Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

The things seemed to pause around when the door of the dining hall opened. A fragrant gush of wind, neither warm nor cold entered inside along with the woman, getting guided by the royal butler inside the hall. 

Li Xue looked around, containing a small smile inside. Without any previous knowledge, a wish from her bucket list got completed on its own. Having no idea, for a moment it felt like she had entered some fairy tale where she was transformed into a princess of the country. She wanted to smile at the thought but once back in the time, during her childhood, this was her dream which she never thought to come true. 

A smile curled her lips up as she remembered her innocent dreams from back days then matching them from today's time. Everything seemed so surreal, still, she knew everything was real. 

"Ms. Li Xue, this way please!" Suddenly Mr. Cao said when saw the woman trancing off in her thoughts for a bit. 

Li Xue was at one all focused on the old man, "Oh, I am really sorry. I think I got all mesmerized by the architectural design of the palace. I must say it's way more beautiful than what I have read in the books. I hope I didn't embarrass myself too much." She said, giving a smile of courtesy and for a moment, the old man was all taken aback by that look. 

Coming back, he shook his head. "Not at all, Miss. Please come in, His Majesty and Her Highness are waiting for you." He said, gesturing to her to come more inside. 

Li Xue smiled before nodding. And the aged butler took her more inside, directly to the space where the dining table was set. 

Li Xue looked forward. Her eyes, yet away to see the people's familiar faces. The curtains have enclosed them in, only giving her vague outlines to imagine. She could see three people sitting on the big dining table, two on each longest end while one on the widened side. From the distance she could see the slightest side of the familiar young boy, still having a small pout on his lips. 

'Why does he always pull a sullen face like this? Aren't boys of his age always cheerful?' She thought to herself, shaking her head internally, but then suddenly feeling the gaze of the old man on herself, turned to look at him while smiling awkwardly. "Oh, they are having breakfast. I think I should wait here itself". 

"No, Miss. You should go forward and greet them. Her Highness has invited you to breakfast." The aged man said, explaining the things all patiently which almost let Li Xue feel like the man was some benefactor, guiding her to an unknown place where she would get lost. 

But why is there no air of unfamiliarity in the place? Why does it feel like this place was not that strange and unknown to her? 

The question arose in her heart and next came the answer.

"Dear, a woman can never forget her motherly love for her child, nor her love could be something that could be snatched away. She would always be there to support her children whenever they need her. Be it you or Li Xue, I will always be there." She heard the Queen say that in front.

And then she remembered the woman had taken and treated her like a daughter of her own. How could she not feel the familiarity when she could easily feel the warmth of love she has felt from the woman. Her lips curled up deeper at the realization which soon turned into a chuckle when heard the little crown prince whining. 

But suppressing her chuckle well within, she greeted, "Good morning!" before taking her steps closer to the table so that her presence could be visible to the people. 

Shin Tinming's movement halted at that voice. His eyes went still as he slowly lifted his gaze up to look at the girl entering slowly and slowly into his heart. The shell of toughness cracking up in her presence. Though he has avoided accepting the fact for a thousand times, in just this single moment he could not bring himself to reject it. 

This was his daughter. So, much like him. How could he reject her now that he has seen her? Now he understands the meaning the old butler Cao has tried to make him understand the last time. 

His eyes never left her. Never came to remember the fact how unwanted she felt to his heart when he came to see their DNA report. Liu Hua's betrayal and tricks were just forgotten, seeing her smiling face at the moment. 

The only thing that remained in his thoughts was the truth that he never wanted to remember. She was his daughter whom he was meeting for the first time. 

Suddenly hearing the voice of Li Xue, Chen Rui became a little jubilant. She turned to look at the girl before calling in a soft tone, "Xiao Xue, you are here. It's a nice surprise for us in the morning." She said and the smile never left her lips. 

In response to her warm attitude, Li Xue also smiled back. "Sorry I didn't mean to disturb you at mealtime. I will wait outside for you to complete your food". 

"Oh, what are you saying, Xiao Xue? Come and join us. We can't leave you waiting outside. Have something with us". Chen Rui said, looking doting-ly at the girl while gesturing to her to take the seat beside her at the table. 

Li Xue apologetically shook her head and was about to say something when the boy from the side interrupted in a slow voice. 

"Ma, why don't you tell her simply that you are making her be an exception. You never allowed anyone to join us during the breakfast but you are requesting her to." Shin You Jun started but halted halfway when his mother turned to give him a look. "I mean, maybe then she will understand how important you are treating her". 

"You Jun, didn't I tell you to behave? Are you asking …" 

"Your Highness, I am on a diet plan that's why I refused to have breakfast twice. But if you have no problem, I would feel honored if I could accompany you to the table with a glass of water" Li Xue interrupted hastily, not wanting to see the kid again getting chided but little did she realize the offense she has mistakenly committed.