The palace at midnight was supposed to be silent.
But in the royal kitchen?
Crash!
Clang!
Sniffle… munch munch…
The guards panicked. "Is it a thief?!"
Nope. Just their princess, sitting on the floor, surrounded by buns, dumplings, and an empty sauce bottle. Her cheeks were so full she looked like a hamster storing food for winter.
When she noticed the guards, she froze mid-bite.
"…If you didn't see me, it didn't happen."
The head cook nearly fainted. "Your Highness, the kitchen is NOT a midnight buffet!"
Before she could reply, her elder brother strolled in, scratching his head.
"Oi, clumsy, couldn't you sneak food quietly for once? You woke me up."
Yet… he sat down and stole two buns from her plate.
The princess gasped. "Excuse me! Those are MINE."
"You already ate half the kitchen," he retorted.
"Sharing is caring!" she snapped, hugging the food protectively.
Just then, their father, the Emperor, peeked in.
"What's this? A secret family gathering without me?"
And without hesitation, he joined, taking a dumpling like it was his birthright.
The only one missing was the Empress.
When her sharp footsteps echoed down the hall, everyone froze like guilty children.
The princess whispered in terror, "Abort mission! Mother's coming!" She shoved a dumpling up her sleeve, another into her pocket, and one straight into her mouth.
The Empress walked in, hands on her hips, ready to scold.
But instead of exploding, she calmly sat down, picked up a bun, and said,
"Pass the soy sauce."
The princess blinked. "…Did the moon rise upside down today?"
Everyone relaxed and started laughing again. But of course, the chaos didn't stop.
While trying to pour herself tea, the princess knocked the teapot over. Hot tea spilled across the table, she jumped up with a shriek, and BANG! her head smacked against the lantern.
"OWWW! WHY IS THE LANTERN ATTACKING ME?!" she yelled dramatically, rolling on the floor like a defeated warrior.
Her brother laughed so hard he almost choked on a dumpling. "Pffft—HAHA! You're not a princess, you're a walking disaster!"
The Emperor clapped the table, tears in his eyes from laughing. Even the Empress tried to stay serious but failed, covering her mouth with her sleeve.
The princess pouted, cheeks puffed like steamed buns.
"Hmph! My only crime was wanting snacks. And yet the whole universe gangs up on me!"
The cook muttered under his breath, "More like the snacks are the victims here…"
The whole kitchen roared with laughter, echoing through the palace.
The princess sulked, then sneakily grabbed another bun. Whatever. At least my midnight feast was worth it.