Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

"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 had mistakenly committed.

An awkward smile flashed on her face when she realized what she actually did in her haste. Her eyes turned to look at the old man who had guided her in the dining room first. Without any say, there was an expression of surprise on his face. Definitely, she deserved that smile. 

"Ah, I am really sorry, Your Highness. Interrupting your words in the middle was not my intention. I just didn't want to see the Crown Prince getting chided because of my mistake." She explained, scratching the back of her ear lightly. "Please don't take this as an offense. I didn't mean to make it one". Li Xue added, turning to look apologetically to everyone one after the other. 

But her eyes came to a pause when looked at the man, sitting to the other extreme end of the table. Though he looked nothing like the person she saw in the hospital, still, just a look at him and his aura, was enough to let people know his title. Even though this was her first time meeting him like this, still there felt a closed sense of familiarity between them she could not put her finger onto. Maybe for the way he was looking at her.

"Of course, you have offended me, Xiao Xue," suddenly from the side, Chen Rui said, bringing the girl back from her thoughts. 

Li Xue also turned to look at her. The serious as well as disappointed look on the Queen's face made her feel a little more apologetic. "I am sorry I really didn't mean it that way, Your Highness."

  "There you go again. You keep offending me while saying sorry. I never knew things like this could also happen. Is it some new ongoing trend that I am unaware of?"  Chen Rui said, pursing her lips at the girl. 

Li Xue was confused. Her brows wrinkled as she didn't understand what the woman meant with her words. Not understanding, she was about to voice out her confusion but before she could the queen once again interjected. "Your Highness, I …".

"Xiao Xue, is this the way I asked you to address me last time? If I remember correctly, this is not our first meeting, dear, and I don't think every time I meet you I need to remind you the same thing", Chen Rui said, like a chiding mother, folding her arms over her chest. 

It was then Li Xue realized what offense she was involved in. Her eyes shrunk in a little hesitation as she tried to correct her mistake."Ah, Your Hig … I am sorry, Ma. I was …" With her address, she thought to receive glances from the people sitting around but to her surprise there came none. It was only the young prince that looked unhappy with it. 

"Xiao Xue, I know what you are thinking. Don't think about it too much. Just come and sit with us at the table". The Queen said, smiling warmly at her. Then turning to the butler, she ordered, "And Mr. Cao, ask someone to bring a healthy but light breakfast for her. Of course with a glass of water". She added, giving small laughter to the end. 

The aged butler nodded, before leaving in the other direction to fulfill the orders given to him. 

Li Xue also had no other choice. At such a warm welcome there was no way she could reject the offer. Pulling her lips into a smile, she as well nodded before walking up the stairs to sit at the table. 

"What a big eater she is! Hmph! Who has two breakfasts in a day?" Shin You Jun suddenly from the side huffed when saw Li Xue about to sit with them. Li Xue's brows at once got raised at his words but before she could say anything in response to him, the queen was fast enough to defend her. 

"You Jun, what are you saying? Have you ever seen yourself? How many times do you go for junk food? More than eight times. Who do you think is the big eater here? Huh?"

At the reprimanding words of the mother, Li Xue could not help but smile. And looking at her smile like that, the young prince could not help but pout more. 

"Ma! Why are you embarrassing me to defend her? Whatever I said to her was for her own good. Didn't you say I should see and respect her like an elder sister? So which brother would like to see his elder sister become like a pig after eating so much? I was just concerned for her. And you are still chiding me."

Chen Rui no longer knew how to deal with her son anymore. Did he really believe that she would believe in his excuses? She knows him too well to understand his every attitude. 

"Crown Prince, thanks for your concern. I really felt good seeing a younger brother in you. But don't worry about me. I follow my meal schedule and quantity too strictly. I won't get fat this easily". Li Xue said, keeping a smile on her lips just to tease the boy more. 

Seeing her like that, the queen could not help but smile. "Okay, Li Xue, now come one! Sit. The maids will soon bring something appropriate for your second breakfast". 

Li Xue nodded, before pulling a chair beside her to sit. But just when she was about to sit, a pair of stares made her pause in her movements. Her eyes darted once again to look at the king, who was still looking at her. Not knowing the reason behind, she realized it the other way. 

"Oh, my apology. Good morning, Your Majesty. I think I have not greeted you appropriately." She said, bowing a little in greeting but her words only make the man feel the loss. 

Chen Rui looked at him for a moment. Then shaking her head she said, "There is nothing so serious for you to apologize like that, dear. Come and have your seat first. Furthermore, since you call me mother, with that relation, wouldn't he be your father. And any father doesn't require apologies from his daughter". She said shrugging back her shoulders in nonchalance. 

But her words and thoughts took a pause when suddenly Li Xue rejected her. "Sorry, but I don't make relations like that".