Chapter 65: Loves Cubs to Death

Chapter 65: Hopelessly Adoring the Little One

The little one’s eyes gleamed as he fluttered his tiny wings, chasing after Lynn.

Lynn, who had always prided himself on his exceptional hiding skills, felt completely lost for the first time—why couldn’t he lose him?

This little guy was only five years old, and compared to an adult Crown Clan, his speed was actually quite slow.

Yet he kept pinpointing Lynn’s direction accurately, step by step—until Lynn was cornered.

Lynn slumped against the wall—trapped.

And from around the corner, the "flashlight’s" glow was already shining toward him.

Suddenly, tiny fingers curled around the corner, and a little head peeked out bit by bit.

The gleam in those big eyes flickered faintly, giving the dim corner a creepy vibe.

Lynn stared, speechless.

Just how terrifying was this scene?

Worse yet, the even more terrifying part was yet to come.

His other small hand also grabbed the wall—and in it, he held Lynn’s own golden crown.

Lynn, already surrendering, went stiff. "…?"

Hold on—he’d been so busy fleeing earlier and hadn’t noticed—what was the little one holding in his hand???

That was HIS crown????

Lynn’s eyes slowly widened as he shrank deeper into the corner.

Meanwhile, the kid sighed heavily, the glow in his eyes finally dimming. His amber-colored eyes blinked a few times before locking onto Lynn’s gaze.

It was… a Crown Clan he didn’t know.

At this moment, they stared each other down, tense.

The little one instinctively glanced behind him—seeing Finn and Hale following leisurely not far behind, the kid puffed up with courage. "Y-you! Why have you been following Zao Zao?"

The little one barred the way out.

His tiny wings snapped open with a *whoosh*, as if to amplify his presence—

Lynn: "..."

Lynn gaped, his expression utterly dazed as he stared at the crown in the little one’s hand.

He instinctively raised a hand.

Finn and Hale stood not far away. Hale, well aware of the Crown Clan’s curiosity, didn’t approach, only speaking gently, "Lynn, pulling on the crown is a foolish move."

Lynn: "..."

Lynn’s hand dropped immediately, his expression cold.

"Hale, it’s been a while since we last spoke. You think I’m stupid or something?"

"Yanking it will make you dizzy, Uncle Lynn."

Finn chuckled cheerfully behind him.

Oh, so yanking it makes you dizzy... Wait, how do you know that???

Wait, I wasn't even going to pull the halo!

And—Lynn belatedly realized.

Why was he hiding?

This wasn’t Dwight’s private area—anyone could come here!

Stay calm, keep your cool, and then... make a quick exit—!

Lynn had no intention of explaining. He simply straightened his clothes and headed toward the exit.

Xiao Chuzao, when facing the Crown Clan, usually found that adult Crown Clan members would answer all his questions. Rarely did he encounter someone like Lynn—ice-cold the whole time, who'd rather lurk in corners observing, unwilling to speak even when discovered.

As Lynn walked out, the little cub took a step to the side.

The small winged figure stood right in the middle of the path, still gripping his small crown, squarely blocking Lynn’s path.

Lynn had no choice but to stop.

He listened as the little cub asked in his babyish voice, "Why're you following Zao Zao?"

"I’ve been following you?"

Lynn’s expression remained unchanged. He merely glanced down at the soft little thing, then caught sight of the halo in the cub’s hand. He looked away like he'd been burned.

"Why would I follow you? Do you have any proof?"

"Still stubborn as ever."

Finn, still smiling, remarked lightly.

"Exactly the same as before."

Hale agreed with a hum, chuckling as if recalling something.

Good. Let Zao Zao show him—make him understand that once Zao Zao catches you, whether day or night, if you don’t admit what you’ve done, you'll never hear the end of it!

Xiao Chuzao tilted his little head up, staring at the frosty Crown Clan member.

Lynn shot a warning glance toward Hale and Finn, speaking more smoothly and steadily, as if he'd already worked out his argument in his mind: "This isn’t a private area. I was just passing through. I should be asking why you’re chasing me."

But it was strange—Lynn still couldn’t figure out how the kid kept spotting him so easily.

As for liking cubs or finding them cute—

Lynn looked down as the cub reached up to place his small crown back on his head. The little gold crown wobbled gently, and his chubby face tilted up to stare at him.

Lynn looked away again—big deal.

The cub thought for a moment. "Daddy told Zao Zao, you’re Grandpa Lynn."

Lynn: "So what? Even King Amos had to treat me with respect back then."

Because he is His Majesty Clancy's closest friend, partner, and even His Majesty Clancy's dating coach. Without him, there would be no King Amos!

The little one wore an innocent face: "Daddy said Grandpa Lynn's Psychic Crown needs Zao Zao’s help too. Grandpa Lynn, are you not doing well? So you've been following Zao Zao but too shy to ask?"

Lynn: ...?

Lynn, bewildered and suspicious, suddenly looked down at this adorable, well-behaved little child.

Who’s "not doing well"?

"It's okay! Daddy said people in the Crown Clan like you hate admitting they’re losing their strength anymore. Zao Zao understands! Mr. Hale pretends he’s fine too, telling Zao Zao he’s not in pain at all, but Zao Zao saw him sweating from pain when he took medicine."

The little one thought for a moment, puffing out his cheeks a little.

"Even though Zao Zao didn’t know you before, Zao Zao can help you!"

He was very serious, straightforward, sincere, and cute, his little wings fluttering behind him as he held out his little hand like he meant business.

After all, you’ve been following Zao Zao for so long. If you weren’t hanging by a thread and too proud to ask, what other reason could there be?

Lynn: ... Thinking it over, something about this feels off.

What exactly is off?

Maybe it’s the blunt way he said he’s stubborn and past his prime?

Hale: ...?

"Zao Zao, drag him all you want, but don’t bring me into it."

"Making a little one worry about your pain, Hale. You’ve really slipped."

Lynn said coldly.

He looked down at the little one again.

The little guy tilted his head, reaching out to give Lynn’s finger a little tug.

"Grandpa Lynn, you’re too tall. Can you bend down? Zao Zao wants to see your halo!"

Zao Zao had followed him all this way and was too tired to fly up right now.

The tiny, warm hand tugged gently at Lynn’s cold fingertip—Lynn hadn’t been in close contact with his clan for a long time. He had always been like this: a loner, gloomy, and barely spoke.

And now, his fingertip was being held like this.

Lynn: ...

Does he think a little tug will make me give in?

No. Not until he finished whatever scheme he’s plotting—absolutely not!

Little Chuzao blinked: "Grandpa Lynn, your ears are all red!"

Lynn: ...!

"Now your face is getting red too."

The little one gazed at Lynn curiously.

Lynn was startled!

The next moment, the fingertip in the youngling's hand was abruptly pulled away as Lynn bolted away like a shot.

The youngling reacted a moment too late. After a pause, he turned to look in the direction Lynn had run away, then glanced questioningly at his teacher and Finn.

Finn was doubled over with laughter.

"Teacher?"

The youngling was bewildered.

"Don't worry about it."

Hale was also smiling.

"He's just shy."

Someone who rarely socialized had been cornered by a youngling, so flustered he ran away.

But—

"But are you really okay?"

The youngling was still worried. He took off his small crown again and checked the Psychic thread still wrapped around it.

He then put the crown near his lips.

"If there's a problem, tell Zao Zao, 'kay? Don't be shy."

From afar, there seemed to be a stumbling sound.

Over there, Lynn, who had staggered back to his feet, still couldn't understand—how could this little one talk inside his head?!

"I think Uncle Lynn must be so embarrassed."

Finn was still cracking up.

Hiding would let Zao Zao see his Psychic thread, fleeing would let Zao Zao catch his Psychic thread and shout in his head—for someone who disliked socializing and speaking... what a perfect counter, hahaha.

Lynn ran a good distance before stopping.

He lifted a hand to touch his cheek.

The usually cold, emotionless, and barely noticeable Crown Clan member gradually frowned.

—His face was burning.

Not far away.

Cheng Xuan was just coming out of a nearby office and gave Lynn a surprised look.

"Your Highness Lynn?"

Lynn automatically said, "I wasn't shy. I had things to do. It's just... hot out."

Cheng Xuan: ?

"What?"

Lynn came back to himself.

He pressed a finger to his brow in frustration.

"No, it's nothing."

"Your Highness Lynn."

Then a soft, gentle voice came from behind Cheng Xuan.

Lynn looked over to see a woman in a black uniform. Her features weren't classically beautiful, but she carried a graceful presence. When not smiling, a sharp glint showed in her eyes—her gentleness merely a facade.

This was the Chief Presiding Judge of the Northern Free Alliance—Xi Jin.

"You seem quite familiar with Presiding Judge Xi?"

Lynn paused briefly, his expression returning to normal.

"We only knew each other in passing before. This time, there's some official business to discuss."

Cheng Xuan smiled slightly.

"So we've met a few more times, though there's nothing private about them."

"Indeed," Presiding Judge Xi Jin added with a smile. "I have work to attend to, so I won't disturb Your Highness Lynn and Speaker Cheng Xuan any longer."

Lynn nodded slightly.

He had no intention of lingering, but before leaving, he threw one last look at Cheng Xuan.

Cheng Xuan's expression remained calm and composed, his face—lined with age—still bearing traces of the sharpness from his youth.

When Cheng Xuan was just a teenager, he had doggedly followed Clancy. To be honest, someone like Lynn, being straightforward, couldn't quite fathom what went on in the minds of these overly cautious types.

"Of course, Your Highness, there are no secrets here. All relevant discussions are documented."

Cheng Xuan met Lynn's gaze.

"These discussions naturally include those about His Majesty Clancy's plans. When His Majesty formulated them, it was to ensure Saint Cas's survival."

"But I think you've gone off course."

Lynn thought of the young one he'd observed these past days, recalling the touching moment when the soft, adorable young one had held his finger. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if making a judgment in that instant. But then he glanced in the direction Xi Jin had left and merely turned away, remarking offhand.

"Amos won't let you continue like this."

Lynn left quickly.

Cheng Xuan remained where he stood, bowing as Lynn left.

Then he straightened up.

A wry smile touched his lips.

"Not just King Amos—you yourself just showed murderous intent."

That feeling—after participating in the plans personally devised by His Majesty Clancy, plans that had once targeted the current King Amos, Cheng Xuan had sensed that same aura countless times from Clancy.

It was uncontrollable—the Crown Clan's deep-seated instinct to protect their offspring.

If they judged him to be a real threat, they wouldn't hesitate to act.

Claiming they don’t care—yet they’re clearly head over heels for the Little Highness, aren’t they?

Cheng Xuan glanced at his reflection in the window and sighed helplessly, "Am I really that hard to like?"

*

"Has Cheng Xuan been in touch with the Northern Free Alliance lately?"

Amos and Frey were on their way back to the Dwight Palace.

There was still some time before the banquet began.

Hale mentioned the little one took a quick nap earlier and was now being told the history of Saint Cas by him.

However, the little one had encountered Lynn today and chased after him for quite a distance, wearing himself out.

The two had just wrapped up some business and hadn’t yet returned to the palace.

"Yes."

Frey nodded.

"About Father’s old plans, the families and groups involved—since the Northern Free Alliance was close to us, they were also part of the arrangements."

After the Crown Clan of Saint Cas completely disappeared, to ensure Saint Cas could survive as long as possible, they needed a stronger alliance—fresh talent and new blood. But even that wouldn’t ensure their survival in the volatile interstellar scene.

The Crown Clan protecting Saint Cas got the plan but weren’t fans. Mostly, they couldn’t be bothered dealing with them, especially since the Crown Clan had seemed done for before.

Over the many years these grand plans had been in motion, they had entangled too many people and matters, including those with ambitious intentions. Under Amos’s iron grip, nothing seemed off, but these things had snowballed, involving too many people, too many families, and too many interests—nearly unstoppable.

Amos had gotten fed up more than once, even thought about scrapping the whole thing.

Amos had already pulled a few strings behind the scenes.

But he hadn’t gone all the way yet.

Moreover, regarding the internal affairs of Saint Cas, some deliberate stirrings were worth looking into.

That’s why Amos let them stick around.

The Hymn Organization’s reach was everywhere—no one knew how deep it ran.

Amos stayed silent, just staring ahead coolly.

"It’s okay. Zao Zao just has to grow up."

He’d take care of the rest for Zao Zao.

*

Meanwhile, inside the Dwight Palace.

The little one woke up from a quick nap, rubbing his eyes with a yawn.

Hale and Finn stood by, grinning at the little one’s messy bedhead.

"Rise and shine, Zao Zao."

Finn propped himself against the doorframe, smiling at the little one in bed.

The little one blinked over, let out another tiny yawn, and face-planted back into the sheets.

"Are we still having the afternoon lesson?"

Hale stood by the bed, asked the little one softly.

It was actually pretty late for a nap.

But there was still some time before the banquet began, and the little one now sprawled on the bed had earlier vowed to study hard.

Finn tilted his head in thought, rubbed his hands together, then stepped forward and bundled up the little one, blanket and all.

"Zao Zao wants...just five more minutes..."

"came the sleepy little voice," their small body wriggling for a moment before giving up, eventually morphing into a white puffball.

Finn's hands suddenly felt empty. He looked down to see the little white fluffball sliding down along with the blanket.

The two fluffy little ears drooped, and the tiny face face-planted into the soft bedding, the small ears curling slightly. The little wings spread out, and the small dragon tail stretched—from above, you could only see a tiny, round head.

A perfectly round little noggin.

"Meow—"

He let out a quiet, babyish mew.

Just a little while—just a little.

Finn and Hale froze for a moment, then exchanged glances, struggling to keep straight faces—who taught you to be this adorable?

"Rise and shine. Your afternoon lesson got canceled. King Amos will be back soon," Hale spoke again.

"We need to get ready for the banquet."

The little puffball finally stirred, its ears twitching. The face buried in the soft bedding lifted as the little one pushed themselves up.

Xiao Chuzao yawned.

He changed back to human form, eyes still drowsy, then looked at Hale and Finn. Now slightly more alert, the little one realized it was long past the time they had promised to wake up—and got a little sheepish.

"Grandpa Lynn's the whole reason Zao Zao is so sleepy."

The little one clenched their tiny fists, batting big eyes at Finn and Hale.

Not Zao Zao's fault, 'kay?

The little one said with utmost seriousness, trying to convey this point to Hale and Finn.

"But why does Grandpa Lynn run away when he sees Zao Zao?"

The little one still couldn’t quite understand.

Running was one thing, but then hiding and peeking at them?

"That's just how some Crown Clan folks are," Hale mused.

"But don't buy his act—I've never seen him turn that shade of red before. Oh, right—his birthday is coming up soon. When the time comes, Zao Zao, you go fish him out, and we’ll throw him a big birthday bash. It'll probably kill him."

Lynn probably still can't figure it out now; he's probably hiding in a dark corner banging his head against the wall in frustration.

Of course, that's an over-the-top mental image.

But at this thought, Hale, usually a refined and calm scholar, couldn't help but let a slightly smug smile slip.

Birthday?

The little cub batted his big eyes.

"Do birthdays need celebrating?"

The little cub clumsily slid off the bed, yawning.

Standing in front of the two, he tilted his little head upward, looking curiously at Finn and Hale.

Finn and Hale exchanged a glance, both turning their gaze to the little one.

Right—

The little cub had never celebrated his own birthday.

He didn’t even quite understand that birthdays were something to be celebrated.

He'd always fended for himself, with no family or friends, only himself for company day after day.

Some things he had seen, but others, like celebrating a birth, he had never witnessed, so the concept was foreign to him.

The little one would need to take a moment to grasp that birthdays were about receiving blessings.

And the little cub blinked his eyes, his tiny wings giving little flaps softly as he responded in a gentle voice.

"Then Zao Zao will fix that."

He really was such a good little cub.

After thinking for a while, his big eyes sparkling, he offered a belated "Happy Birthday" to Hale and Finn.

"Zao Zao will remember from now on."

The cub even counted on his little fingers, planning to tell Papa too.

Hearing this, Finn couldn’t resist leaning in—"Zao Zao, Uncle will teach you an awesome birthday wish."

The little cub looked up, blinking his big eyes curiously. "What?"

A moment later, Hale looked at Finn—admiringly. "Your Highness Finn, every time you get smacked, you totally earn it."

At the same time, the little cub heard the sound of Amos returning.

The little one scampered out in a flash, clearing the railing in one bound, his small wings fluttering as he flew straight into Amos’s arms.

Amos reached out, catching his little one with practiced ease, then looked down to meet the cub’s gaze.

The cub wrapped his arms around Amos’s neck and solemnly informed him, "Papa, Zao Zao remembered Papa’s birthday."

Birthday?

Amos shifted his grip on the little one, preparing to take him to the banquet. After all, his reputation was already in the gutter—otherwise, he might as well settle some matters tonight. Whether it was the parliament or certain people’s meddling schemes, Amos had ignored them before. But now, he noticed unsettling signs, and they involved his little cub. He was deep in thought about serious matters, considering future deployment orders, only half-paying attention to his little one. He had no idea what was about to hit him.

Then he heard the little cub chirp excitedly—

"Zao Zao gives you a belated happy birthday, Papa! May you be as prosperous as the ocean and live as long as the mountains!"

Amos’s movements stopped dead: …?

*What?*