Chang Xiuying hid behind one of the bigger men and clutched his robe. The man was startled and then decided to just ignore it. When they arrived in front of the knights, they were asked, "Do you all know what happened?"
"What happened?" One of them asked.
"There was a loud dragon roar and a violent earthquake. Do you have any ideas what happened?"
"Ah. We're the one who encountered the---" the man Chang Xiuying was hiding in, clutched the man's mouth. He didn't know why he had to hide the fact that a child killed a dragon. However, upon closer inspection, it was out of the normal means. It could only be treated as a secret or else, they wouldn't know what will happen to the child.
"Encountered the?"
"We encountered a wyvern---"
"Hey, you mean my tamed monster?" The sky rider asked.
"Ah. Well, another wyvern and we let it pass."
"Okay?" One of the knights said.
A wyvern wasn't that big of a deal compared to a calamity dragon who could threaten a whole country. However, this caught the attention of the knights. It was strange.
Suddenly, there was a tug at the leader of the knights' undershirt. When he looked down, Chang Xiuying looked at him with pleading eyes. Her countenance was beautiful and she could be mistaken as a noble from her clothes.
"Mister knight, can I go home?"
"Eh… yeah, of course. Since you won't have any contributions to the questioning."
"Thank you, mister knight!" Chang Xiuying smiled brightly and then skipped towards the northern gate. She presented her identification and then entered the city. The party outside just looked at her, dumbfounded.
"Wait! That girl was the one who---"
"Shut it!"
"What's wrong? You lot have been acting suspicious since earlier. Come with me to the guard house."
Gulp…
Chang Xiuying skipped her way to ChangHao firm. As usual, the business was booming. People are waiting outside as they chat. She entered at the back door and then went to her room. She jumped on the bed then fell asleep in an instant.
When morning came, soldiers knocked on the ChangHao firm's door. Moreover, it was an ungodly hour. It was so early in the morning that almost all of the people are still asleep and not yet started their business in the city.
Flora answered it with professionalism, fighting her drowsiness.
"Yes? What do you need?"
"Is Chang Shiyuying here?"
"Do you have any business with Master?"
"She was called by the prince."
"Why would a prince want to see my Master?"
"They never said any more specifications."
"Understood. I'll wake her up."
"Please."
Then Flora went to Chang Xiuying's room and then knocked hard on the door. After a second, a drowsy voice was heard.
"Who...?"
"It is Flora, Master."
"Hmm..."
"The soldiers are here to escort you to the prince."
"Ugh… what a pain."
"Master… that's unbecoming. I'm entering now."
"Mhm… sure."
Flora entered and pushed back Chang Xiuying's silky fringe. She said in a very soft voice. "Master, you need to wake up."
"Don't say it like that… you'll just make me more sleepy."
Flora chuckled softly. "I'm sorry, but they are waiting for you."
"Alright… alright… I'll just freshen up. Tell them to wait inside. The outside is cold."
"Yes, master."
When Flora left, Chang Xiuying grumbled and then sat up. "What's the matter with them..." However, when she stood in front of her sink, the world seemed to shrink. She was puzzled as she looked at the mirror.
"Ah..." she exclaimed as she sighed.
She grew up again. What's with these early growth spurts? She was around 165 centimeters now. Never mind that, she has guests waiting for her.
Chang Xiuying started freshening up, then changed her clothes proper for meeting the prince. It wasn't that extravagant but it was elegant. Since she grew, her dresses became shorter. But fortunately, the dresses' torsos were flexible. Her skirt reached her knees and frills were at the ends. She also wore a big cardigan that was almost the same size of her grown body, put up her hair into a ponytail and then came out to meet her guests.
"Yes?"
The soldiers were shocked with the appearance of the girl that might be around 15 years old. Flora was also shocked because of another big change of her master.
"The… the prince wants to meet you."
"Yes, I heard from my attendant. Please guide me."
"Yes. Please follow us," then they left the building.
Flora touched both of her cheeks that were glowing red. Her face became even more beautiful as she remembered her Master's face and imposing stature. She hid her eyes and silently screamed.
"She's growing so splendidly… oh my Master… I wish I could see you grow more."
* * *
Chang Xiuying and the soldiers entered the noble's district then entered a high class inn. There was a lobby and a private lobby where the prince was waiting.
The soldier knocked on the door and said, "Prince Gaius, Chang Shiyuying is here."
"Let her in."
"Yes," he responded as he looked at the girl behind him, "Please enter."
"Thank you," she said politely and then entered the room. Extravagant designs met her eyes and then a boy around 18 years old sat on the red sofa.
"You called?"
"How unethical of you to speak like that to me, the prince."
"I apologize. But you are the one who called me in such an ungodly hour."
"I am the one who was woken up in an ungodly hour for a report."
"Then that makes it even to the both of us."
Gaius sighed and then said, "You should be re-educated in etiquettes."
"I apologize, but I never entered any school."
"Heh. Just right for a commoner like you."
Chang Xiuying sighed harder and sat in front of Gaius, crossing her legs. "Oh really."
"Why are you acting like this?! Correct your manners!"
However, she only shook her head then served herself some tea. "So, let's just get into business. What do you need from me?"
"Goddammit… you… ugh. My blood is boiling!"
Chang Xiuying only sipped the tea. "I won't ask anymore."
"Aren't you too brave to act so impolite in front of me?!"
"Why thank you for the compliment."
"Guar---"
Chang Xiuying settled the cup on the saucer and asked, "Again, what do you need from me?" Her eyes sharpened and pure bloodlust emanated from her whole being.
Gaius trembled from the cold pressure pressing on his body. He could feel death inches away from his face. However, he tried his best to stay calm and stated his business, finally.
"I heard from the report that you killed a calamity dragon. You are just a mere kid--- I mean… you're too young to defeat a dragon. I wanted to confirm immediately if the claim is true."
"That's all?"
Gaius nodded.
"Well, do you get to confirm it?"
"Your bloodlust just proves things correct."
"Hoh… impressive. Perhaps, do you want to also confirm how I can defeat a dragon with my own hands?"
"That would be unnecessary."
"Aaahh… can I go home now? I want to sleep."
Gaius remained silent as he watched the girl impolitely stretched her body. He then asked, "Are you in the guild?"
"Nope. Not in the guild."
"I also heard that you're the sole proprietor of the ChangHao firm."
"That's right."
"What foods do you like?"
"Excuse me what? What does it have to do from the earlier questions?"
"Well, you see, I don't know why but I suddenly felt comfortable with you. Considering how you act so liberally to me. Maybe that was what I've been waiting for all my life."
"Okay? And then?"
"I want to talk more."
"But I want to sleep."
"At least for a few minutes?"
"I want to sleep."
"I'll let you go to sleep in this high class inn. The bed is super cozy."
"How soft?"
"Terribly soft."
"Alright then. What do you want to talk about?"
Gaius beamed then they started chatting merrily. When they finished, it was already dawn and the birds were chirping harmoniously. Chang Xiuying suddenly regretted talking with the talkative prince. He must have been lonely in his castle for a very long time.
Her reward was to sleep in a very cozy bed anyway. Her body succumbed to the fluffy feeling and she instantly slept like a log. However, her absence worried her people in the ChangHao firm.
"Where's master?!" They were skeptical.
"She still isn't back!" Flora panicked.
"But you said that she met with the prince… perhaps… did something happen between them?!"
"Delila! Don't speak something like that!" Flora raged.
"But we can't eliminate that possibility!"
"I don't care! Master is ours!"
"Isn't she like… just yours?"
"What? What do you mean, Quhat?"
"You've been extremely doting on little master. Besides, Master is strong and I believe in her conviction. She will come back later. I swear on the name of the firm."
"Quhat… I guess… you're right. Master isn't that simple minded."
"Indeed."
"Besides… Master's mind is only filled with food, training, books and us."
"That's right. So, believe in her more and wait."
"Okay."
And everything settled down. For the meantime.