Aegon couldn't even complete his sentence before he felt a chill run down his spine. His instincts screamed at him to run away, not because of danger, but because of something far scarier.

He took a deep breath and asked, lips twitching, "Is she behind me?"

Hecte hummed in response, giving him the confirmation he didn't want.

He slowly turned around with a sweet smile plastered on his face and said, his voice dripping with fake excitement, "Hey, Xiu, long time no see!"

His aunt stood behind him like a giantess, even though her height wasn't much different from his own, simply because of the sheer intimidating presence and aura she carried.

Even though she was in her mid-thirties, Chen Xiu didn't look a day past thirty. She still had that youthful air about her, and her figure was as striking as ever.

As usual, her long, lustrous black hair was tied into a ponytail, and she was clad in a crisp white shirt, a vest, and trousers. She looked effortlessly beautiful.

Her honey-brown eyes narrowed at him as she stepped forward, and he instinctively took a step back. He wasn't really afraid of anyone in this world… except for this woman.

Hecte and all the members of the Red Viel silently withdrew into the shadows, because they knew there was nothing they could do here. They were more than familiar with Xiu's temper.

Aegon cursed at them for betraying him at this critical moment, but he also knew they were helpless against her.

He forced the sweetest smile he could muster, clapped his hands together before his chest, and shouted, "I am sorry, my dear beautiful Aunt Xiu. I was wrong!"

"You say that every time," Xiu growled as she twisted his ear mercilessly. "Are you finally entering your rebellious age? Huh? Do you want to go against your aunt?"

"Ouch! Ai! Please forgive me, your highness!" Aegon cried out, even though it didn't really hurt. How could Xiu ever actually hurt her baby? It was impossible but he still pretended.

'Thanks, Cali. You're my savior for this. Thanks for teaching me how to be overdramatic,' he thought, not forgetting to thank his friend who had drilled those acting skills into him.

"Where? Where does it hurt?" Xiu's expression instantly softened as she released his ear and began caressing it gently. "I'm sorry, I thought I was only using a little strength."

Aegon had the urge to roll his eyes. See? It was always this easy to placate her. She was truly blind when it came to matters related to him.

Even though it was obvious he was acting, she still fell for it, because in her mind, there was always the chance he might be hurt.

It was so stupid, yet Aegon always ended up smiling at her behavior. It just reminded him of how much he was loved in this world.

"Xiu, you're the only one who would fall for such terrible acting," Aegon chuckled softly as he put his hand on hers. "I'm not hurt at all."

"How can I not fall for it when my baby is the one acting?" Xiu replied matter-of-factly.

'I am so spoiled. I really need to make sure I don't grow too arrogant. Damn you, crazy Xiu!' Aegon sighed and said, "You're hopeless. Anyways, why did you come here?"

"Obviously because you missed breakfast," Xiu answered, ruffling his hair.

Only then did he realize the sun was already rising on the eastern horizon, its first golden light spilling over the world. It was tradition in their household to eat breakfast at sunrise, though Aegon never really knew why.

Although his grandfather wasn't strict about traditions, Aegon followed his rules regardless. He respected him more than anyone, so why wouldn't he follow a few of his customs?

Many times in life, people did things not for themselves, but for those they loved.

"Let's go! I made your favorite chocolate pancakes."

Hearing the name of his favorite food, Aegon was instantly filled with excitement. He had been awake the whole night working, utterly exhausted, but now he was brimming with energy.

"Hecte! Make sure no one enters the area. I'll come back in a while," Aegon shouted, then turned to Xiu with sparkling eyes. "Let's go! Why are we still waiting here?"

Xiu laughed at his enthusiasm and wrapped an arm around his neck, asking, "Oh? And what are you making this time?"

She was long used to Aegon pulling off sudden, strange projects. She wasn't surprised anymore, just curious.

"I'll explain later," Aegon said, too excited about pancakes to bother with details. "Let me eat first. I've been working all night and I'm starving."

His aunt laughed again and took a step forward, her presence warping the air around them. For Aegon, the world seemed to blur as purple lightning cracked across the surroundings.

In just a few seconds, everything returned to normal, and the familiar scenery of the Mooncrest Mansion greeted him. He immediately dashed inside, eyes frantically searching for the pancakes.

He loved them dearly, though he knew it was because Xiu made them. He didn't know how she did it, but the pancakes she cooked were always so delicious they left him euphoric.

Now, he just wanted to eat them all.

Meanwhile, Hecte materialized in her shadowy form after sending Jason with Aegon. Even though she knew he was perfectly safe around Xiu, one of the Red Viel was always assigned to accompany him.

As she waited, she sensed movement outside the transparent barrier she had erected earlier. Only someone like Xiu could pass through it effortlessly.

She went to check the disturbance since they were Aegon's acquaintances. As she stepped beyond the barrier, she found three people standing there with puzzled looks on their faces.

She knew them well.

The Royal Randle Family of Moonrise Kingdom: King Bailish, Queen Sansa, and Crown Prince Xavier. They had come to inspect the area since Aegon had promised his work would be done in one night.

But when they arrived, they had been forced to stop as Bailish detected the barrier. He could have forced his way through it, but he knew the consequences of that would not be pleasant.

"You cannot pass through," Hecte declared in her icy voice, not the tone she used around Aegon, but the one she reserved for outsiders.

"Did Aegon tell you this?" Bailish quickly understood the situation.

"Boss will be here soon!" Hecte said curtly before withdrawing back into the barrier.

Bailish's expression twisted into a strange look as he muttered, half to himself, "I'm probably the first king who isn't allowed to enter his own territory."

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