One might wonder, since Robin was subjected to Zhong Shenxiu’s process long ago, her very flesh and skin should set her distinctly apart from Tiya; why then is everyone so astonished?

The reason is quite simple: as Robin's strength continually grew, she, like Zhong Shenxiu, achieved the state of Fǎn Pǔ Guī Zhēn (Returning to Simplicity and Originality). In both bearing and appearance, she was indistinguishable from an ordinary child. This is precisely why so many people mistook them for mere brats!

Tiya, having grown up entirely within the palace, shielded from wind and rain, and meticulously cared for, possessed skin as delicate as a newborn infant's. Differentiating her from Robin based on outward appearance was exceedingly difficult!

Aside from Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, even Kaini at this moment would have trouble discerning from looks alone that she was a true master! Moreover, due to her focused restraint, she lacked the lingering allure she possessed after undergoing the Washing of the Marrow and Cleansing of the Sinews.

It could be said that the greater one’s power increases, the closer one draws to the common person!

Getting back to the matter at hand: just as Dogla and the other guards were about to rush forward, Tiya had already entered before them.

“Uncle Dogla, I’m back!” Tiya called out again, sporting a mischievous grin.

She was, after all, a child and couldn't grasp the immense trouble her unauthorized departure had caused Dogla and the others. Dogla, however, harbored no blame for Tiya; in his mind, the safe return of the little princess was a blessing, and the primary fault lay with their inadequate guarding, not with the Mistress.

Dogla remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed intently on Tiya. The other guards mirrored his expression. This wasn't due to overwhelming joy, but because the lesson Robin had delivered to them that morning was etched into their very bones. They were now scrutinizing the little princess and the girl named Robin to determine precisely what difference lay between them!

But after watching for a long time, they found nothing to distinguish them. Apart from their voices and expressions, they truly could not tell Tiya and Robin apart!

“Uncle Dogla, I’ve brought a few others with me. You’ll be shocked when you see them!” Tiya declared with complete confidence.

Brought others?

Dogla and the rest started in surprise. They knew the little princess hadn't made any acquaintances outside, so how could she suddenly say she brought company? Involuntarily, the guards raised their guard, about to question who it was, but Tiya preempted them.

“Sister Kaini, Sister Xia Luo, please come in!” Tiya’s face broke into a brilliant smile as she focused on Dogla’s reaction.

Under the astonished gaze of Dogla’s party, Kaini and the others stepped inside.

“Hello!” Kaini was poised and graceful, showing no shyness from meeting them for the first time!

However, Dogla’s men paid no heed to Kaini. They were utterly frozen, every eye fixed straight upon Robin, who walked in last!

This... this...

Suddenly facing two little princesses who looked identical, even these seasoned guards felt a wave of dizziness!

The visual impact was immense for them. At the moment they were most anxious and helpless, not only had the little princess returned on her own, but she had brought a twin! Heavens, how could such a thing happen?

Tiya let out a giggle upon seeing the shocked expressions of Dogla’s group. Xia Luo, however, spoke up, “Gentlemen, we meet again. Surely now you fully believe what I said earlier?”

With Robin and Tiya standing side by side, disbelief was impossible!

Dogla’s expression remained glazed. He looked first at Robin, then at Tiya beside her. At such close proximity for comparison, he still couldn't discern any physical difference between them—perhaps only the Palace Master could manage that!

“We have safely returned Tiya. It is time for us to leave,” Kaini said with a friendly smile before turning to depart.

“Please, please stay,” Dogla blurted out, not even knowing why he called Kaini and the others back.

Earlier, he had desperately wished strangers would keep their distance, but upon seeing Robin, he felt the entire situation was imbued with an ineffable strangeness that completely overturned his former understanding!

How could such impossibly similar people exist in this world?

Since this matter had presented itself, he needed to inquire further. At the very least, this needed to be reported to the Palace Master upon their return!

“Is there something else?” Kaini paused her steps and turned to ask.

“May I ask...” Dogla struggled, suddenly unsure where to begin. After a long moment of hesitation, he managed only one question: “May I ask, whose child is Robin?”

“Robin belongs to all of us!” Kaini remained perfectly calm.

“That...” Dogla wanted to ask for more crucial details, but the more anxious he became, the less capable he was of asking.

“We will meet again. Tiya knows where we are staying,” Kaini smiled, not waiting for Dogla to finish his query, and turned, leading Robin and the others away!

By the time Dogla reacted, Kaini and her party had vanished.

“Uncle Dogla, were you shocked?” Tiya asked cheerfully.

Dogla was still somewhat lost in thought. Instead of answering directly, he countered, “Little Princess, how did you come to be with them?”

Tiya chuckled lightly again and recounted the entire story—how she met Kaini and subsequently encountered Robin. Her excited tone suggested she, too, found the experience quite memorable.

Dogla remained silent for a long time, lost in contemplation.

“Uncle Dogla, do you think Robin and I look like sisters?” Tiya asked, blinking her large eyes.

Her question was innocent, but Dogla, hearing it, took it to heart; his entire body visibly trembled, and a flash of light crossed his eyes.

“Little Princess, we must return to the palace immediately!” Dogla said with noticeable agitation.

Tiya, whose face had been beaming moments before, immediately pouted in protest: “I’m not going back! Mother promised me I could play outside for three days.”

Uh...

Dogla realized in that moment that his excitement had made him overlook Tiya’s feelings. Yet, this matter was urgent and required immediate reporting to the Palace Master. He considered sending someone back alone, but feared a single messenger wouldn't convince the Mistress. What should he do? His eyes darted briefly, and he formed a plan.

“Little Princess, don't you wish to invite Robin to play in the palace?” Dogla offered a temptation first.

Tiya was indeed susceptible to temptation and quickly replied, “I do! Of course, I do! But Mother said I’m not allowed to bring outsiders into the palace without permission!”

“That is precisely why we must hurry back to report to the Palace Master,” Dogla explained. “Think about it: the Palace Master will definitely want to meet someone who looks exactly like you. Then she’ll surely agree!”

Tiya adopted a thoughtful expression; she was clearly tempted but hesitated.

Dogla quickly stoked the fire further: “Besides, only you, Little Princess, know where Robin and the others live. When the Palace Master wishes to see them, she will certainly let you go out again, and perhaps even let you stay out a few extra days!”

Tiya’s eyes lit up instantly. “Then let’s hurry back now! I need to tell Mother quickly; she’ll be so surprised too!”

As she spoke, two enchanting dimples appeared on her rosy cheeks.

The Imperial Palace of the Splendid Kingdom possessed a peculiar layout, divided into four distinct palaces corresponding to the four cardinal directions. Each palace represented an independent faction. This arrangement began following the death of the twenty-seventh ruler of the Splendid Kingdom, Ethanbard.

East Joy Palace. The current Palace Master, Paji, was tending flowers in the courtyard when a serving maid approached with news: the Little Princess had returned!

“Oh?” Paji sounded slightly surprised. She hadn't expected her daughter to return in less than three days. In her estimation, she wouldn't be back until tomorrow evening at the earliest!

“Very well, I understand,” Paji set down her gardening tools.

As she turned back, she noticed a stunningly beautiful woman standing there. Her eyebrows rivaled the green of willow leaves, her face vied with the red of peach blossoms; her shoulders seemed perfectly carved, her waist delicately slender, radiating an aura of noble serenity.

This woman was unmistakably Tiya’s mother, a fact confirmed by her features. It was astonishing to see she was still so breathtakingly radiant!

“Mother, I’m back!” A joyous shout announced Tiya’s lively presence.

Paji gave Tiya an exasperated look. How many times had she told her not to shout so loudly? She never maintained any semblance of a princess’s demeanor! Yet, it was precisely this quality in Tiya that always delighted her—her daughter was her source of joy.

“Ask Dogla and the guards to come in as well,” Paji said with a gentle smile, instructing a maid.

The maid replied with an “Yes,” and quickly exited, returning shortly with Dogla and his group who had been waiting outside.

“Your subordinate greets the Palace Master,” Dogla and the guards bowed in unison.

“You are dismissed. Has Little Ya been well-behaved these past two days?” Paji asked in a soft tone.

“The Little Princess has been very obedient!” Dogla hastened to confirm, intending to conceal the fact that Tiya had run away.

Little Ya, didn't you say you wouldn't return until you played for three full days? Why are you back after only two?” Paji was about to inquire about the reason, but Tiya, more eager than her mother, interrupted her.

“Mother, guess what we saw outside! You’ll never guess!” Tiya said, smiling proudly.

“If you say Mother can’t guess, why are you asking me to guess?” Paji chuckled.

Tiya gave a little chuckle and stopped teasing her mother, speaking plainly: “Mother, outside, I saw someone who looks exactly like me!”

Paji didn't take it seriously, dismissing it with a casual, “Is that so?”

She knew her daughter well; a very ordinary small matter could be exaggerated into a monumental event by Tiya.

“Mother, I’m not lying! We really saw her. Uncle Dogla and the others can confirm it—someone who looks incredibly, incredibly similar to me!” Tiya urged when she sensed her mother’s disbelief.

“What the Little Princess says is true!” Dogla and the others quickly attested.

“Oh?” Paji gave Dogla’s group a scrutinizing look and asked, “How similar?”

“Identical!” Dogla replied with stark seriousness.

Just as Paji fell into contemplation, Tiya uttered something that deeply shocked her:

“Mother, when Robin and I stand together, no one can tell us apart!”

“What did you say her name was?” Paji’s expression shifted into one of intense excitement.