Chapter 14

Just as You Mi was about to reach the castle gates, he suddenly found himself unable to move forward.

The hem of his pajamas had caught on something!

Turning back in surprise, what met his eyes was an incredibly sharp claw tip.

!

You Mi followed the terrifying claw up to Anshus.

The towering monster used one claw to stop his progress while extending the other toward him.

The nearby claw held a small porcelain bowl containing fragrant broth that emitted a rich aroma.

“Duck soup?” You Mi recognized the scent, pointing at himself. “For me?”

Anshus nodded.

“Is this a midnight snack?”

Anshus nodded again.

“…Thank you.” You Mi accepted the bowl of duck soup with both hands. He naturally didn’t think this was the Imperial Crown Prince’s handiwork, assuming it was the cook’s thoughtful gesture instead.

Sitting on a chair before the castle, You Mi happily ate the delicious soup.

Meanwhile, Anshus picked up the figs he’d left on the coffee table. Though capable of swallowing them whole, the monster chewed slowly before swallowing.

After You Mi finished eating, servants promptly came to clear the dishes.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he ran back inside to fetch two figs—one for the servant and another to be delivered to the cook.

The servant hesitated, glancing at the Crown Prince for permission. Only after seeing no displeasure did they accept both figs.

With the bedroom quiet again, You Mi prepared to return to the castle, only to be stopped once more by the monster.

The creature retrieved a set of tiny blue silk pajamas from its cabinet, the collar bearing a distinctive flame emblem.

It offered these clearly more refined and comfortable pajamas to him.

You Mi tugged at his current pajama hem and shook his head: “I already have pajamas.”

The monster stared at his sleepwear, lowered its eyes in thought, then suddenly raised a claw to point at his limp flour sack pajamas. “Exchange.”

You Mi’s mouth fell open: “Y-you like this fabric too?”

“……”

Anshus nodded.

You Mi generously agreed. Taking the silk pajamas back to his room, he quickly changed out of the flour sack ones. Opening the window, he asked the monster outside: “Should I wash them first before giving them to you?”

The monster shook its head.

You Mi had no choice but to bring out the neatly folded flour sack pajamas: “Actually I only wore them briefly… but it’s better to wash before taking them apart.” He assumed the Crown Prince was drawn to this unconventional pajama fabric—after all, even ordinary Sina Star People wouldn’t use flour sacks for clothing.

Perhaps to the young Crown Prince, this different pajama style represented an appealing kind of nonconformity.

After the clothing exchange, You Mi returned to the castle to brush his teeth and prepare for bed.

Outside the castle,

The monster carefully grasped the pajamas with its sharp claws. Turning away, it smoothed out the flour sack pajamas before placing them in a safe. After gazing at them for a long while, it finally closed the cabinet and went to wash up.

Emerging later, the monster wore a blue sleeping robe with a small flame emblem at the collar—identical to the one on the pajamas.

Night deepened, and all lights in the pink castle went dark.

Its occupant had fallen asleep.

Yet the monster outside remained awake. An hour later, it quietly rose from bed, glanced at the castle, then tiptoed to the safe. Opening it, the creature examined the flour sack pajamas repeatedly, front and back.

After some time, the monster carefully replaced the pajamas, lips curling slightly as it returned to bed.

The moonlight that night was gentle.

In the bedroom on the second floor of the castle, You Mi was sound asleep in the soft, cozy bedding, completely unaware of anything.

He dreamed of his childhood, when he was six years old, and his parents hadn’t left yet.

After dinner, You Mi lay sprawled over his desk in the bedroom, drawing. His parents were watching TV in the living room, speaking softly to each other.

You Mi was working on the art assignment his teacher had given him. He drew with great focus as his parents’ restrained laughter and the songs from the TV gradually intertwined, forming a beautiful melody. It was within this melody that he finished drawing his ideal family.

The next morning, after having breakfast with Anshus, You Mi began pondering the burrowing competition.

In the study, Anshus methodically handled documents.

You Mi sat on the small sofa and turned on his Optical Brain. After carefully reading all the instructions, he looked at Anshus and asked, “Your Highness, may I use the printer here?”

Hearing this, Anshus paused his movements, then stood up and used his claws to turn on the printer nearby, directly connecting it to You Mi’s Optical Brain.

You Mi immediately started printing the competition forms.

During this time, Anshus stepped out for a while.

When Anshus returned, Carl was behind him, along with a group of stern-faced, burly men in matching uniforms.

You Mi stood up in confusion.

Carl smiled and said, “Just a moment,” then led the men inside as they carried in many small items.

Their movements were swift and precise, almost like trained machines. With remarkable efficiency, they assembled the small components at top speed and rearranged a new space in the study. Before long, a small office appeared within the Imperial Crown Prince’s study.

On the high-tech desk was a sign that read: Imperial Little Darling Office.

You Mi: “…”

As the men left, every single one of them couldn’t help but stare eagerly at You Mi, who was holding the printed papers. They walked so slowly that the nearby servants suspected they were about to start shuffling in tiny steps if not for Carl’s urging.

Once they were completely outside the villa and sure no one was around, the group could no longer hold back:

“It’s real, it’s real! Not a Simulated Person, it’s really him!!”

“So tiny… I’m going crazy from the cuteness… How can he be that small yet so perfectly proportioned?!”

“Oh my stars! Totally worth swapping 1,000 Star Coins with Garen for this chance!”

“Lord Carl is truly shameless. If he could’ve assembled it alone, he’d never have let us come!”

“Hey, remember not to make a fuss when we get back. Otherwise, next time something like this happens, we might not get another turn…”

Suddenly, the usually stern-faced man in the group couldn’t contain himself any longer. With burning passion, he jumped up and actually saluted toward the direction of the study!

The others: “…” In their confusion, they saw a small, peeking “doll” waving at them from the window.

Instantly, everyone straightened up, their faces red as they returned the salute!

…

With his own office now, You Mi was overjoyed.

After thanking the assembly crew, he hopped down from the chair by the window and walked to his desk to get to work.

Nearby, the monster had finished handling his documents, his gaze fixed on the competition form lying on the small desk opposite.

You Mi picked up a pen and began writing swiftly. Soon, the tip of the pen paused at the “Accompanying Person” column.

He hesitated for a moment, then opened his Optical Brain and pulled up an account labeled “Lin En,” seemingly organizing his words.

The monster instantly realized something, its golden pupils trembling as it swiftly activated its own Optical Brain.

……

Somewhere in the furniture factory workshop.

Lin En was busy working when the stern-faced factory manager suddenly called him into the office.

His heart pounded nervously as he mentally reviewed his recent work for any mistakes. But the moment he stepped into the office, the scene before him shocked him.

The factory manager had personally pulled out a chair for him and spoke earnestly, “Lin En, there’s an important client meeting this Saturday. I won’t have time, so I want you to accompany the managers. It’ll help make up the numbers.”

Lin En was stunned. “…What?” Even if the manager was unavailable, why would he be the one to fill in?

“Don’t want to go?” The factory manager looked suddenly nervous.

“No, I… I’ve never met clients before,” Lin En said, completely baffled. “Are you sure you have the right person?”

“Of course it’s you! That’s exactly why you need the experience!” The manager forced a smile. “Lately, I’ve been thinking about nurturing outstanding long-term employees like you…”

“But I’m not that old…”

“Not your age!” The manager winked meaningfully. “You’ve been with us quite a while, right? There’s a workshop supervisor position opening up soon… If you perform well at this meeting, you might get to try out the role.” As he spoke, he studied this unexpectedly significant employee with newfound appreciation.

After all, the royal family had specifically ordered this man to attend Saturday’s important client meeting. That meant this unassuming worker must have some complex connection to the royals… Could he be some noble’s illegitimate child?!

Completely unaware of the manager’s wild speculations, Lin En felt like he’d been hit by a stroke of incredible luck. It all seemed like a dream as he walked out of the office, only gradually processing what had just happened.

He hurried to a quiet corner of the restroom to call You Mi.

The call connected instantly, as if You Mi had been staring at his Optical Brain waiting.

Trying to contain his excitement, Lin En said, “Mi Mi, I have amazing news.”

You Mi: “…What?”

Lowering his voice, Lin En continued, “The factory manager suddenly developed a conscience—he’s being incredibly nice to me out of nowhere… He wants me to attend some important client meeting with the managers this Saturday, and I might even get promoted afterward.”

In the study, You Mi froze.

“Mi Mi?”

“I… I heard you!” Snapping out of it, You Mi jumped three feet in the air with excitement. “You’re going places! Lin En, I think we might actually be able to afford a house in the capital someday!”

“I think so too!” Lin En, infected by his enthusiasm, nearly cried. “I thought I’d be stuck living there forever… Mi Mi, you’re my lucky charm—everything gets better when you’re around… I’ll work hard to earn more, and someday we’ll be neighbors in the city’s residential district!”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking!”

The two happily fantasized about their future until Lin En had to return to work and end the call.

You Mi smiled as he closed his Optical Brain, then noticed the competition forms on his desk and remembered the upcoming event.

He’d originally planned to ask Lin En to accompany him to the preliminary rounds this Saturday, but it wasn’t strictly necessary.

Happily skipping the companion section, You Mi continued filling out the rest of the forms.

Not far away, Anshus, who had been listening intently with his ears perked up, suddenly set down the documents and spoke in the quiet study, “The day after tomorrow is Saturday.”

You Mi continued filling out the form, “Right!”

Anshus, “Before Saturday, my Humanoid Skin Suit will be delivered.”

You Mi, “?” He didn’t understand what that meant and looked up at the monster over there.

The monster stared at his form, lips slightly moving as he said:

“I’ll accompany Mi Mi to the competition.”