chubby arms over her chest, her small lips pursing slightly.
“Daddy, you promised to play with me all day today, and I don’t want it to be canceled,” Fiona said, her voice a mix of anger and sadness.
Yesterday, when her daddy went to settle an important matter with Lyra in the outer palace, he promised her and her three sisters that he would bring them gifts.
However, she declined the gifts and asked for something different—to spend the entire day playing and walking around the capital with him.
Though her daddy seemed hesitant at first, he eventually agreed, filling her with such joy that she barely slept last night.
So, with this sudden change of plans, how could she not feel upset and sad?
Hearing this, Leon fell silent, a small sigh escaping his lips.
He could hear the disappointment in her voice, and it filled him with guilt.
Yet, Athena’s sudden arrival today was something Leon hadn’t anticipated, as he only learned about it last night from Liliana.
To prevent any mishaps, his three daughters and Stella had to stay in the room and avoid being discovered by Athena.
Otherwise, with her obsessive love and yandere tendencies, Athena might lose control and go berserk!
Although he wasn’t afraid of Athena and was confident in his own power, he couldn’t afford to make her an enemy, given her connection to the Dragon Ancestor.
Snapping out of his reverie, Leon suppressed the guilt in his heart and slowly sat up, speaking nonchalantly, “I’m sorry, Fiona. The arrival of Athena Hellness is a very serious matter, and I hope you understand. I promise to make it up to you by spending a whole day with you next time.”
For the first time, he set aside Fiona’s wishes, and it left him feeling somewhat uneasy.
Fiona’s annoyed and pouty expression deepened at his words, and she was about to protest further when a hand suddenly covered her small mouth, startling her.
She quickly looked to the side and realized it was her sister, Charlotte!
“Sister, what—” Before Fiona could finish, Charlotte shot her a sharp, intense look, causing Fiona to fall silent, her expression turning fearful.
Charlotte withdrew her sharp gaze and looked gently at Leon, speaking calmly, “Daddy, Iris, Stella, and I understand your situation. We’re not upset with you and Mommy’s decision to keep us in our rooms during Dragon Empress Athena Hellness’s visit. So, leave Fiona to me.”
Iris, sitting beside Charlotte and sipping her warm milk, gave a slight nod and added, “Sister Charlotte is right, Daddy. You don’t need to worry about us—we’ll follow your and Mommy’s instructions.”
“Yes, I agree with Charlotte and Iris, Uncle Leon,” Stella said with a sweet smile. “Please focus on your duties and don’t worry about us.”
With their advanced and mature mindset, the three of them understood the seriousness of Dragon Empress Athena Hellness’s arrival from their daddy’s earlier expression.
So, instead of sulking like Fiona, they remained calm and open-minded about the situation.
Their words left Leon astonished. He had expected them to sulk like Fiona, but he was relieved to find he was wrong.
With a small chuckle, he gazed at them affectionately and said softly, “Thank you.”
…
Meanwhile…
Thousands of kilometers from the Demon Race’s territory, a luxurious carriage with a majestic aura soared at an astonishing speed.
The carriage gleamed with its red crystal ornaments encircling its sides, but the most impressive feature was the pair of red dragons pulling it.
Though not exceptionally large, the dragons exuded a majestic and menacing aura that would make anyone who saw them tremble in fear.
***
“How long until we reach the Demon Race’s territory?”
Inside the carriage, Athena lay sideways on the bed, her right cheek resting on her hand, as she asked in an indifferent tone.
Moments later, a stern and respectful voice echoed within the carriage.
“Given our current progress, we estimate that we will reach the Demon Race’s territory in a few hours, Empress,” the voice reported.
At this, Athena’s indifferent expression briefly tightened before returning to its usual calm.
“Increase the speed,” Athena commanded with a nonchalant yet authoritative tone. “I’m eager to reach the inner palace of the Demon Empire.”
“As you command, Empress,” the voice replied before fading away.
Athena slowly sat up, stretching her alluring body, and a charming smile spread across her lips.
“Oh, Leon, my dear, I’m on my way, hehehe~.”
…
On the other hand…
In the dressing room, Liliana stood before the mirror in a stunning night-black gown adorned with elegant red lace, her expression calm and indifferent.
Behind her, Lyra and several maids assisting with her dress were visibly awestruck by Liliana’s indescribable beauty.
“Your Majesty, Demon Empress Liliana, you look absolutely stunning!” One of the maids said her smile was warm and genuine.
“Yes, Your Majesty, your beauty is truly unmatched!” Another maid agreed.
“Indeed! I couldn’t agree more!” a third added.
As the maids’ compliments flowed, Liliana’s indifferent expression softened just slightly.
“Thank you for your kind words,” she replied in a cold yet gentle tone.
Though she was accustomed to such compliments, she welcomed them graciously.
The maids exchanged pleased smiles at Liliana’s acknowledgment. Receiving gratitude from someone as regal as Liliana was a profound honor for them.
“With that, we humbly request your permission to leave, Your Majesty, Demon Empress Liliana,” one maid said, bowing respectfully, with the others following suit.
Their task of assisting Liliana with her attire was complete, and they understood it was time to depart.
Liliana turned gracefully and nodded. “You may leave now. I appreciate your help.”
“You’re welcome, Your Majesty, Demon Empress Liliana,” the maids replied in unison before departing, leaving Liliana alone with Lyra.
As the maids departed, Liliana turned to Lyra and asked, “By the way, has Leon finished dressing?”
Lyra nodded respectfully and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. His Majesty Leon is dressed and waiting for you in the palace hall.”
Liliana nodded slightly, preparing to ask another question, but was interrupted by a maid’s voice from outside the room.
“Your Majesty, Demon Empress Liliana, I apologize for the interruption. Empress Athena Hellness’s Dragon Carriage has arrived in the inner palace courtyard.”
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