189. Just kidding.

Yosan finally raised his hand, trying to calm down. "Haha... sorry, sorry. I just didn't expect you to seriously argue with a little kid about a game of hide and seek."

Nils glared at him, while Lia became even more enthusiastic. "I'll prove it! Tomorrow Lia will definitely be able to beat Uncle, whether Uncle is serious or not!" she said confidently, her hands clenched with burning enthusiasm.

Nils could only sigh. It seemed he had been trapped in a new challenge from his little niece.

"Alright, you two, stop arguing," Yosan said, shaking his head slightly. "We'd better go inside before it gets too dark."

He then looked at his daughter with a mischievous smile. "And you, Little Miss, better take a bath before Mom sees how dirty you are and starts scolding you."

Lia glanced at her dusty clothes, then chuckled. "Ehehe... but Dad, Lia's not that dirty yet, you know."

"Oh yeah?" Yosan raised an eyebrow, pretending to examine Lia with a thoughtful expression. "But Dad thinks you're too dirty to be called not dirty."

Lia frowned, then snorted. "Dad's just exaggerating..." she muttered softly.

Yosan chuckled and pretended to think for a moment, then grinned mischievously when he heard his daughter's refusal. "Hm, should Dad call Mom now? Let her judge how dirty you are."

Lia's eyes widened in panic. "Eh? No need, Dad! Lia can take a bath by herself! Lia will take a bath right now!" she exclaimed quickly, trying to avoid Yosan's hand, which was trying to catch her.

Not wanting that to happen, Lia immediately looked for a way to escape. Her eyes darted around, looking for an excuse or anyone who could be her savior. As soon as she saw the head maid standing in the doorway, her face lit up.

Without thinking, she ran towards the woman, the palace head maid who was also her grandmother. "Grandma! Lia wants to take a bath with Grandma!" she exclaimed hopefully, hugging the old woman's arm.

***

Night had arrived. The glitter of lights and lanterns began to light up along the streets and residents' houses, especially in the palace, providing light for everyone who was still active so they wouldn't get lost or trapped in the darkness.

Inside the room, Yosan sat on the bed, surrounded by some folded clothes and some that were not. However, his attention was diverted to Reina, who was helping their daughter, Lia, with her schoolwork.

They both looked seriously at the worksheet in front of them, which was lying on the floor. Occasionally, Reina pointed at something on the paper, then spoke in a soft voice, while Lia nodded, trying to understand her mother's explanation. Beside them, Kkum slept peacefully, curled up on the carpet, undisturbed by the surrounding noise.

While spreading clothes on his lap to make folding easier, Yosan suddenly remembered the conversation between himself, Reina, and Elexon earlier in the day about his day off to buy clothes.

"Your Majesty, regarding the clothes we discussed earlier... I've asked Uncle Elexon for permission, and he said I can take tomorrow off for that," Yosan said.

"Really?" Reina looked up, looking at Yosan.

Yosan looked at her for a moment before nodding, then returned to arranging the clothes by size and color.

"Hm, is that so?" Reina paused, seeming to think for a moment.

"What's wrong? Can't you make it tomorrow? Or... do I need to ask for permission another time if you can't?" Yosan asked.

Reina sighed softly, seeming to think for a moment before finally answering, "No, it's not that. We can do it tomorrow. Coincidentally, I sent a letter to one of my regular boutiques this afternoon, asking them to come to the palace and bring some sets of men's clothes that you can choose from later."

Yosan raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "I thought we were going to go outside the palace to buy the clothes," Yosan said.

Reina shook her head slightly. "We can't. Initially, I did plan that, but I don't have much free time to do it. I have to finish some important business with Nils, Beile, and Harzel."

"The reply from the boutique came this afternoon. They said they'll come to the palace tomorrow morning." Reina smiled thinly and sighed. "And earlier I thought you couldn't make it tomorrow, so I only planned to take a little of your time."

"Sorry, I should have told you earlier, so you didn't have to ask Uncle for a day off," she added.

No wonder Nils went outside the palace earlier, even though he rarely did unless there was an urgency.

"It's okay, I understand, Your Majesty. Besides, I can use the remaining time to rest or maybe train with Uncle," Yosan said.

Suddenly, Lia's voice was heard from where she was sitting. "Dad and Mom want to go out together?" she asked curiously, her eyes sparkling as if she had caught something interesting.

Reina smiled and stroked her daughter's head. "No, Mom and Dad are just planning to buy some clothes for your Dad to make him look even neater and more handsome." She posed proudly. "Mom has called a regular boutique to come to the palace tomorrow."

"Really? Lia wants to come too!" Lia exclaimed enthusiastically.

Reina shook her head slightly. "You can't, Sweetheart. You have school tomorrow."

Lia put on a pleading face with her lips pouting. "But Lia wants to come... Can't I take a day off outside the schedule?" she asked hopefully.

Reina remained firm in her stance and shook her head again. "You can't, Sweetheart. It's not a good habit, unless there's an urgent situation, like being sick or other important things."

Lia crossed her arms over her chest with a sullen expression. "Then, what's the point of being a princess if I can't use the privileges I have?"

Where did that girl learn something like this? Well, even though she's not Reina and Yosan's biological child, at least she can have privileges in her life.

But, not like this either... She should realize who she really is!

Hearing that, Reina immediately looked at her daughter seriously. She was a little surprised to find out that Lia already understood the concept of privilege. "Mom doesn't want you to use your power arbitrarily, even for the smallest things." Her tone remained soft but firm.

Yosan, who had been listening, couldn't hide his surprise. How could a little girl like Lia understand such a concept? Even though she's a princess, she can't use her privileges arbitrarily.

Reina sighed before speaking again, this time more softly. "You have to learn that everyone has their own responsibilities. School is your responsibility, just like Dad and Mom have their own tasks."

She looked at Lia with tenderness before continuing, "And Mom doesn't want you to set a bad example."

Using privileges is not entirely bad, but it must be used wisely and only in emergencies. Misusing it is not a good habit.

Reina looked at her daughter with a blank expression, making Lia reflexively straighten her back. "Hmmm... Have Dad and Mom spoiled you too much all this time, Lia?"

Reina's tone sounded calm, but there was a subtle pressure that immediately made Lia feel a little scared. Even though she was just kidding.

This is not good...

Lia chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Ehehe... Lia was just kidding, Mom. Of course Lia will still go to school tomorrow!"

Reina still looked at her expressionlessly. Lia swallowed, feeling she better not mess around anymore.

Even so, the little girl really wanted to go with her parents. Her face suddenly turned sullen, still feeling dissatisfied. However, seeing how deadly her mother's gaze was, she knew she better not argue anymore. Lia just sighed softly before finally mumbling in an almost inaudible voice, "But Lia really still wants to come..."

Yosan smiled thinly and looked at his daughter gently. "If we have time, we can go another time, like yesterday."

Lia nodded slowly, although she still looked a little disappointed. However, compared to when her mother forbade her, she was much easier to accept her father's explanations and coaxing.

Reina, who was observing their interaction, narrowed her eyes. Why is Lia easier to give in to Yosan? While when she speaks, the little girl always argues first. This is not fair!

With a slightly noticeable annoyed expression, Reina folded her arms over her chest, but didn't comment.

"Alright, let's not discuss it anymore. Are there any difficult questions that Dad can help with?" Yosan offered, putting the last piece of clothing he had just folded in its place, then sitting on the floor.

Hearing that, Lia immediately raised her head. "Yes!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. She immediately took the worksheet and pointed to one of the numbers she thought was the most difficult. "This question is very difficult, Dad. Lia doesn't understand how to solve it."

Yosan took the paper and read the question carefully. While frowning, he murmured softly, "Hm... this is indeed a bit complicated, but it doesn't mean it can't be solved."

Lia looked at him hopefully. Reina, who was still sitting near them, also glanced at the question.

"I already explained it earlier, but you said you didn't understand?" Reina said with a slightly sarcastic tone.

Lia just grinned without guilt. Her mother's explanations were sometimes too complicated to understand.

"Everyone has a different way of understanding, Your Majesty," Yosan said in a calm tone. "If Lia doesn't understand what's being taught, maybe you can use simpler language and other methods to make it easier to understand.